“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

I have a Son-in-Law named Charles. Today is Charles’ birthday. I helped celebrate Charles’ Birthday YESTERDAY. Charles is VERY happy!

If you know Charles, you know he’s a smart, tough, manly man who loves Jesus and his family. When my daughter, Calah told me she needed help in getting a gift from her, I was all in. I won’t go into the details about the gift because THAT is another story. But OTHER parts of the story that deserve to be told… like the REASON I helped them celebrate YESTERDAY!

Because of calendar issues and plans with his mom and dad, there was really only time to get this gift to him YESTERDAY. Knowing Charles, we already KNEW he would LOVE the gift! It takes a LOT to get Charles excited and my daughter Calah KNEW THIS would do it! I did too. So the presentation happened YESTERDAY… NOT ON his Birthday! And he didn’t mind a bit!

Over the centuries, the Christmas story has been told, tweaked and retold over and over. Therefore, it is not uncommon at Christmas time to hear opposing views as to the legitimacy of Christians celebrating Christmas on December 25^th, with adverse instructions as to HOW. It gets even WORSE at Easter! I’d like an attempt to De-Manify both!

The gift Charles got had NOTHING to do with time! But BECAUSE of the timing, Charles was able to enjoy it YESTERDAY… AND will enjoy it TODAY when he actually USES it! The day had NOTHING to do with his enjoyment of ‘The Gift.’ But rather enhanced it. Just like our celebration of Jesus Christ as ‘The Son of Man’ AND ‘GOD in the Flesh!’

Having been chided, and forced to listen to ridiculous reasons why we SHOULD NOT celebrate Christmas or Easter (and even the Sabbath) on the days we do, along with excuses as to WHY and HOW, I have become far too nauseated to hear anymore! Knowing Jesus personally as I do, I absolutely know for CERTAIN that HE, like Charles, could care less WHEN or HOW we celebrate His Birthday. Being humble, I know He just LOVES it when WE DO!

Is there any WRONG WAY to show love and appreciation for someone? If you LOVE them you won’t shoot or spit at your loved one. Careful planning and consideration go into honoring and celebrating that special person in your life. Wrong intent with bitterness and harm NEVER enter the equation for celebration. Exclusivity and judgment only take away!

So MERRY CHRISTMAS friends. God the Father invites YOU to MAGNIFY His son…not MANIFY Him. That means the whole celebration of Christ’s Birth is both personal AND corporate…AND GODLY! You SHOULD honor Jesus Christ as God YOUR way… AND join in WITH a Church Family to do it ALONG WITH His Bride! All the time leaving the criticism at home! With Jesus, you either join ‘The Family’, or you don’t!

Are YOU celebrating the Birth of the Savior with friends and relatives AND His Church?

Much of writing the Words of the Day is talking about MY experience… What ‘I’ learned, or should have, as I go through life day by day. It is not to highlight how smart I am, and usually reveals quite the opposite of how ridiculous I can be! THIS Christmas, in year 66 of our lives, Katie and I have had TREMENDOUS JOY in gaining even MORE insight into the story of the Birth of Messiah!

When we learn or hear something that is new, or a new and deeper thought about this old old story, it ignites our hearts and spirits. The result is inevitable! Running to the other we start off with a voice pitch that is generally higher and more enthusiastic! “Did you ever hear THIS ONE?” It is a SIGN of a dedicated learner.

Yesterday I received a call from Jason… then a text this morning from John. BOTH of them had discovered something they hadn’t known before. And it WASN’T on level with a new way of sharpening a saw blade! Rather…this information opened their spirit eyes with the SAME result that Katie and I experience when God shows us more of Himself. Like a cold, God information is infectious and CANNOT be contained. Thus shared, it infectiously moves onward.

Today I am not writing anything new but rather sharing what we have just discovered! It is an article centered around a question. “How was it that just a few ‘Wise Guys’ were able to show up in Jerusalem and DISTURB a whole town…INCLUDING the KING?” Because, in a nutshell, the Birth of Messiah was a BIG DEAL! God had INTENDED it to be so!

