Category Archives: Holidays & Holy Days

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December 9, 2014

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Holidays & Holy Days, Love & Works, Money & Wealth

“WHAT SHOULD WE DO?” – Stroller Sunday

The crowds asked, “What should we do?” John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” [Luke 3:10-12 (NLT)]DSC02134aWEB

There are two towns in our county that, while separated by only a few miles, are worlds apart. In one, a diner may pay as much as $17 for a simple tomato salad; in the other, the person who picked those tomatoes may well go to bed hungry. In one town, two homes recently sold for over $40 million each, another home is on the market at $80 million and a 1-acre lot is listed at $25 million. Nearly half the population in the other community lives below the poverty level; home values there are less than half the state’s average. One city boasts Maserati and Rolls Royce car dealerships, Porsches are frequently seen at McDonald’s drive-through windows, and private jets fly in and out of the local airport every weekend. People in the other community, however, rarely own even a “beater” car; most have no easy DSC03399WEBmeans of transportation. In one municipality, it’s common to see pampered pooches riding in designer strollers. In the other, where most families have to walk or use buses to go anywhere, even a used baby stroller is a precious commodity. Their serious need for baby strollers was brought to the attention of our pastor and he has designated December 14 as “Stroller Sunday.” Our goal is to gather 100 strollers for the people of that community. I’m confident that there will be a stage lined with baby strollers the 14th.

We don’t have to do anything as dramatic as gathering 100 strollers, however, to make a difference in someone’s life. As we rush through the malls this holiday season, buying what we consider “necessities” but for many others would be luxury items, why not stop by one of the many giving trees and pick a name or two of someone for whom to purchase gifts? The Wise Men brought gifts to the baby Jesus, let’s think about bringing some gifts to those less fortunate. Let Christmas truly be a time of giving, not getting; may it be a time of bringing comfort and joy to others with acts of kindness and generosity.

Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most. [Ruth Carter Stapleton]

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. [Proverbs 28:27 (NLT)]

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November 28, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Grace & Love, Holidays & Holy Days, Peace of God

IN NEED OF A REST?

11-28-14 RESTWEBThe apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. [Mark 6:30-31 (HCSB)]

The holidays have just started and yet, chances are, some of us are already feeling like we’re on a fast treadmill or a speeding merry-go-round, going nowhere fast and certainly not feeling very merry. If we’re racing around in circles, remember we have no one but ourselves to blame. Slow it down. Better yet, get off the gerbil wheel of busyness and take a break. Yes, we have responsibilities to our family, our church and our community but we also have a responsibility to take care of ourselves. We must listen to our own needs as well as the needs of others. Remember, Jesus offered us His yoke, not to make us carry His burden, but so that He could help to carry ours!

Lord, make me pause and take a break from doing for you and others and allow me to spend some quiet time with you. Open my eyes to see your truth, open my mind to understand your plan, and open my heart to feel your peace. Help me to know the difference between being busy and truly accomplishing something. I willingly take your yoke and accept your offer to share my burdens with you.

Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. [Matthew 11:28-30 (HCSB)]

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. [Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)]

 

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October 4, 2014

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Bible Stories, Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, Holidays & Holy Days, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets

SEND IT INTO THE WILDERNESS (Day of Atonement)

10-4-14 wildernessWEBHappy is the person whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. [Psalm 32:1 (NCV)]

Today is the Day of Atonement, a Jewish holy day. The book of Leviticus describes the rituals the Israelites were to perform on this most sacred day of the year. In one ceremony, two goats were taken from the people. One goat would be given to the Lord and the other would be the “scapegoat.” The goat given to God was sacrificed as a sin offering to make atonement for the sins of the people; its purpose was forgiveness. The second goat was then brought before the altar. The priest laid his hands on the goat and confessed the sins and transgressions of the people. He then sent it away into the wilderness; its purpose was to remove the people’s guilt.

The Christian, however, doesn’t need this kind of yearly ritual. Our sacrifice has already been made: Jesus was our sacrificial lamb. It was his blood that was shed for our sins. Because of him, once we repent and confess our sins, they are forgiven and forgotten. God forgives us and lets us start anew, free from guilt.

