Sunday, December 20, 2015

A Non-Traditional Christmas


          I love our wooden Nativity scene we bought in Israel. It is made of olive wood and we purchased it on Manger Street in Bethlehem. The street name is kind of cheesy, but it is easy to remember. It is a beautiful reminder of Jesus's miraculous birth.  
 

Our Pastor says the wise men do not belong in the Nativity scene because they arrived later, possibly two years later bringing their gifts to the child. But most people, including us, keep the wise men in the scene.

If we want to be factually accurate we wouldn’t have the wooden barn or the wooden manger either. Many parades and Christmas plays include Mary riding on a donkey, yet no donkey is mentioned in Luke 2 in the Bible. We celebrate His birth on December 25, but history tells us the Catholic church chose that date. December would have been too cold for shepherds to be sleeping out in the fields. It would have been too cold for Joseph and Mary, or anyone, to take a long journey. It is more likely Jesus was born in late September, during the annual Feast of Tabernacles, when it was more acceptable to travel such a long distance.

Our Nativity scene is wooden, yet traditionally mangers, or troughs where animals were fed, were cut of stone. Archaeologists have unearthed many stone troughs throughout Israel.
Stone manger in Israel.




 
Our daughter away in a manger.









Something new I learned recently is the Greek word for the term ‘inn’ (kataluma) is only used one other place in the Bible. The word means a “furnished, large upper story room inside a house.” On the last night of Jesus life, when He celebrated Passover with His disciples, He told them to find a kataluma, a large furnished upper room.

More than likely, Mary and Joseph traveled to his hometown of Bethlehem and stayed with relatives. But, because of the census, the house was crowded, and the kataluma was already filled with elderly or more important relatives. (Why they didn’t make room for a girl about to deliver a baby is still a mystery!) Mary and Joseph probably stayed underneath the kataluma, on the bottom level, where the animals stayed and were fed from stone troughs.

Do these new things I learned about the Christmas story ruin it for me? No, not at all. I love Christmas and celebrating the birth of our Savior. I think it is important to read the story from Luke 2, watch movies and plays to help us visualize that night, and display Nativity scenes to commemorate Christ’s birth.  

The facts of Jesus's birth are more marvelous than the traditions we hold. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of a virgin (Luke 1:31), just like it was predicted centuries before (Isaiah 7:14). He was born in Bethlehem and an angel announced his birth to shepherds. They found Him wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger (Luke 2:12).

The truth is:

God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever. (John 3:16 NLV)

Wishing you a Christ-filled Christmas with peace and joy!


Monday, December 14, 2015

Conflict at Christmas


          During the month of December 100,000 tourists flock to visit the little town of Bethlehem. 15,000 will visit on Christmas Eve alone. Our image of the birthplace of baby Jesus looks nothing like the reality. During the rest of the year, many tour groups, including ours, do not visit Bethlehem any more. Part of the reason is it is  controlled by the Palestinian Authority. 
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem

 
The other reason we don’t take tour groups to Bethlehem is the main attraction, which is an old, ornate, church that commemorates the site where Jesus was born. It is called the Church of the Nativity, but it could more accurately be called the Church of Division. Three different religious groups own the church: the Greek Orthodox, the Roman Catholic, and the Armenian Apostate. 

Brawl in church in Bethlehem
For decades they have been unable to unite and agree on how to best administer and restore the church. The 1,700-year-old church is in need of serious repairs. Each group cleans the parts they claim to own, but some things overlap, and none of the groups will let each other pass over their area. Every year there are brawls over who owns which alters, passageways and chandeliers. One time 100 priests fought each other with broomsticks.

As you walk into the cavernous church, you can sense the tension. It is cold, hard, dusty and dark. It bears zero resemblance to the simple cave and manger where the Bible says baby Jesus was born. In fact, it doesn’t remind you of Jesus at all.




But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12

Jesus was born to bring us peace; the peace that passes understanding, the peace of knowing our eternity will be in heaven, and peace on earth.


“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace 
with everyone.” Romans 12:18


As Believers, do our lives represent Jesus well? We don’t want our lives to look so ornately decorated with ‘stuff’ or activities, that there is no resemblance to Jesus. We don’t want our lives, conversations and attitudes to be so divisive that we never represent the Prince of Peace. Hopefully, our walk with the Lord is not cold and empty, but instead filled with Love and Joy. As Christ’s representatives to a world that is full of hate and hurts, let’s make sure we resemble Jesus more than the Church of Division the Nativity.

