The Spirit of Christmas

I know what some of you are anticipating.  A post about how Christmas no longer feels like Christmas.  How it has become so commercialized.  That this time of year is no longer about the One whose birthday we celebrate and rather about stress and spending and going and stuff.  I know.  You are right.  The Christmas season has a lot of trappings that I don't like.  And, to be perfectly honest, I heave a sigh of relief on December 26 when we are "done".  (I used to say "when things return to normal" but now I know that 'normal' is just a setting on my dryer).
This time of year brings additional demands to our already overcrowded life. Spending levels that are often regretted come January.More food than most of us need to eat.  Expectations that we want to meet because they are held by people we love.  And I know that Christmastime can accentuate the loneliness that some folks feel, intensify the pain of loss or lack.  I know.  And then there is the attack on Christmas (yes, I agree with Bill O'Reilly about this!)  Holiday trees?  No manger scene?  Really????

It's enough to make us all want to bypass Christmas.  Or cancel it.  Or at least unplug the Christmas machine that it has turned into.

But that's not what this post is about.  No, it's about what I truly do sense at Christmastime.  In spite of the stress and the spending and the strictness about avoiding the name of Jesus, I sense God's Spirit in a much greater way during this season.  Truly, I do!  There is an outpouring of generosity among ALL peoples - not just those who are called by His name.  A joy (or at least an attempt at it) that isn't present New Year's to Thanksgiving.  A focus on children - to make them feel happy and loved and valued.  A kindness to neighbors...even to strangers. A longing for home - to be with those we treasure.  To celebrate others and to communicate that value to them.  A desire to serve and give and benefit others more than ourselves. A sparkle and a twinkle and a song!

The only explanation of this goodness, this  directing of the heart towards others, is the Spirit of Christ.  I believe that God, in His mercy and grace, floods the Earth with His Spirit during this celebration of His Son unlike the rest of the year.  Because He is good and He blesses us, even though we don't deserve it. And it shows up in the "Merry Christmas"-es that ring through the stores.  The lights and decorations that, frankly, are a great deal of trouble to put up! The gifts given, the goodies crafted, and the mad scramble to get home.

  Scripture says that it is His kindness that leads men to repentance.  (Romans 2:4) My prayer is that those of us whom are already indwelt with His Spirit will have eyes to see, ears to hear, heart to acknowledge what He is up to.  And that the other folks will see His grace, His kindness, and understand the source.

Maybe, just maybe, that explains the attack on Christmas?  Just a thought.

|Merry Christmas to you, my friends!

For Heaven's Sake

A few years ago, I wrote and taught  a Bible study about Heaven.  About God's glorious plan - from Eternity Past to Eternity Future.  I don't claim in any way to present an exhaustive exegesis on the place and purpose of God, but it's my attempt to help us live this life with an Eternal perspective.  I taught the study again earlier this year.  If you want to take a listen, follow the link to the right.  It will take you to the webpage of Watkinsville First Baptist Church and to the place where you can find 10 weeks of audio.  (If you do choose to listen and my Southern drawl drives you crazy, just be glad it's not a video feed - I wave my hands around like a wild woman and take my shoes off to teach!!!)  Also, I have included a file of the workbook I wrote to accompany the study.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on the study.  Preparing this study changed my life.  I hope you feel the same.

The Word became flesh

The Gospel of John tells us that THE WORD became flesh and dwelt among us.  THE WORD.  In the beginning, THE WORD was with God.  And THE WORD was God. THE WORD that spoke the universe into existence.  THE WORD that breathed life into man.  THE WORD that was and is and always shall be.  THE  INFINITE WORD poured itself into a finite mold and became human. 

Wow.

Why?  Because finite man could not commune with infinte God, due to the death-inducing power of sin.  And Infinite God wanted man to commune with Him.  So THE WORD took on flesh and came to live among finite man.  THE WORD loved and taught and showed and lived.  And died.  So that finite man could receive the Spirit of infinite God, THE WORD.  Then communion would be possible.

What does it mean, for finite man to partake of this Spirit?  To receive THE WORD?  What difference does it make, really? 

THE WORD means

1.  LIFE.  I John 1:1 calls Him "THE WORD of LIFE".  He speaks and gives life. Without Him, we are dead.  With Him, we get to live forever. And right now.  To really live, not just to exist.
2.  POWER.  THE WORD merely spoke and all that is was created.  Out of nothing.  And THE WORD spoke and the dead came back alive.  Without CPR or electric shocks or any kind of technology.  He merely spoke. That is some kind of power!
3. LIGHT.  THE WORD is LIGHT that shows us where to go, how to live.  It dispels the darkness of fear and depression and rejection and despair.  THE WORD shines into our darkness and grants hope and love and peace.
4.  TRUTH.  THE WORD is TRUTH.  Completely.  Not partial truth.  Not an opinion.  TRUTH.  All the time.  That gives us confidence and peace and direction.

So, what do we do?  How do we respond today?  If you haven't received THE WORD of LIFE and POWER and LIGHT and TRUTH, you can.  But one day, time will run out.  And you won't be able to.  Because we can only come to THE WORD if HE draws us.  And one day, He will be done.

If you already have THE WORD, then hear it, obey it, share it, meditate on it, immerse yourself in it, love it, glorify it.  Him.  Hear HIM.  Obey HIM.  Share HIM.  Meditate on HIM.  Immerse yourself in HIM.  Love HIM.  Glorify HIM.

And continue to marvel that THE WORD that spoke and created all that there is, resides within us.

On a side note, 24 years ago today, THE WORD brought forth my firstborn child and laid her in my arms.  Thus began the highest calling I have ever had and will ever have - I became a Mom.  What a delight and a privilege!  Happy birthday, Katie.  I love you to the moon and back.  Forever!!

January blog-theme....

Merry Christmas!!  I hope you are having some wonderful times, celebrating this holiday!  I pray that you have times when you can reflect on the reason for the season, times to enjoy family and friends, time to worship and celebrate and love!

I'll bet your family is like mine and you have busy schedules.  Colds and maybe flu.  (Oh, I hope not!) Meals to plan.  Gifts to buy.  Events to attend.  Gifts to buy.  Schedules to coordinate.  Gifts to buy.  People to visit.  Gifts to buy.  Needs to meet.  Gifts to buy.  Get my drift?  All this gift-buying!!  Whew!!  Now, don't write me off as Scrooge.  I LOVE to give gifts!  But, honestly, I think we in America have fallen off our own fiscal cliff - that of gift-buying.  We buy things we can't afford to give to folks that don't need them.  So that we can feel like we are celebrating Christmas!!  I wish there were a way to unplug this Christmas machine!!  Well, maybe we'll tackle that next year.  Say, in July.  But for January, we are going to look at 31 ways to have less. Ways to reduce our expenses.  Ways to increase our contentment!  Ways to make do with less.   And I believe "less" will bring "more".  More health, more peace, more sanity, more fiscal responsibility.  31 ideas of recipes, de-cluttering, meaningful gifts, family times, etc.  I have a few ideas and I'd like you to share yours.  Beginning January 1.  31 days of Less is more.

Get your ideas ready to share!