This message may take a little more time to read and digest, because it is a message that is not so simple after all. My hope is that this excites YOU as well, and sends you running to SOMEBODY with a higher pitch in your voice and enthusiasm in your spirit. After all…The Savior has been BORN! And only Wise Guys are even going to know about it! Are YOU one?

Please click on the link below. If you can’t open it, copy and paste it into your browser. If you don’t know what that means…well…yer a little behind on the technology curve. Contact me and I’ll walk you though!

Arrival of the Magi To Visit Christ

In His Service, therefore at yours

K.C.

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7-9

It all started off yesterday morning at Church when I heard that Paula and Galen were going to be having their Annual Christmas Party. Not wanting to overstep or cause any problems, I asked Paula if she wanted EVERYONE to know about it! She did! I made the announcement… and plans and preparations were made! It was just a matter of time.

As the clock rolled on we established what time we would need to leave to get there on time. Every glance at the clock was to establish how much or how little time we had before leaving for the event. Suddenly… it was time to get ready, then get in the car, and then GO! I knew WE weren’t going to be the only ones following that same routine.

Paula and Galen’s Christmas Party is not something that is new. In fact, it isn’t even the ONLY one they throw! They had just had a party for their neighbors and close friends! Last night was for Church people. When we pulled up, people were already there and had started in on the food and conversation.

The house was decorated and every conceivable space held some kind of food dish. People were talking, laughing, eating and enjoying. Conversation went from Jesus, Family, Christmas plans, Church, people, kids and even goats! You had to be there! It was fun moving from person to person, talking and eating. On the way home, I began to think about a Party to which I have been invited that hasn’t even happened yet!

I’m talking ‘The Big One’ here! The time in Heaven when Jesus Christ will be celebrating with His Bride…The Church! Having been to MANY wedding celebrations and parties, I cannot even imagine what lavish affair will be had when ‘God’ is the host. But I had a little taste last night!

Decorations and food do not make a party. What makes the party enjoyable is the PEOPLE. I have found that the more people have in common, the more fun the party can be. Having Jesus as the center of your life just makes for GREAT conversation starters. I am looking forward to THAT party with HIS people more than anything here on this planet!

Will YOU be there?

It is a fact that not everybody HAS a Merry Christmas. The Holidays can be a source of sorrow with remembrance of a lost loved one. It is also a fact that if you live long enough, you WILL experience this particular emotion during this festive time of the year. After reading this article yesterday, I took considerable time to contemplate the message.

Two Kinds of Opposition to Jesus by John Piper

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Matthew 2:3)

Jesus is troubling to people who do not want to worship him, and he arouses opposition against those who do. This is probably not a main point in the mind of Matthew, but it is an inescapable implication as the story goes on.

In this story, there are two kinds of people who do not want to worship Jesus.

The first kind is the people who simply do nothing about Jesus. He is a nonentity in their lives. This group is represented at the beginning of Jesus’s life by the chief priests and scribes. Matthew 2:4 says, “Assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, [Herod] inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.” So they told him, and that was that: back to business as usual. The sheer silence and inactivity of the leaders is overwhelming in view of the magnitude of what was happening.

And notice, Matthew 2:3 says, “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” In other words, the rumor was going around that someone thought the Messiah was born. The inactivity on the part of the chief priests is staggering: why not go with the magi? They are not interested. They are not passionate about finding the Son of God and worshiping him.

The second kind of people who do not want to worship Jesus is the kind who are deeply threatened by him. That’s Herod in this story. He is really afraid. So much so that he schemes and lies and then commits mass murder just to get rid of Jesus.

So today, these two kinds of opposition will come against Christ and his worshipers: indifference and hostility. I surely hope that you are not in one of those groups.  (I, K.C., Hope that you ARE!)

