Mighty God – Reflections on the God of the Season

               So, I made it through Christmas, and on top of my battle with the blues, I had to portion out my pain relief medication (I suffer from a chronic malady). It was my own fault for not refilling it before Christmas, and the timing couldn’t be worse. Yet, I grabbed hold of the fact that Jesus Christ is both Immanuel and MIghty God, and prayed for the Spirit’s strength to persevere. God, in His mysterious yet tangible way, heard and answered.

When I read the following, it reinforced my own little experience with the God of the Universe over the past few weeks, and inspired me once again to peer beyond the dirty window. I embrace the hope of Jesus in the now and the not yet. I hope you’re encouraged too.

• God born as a baby;
• The baby that Mary stared at in the crib was the God who made her;
• He was born so poor and at such a bad time that He had to be born in a barn because there was no room in local hotels; He ended up having to flee for His life because an out of control government was trying to kill Him… yet God was so in control that He appointed a chorus of angels to serenade His birth and a star to guide wise men from thousands of miles away right to his home.

His whole life would be characterized by this kind of paradox:

• He would get hungry; yet, He could feed 5000.
• He would get thirsty; but, He could walk on water.
• He would complain of being tired; but He could heal the sick and raise the dead.
• He would die a criminal’s death, yet He would triumph over death in power.

In that mystery is the story of our salvation. He was born Son of Man and Son of God.

• He was born Son of Man so that He could enter our suffering, share our pain, and bear our sin.
• He was born Son of God because only God could save us.
• As Athanasius, an African theologian said nearly 1700 years ago, said, “He became what we are (sinful human flesh) that He might make us what He is (an eternal son of God).” 

Because He was the Son of Man, He’d have nowhere to lay His head; because He was the Son of God, He could give billions shelter beneath His wings (borrowed from JD Greear’s blog who credits Tony Evans).

Blue Holidays

               Our Christmas tree is just beginning to emit that reminiscent Christmas-time aroma, and underneath presents are propped waiting to be opened. Our ornaments reflect 30 years of marriage and adventure, each has a story to tell and each reminds us of another place and time when we celebrated this most holy day.

Last night we attended our church’s first of four or five services. It was a packed house – standing room only. The music was just what you hope it will be at Christmas, and the message, throughout the evening served to make the birth of Christ relevant to a 21st Century crowd. Afterward we enjoyed dessert with friends, and upon returning home opened a stack of holiday greeting cards. I love the pictures – such lovely families and dear friends – wishing us Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

This time of year always make me so aware of the rich blessings we enjoy – I’m thankful for so many things that I hardly know where to start. We’ve seen and experienced God’s faithfulness, provision, direction, and love on all sorts of levels. Yet, I can tend to feel pretty blue this time of year – and always have. I sort of feel alone even in a crowd, and while I believe Jesus brings “joy to the world” I grasp to find joy in the moment. We aren’t lacking in any way, but I can feel kind of hollow and empty. Bob lavishes me with love and kindness, but I don’t always feel deserving. I keep telling myself it’s silly to feel these things…but every December it’s a battle. 

I’ve taken time to talk to the Lord about this over the past few days, and He reminds me that He is the Wonderful Counselor…He came to earth because I need Him – we need Him.

This morning as I opened to Psalm 25 His words counseled my soul,”Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all of my sins. Look upon my enemies for they are many; and they hate me with violent hatred. Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You” (Psalm 25:16-21)

“Blessed be the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults. And with my song I shall thank Him. The Lord is their strength, and He is a saving defense to His anointed. Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever” (Psalm 28:6-9).

It’s comforting to recall to mind that He’s a wonderful counselor, and a shepherd, who prods when we need it and carries us when we can’t take the next step.

Christmas…Immanuel, God with us no matter what.

 

Immanuel – God With Us

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:8).

Did you know that you can take your dog to see Santa Claus? I guess the saying is true, “Dogs are people too” and I wish I’d have known! It would’ve been fun to watch my neighbors 100+ pound golden doodle slobber and shed all over Santa’s velvety lap. A recent news story told of a boy whose father was building a house. The little boy was afraid the chimney was too small for Santa, so in an effort to reassure his son, the builder hired a crane to lift and then lower Santa into the chimney.

My Dad was an air-traffic controller and often worked the late shift on Christmas Eve. I remember him calling the house, faithfully every year, to assure us that the sleigh had been spotted on the radar and Santa was on his way. As a child, although my family and I often attended Christmas Eve services at church, the birth of Jesus wasn’t a huge part of our Christmas celebration. I kind of understood that a baby had been born in a manger, to a virgin mother (I’m sure I didn’t really understand what that meant when I was 5) that His name was Jesus and He was God’s Son. Back then, at least in my family, Santa seemed to make more sense.

Today I marvel at the fact that the whole world celebrates Christmas, and whether everyone knows it or not, it’s all because of this baby that I once knew so little about.

“The God who flung planets into space and kept them whirling around and around, the God who made the universe with just a word, the one who could do anything at all — was making himself small. And coming down…to rescue the world.” (The Jesus Storybook Bible)

The stories about kids and dogs and Santa are thin silver linings around an otherwise grim holiday season. Sadly, hunger, poverty, unemployment, foreclosures, murder, suicide, destruction, wars and rumors of war make the bigger headlines. While it’s true that Santa and his reindeer, his goodies and his toys, bring momentary happiness (for those who have the money) we need more, oh so much more, than a few minutes on Santa’s lap, we need a Savior, a Rescuer, one who’s enduring and eternal. The God of the universe displays His love, faithfulness, grace and forgiveness through the most generous (and undeserved) gift of His Son.

His name is Jesus, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace…Immanuel, God with us.

On Losing Focus During Finals Week

Twas two nights before the final and all through my head danced genres and movements and all the stuff that we read. The flashcards were filled to the edges with care, in hopes that our efforts would bring a big “A” to bear. The Law and the gospels we attacked with great flair, while at times it was at the ceiling we stared.

When all was nearly lost and our brains almost blast, it was Katy K who reminded us that assonance was last. We studied and learned with gladness and glee that 1+2=3, as does repetition plus terseness = inten-sit-ee.

When Lucy did snore and the couch it did rattle, we learned that concrete was more than just spattle. To epistles, prophecy and kingdom we now must attend, but it’s really upon His wisdom we must depend.

 We strain and we listen for Scripture’s great song, and for Southpoint and Nordstrom we secretly long. With exegesis and interpretation loud in my head it’s with our great King in my heart I scurry to bed.