FINISH STRONG

FINISH STRONG

As our world experiences the closing moments of 2017, we corporately embrace and enact a meaningful metaphor for this wondrous journey called LIFE.  In the wise words of King Solomon, “Better is THE END OF A THING than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8) This sage axiom is mission critical to achieving positive results as we trek through the unknown territory of 2018.  Finishing strong, i.e. succeeding in every arena of life, requires VISION, PATIENCE and PERSPECTIVE.

According to Dictionary.com, VISION is defined as “a vivid imaginative conception” (or) “the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be.”  To be sure, what we SEE is a determining factor in what we will BE and, by extension, what we will DO.  Solomon declared, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18) As we navigate through 2018 with the help and direction of the Lord, extraordinary vision will be required.  That is, we must look beyond any unexpected situations, temporary circumstances, or occasional barriers in this coming year in to visualize and actualize our God-ordained purpose and destiny.

Dictionary.com tells us that PATIENCE is the “ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay” (or) “the bearing of provocation, misfortune, or pain, without complaint” (or) “quiet, steady perseverance.”  Key Questions: Which mountains are you now positioned to scale?  What barriers are you prepared to handle?  What delays are you determined to ignore…to achieve your life-dream? 

Finishing strong in every God-given task necessitates PERSPECTIVE, which according to Dictionary.com is “a visible scene extending to a distance” (0r) “the state of one’s ideas, the facts known to one in meaningful relationship.”  Therefore, perspective is the first cousin of vision.  It sees the future, but does so in a very practical and proactive manner.  That is, perspective allows us to objectively visualize the key connections between our past, present and future.  When the Apostle Paul spoke of “forgetting those things which are behind,” he did so in the context of a personal recognition that 1) “I count not myself to have apprehended,” 2) I am “reaching forth unto those things which are before,” and 3) “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)

Remember this.  Past is prologue to present.  As such, your past is not your enemy; neither is your present, no matter what either one looks like or feels like to you.  Both offer significant insights that will ultimately birth and develop the vision, preparation and realization of your future.

When God created us, He foreordained our future out of a clear foreknowledge of our character and calling.  That is, GOD ENDED US in the same moment that HE STARTED US.  As such, we believers are elected “according to the foreknowledge of God.” (I Peter 1:2) Therefore, we can be “confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in [us] will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) There can be no doubt.  There IS no doubt.  WE WILL FINISH STRONG!

How so?  How can we be filled with faith and confidence about FINISHING STRONG – today and always – especially in the presence of challenging problems and setbacks?  In a word, we must capture and cling to these indispensable prerequisites: COVENANT FAITH.  UNSHAKABLE FOCUS.  UNCEASING PRAYER.  WORD KNOWLEDGE.  EAGLE-EYE VISION.  ENDURING PATIENCE.  SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE.  LIFE CONSISTENCY.  And, don’t forget this one: TENACITY. 

You can do it!  YOU WILL DO IT!  In the coming year, my intercessory prayer is that your life, your health, your family, your ministry, your career and every single person you touch will be highly favored and immeasurably blessed!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

FIND PEACE AND REST WITHIN

FIND PEACE AND REST WITHIN

In our time, we seem to be in a perpetual quest for answers and fulfillment in places and spaces other than the ones we presently occupy.  A quick walk down any street in America occasions frequent encounters with persons who (while walking or driving) are immersed in smart phone diatribes with people in distant locales.  It seems that we resist the common-sense notion to become fully engaged and immersed in ‘this’ existential moment.  Somehow, we want to be where we are not, to have what we do not, to become what we may not.  Question: What does this vain preoccupation convey about our society, and more importantly, about us?

There is an ancient legend which tells of a mouse that was very afraid of cats.  So, she wished she could become as powerful as a cat.  Her wish came true and she was suddenly transformed into a female feline.  But then she spied a dog.  Becoming fearful again, she wished she could become a canine. Her wish was granted instantaneously, and she turned into a dog.  Then she saw a lion and she was totally terrified by his power and strength.  You guessed it.  She wished she could become a lion so that she might never be fearful of lions again.  Her wish was granted and right away she became a lion.  After this, she saw a man with a gun who was about to shoot her.  You can imagine what happened next.  She wished she could become a human being and she did.  But only a few hours later, as she was sitting in her house, she spotted a mouse.  Totally frightened, she fell to her knees and began to call fervently upon the Lord.  In the end, she discovered that only HE can break the cycle of existential fear.

