“(God) set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 1:22

Well…I guess it’s time! Though I always get sad at this time of year when Katie starts taking down the Christmas decorations. But now it’s official…this Merry Merry Holy-Day is HO HO Over! Now It’s time for her to box it all up and put it away until next year. And that last sentence is not intended to sound as if it came from a male chauvinistic pig. Even though I am one.

After 43 Christmases together, there is a ritual that has formed to become “THE WAY” we do almost EVERYTHING. Boxing up Christmas is a prime example. I watch as my artistic and finicky wife takes down each decoration and, if breakable, carefully wraps it in paper to place it in a labeled box for next year. Often an old label is crossed out to relabel the current contents. But nothing is ever lost this way! MY job is to lug it all back to storage!

To me, Christmas is all about anticipation as learning, enjoying and spending time with those we love, all move to the ultimate crescendo of celebration! After that, the party’s over! Even tho it’s not really! The seeming letdown of this time of year proves that the Birth of The Promised Messiah is a wonderful event to remember…and no joke! Before ‘The Promise’ came, men lived in darkness, clinging only to an old STORY of hope. But not anymore!

Because He CAME, I no longer need to fear or feel hopeless! God didn’t use a ‘special star’ to guide me, but the Holy Spirit prompted me onward toward my own search for the ‘Savior,’ Having found Him, and unlike the Angels to the shepherds, He has never REALLY left me. Even though sometimes it may SEEM that way.

I guess I could say I am like a very special Christmas ornament to Him. I have been purchased, put on display, and now marked with a permanent seal for a time in the future. And even though I may sometimes FEEL like I’ve been put on hold in a box, I have been MARKED and GUARANTEED for a time that will ultimately be the Greatest Holy-Day in History. And though a little sad now, I have EVERY reason to hold onto His Comfort and Joy! WITH anticipation!

How about YOU?

“Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19

Waking up to a Monday is not really that big of a deal. After all, they come around once a week! But today…THIS Monday…is a little different because it’s the first Monday after a long Christmas break. For me, being kind of semi-retired, I don’t HAVE to BE ANYWHERE! But for some reason, it seems like I should be!

Katie is getting ready to go to work. Having enjoyed over 2 weeks of being allowed to sleep-in, the time has come to get up and DO what we NORMALLY do! Being fresh on the heels of 2021 after such a churned up 2020, it is easy to ask the question, “But what is normal?” If you’re like me, the desire to crawl back in bed can be almost irresistible!

Facing a New Year can be a challenge, because I can’t escape the fact that, while ALL of us are on the same ship, EACH of us has different responsibilities. A cruise, a break or vacation is fun. But ‘Normal’ is where we live! In today’s Bible verse, Jesus had just made a special trip, through a storm to rid a guy of his demons. As Jesus was getting back in the boat, the healed man wanted to tag along. Until Jesus gave him his new job…”GO HOME!” HUH????

After many years of work and preparation, my oldest son Clint started his new job as a Harbor Pilot. This picture came across my phone yesterday on his first run! He told me the feeling was overwhelming, as the responsibility is a big one. Bringing ships in and taking them back out requires an INTIMATE knowledge of what home really is! For at home, thar be LOTS of close and treacherous obstacles to avoid!

Clint didn’t get there alone. His brother Colt was a big help, since being home to him is in the same place! He introduced him to people using HIS contacts and knowledge, to prepare his brother to succeed. Our whole family prayed and supported and encouraged along the way. Now we ALL get to celebrate the culmination and joy of the journey!

Exotic new places can be thrilling. New things to do that don’t’ seem so boring are ALWAYS a temptation. But reading this story today helps me to realize that Jesus isn’t really asking me to do something I am unqualified to do. It helps to remember that, when I’m looking for something big and spectacular, Jesus simply tells me to “go home and tell THEM what the Lord has done!” Which MUST be important!     And I think I just did!

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mathew 28:19-20

I must have missed the knock yesterday! But the evidence was plainly there on the doorknob. We had had a visitor. It was a salesman to be sure, based upon the flier hanging there, with an opportunity presenting itself. But would I take it? This got me thinking…”What if it had been Jesus?”

So I imagined I moved across the country. The big city is new to me. Having small town roots I’m excited to give one of the nation’s largest metropolises a try. I’m looking forward to the excitement and settling in. With boxes still unpacked, I decide to sleep in and rest before tackling another day. But at 6 am, I hear the doorbell ringing…and it won’t stop. I put on some old clothes, hoping that I look O.K., then answer the door in mid ring. Standing before me is a man holding a briefcase, along with about 14 other people I DON’T know, right behind him. He glances at his watch. “GOOD MORNING” he booms, then says.. “I am SO delighted to catch you at home! May we come in?”