“By this everyone will know you are my disciples, 
if you love one another.” John 13:35









Monday, December 7, 2015

New Things I've Learned About Christmas

I remember standing on the Mount of Olives looking at the iconic view of the old city wall of Jerusalem. Our guide pointed out where there used to be a road leading into the now sealed gate, during Biblical times.

The people would enter this Eastern Gate (also called the Golden Gate) on their way to worship at the Temple. During the Jewish feast of Passover, the sacrificial lambs were herded down the road and through the gate, into the Temple area to be inspected before the sacrifice.

The lambs were raised from birth for this specific purpose; to be sacrificed as the payment for the sins of the people. The lambs were raised in a small community outside of Bethlehem, five miles south of Jerusalem. This area known for raising the lambs is mentioned several times throughout the Bible. It is the small community of Migdal Edar. The shepherds there were not ordinary shepherds. They were commissioned by the temple Rabbi’s to inspect and certify which lambs were without flaw, perfect. They were to let the flawed lambs go for ordinary purposes, but the perfect lambs they wrapped strips of cloth around, to save for the sacrificial offering at Passover.

The most famous time Migdal Edar is referenced, the name is not used. Given it’s purpose and proximity to Bethlehem, it is believed when the Angel Gabriel announced the birth of baby Jesus, it was to the shepherds at Migdal Edar.

10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:10-14


The shepherds who were raising and inspecting the Passover lambs were the first to be told about the Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the world. (John 1:29) They were the first to inspect, or admire, the final lamb that would be slain. (Revelation 5:12)

As we celebrate the birth of Christ, are we thinking about the holiday to come? Passover, or Resurrection Day. Do we think about how Jesus was born for the purpose of dying for the payment of our sins?  Christmas is not only a time to remember and admire the baby Jesus. It is also an invitation to bow to Him, as the Magi did.

This season when we see a nativity scene let’s remember Jesus came not only to be seen in the manger, but also to be followed. When baby Jesus grew up, his ministry was to call people to,

“Come, follow me.” Matthew 4:19






Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Prepping for Christmas


          The person who has inspired me the most to do this blogging thing is my friend Michele. She has a wonderful blog that she faithful posts at called Family, Faith and Fridays. For the month of December she is having friends guest blog about the The Gift of December. I am honored to write the opening post about Prepping our Hearts for Christmas.



Do you look forward to playing Christmas music and setting out Christmas decorations? A lot of work goes into planning, prepping, cooking, buying and wrapping to make Christmas a beautiful and fun holiday.
This year, I questioned if I plan and prepare for the right reason. Instead of spending all my time on the tasks of physically setting the stage for the big event, like Martha did. I need to sit and prepare my heart like Mary did, at the feet of Jesus.
In preparing our homes and our hearts for Christmas, I’ve made a short to-do list.
click to continue reading         

Join Me at Family, Faith, and Fridays Blog


          The person who has inspired me the most to do this blogging thing is my friend Michele. She has a wonderful blog that she faithful posts at called Family, Faith and Fridays. For the month of December she is having friends guest blog about the The Gift of December. I am honored to write the opening post about Prepping our Hearts for Christmas.

Monday, November 30, 2015

God Speaks Through a Police Officer


Some years ago my husband was pulled over by a police officer as he made a right hand turn onto the street leading to our house. After the officer took his license and registration, he asked,



 “Do you know why I pulled you over?”

“I really don’t.” my husband answered.

“Well, you didn’t have your turn signal on. But that is not the main reason. Did you know someone is selling drugs out the back of your store?”

“No, I don’t know what you are talking about. I have never seen anyone selling drugs.”

“I have to ask you, do you do drugs?” the officer asked.

“No Sir, I don’t.”

“Our substation has been monitoring the activity going on in the alley behind your store and we believe someone inside your store is selling drugs and the transactions are taking place outside your back door.
My recommendation is that you halt all activity out that door and in the alleyway. Because, the next time we see it happening we will raid your store and take everyone in for questioning.” he said.

The next morning my husband called the three men who worked in the back of the shop, and used the back door frequently, into his office. He told them he was locking and bolting the door, and all activity, smoking or having “friends” drop by to visit them in the back alley was to cease. They were only allowed to use the front door where everything was visible and no one was allowed to visit them during work hours.

He had a strong suspicion as to which man was selling the drugs, but no actual proof, besides the officer’s words. Bolting the door solved the problem or at lease moved the problem somewhere else.

We were grateful to God for sending that police officer to warn us about what was happening in our store. We had no idea, but our God, who sees everything, knew and interceded on our behalf.