In our endless quest for difference and distinctiveness in life, we eventually come to realize that inner peace, joy, contentment and success are not discoverable in any alternate identity, or location, or group, or career, or status, or circumstance.  True peace produces true rest, which is an attitude of gratitude and contentment that is never about the externals.  It is found only within – divinely deposited from above – and it is the undeniable heritage of ALL who diligently seek HIM.  With or without life’s frills, that is the only legitimate and lasting space of success.

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

I WISH YOU ENOUGH

I WISH YOU ENOUGH

In December of 2013, my friend and colleague, Elder Willie Templeton, shared the following inspirational story.

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together after the daughter’s airline departure had been announced.  Standing near the security gate, they hugged rather emotionally and the mother said, “I love you and I wish you enough.”

The daughter replied, “Mom, our life together has been more than enough.  Your love is all I have ever needed.  I wish you enough, too, Mom.”  They kissed each other affectionately as the daughter moved slowly toward the jetway.  The mother walked over near the window where I was sitting.  Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry.

I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?”  “Yes, I have,” I replied.  “Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?”

“I am old and she lives so far away.  I have health challenges ahead and the reality is that her next trip back will be for my funeral,” she said.

“When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, ‘I wish you enough.’  May I ask what that means?”

She began to smile. “That’s a wish that has been handed down for generations in our family.  My parents used to say it to everyone.”  She paused for a moment and looked up as if trying to recall that memory in greater detail, and her smile grew ever brighter.

“Whenever we say ‘I wish you enough,’ we want the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.”  Then turning towards me, she shared the following heartfelt prayer, reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sunshine more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through your final good-bye.

The mother began to cry again, and she slowly walked away.

For all your lifetime, my dear sisters and brothers in Christ, I wish you enough…and more.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (Part II)

THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (Part II)

As we celebrate this Advent season, let us continue our scripture study of the wondrous revelation of God-in-Christ, the heart of the Christmas story:

Luke 1;31-56 (New King James Version)

³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. ³² He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. ³³ And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” ³⁴ Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” ³⁵ And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. ³⁷ For with God nothing will be impossible.” ³⁸ Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. ³⁹ Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, ⁴⁰ and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³ But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” ⁴⁶ And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, ⁴⁷ And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. ⁴⁸ For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. ⁴⁹ For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. ⁵⁰ And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. ⁵¹ He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. ⁵² He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. ⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. ⁵⁴ He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, ⁵⁵ As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.” ⁵⁶ And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Amen!  Amen!  Amen!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (Part I)

THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (Part I)

For the next few days of Advent, let us prayerfully revisit the wonderful revelation of God-in-Christ that is the heart of the Christmas story:

Luke 1;5-33 (New King James Version)

⁵ There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

⁶ And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

⁷ And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

⁸ And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

⁹ According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

¹¹ And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

¹² And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

¹³ But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

¹⁴ And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

¹⁵ For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

¹⁶ And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

¹⁷ And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

¹⁸ And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

¹⁹ And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

²⁰ And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

²¹ And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

²² And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

²³ And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

²⁴ And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

²⁵ Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

²⁶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

²⁷ To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

²⁸ And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

²⁹ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

³⁰ And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

³¹ And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

³² He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

³³ And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Amen!  Amen!  Amen!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

CHRISTMAS IS NOT ABOUT GIFTS...IT'S ALL ABOUT CHRIST!

CHRISTMAS IS NOT ABOUT GIFTS…IT’S ALL ABOUT CHRIST!

Since we are increasingly experiencing a COMMERCIALIZED CHRISTMAS in America, I thought it would be wise to reprint an article by Miles Patrick Yohnke.  Here it goes:

Recently, as I was cycling to my destination I passed a park along the way.  As I went by, I heard a male voice.  An old man was training his young dog.  With a clear, strong, yet tender voice, he taught his dog to sit and the dog did just as he was commanded.  With his leash on, they walked a few steps and repeated the process.  He praised his dog and I could see that the dog was very happy.

The man was teaching the dog that it could be more.  He taught the dog focus, discipline, and structure.  What really struck me was that this took time.  AND HE TOOK THE NECESSARY TIME.