Before I can answer he pushes his way in and the others follow. Before I know it I’m holding fresh coffee in carry out cup. And it’s JUST the way I like it! Then I see on the table, not 1, but 2 of my favorite doughnuts. I quickly notice that every eye is upon me. The man is bubbly, jovial and genuinely excited to be at my house. He then begins his pitch! Since I‘m now eating his doughnut I feel like I’ve got to at least hear him out.

“I am the mayor and I actually heard you were coming into town. Don’t ask, I know all sorts of things. But I was MOST excited upon YOUR arrival because, well, our town, though big and of large reputation, suffers from a decline in … well GOODness! “ I have decided that I want to make YOU the vice mayor and place YOU in charge of helping to rebuild this town into one with an image that will make people WANT to come and live here! The salary is 2 Million dollars a year and I need you to start… right now!” Then I woke up!

Does that sound strange? Unbelievable? Well not according to today’s Bible verse! Being His, I recognize that story and understand what He is trying to say to me. And not JUST me! Because the story is quite true!! YOU and I have been hand-picked PERSONALLY…By Jesus Christ Himself….to join His welcome wagon team. 2021 is right behind Him. And He’s waiting for an answer.

Oh…I think I just heard YOUR doorbell!

“Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” Jude 22-23

There are some things that come out of need vs want. As I look back on my life; where I live, what I have, what I do, the blessing of it all does not escape me. I COULD live in a third world country with nothing but a hut and a fire pit. But since we live in America, I COULD say, we NEEDED a new oven!

The whole Covid thing has put the kibosh on SO many things. Appliances should hardly seem an area of concern! But after looking around, NEW appliances are getting harder to find…since parts from China, for production, were hard to come by. HMMMMMMM!? Going to a used appliance store, we asked if they had ovens. “Tomorrow,” was all he said. Yesterday was the day I handed that man my credit card!

The whole ordeal was what I would call…miraculous. This normally $900 oven was spotless! Upon inspection, it looked as if NOTHING had EVER been cooked in…or on it! Having just spent $400 for it, I couldn’t help but giggle at God. When the man helped me load it up, HE brought up the subject of Covid! Then I felt my benevolent God give me a nudge!

Everything I am, do and have are blessings from my Heavenly Father. I KNOW that! I have seen Him work and am daily amazed at WHAT He does and HOW He does it! I know that He has called ME to share His Mercy and Grace with others…just like He has called YOU! So it was a PLEASURE to SLIDE into my favorite subject with this ”used appliance salesman!” Soon I was telling him about JESUS!

As the world and SO many churches shut down because of a virus, I KNOW that God isn’t the one doing the shutting! I know because He keeps walking beside me and nudging me in whatever direction He sees fit. The Joy of the Journey is to simply pay attention and jump in with His Word of MERCY when signaled. As today’s verse indicates, it’s HOT as fire out there, and SO many need the Savior.

The word ‘Mercy’ means to NOT get what one deserves. I don’t deserve a life, a job with the Master of the Universe, a wonderful family or even a ‘like new’ oven (at 50% OFF)! But that is how my dad works! My sin was like a terminal cancer when I awoke and caught the note He left me, “Malignancy, Effectively Removed…Compassionately Yours…” Jesus! As this year ends, I thank God for His love and continued blessing. Even if it comes in the form of a new OVEN!

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20

Life has been keeping me rather busy lately as a lot of things have needed to be done by deadline. Always thinking, weighing and planning, my world was suddenly thrown into a sudden shock as if a circuit breaker had been tripped and everything had stopped! Shocked at something my wife said to me, I reacted! When all that brain flow was suddenly diverted, it just dumped out…all over HER!

This Christmas season came with lots of electrical failures, as many decorations and electrical gizmos either no longer work, or QUIT working after being up for a while! Which is NOT a third world problem! After all, more money, a reset of the breaker or a toss in a trash can CAN solve most ANY problem. But THIS one…this BRAIN BURP was going to take more effort!

Being married for as long as we have, we RARELY see ugly in our relationship. So when that disgusting monster pops in, he is ALWAYS shocking and immediately out of place. But strangely, I have found that, like a switch on a circuit breaker, he tends to point out a potential problem I may not have even seen coming! Which can prevent a BIGGER problem later on.

Every emotion is given to us by God for a REASON! There is NOTHING bad about ANY of them. They are pointers that indicate something is wrong that needs to be addressed. Sometimes it is within us, and sometimes it is on the outside. When a negative emotion is triggered, it’s a signal for immediate investigation and repair.