Throughout the Bible God used people and circumstances to warn people.

God used a dream to warn Joseph and the king of Egypt of the coming famine in the land.

God used Moses to warn the Egyptian Pharaoh to set the Hebrews free.

He used an angel to warn Mary and Joseph to flee Bethlehem with baby Jesus.

He used Balaam’s donkey to warn him not to curse the Hebrew people.

And He used a police officer to warn us of the illegal activity going on in the back of our store.

The Bible is filled with warnings for us as well:

“These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.” 1 Corinthians 10:11

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Has God ever used a person or event to warn you of something? We would love to have you share it in the comments below.


Sunday, November 8, 2015

How Loud Does God Have to Be?


The Bible says God speaks to us in a “still small voice.” But, sometimes it seems He goes to extreme measures to cause us to hear Him, especially when we are disobeying what He already told us to do or stop doing.

A friend shared this story with me:

"I had a nagging issue that haunted my life for years… alcohol.  I was not an alcoholic, but I was married to one.  As a bible believing Jesus follower, I abstained from alcohol for 8 years hoping it would help my husband to quit drinking. However, he never quit and it infuriated him that I did not drink. I know the Bible does not state that alcohol use is a sin, but only drunkenness. Ephesians 5:18 says. “Do not get drunk on wine but be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  But for me and my situation, I knew God wanted me to avoid all alcohol.
Most of my Christian friends drink alcohol on occasions and do not get drunk. My husband begged me to be more relaxed and drink again. I considered how others drink and they still love Jesus. Finally, I caved as I reasoned that Jesus drank wine too, right?  I determined that I would only have limited alcohol on special occasions… just a glass of wine- like Jesus.  Special occasions became more frequent.  One glass became two.
One night I went with my girlfriend to a “special occasion” make -up party.  It had been a rough week so I jumped at the opportunity for some fun. 
My friend drove me home from the party and I realized I was supposed to go pick up my daughter from church. Usually her dad picked her up, but he was gone, so I zipped out to get her.  While I was driving her and her friend home, I started to switch lanes but then realized there was a car next to me.   And, I may have heard a faint noise -possibly the sound of my car tapping an object.  Both of our vehicles pulled over to assess any damage- no dents, just a dab of my car’s paint rubbed on his mirror.  
Rather than take responsibility for the minimal damage, I told him I could not be sure who was at fault, (my insurance agent taught me this clever trick).  The other driver called the police.  The cop came to my window and asked if I had been drinking alcohol.  I nervously answered “yes, a glass, well, actually two half glasses of wine.”  My mind was reeling. “Why in the world did I drink alcohol and then drive?” Actually, “Why in the world did I even drink alcohol?”  
The DUI officer gave me a breathalyzer test and arrested me.  When he handcuffed me and shoved me into his vehicle, I immediately heard the powerful voice of GOD!  It was not an audible voice but it was clearly recognizable and decisive.  God told me that He would not be mocked, that He had warned me prior to quit alcohol but that I had not listened.   He conveyed that I was to immediately quit drinking alcohol and to thank the DUI officer.  I praised God for the lesson and then I thanked the officer, explaining to him what God told me about quitting all alcohol.  (I wish I could say that the officer trusted that I learned a valuable lesson and released me!)  No, I was shaken to the absolute core for 21 hours until my release from jail.  I considered all the “what if’s” and am eternally grateful that no one was hurt!  I was deeply repentant, bearing huge regret over my dreadful choices.  It would have been much easier if I had listened to the Lord’s sweet, quiet voice earlier… then He wouldn’t have had to yell!  And yet, in my jail cell the Lord spoke love and forgiveness over me.  
In James 1:2, Paul writes, “Consider it all joy when you endure trials.”   If we listen to HIS voice in trials, then the eyes of our hearts are enlightened to consider it pure joy.  With divine purpose, our glorious God made beauty from ashes.  I am delighted to live 100% alcohol free and my children are better off because of it.   Now I try more diligently to listen and obey HIS sweet, quiet voice before it gets loud."
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Have you had a time when God went to extremes to get you to listen to Him? Have you found it is easier to listen and obey the first time you hear Him?

In the month of October I wrote a series called 31 Days of Hearing God. If you missed it, you can click on the links below.

Day 1: Take Off Your Sandals

Day 2:  God in the Grocery Store

Day 3:  God in the Grocery Store - Part2

Day 4:  Peeking During Prayer

Day 5:  How Do We Know God's Voice?