As I continued along my journey I reflected on what I had witnessed, thinking how that man in the park took quality time.  He was there.  He was getting the most out of his dog.  How fortunate that dog really was.

How often do we take the time to teach our own children?  We constantly hear echoes of, “I’m so busy, I feel like I’m running on a treadmill.  I’m so stressed!”

Our modern world is inundated with marketing and advertising that has one goal, and one goal only.  That is to make products so attractive that the consumer feels an obsession to possess them in order to feel special, fulfilled or popular.  Children and teens need to understand the powerful attraction that marketing can create.  They must learn to differentiate between what one truly needs and what one only wants.

And we must teach the children well.  We need to teach them that advertising exists so that individuals or big corporations can make money.  Because of that, advertisers use powerful methods to convince consumers to buy products.  We must teach our children how media corporations need paid advertising to stay on the air or to continue publishing.  We need to show them how advertising convinces people to want something, even if they don’t really need it.  We must discuss this because our families are confronted by powerful and attractive advertising, whether on television, radio, newspapers, magazines, or billboards.

We should discuss how advertising tries to make you feel better about yourself if you own a certain product or convince you that other people will like you better or think you’re “cool.”

We should explain that shopping should seldom be seen as a fun pastime, but rather something people should do to buy items they truly need. 

Help your children observe how many times a day your family is exposed to advertising.  For example, there are ads on the sides of buses, in arenas, on radio and television, on billboards, etc.  Teach them to understand when a television or radio station tells you to tweet them or post to their Facebook site, that they are only doing so to create traffic hits to their own website that will increase their revenue.  Show our youth that advertising tries to create an image of what a person should (or should not) look like, even though this image quite often does not reflect reality.

Here is the alarming thing: Do parents really know the difference between needs and wants?  And, if so, do we love enough to speak truth to our children (and to ourselves) even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular?  Parents and grandparents, we must refuse to retreat to that old mindset of “I’m busy, I’m running, I’m stressed.”  And we need to forge genuine connections with our offspring, our real-life legacy.

These days, most married couples both work full-time.  Perhaps, as an indirect result, divorce rates have soared to all-time highs and tag-team parenting has become the order of the day.  Parents feel overwhelmed.  And frankly, much of this is centered on how to pay their rent or mortgage, or for the miscellaneous stuff in their homes, or for their vehicles, clothes, vacations, holidays, and on and on.  For the most part, we no longer understand the core values of life or the real meaning of life.

Ask yourself this question today: Do I actually need to keep up with the Joneses, or am I acting as a child and merely wearing an adult face?

WOW…thank you Miles Patrick Yohnke!  You have given us significant truths which we should ponder and pray about.  Don’t get me wrong, sisters and brothers, I love Christmas just as much as anyone, and I, too, am thrilled with the opportunity to purchase and distribute gifts.  But as we celebrate this Advent Season, let us make a solemn pledge in 2017, and let’s stay true to it:  WE WILL KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

BE CAREFUL HOW YOU TREAT STRANGERS

BE CAREFUL HOW YOU TREAT STRANGERS

JESUS CHRIST, the Author and Finisher of our faith, admonishes us to adhere to what we now call THE GOLDEN RULE: “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” (Luke 6:31, NKJV) The Apostle Paul states a related truth in a different way, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unaware.” (Hebrews 13:2) 

The following true story is a powerful illustration that highlights the fact that we may never know whom we encounter during the regular course of our day.  It is important to note that these events occurred during the turbulent American civil rights movement, in the southern state of Alabama.

One night around 11:30 pm, an African-American woman was standing on the side of a highway trying her best to endure a lashing rain storm.  Her car had broken down and she desperately needed transportation. Although she was nervous about seeking the aid of strangers, she was soaking wet and in urgent need of help, so she decided to flag down an oncoming car.  A young white man stopped to help her, which seemed somewhat atypical during the conflict-ridden 1960s.  This very kind gentleman drove to a nearby shop where she could get assistance for her vehicle, then safely ushered her into a taxi cab.

The unidentified woman was in a big hurry, but she took time to write down the man’s address and to thank him profusely before departing.  Seven days later, a knock came at the man’s door.  To his utter surprise, a giant combination console color television and stereo record player were delivered to his home.  