Sometimes, however, we don’t accept His forgiveness. We hang on to our guilt by replaying our actions, blaming ourselves and others, and regretting our failures. We carry embarrassment, humiliation, and shame around even after God has forgotten all about it. Perhaps we need to take a lesson from the ancient Israelites. Knowing that a sacrifice has been made to atone for our sins, we need to send our guilt out into the wilderness, never again to be seen!

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. [Psalm 103:12 (NLT)]

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May 29, 2014

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Holidays & Holy Days, Holy Spirit, Sharing Our Faith

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN – ASCENSION DAY 2014

Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God. [Luke 24:50-53 (NLT)]

Today, forty days after Easter, is Ascension Day. Instead of celebrating Jesus’ return to His disciples as we did nearly six weeks ago, we celebrate His departure from them. Unlike most partings, however, this was not a sad farewell but rather a joyous one. The message Jesus left His disciples (and us) is one of hope and reassurance: all is well and we are not alone. The Holy Spirit remains with us.

The disciples didn’t just stand there and wait for His return and neither should we. He gave us all a job to do until that day comes.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” [Acts 1:8-11 (NLT)]

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May 1, 2014

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Holidays & Holy Days, Prayer

National Day of Prayer: Let Us Pray

Also, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about something and pray for it, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. This is true because if two or three people come together in my name, I am there with them. [Matthew 18:19-20 (NCV)]

Today is the 63rd National Day of Prayer. The theme is “One Voice, United in Prayer.” Today, this one prayer, written by Anne Graham Lotz will be read simultaneously throughout the nation. Perhaps you will join in saying this prayer today.

Then if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, if they will pray and seek me and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land. [2 Chronicles 7:14 (NCV)]

Lord of the Universe. Lord of this planet. Lord of the nations. Lord of our hearts. On this National Day of Prayer, we look to You…

In the darkness, You are our Light.
In the storm, You are our Anchor.
In our weakness, You are our Strength.
In our grief, You are our Comfort.
In our despair, You are our Hope.
In our confusion, You are our Wisdom.
In time of terrorism, You are our Shield.
In time of war, You are our Peace.
In times of uncertainty, You are the Rock on which we stand.

We make our prayer to You using the words of the prophet Daniel:

O Lord, You are the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments. You are merciful and forgiving. You are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame because we have sinned against You, and done wrong. We have turned away from Your commands and principles. We have turned away from You.

Yet You have promised in 2 Chronicles 7, that if we–a people identified with You–would humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, then You would hear our prayer, forgive our sin and heal our land.

So we choose to stop pointing our finger at the sins of others, and examine our own hearts and lives. We choose to acknowledge our own sin–our neglect and defiance and ignorance and even rejection of You. This day we choose to repent.

In response to our heartfelt repentance, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Father of Jesus Christ, in keeping with all Your righteous acts and according to Your promise, turn away Your anger and Your wrath from the United States of America. Hear the prayers and petitions offered to You on this National Day of Prayer, as we give You our full attention. Give ear, our God, and hear; open Your eyes and see. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy.

For the glory of Your Name hear our prayer, forgive our sin, and heal our land.
We ask this in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ who offers us salvation from Your judgment, forgiveness for our sin, and reconciliation with You through His own blood shed on the Cross. Amen.
[2014 National Prayer by Anne Graham Lotz]

 

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March 6, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holidays & Holy Days, Salvation: A New You

A Season of Gain, Not Loss (Thoughts on Lent)

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. [Ephesians 5:10 (NLT)]

When I was a young girl, I would give up something I liked, such as candy, gum or cookies during Lent. I then anxiously looked forward to all of the goodies I would enjoy in my Easter basket at the end of Lent. As I got older, I found Lent a perfect time to go on a diet and give up fattening sweets. My thoughts were probably more about my appearance in a bathing suit come summer than the spiritual aspect of this pre-Easter season.

Fortunately, my concept of Lent has expanded and Lent is no longer a time to renew the diet that fell by the wayside in late January. I still give up something I like (sweets often topping the list) but I also give up a behavior of mine I don’t like (which is a far greater struggle than not having chocolate). Lent isn’t just a season of fasting and sacrifice; it is a season of self-examination, reflection, repentance and growth.

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore Thee, a heart to delight in Thee, to follow and enjoy Thee, for Christ’s sake, Amen. [St. Ambrose of Milan (339-397)]

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. [1 Peter 2:2-3 (NLT)]