As a Believer, I have a couple current monitors. My own heart has God-built onboard systems that signal when something is overheating. As a Believer, I also have the Holy Spirit, and God’s written Word, to regulate the finer issues of life. God is my boss and HE has expectations from me. When I don’t meet them, He reminds me. Which is not a bad thing!

In retrospect, I am grateful for that ugly monster’s visit. I spent much of yesterday rehearsing and replaying what happened, and then asking myself WHY…. NOT to try to shift blame, but to take responsibility and learn from MY part in the meltdown. After all, when Katie married me…SHE got the ‘SHORT’ end of the circuit! I’m glad to say that, after much introspection, we’re humming along now! 

“’But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’” – Jesus Matthew 16:15

I HEARD the question! But my immediate reaction was not very good, and there was no way to save it, either! For the wrapping had already been torn off and I was seen as how I truly felt…‘irritably confused!’ Thinking it might provide clarity, my wife asked me again, “so what do YOU WANT for Christmas?” But my reaction was the same.

The question is asked countless times during the Christmas Season, since people don’t want to give UNWANTED gifts! I like to ask the question of people who I don’t know, simply as a way to get to know them! Oftentimes, what we WANT can help define WHO we are! Which can be VERY scary!

Presents are exchanged on December 25^th because we choose to celebrate the birth of Jesus on that date. We don’t really know WHEN He was born, but that is a moot point! He WAS born…and ‘wise men’ came to visit the ‘new born king’ bearing ‘King sized’ gifts! So we copy the transaction with each other! And usually with more extravagance than on our OWN birthdays. Which really isn’t a bad thing…until it is!

Honestly, I don’t really need or want anything. Other than the old standard of socks and underwear, I’m good! Forcing me to THINK about what I MIGHT like, to make my wife FEEL good about getting me SOMETHING, makes me irritable. The idea of actually LIKING something enough to actually spend money on it creates confusion. Because HEY!!!!! It’s JESUS BIRTHDAY! Shouldn’t we be asking HIM what HE WANTS!?? And suddenly…the room just got quiet!

What CAN you give ‘The God’ who can create universes at the speed of a spoken word? Or to ‘The Almighty’ who invents dynamic systems as small as an atom or a cell? I mean isn’t EVERYTHING at His beck and call?? And before I had time to type those words, I had the answer…which is irritably confusing. Because the answer is ‘NO!’

What ‘baby’ Jesus wanted was pretty simple. What ‘Son of God’ Jesus wants is a whole ‘nother story! Because He WANTS my whole heart’s simple devotion TO Him! How I SEE Him is based upon how I individually answer the Bible verse question today. If He is just some dude in history, it really doesn’t matter. But if I actually SEE him as He claims to be…which is ‘Lord God,’ I’d better be prepared to actually GIVE Him what He REALLY wants! Which can EASILY make me uncomfortable!

Have YOU asked Lord Jesus what He wants from YOU this Christmas?

“But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Jesus Matthew 10:33-34

After discovering that the media had a tendency to just make me angry, I quit! That’s right…I don’t watch the news. In fact, about the only thing I subscribe to is an email that simply gives me the highlights in 1 sentence proclamations! Yesterday, I read 3 that made me sick. With trouble on the rise this Christmas, I simply clicked off my phone!    Peace on earth?    Not!

The 3 stories that jumped out at me dealt with the rise of Antisemitism…and in AMERICA of all places! Once more, the nation of Israel, about the size of the state of New Jersey, is coming under verbal fire. Her crime is the same as always…she EXISTS! Which, if people would just use their head, should be proof enough that God exists! God Loves her – satan hates her.    ‘Nuf said!

It isn’t a new story. WAY back in the Old Testament, the people of Israel hardly even got started until murder and slavery met them at their own door. History is FILLED with the atrocities against ‘God’s Chosen People!’ Now, with the possible rise of a different president, the band is preparing to strike up that old sickening tune! In fact, it is only 1 song in a full concert! Which finds THIS Christmas overshadowed…with trouble!

Add to antisemitism…abortion, socialism, BLM riots, the LGBT+ agenda, the rewriting of history, the Covid scare, the closing of Churches and the mass exodus of Christians from following God’s Word, and you have a world, not just spinning out of control…but about to topple. Sadly, it seems we’re just getting started!

Peace is a favorite Christmas word that, I believe, really does live in the hearts of most people. The problem comes when people disagree on what basis Peace will exist. If what they hold sacred is selfish, greedy and sinful, peace will never come. Satan will continue to stir that pot! But surprisingly, his arch-enemy has already promised HE wasn’t bringing it either! His name is Jesus!