Day 6:  A Young Mom, Toddler Toys and Hearing God

Day 7:  Hearing God When Making Decisions

Day 8:  Lining Up Those Ducks

Day 9:   Hearing God for Our Kids

Day 10: God or Genie in a Bottle?

Day 11: The Perfect Day to Hear God

Day 12: Hearing God in a Crisis

Day 13:  7 Ways to Test an Impression

Day 14:  Remote Assignment

Day 15:  God's Silence

Day 16:  Hearing God While Dating

Day 17:  Hearing God Bible Verses

Day 18:  What Others Say About Hearing God

Day 19:  Hearing God Through Distractions

Day 20:  Hearing God as a Child

Day 21:  Hearing God in Confusion

Day 22:  Hearing God's Encouraging Voice

Day 23:  Hearing God on a Tractor

Day 24:  An Email Confirmation

Day 25:  Do You Really Want to Hear From God?

Day 26:  Why Hear God?

Day 27:  Are You Texting God?

Day 28:  Hearing God in Our Depression

Day 29:  To Hear God We Must Know God

Day 30:  Desperate to Hear God

Day 31:  Desperate to Hear God (Part 2)

 

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Desperate to Hear God (Part 2)

. . . Click here to read Part 1.

          I felt a calm come over me. Nothing about my situation changed, but somehow I knew everything was going to be okay.

          The next day at work, I took a phone book and walked to a back office to use the phone. (This was a few years before Google and cell phones.) The only person I could think of to call, and ask, “um, how do I get back to God?” was the Senior Pastor at the large church I attended a few years before. I didn’t know him personally, nor did he know me, so I certainly don’t hold it against him, but I burst into tears when his secretary told me he could not talk to me. She offered to put me through to the College Pastor. Knowing what I know now, I should have spoken to the College Pastor. I’m sure he knew exactly how I could find my way back to God. At the time, though, I was embarrassed and didn’t think anyone else ever had this problem, so I didn’t want to talk to just anybody.
Still desperate and sad, I prayed again,

“God I don’t know anybody who can help me. Please send someone who can help me get out of this pit and back to You.”


I needed to get myself together, so I got in my car and left for my lunch break. On the way, I drove past my old high school and stopped at a red light. A group of high school students crossed in front of me on their way to the pizza place across from the school. There, in the middle of the group, I saw the leader of the Young Life group I went to when I was in high school. He walked in front of my car and I knew instantly God brought him there at the exact time I stopped at the light. It was as if God was parading him in front of me, with a neon sign over his head saying Call him.
Smiling, I knew God answered my prayer. “Yes Lord! That’s a great idea, I will call him!”
           
          I didn’t know him and his wife well, and I doubted they would remember me. But I knew I had to call them, because they would know how to help me get back to God. That was what Young Life was about, telling high school students how to have a relationship with God. Surely, I wasn’t the only one who fell away from God and didn’t know how to get back. I couldn’t wait to talk to them.
        
           I will never forget what they told me the night I met with them. After I explained my dilemma, he said, “I know what your problem is. You are trying to be a Lone Ranger Christian. You need to be with other believers. God didn’t make us to walk the Christian life by ourselves.”

          They invited me to a college women’s Bible study. We met weekly and studied about spiritual gifts.Through the weeks of reading God’s Word, studying, praying and meeting with others who wanted to grow closer to God, an amazing thing happened.

I found my way back to Him.

"Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. ‘I will be found by you,' declares the LORD."    Jeremiah 29:12-14

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I hope you enjoyed this series on Hearing God. This was part of the month long writing challenge at write31days.com. To read the rest of the series, click the links below. If you would like to read future posts, please sign up in the upper right hand corner to receive them by email.


Day 1: Take Off Your Sandals
Day 2:  God in the Grocery Store
Day 3:  God in the Grocery Store - Part2
Day 4:  Peeking During Prayer
Day 5:  How Do We Know God's Voice?
Day 6:  A Young Mom, Toddler Toys and Hearing God
Day 7:  Hearing God When Making Decisions
Day 8:  Lining Up Those Ducks
Day 9:   Hearing God for Our Kids
Day 10: God or Genie in a Bottle?
Day 11: The Perfect Day to Hear God
Day 12: Hearing God in a Crisis
Day 13:  7 Ways to Test an Impression
Day 14:  Remote Assignment
Day 15:  God's Silence
Day 16:  Hearing God While Dating
Day 17:  Hearing God Bible Verses
Day 18:  What Others Say About Hearing God
Day 19:  Hearing God Through Distractions
Day 20:  Hearing God as a Child
Day 21:  Hearing God in Confusion
Day 22:  Hearing God's Encouraging Voice
Day 23:  Hearing God on a Tractor
Day 24:  An Email Confirmation
Day 25:  Do You Really Want to Hear From God?
Day 26:  Why Hear God?
Day 27:  Are You Texting God?
Day 28:  Hearing God in Our Depression
Day 29:  To Hear God We Must Know God
Day 30:  Desperate to Hear God (Part 1)
Day 31:  Desperate to Hear God (Part 2)