And if you are a Christian, let this Christmas be the time when you ponder what it means — what it costs — to worship and follow this Messiah.

End of Message from John Piper

In reading the line, “two kinds of opposition will come against Christ and his worshipers: indifference and hostility. “ followed by “I surely hope that you are not in one of those groups.” The thought made me pause!

If you are Believer in Jesus Christ, you WILL SUFFER for that belief! Jesus said so Himself. You WILL experience the knowledge that life is tragic…AND understand that YOU need a Savior. When making the decision to follow Jesus Christ, you WILL experience indifference and hostility from those who have not! It is simply a given.

So for the first time in my life, I’d like to take a VERY brief moment to wish YOU, in some small way, a ‘kind of’ SUFFERING CHRISTMAS!

You’re welcome! 

“God helps those who help themselves“

Standing at the busy intersection, holding ‘Jesus Signs’ as cars fly past is a ministry of our church. As four of us stood proclaiming the message and reason for Christmas, a piece of paper, carried by the wind, came drifting up the road. It got past 3 of us, but Vic was determined to catch and eliminate that litter from the street! Then it got interesting!

The paper appeared to pull a ‘football move,’ avoiding Vic’s foot…twice! The third attempt ALMOST sent Vic rolling into the street! But heroically, he was finally able to subdue the paper perpetrator. Not bad for a lawyer, eh? As he examined the document, it appeared to be some sort of official paper. Reading it out loud brought shock and excitement to our little group!

Vic stated that the finder of this particular document was entitled to receive $1 Million Dollars! Apparently the ‘reward’ was to any ‘do-gooder’ who would take time to pick up trash, thus cleansing the world of its debris! We were all ecstatic! I began to wonder if ‘I’ might have a legal right to some of that reward as well. After all, I DID TRY to get it FIRST!

Vic let out a little laugh as he confessed that the paper ‘DIDN’T ACTUALLY SAY THAT!’ He was just messing with us! But for a moment…no let’s just call it a nanosecond! Because that’s about as long as I was fooled. I began to think about things people actually believe are true…but aren’t! Take today’s Bible verse.

LOTS of people quote it AND give the Bible as the source. But the slogan, “God helps those who help themselves,” is found NOWHERE in God’s Word. In fact, I’m glad that it ISN’T! Because if there were a hint of truth to it, there would be NO hope for me. The Christmas Season and Story make that point clear! When it comes to men, and me especially, we are ALL in desperate need of a Savior. There is NO WAY I can Save or Help myself!

Sin is the offender to God. It makes us all filthy pigs in His eyes. There is NO place for a filthy pig in God’s perfect presence! That thought makes me sweat like a pig, because with no hope, I am destined for the ultimate barbecue…and DESERVE IT! But 2000+ years ago, God sent His son, born of woman, to pay for MY offenses. Sadly, very few people actually get excited about that thought!

The Bible has a LOT to say about God, man, sin and righteousness. The more I read God’s Word, the more I appreciate what He did for ME. I believe it and receive it, and no longer need to sweat like a pig over my destination. Especially since I discovered…pigs don’t sweat!

Are YOU trusting in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of the World? Then join me this season in NOT sweating. Because God doesn’t need my help. Just my trust!

“‘How can I be sure of this?’ ‘How will this be?’” Luke 1:18 and 34

It was a question I had been asking myself for a few days. Trying to finish up a project, I had run into a legal issue. Before I could do 1 thing, I HAD to do something else. The question before me was, “HOW?” I couldn’t do the project myself, so I HAD to depend on someone else to do the job. After making several calls, “HOW” was proving to be quite a problem!

Things are tough these days and every company in the building trade is slammed. When talking to potential contractors, I received lots of responses…and many non’s. Some told me they’d call back, meet,  or get me a quote. Out of 10 companies, I received 4 responses. And NO one who said they’d get back to me…did! It is clear that what people SAY and DO are often 2 different things. Angels aren’t used to that!