Most people don’t want to know, look at, or investigate the harsh claim of Jesus’ words in today’s Bible verses. Yes…He said them and Yes…He meant them! Holy, Perfect, Almighty Creator God has a standard that He expects to be followed…and that satan wants to overthrow! Now, silly humans arrogantly BELIEVE that THEY can build a better world. Which creates a MAJOR conflict!

This Christmas, like all Christmases since the original, REALLY only leaves you and me with 1 possible option. It’s time to choose a side!   May I suggest “The Savior?”

“‘When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 7:13

I happen to be running a little late today. But Hey!! It’s Christmastime! Yesterday, after making Christmas Cookies with the Grandkids, I had some time in the early evening to sit in the quiet of the patio. Suddenly, 2 rabbits came running by in a circular chase that went on for a while until…they simply froze in place! It was STRANGE!!!! I guessed that they either got tired or lost interest! Then I started thinking…

When I think of Christmas I tend to think of Reindeer…not bunnies. After all, rabbits are typically an Easter symbol! But along with the distracting speed and craziness of strange events in 2020, I have seen a HUGE increase in the number of WABBIT sightings this season. Though I find it disturbing and rare, it ISN’T unpwecedented!

Going back in time to the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve ‘had it made.’ Being best friends with ‘The Creator’ tends to put one at the TOP of the food chain! That is until their focus shifted. Did you know that ‘eating the forbidden fruit’ was NOT the ‘first’ in! It was ‘LUST’ that robbed their focus when they ‘willfully’ took their eyes off of God and placed them on their own selfish desires. Satan’s method worked so well, he uses the same formula today!

A WABBIT is one who, for ‘whatever’ reason, Won’t Accept Biblically Based Inspired Truth! To a WABBIT, ‘whatever’ is ALWAYS ‘personal,’ and to them, it is ALWAYS valid. I KNOW this because, in MY own walk with Christ, I have noticed a dangerous tendency to turn floppy ears toward a direction OTHER than where Jesus was leading. Soon, I turned tail and began to HOP!

The distraction of getting tired or losing interest in ‘God’s Way’ is a good wake up call. Finding myself uncomfortably frozen in place, with only my thoughts and the Holy Spirit, was a GOOD place to be! His final warning that I am NOT a WABBIT was what changed my reversal and got me back on track…following BEHIND The Shepherd. Right where I was meant to be!

If your direction is frozen and you’re confused, please know…God is trying to speak to you. Don’t be like the Old Testament Jews who refused to stop and turn around until it was too late! I’d advise you be a sheep…not a WABBIT!

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” 1 John 4:7

I LOVE the Post Office! And it’s all because the Post Office loves ME! I say that NOW because it’s Christmas Time. And at this time of year, the Post Office sends us special cards and letters, some of which even contain money! This ‘year end’ Good News kind of makes up for the stuff they sent me all through the rest of the year that DIDN’T make me happy!

Call me shallow, but nothing seems to help ‘make up’ after a little tiff… like a gift! Having received bills, reminders of responsibilities, junk mail and pleas for donations all year from the Post Office, I guess they instinctively KNOW they’d better do something NICE, if they want our relationship to continue into next year. So I don’t mind the petty stuff, eSPECIALly when the good stuff is delivered!!

I know, I know. This is crazy thinking! Of COURSE it isn’t the Post Office that sends me stuff disguised and as being from someone else! They are simply MESSENGERS! As I thought about the host of Angels who sang the whole ‘Peace on Earth Goodwill toward men’ theme, I remembered that messengers deliver messages from one source to another. And much of the time, they aren’t even emotionally involved! Not so with me!

As a Child of Most High God, though the Blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, I am REQUIRED to become emotionally involved with my ‘love’ deliveries and actually CARE about the people He sends me to. He wants me to actually LOVE them like HE does. Which can get quite scary AND…end up as a painful process.

There is a story from 1964 in regards to the characterization of pornography by Supreme Court Justice, Potter Stewart, who couldn’t really DEFINE it… but said, “I know it when I see it.” The theme, for this last week of Advent, is LOVE! And while I sometimes find me arguing with myself about the COST of ‘loving others’ in Jesus Name, I HAVE to admit that the message receiver WILL, genuinely and instinctively, ‘know it when they see it!’

I guess It might be helpful to remember my own advice that, often God doesn’t care ‘WHAT’ I do…and much as He cares about ‘HOW’ and ‘WHY’ I do it! A message from ‘The Master!’