Friday, October 30, 2015

Desperate to Hear God

(If you enjoyed this series on Hearing God, please consider signing up on the top right side to receive inspiring posts through email.) 

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          I sat alone in my dorm room crying. How had I fallen this far away from God? I was miserable, lonely, and empty. I sobbed at my desk, makeup running down my face, big blubbering sobs. I hated my life and everything I was doing and had no hope for my future or plan to get out of my situation. I was failing college, but more importantly I missed my relationship with God


Thinking back, I remembered as a young girl, I could not wait to get baptized. When my Dad prayed with me and I asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life and committed to follow Him, I meant every word and my life changed. I loved reading the Bible, loved going to church, loved learning about God and His Son. I grew up in a military family, so we moved every two years. Every place we moved, we found a church and started attending. I was the most enthusiastic about going to church, and when my family didn’t go, God always provided a friend or another family who took me to church. I couldn’t get enough. I loved singing praise songs to Him. I loved memorizing Bible verses. As I grew older, I went to church camps and attended and led Bible studies during high school.

Somewhere along the line I walked away from God. It makes me sad to admit it now, even many years later. But, I turned my back and walked away from the God who loved me so dearly and had been with me everywhere I went. Foolishly, I decided to see what life was like doing the things college life had to offer.
So, there I was that dark night all alone. I felt like I was in a dark pit and had no idea how to get out. Through my tears I cried up at my ceiling,

“Help me God! I don’t know how to get back to You. What do I do?

 I poured out my heart to Him and told Him how sorry I was for the stupid things I had been doing. I wanted to be done with that life, but I didn’t know how to take the first step. I had not gone to church in a couple of years and did not know any Christians who I could ask for help.

After several hours of crying and begging God to show me how to get back to Him, I collapsed in a heap. I knew God spoke to people in the Bible, and I wanted so much to hear His voice, for Him to tell me what to do and show me the way out of the pit I was in. I didn’t hear His voice that night, but I knew He heard mine. I knew He loved me and He would show me how to find Him again.   
(Part 2 tomorrow)

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Have you ever been desperate to hear God? Did you know then that He loved you and heard your prayer, even if you didn't hear Him? Please share in the comments below.


If you would like to read some great stories of people who have heard God speak to them, click on one of the links below. This is Day 29 in a series about Hearing God. It is part of a writing challenge at www.write31days.com. When you finish reading here, please hop over to that site for many great topics and blogs.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

To Hear God We Must Know God


I hope you have enjoyed this month of stories about people hearing God. One of the main things I learned is in order to hear God we have to know God. We need to know who He is, how He acts, what His characteristics are in order to know what He sounds like.
         The first time God spoke about Himself in the Bible was when He showed His glory and goodness to Moses. He tells Moses, and us, what He is like. In Exodus 34:6,7, God describes Himself as compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, and forgiving. When we are praying and listening for God to speak to us, and we hear those characteristics we can know it is God.
         In the New Testament, Jesus told his disciples if they saw Him, then they saw God the Father, because they were the same. What is Jesus like? It is His Spirit that lives inside us, if we are His followers. His spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control.  When we hear a voice that sounds like that, we can know it is God speaking.
         If we hear a voice in our spirit that makes us feel bad about ourselves, that is not God’s voice. The Bible says it is the enemy who accuses us, condemns us and makes us feel guilty. The enemy’s voice will make us feel bad about ourselves.
         God does not condemn us or make us feel guilty. He will correct us, but in a way that we still feel good about ourselves. We will be thankful for the correction. It will be a positive in our life. He will speak the truth to you in a way that will set you free.
         What we know of God, how we perceive Him and what we think about Him determines how and if we hear Him. To hear God, we must understand who He is and what He is like.



If you would like to read some great stories of people who have heard God speak to them, click on one of the links below. This is Day 29 in a series about Hearing God. It is part of a writing challenge at www.write31days.com. When you finish reading here, please hop over to that site for many great topics and blogs.