These 2 quotes from Scripture sound very much the same. They were spoken by 2 different people. The first was Zechariah at Gabriel’s announcement that HE was going to be a father. The second was from Mary when Gabriel told her SHE was going to be a mom! Though the words SOUNDED similar, they elicited different responses from Gabe!

Gabriel didn’t like doubt. Having just come from Heaven, He saw things ‘God said’ as DONE.  Zechariah…not so much! He questioned. A little too much! Gabe couldn’t take a joke and cursed Zach with a couple malady’s! Mary’s question got a dignified response AND a full explanation from Gabriel. Could it be that Angels respect women more than men? Or is something else going on here?

The Bible says, several times, that ‘out of the heart, the mouth speaks.’ Humans have a habit of saying things to try to cover all the bases so they don’t get caught, burned or misunderstood. The center of most conversation is ‘The Self!’ Which apparently, Zach was full of. Mary was not. She was honored to be chosen and didn’t need a lot of details.

I have to confess that I often read Scripture with a Zach attitude instead of a Mary one. When God says “DO THIS” or “DON’T DO THAT” I have a tendency to look at how His will is going to impact my life and choices. I subconsciously look for angles, not angels, to help decide to do what God says. If there’s a loophole…I’ll usually  find it! Today’s story is telling me to stop looking for one!

HOW do YOU respond to God’s Words?

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:45

Well it finally happened! At my Doctor’s office yesterday, his initial diagnosis was simply a nasty cold. As the Doctor exited the room he said, “Just in case, I’m going to have them probe you for Covid!” For emphasis (or fun), he pointed his finger into the air and made a jabbing motion. He’s such a jokester! My thought was, “Oh great!!!! I’m about to be probed!”

I’d heard the stories of folks getting swabs shoved practically up into their brains for the viral test. None said it was pleasant! A nasal virgin myself, I had not had the experience! But that was about to change! I closed my eyes, sucked it up (like dad taught me) and rolled with it. Afterward, with water filling my eyes, I could only think…”glad THAT’S over!”

While reading the Christmas Story in Luke, it just kind of popped out at me. This verse, and in what is called “Mary’s Magnificat” that follows, shows Mary, the mother of Jesus, giving her response to God after what, quite literally, had been a Heavenly probe! When Perfect God invaded Mary’s sinful humanity, Mary was blown away! And she lived to tell about it!

Her response to God’s revelation that SHE was about to be the mother of ‘His Son’ is quite humbling! Her ‘soul glorified God and rejoiced in her Humble state!’ The great God of the universe had touched her, and with tears in her eyes, she ultimately realized just how blessed a servant she truly was! Her words, along with God’s Spirit, turned and probed MY spirit! Forcing ME to respond to His touch!

The one thing missing in Mary is conceit! She had every reason to feel above everyone else! God had chosen HER! It could have been easy to stick her tongue at humanity and look down on the rest of us. But she doesn’t! She goes on to include ALL of humanity under the watchful gaze of God’s eye. Praise and overwhelming joy are her only responses. Humbled by her wonder, I considered how “I” see things.

To become and be a believer in Jesus Christ is tough. The FIRST criteria is to DIE! To lose the sense of self and see oneself under the X-ray of God’s vision. I believe that is why so few Christians exist, since the entrance exam proves so debilitating! Christmas reminds me that life is NOT about me. But about God taking the time and paying the cost to REDEEM me! Ultimately, I join with Mary in saying…”My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”

What do YOU say when God probes YOU?

“‘…listen, and resolve to honor my name,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Malachi 2:1 (implied)

Christmas, being the most wonderful time of the year, has had me looking at life through a lens of mucus and ‘humbug!’ A week ago I intercepted a nasty cold virus, and lately, my main goal in life has been to simply breathe! Yesterday I felt terrible and apologized to the Church for what I felt was a terrible sermon! Then Scrooge came home to my opposite…Christmasland & and my Elf!