A beautiful note was attached, which read as follows:

Dear Mr. James,

Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night.  That terrible rain drenched not only my clothes but my spirits.  Then you came along.  Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away.  God bless you for helping me and for so unselfishly serving others.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nat King Cole

Lesson learned.  No matter who it is, we should always make ourselves available to help others during times of urgent need – as much as humanly possible.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

NOEL: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SEASON

NOEL: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SEASON

The French word “NOEL” is derived from the Latin root, “natalis,” which means BIRTHDAY.  When capitalized, it is synonymous with the angelic heralding of yuletide or CHRISTMAS.  This term came into popular usage when “The First Noel” was penned during the 18th century by an unknown English composer.  Its joyous lyrics are perennially familiar to us.

The first Noel, the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep;
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel!

Nevertheless, as we reflect upon the contemporary celebration of Christmas, the central message of the miraculous Incarnation and birth of Jesus Christ is noticeably and strikingly absent.

Our focus seems to be on the festivities, food, parties, gatherings with family and friends, or the exchanging of gifts.  The result is a time of tremendous emotional upheaval and widespread depression (even suicide) for many, especially those lacking in sufficient resources to fulfill the mundane and material expectations of the season.  The gospel of Jesus Christ becomes virtually sidelined by cultural and customary traditions.  We believers silently ask ourselves: “Should this be?”

Another question is begged: “Is it logical (or even possible) to remove JESUS CHRIST from Christmas?”  I think not.  After all, HE IS THE ONE who voluntarily disrobed Himself of the eternal splendors of Heaven and entered into a fallen and finite world system that is dominated by our insidious quest for fortune, fame, power and prestige.  Jesus Christ, alone, is the Savior of our world.  

The scriptures testify triumphantly of His matchless and miraculous gift of grace and mercy to humankind:

Psalm 40:6-8
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, LO, I COME: IN THE VOLUME OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Isaiah 9:6
FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son, and THOU SHALT CALL HIS NAME JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

John 1:11-12
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, even to them that believe on HIS NAME:

Because of the victorious life, vicarious suffering and vital atonement of JESUS CHRIST, we are free forever from the guilt, power, practice, penalty of sin.  HALLELUJAH…WHAT A SAVIOR!

Romans 8:1-4
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in CHRIST JESUS, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 FOR THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS HATH MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Bottom-line: JESUS PAID IT ALL!  Therefore, in this season (and always) we thank you, JESUS, for your timely birth, your sinless life, your substitutionary death, your victorious resurrection and your marvelous legacy of spiritual power, life and peace that is eternally bequeathed to us.  We pledge to remember YOU in this season as we collectively celebrate OUR GREATEST GIFT with unbounded joy.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT

Please stop stressing about buying the most unique or costly Christmas gifts you can imagine or discover.  Fact is, you already have them.  As you check out the following story by Joseph Rebecky, you will consciously embrace the spirit of gratitude and the wonderful fulfillment that is found in the most precious of life’s gifts.

As a young child I remember running down the steps on Christmas morning and looking around the tree for the biggest box.  I always believed that within the biggest box lay the most expensive and best gift.

But as time worked its wonders on my mind and soul, I realized that each gift was special, unique and meaningful.  In fact, the presents that I remember most are the gifts that came directly from the heart, such as one of my mother’s handmade sweaters or scarves.  Ultimately, Christmas is not about the gifts themselves, but rather the expressions of love behind the gifts.

This Christmas I have already been blessed to receive the most beautiful and amazing presents in the world, the love of the special people in and around my life.  However, I know the true meaning of Christmas is found in the word “giving.”  So, this Christmas, I pledged to search and search until I find the most incredible gifts for some phenomenal people.

I spent many days in crowded stores and scanned numerous holiday catalogs, but nothing seemed to stand out.  As Christmas approached, I wondered if I would ever find those “perfect” gifts.  I decided to try the local mall one last time.  Perhaps I had missed an amazing store or some awesome merchandize that had just hit the racks and shelves.

But as I passed from one store to the next, nothing caught my eye.  Feeling somewhat defeated, I slowly made my way toward the mall exit.  But before I could reach the doors, I suddenly found my “perfect” gift.

