Advent Day25- Enjoy His Mercy

ink + stamp 2014

Once the gifts are given and received, the laughter of family enjoyed and memories are recorded in our hearts for another Christmas completed -Let us again reflect on the true reason we celebrate this season.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteousness but because of His mercy.   -Titus 3:4-5

                                                       ENJOY HIS MERCY! 

Advent Day10 - Prepare

As a child of the 1960s I lived with the idea that the Soviet Union would be nuking us at any moment! We had "drop" drills, fire drills and movies about how to prepare our bomb shelter for the Nuclear Winter. Then of course there were the invasions of unknown enemies - The Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Invaders from Mars and the list goes on.

Marrying a military man didn't change my world view about the need for Preparedness. Living in South Dakota with missile silos, large exercises like Red Flag in Nevada and assignments to places with lots of planes, bombs and radar sites reinforced that the world is not safe. Most of my civilian friends had no understanding of "real world threats" and thought military life was for those who liked to play army.

Things have changed since September 11th. Most Americans will agree that we no longer live in a bubble of security. Now our lives include safety measures and preparedness drills for the unthinkable- those who want to kill us in the places that had once been safe.

In our lifetime we will try to prepare for many things. Most are good and helpful like financial planning, where we live, family size, personal goals etc.

Advent is a season of planning. Planning gift giving, family time+ food prep, church services just to name a few. Usually the lists are longer than the day!

Jesus reminds us how important it is to be prepared. He knows we cant always be physically safe from this world's dangers and tragedies. He asks us to trust Him always in these areas. His warnings are for our spiritual well being. Preparedness by holding His truth from the Word as the guard against the counterfeit teachings that continue to increase within the Church. He keeps ours souls safe but we must prepare our hearts for His coming.

Jesus said, " For many false Christs and prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the Elect -if that were possible. So be on guard; I have told you everything ahead of time" Matthew 24:24

Advent Day 7- They cleared the Way

2015 Rock slide I-35 Davis, Oklahoma

When this rock slide happened it blocked both sides of the interstate going North and South into Oklahoma. You could travel around by state roads but it added hours to your trip. The average traveler had no idea of what to do. No amount of people digging or big machines could fix it. If done wrong the rest of the hillside would come down. It took almost two months but engineers and demolition teams planned a strategy so they could clear it without making it worse.

Our journey also has its "landslides". We round a corner and there it is -an unexpected roadblock. Hugh and overwhelming! We stop and stare knowing its beyond what we can handle.

Its easy to forget that this Road is centuries old. Many have gone before us and many will come after. Those who have gone before have shown us how to clear the path and walk through rough terrain. They teach us how with the understanding that we will help those who walk behind us.

This Advent season I am thankful for all the Pastors, mentors, friends and loved ones who helped me on the Ancient road. May I be faithful to those who follow after me.

I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way- Mark 1:2









 

Advent Day5 - Hiding the Golden Calf

Joshua 24

 This may seem like a strange passage to be thinking about during Advent but the story is about worship and that is at the heart of this Season.

At God's request Joshua gathered Israel together to reaffirm the central purpose of their freedom. They were no longer slaves and their lands were in the process of being restored. He asked them " Will you worship God?"
                         " Yes we will worship the Lord"
Again and again Joshua asked and they replied "Yes we will worship the Lord"
And then Joshua said " if you will worship Him then get rid of all the foreign gods you have in your possession!"

You know they had a stash!
But then so do I.
I have a lot of "golden calves" that distract me from my love and worship of God. This time of year seems to bring them out more than normal. I get drawn away by trying to make everything perfect, over spending, over eating and in general forgetting the reason why I am celebrating.

So like Israel before Joshua I will renew my commitment to worship the Lord as I place my idols in the fire of repentance.


 

Advent Day4 - The life lines of Blessings

Our blessings have already been given.

They differ from the Promises God. His promises or covenants were made to specific groups, at certain times and usually involved a sacrifice. Some Promises were for all mankind and others were to Nations or individuals. His promises were guaranteed by His own eternal Law and Being.

But throughout the Word Blessings were given to individuals. They went beyond the scope of the Promises because they were tailored to each receivers specific situation and need. The Hebrew BARAK/ blessing means being strengthen and our weakness being compensated for with God's strength.

 Many times we reduce blessings to a wish list we want God to fill rather than the larger understanding that the blessings bring our knowledge of Him into sharper view. A blessing from God is empowerment to be able to do what is not within our natural abilities.

Maybe like finger prints or the life line in our hands our individual blessing have been planned before Time. He knows the path and footsteps of our way and our unique blessings come at the time of need.

Blesses is the King who come in the name of the Lord -Luke 19:38
 

Advent Day2 - Anticipation and the Printer

Zeke + Spider man

As I get older its harder to have the same feelings of wonder or anticipation about life as I did when I was young. I am an enthusiastic extrovert but I have seen and experienced many wonderful events in my lifetime. I believe this is one of the reasons God blesses our mature years with grandchildren. We can experience anticipation and wonder once again!
 
A few months ago my four year old grandson Zeke (who is completely obsessed with Spider Man) asked me to draw the Web Slinger. As an artist I was delighted that he wanted me to draw a picture but I soon learned there were many specifications for how the super hero was to look.

So as any modern Oma would do I Googled images and let him pick. I also realized I didn't really want to draw Spidy and Zeke would be more thrilled to have me print out the image of his choice.

Talk about the delight of anticipation! He picked his image and raced to the next room as the printer clunked on and did its magic. He stood patiently in wonder of what was taking shape before his eyes. He now knows when he needs a Spider man all he has to do is ask for one.

Zeke knew what a printer did but he never understood what the printer could do for him. His "need"gave him a new experience.  Now he knows he can ask and wait with anticipation for the delight that will come forth in the digital age.

Sometimes we know what God "can do" but we don't understand what He "wants to do"-  until we express our need. He is pleased when we live with anticipation and wonder while we wait for Him to show us more of Himself.

   
But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation My God will hear me. Micah 7:7