For the past week Katie has been decorating our house for Christmas. While I have been fighting for breath, popping pills and laying around trying to get better, SHE has been smearing the house with lights, baubles and the stuff of Joy! As of right now, there are 7 Christmas trees in our house! My dark office is the only room she HASN’T touched…yet!

I don’t like feeling this way! Because when I’m down and feeling ill, it is easy to let that spirit move in and set up camp. Last night I got up 5 times, and each time I could sense Scrooge looking down on me with satisfying contempt. He had me and knew it. Making my way back to bed, I passed the smallest tree, its light piercing the darkness. And something sparked.

When I awoke the 6^th time, it was still dark. The clock said I had 30 minutes before the alarm would go off. I felt Scrooge start to grin at my feeling of despair. When the chill of the air met the warmth of my bed, I suddenly smiled and replied in gratitude, “Ahhhhh!” I thanked God for peace in the darkness, the light in my spirit and the Elf who lay beside me! Scrooge ran!

First thing this morning my Bible opened to Malachi 2, a depressing chapter! I found God dressing down the priests of that day for ACTING like I have been FEELING. Flipping the verse around in my head forced me to see that THEIR actions COULD actually become MY instruction! I could sense Jesus crooking His finger at me saying, “get over here!” And smiled because I knew what was coming.

‘Feeling follows Faith,’ is something I learned long ago. Unfortunately, being human, I have to KEEP learning it. God wants me to listen and RESOLVE to honor Him BEFORE I take stock of how I FEEL! Katie Elf doesn’t love decorating as much as she loves how it looks after she has decorated! Looking forward gives her the motivation to move in that direction. Lesson learned!   THANK GOD this Scrooge lives with an Elf who loves Jesus!

Who lives with YOU?

“He (Jesus) replied, ‘The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables, so that they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.'” Mark 4:11-12

I like to work puzzles… sometimes. Tho they say it keeps my brain sharp, I don’t really do puzzles for that purpose. To be honest, most of the time I do it because I’m bored. I was taking a few minutes to play Sudoku and the game told me I’d get a prize if I finish within 6 minutes. 2 minutes into the game, the screen flashed and all my input was lost. Hmmmmm!

Every Christmas I make it a point to read and think on the Christmas Story from Matthew and Luke. God NEVER fails to show me a LOT of new stuff I had never noticed before. This year, I have been impressed with the number of times the Old Testament prophecy has been fulfilled. The guys (Matt & Luke) point it out, “Thus fulfills the prophecy.” Thus…I began to wonder why!

Jesus differentiates His listeners as those being either ‘inside’ or ‘outside.’ To those in His inner circle, the ones who WANT to know, He grants them the honor of understanding. Those on the ‘outside’…nada! Which sounds to me to be just like a puzzle. The KEY to SOLVING it being, do I REALLY WANT to know and understand?

Years ago I learned that God is NEVER going to MAKE me LOVE HIM. I must either WANT TO…or nada! When I met my wife, I wanted to know EVERYTHING about her because I LOVED everything I knew thus far! Why WOULDN’T I want MORE? It is the same with God. Christmas Gives God the ABILITY to love us, and opens the door for us to pursue Him. That is… if we WANT TO!

Satan has a different scheme. He HATES God and is CONVINCED that He can actually DEFEAT Him and take over His Kingdom. Which is kind of funny. Because God actually takes satan’s evil desire as a kind of game! He does that with prophecy. He tells satan and the world, in His Word, WHAT He is going to do. And sometimes, even WHEN He is going to do it. Then He lets the enemy take a crack at solving the puzzle. So far, God is about 900 to nada!

There are over 300 prophecies predicting Christ’s Birth. There are over 600 prophecies concerning His imminent return as King. Is God thumbing His nose at satan saying, “Catch me if you can?” Or is He laying love messages down as hints to His heart, so that you and I might actually FIND Him…and love Him MORE. I vote the latter.

How do YOU see it?