No, this gift was not found in a fancy and expensive department store.  It will not be wrapped in colorful Christmas paper and adorned with bright ribbons and bows.  Actually, this gift doesn’t have a receipt and it could never be returned or exchanged.  

So, where did I find this “perfect” gift – and more importantly, what is it?  I found it in the eyes of an elderly couple holding hands.  I heard it in the playful words between a grandfather and grandson.  I glimpsed it in a proud new mother’s caress of her infant daughter.

Yes, my “perfect” gift is LOVE.  So this Christmas, I offer the gift of LOVE and believe with all my heart that its recipients will treasure and keep it always. 

Well said, Joseph Rebecky, well said.  We shall also make a conscientious effort to truly treasure our loved ones – and all of us will be supremely grateful for our most beloved and precious gift: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)  Indeed, HE is the perfect Christmas gift!  Merry Christmas!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

A HEARTWARMING CHRISTMAS STORY

A HEARTWARMING CHRISTMAS STORY

It is virtually impossible to apprehend the real significance of Christmas in the absence of embracing the timeless truth that “God is love.”  The loving character and Word of God, encourages us to “love one another…for everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (I John 4:7-8, NIV) In 1982, Nancy W. Gavin penned a touching story which underscores the most significant meaning and message of Christmas, LOVE…:

It’s just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree.  No name, no identification, no inscription.  It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so.

It all began because my husband, Mike, hated Christmas.  He did not dishonor the true meaning of Christmas, but he despised the commercial aspects of it – the overspending, the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry or dusting powder for Grandma – gifts given in desperation because you just couldn’t think of anything else.

Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties, and so forth.  I reached for something special just for Mike.  The inspiration came in a most unusual way.

Our 12-year-old son, Kevin, was on the wrestling team at school.  Shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church, comprised mostly of black children.  These youngsters, who were dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and their sparkling new wrestling shoes.

As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a light helmet designed to protect a wrestler’s ears.  It was a luxury the inner-city team simply could not afford.  Well, we ended up walloping them that day; we took every weight class.  As each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tattered uniform with false bravado, a kind of street pride that seemed to have difficulty acknowledging defeat.

Seated beside me, Mike shook his head sadly.  “I wish just one of them could have won,” he said. “They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them.”  Mike loved kids and he knew them well – having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse.  

That’s when the idea for a unique Christmas present came.  That same afternoon, I went to the local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church.

On Christmas Eve, I placed an envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what had been done and the fact that this was his gift from me.  His radiant smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year, and in succeeding years.

Every Christmas thereafter, we followed this giving tradition – one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year mailing a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground right before Christmas, and so on.

The giving envelope became the highlight of our Christmas.  It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their Dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.

As the children grew, toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its loving allure.  But the story doesn’t end there.  You see, last year we lost Mike due to a dreadful cancer.  When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up.  But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.  Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their Dad.

Our family Christmas tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with grandchildren standing around the tree in wide-eyed anticipation, watching as their fathers take down the envelopes.  Mike’s spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be present, and will always be a special present for us.

May we all remember each other this year, and may we never forget THE REAL REASON FOR THE SEASON AND THE BLESSED HOLY CHILD WHO IS LORD OF ALL – now and forevermore.  Merry Christmas!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

OUR FREE AND FOREVER GIFT

OUR FREE AND FOREVER GIFT

According to the apostle of love, John, our HEAVENLY FATHER loved us so much that He quite willingly “gave his only begotten SON” that, by believing on Him, we would have an eternal and abundant life. (John 3:16 – John 10:10)

Centuries before Christ’s advent, the eagle-eye prophet, Isaiah, foretold His coming:

Isaiah 9:6 (New King James Version)
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

As the CHILD that was BORN, he was FULLY MAN.  As the SON that was GIVEN, he was FULLY GOD.

As the CHILD that was born, he experienced hunger, thirst, pain, loneliness, isolation, indifference, sorrow, and even death.

As the SON that was given, HE IS…The Way to Salvation, The Living Bread, The Water of Life, The Great Physician, The Burden Bearer, The Friend of Sinners, The Comforter, The Resurrection and The Life.

During this Advent season, let us celebrate the CHILD and the SON by fully embracing and sharing the good news about THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL…JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD and THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.  Rejoice…for He belongs to us and we belong to Him, henceforth, now and evermore.  Amen!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!