Is It Really Over?

by Tom Norvell
http://www.heartlight.org/

The disciples had been with Jesus for three years. They had watched Him perform His miracles, witnessed His encounters with the religious leaders, and experienced His kind and compassionate nature. They had asked Him questions and heard His answers. They had seen Him walk on water and disappear into the mountains. They had been shocked when they found Him talking with a woman from Samaria, and perturbed with Him when He took too much time with children.

For three years they dreamed with Him about the coming Kingdom, even though their images of the future were quite different. They had envisioned positions of power and prestige, but He had reminded them that their role should be that of a servant. The disciples had given up their homes, jobs, and ambitions to follow this One who promised to use them to change the world. Then, as they stood by paralyzed by fear, He was arrested. He was accused of blasphemy. He was tried and convicted. He was beaten and tortured and ridiculed and humiliated. He was crucified. He died. Hewas buried. In those quiet difficult moments after His death, surely they struggled with what they had seen, with what they had done, and what they had not done. Questions and doubt must have filled their minds.

"We thought ...

""What about ...

""Why ...

""We expected ...

""We hoped ...

""Is it really over?

"Within a few hours most of us will see the end of the year (if it has not already occurred where you are). With the turn of a page on the calendar, and the tick of the clock, the old year will be gone and a new year will be ushered in. As the transition takes place some of us will be disappointed with the way things have turned out during the last twelve months.

Some will be amazed that the year has gone so rapidly.

Some will be filled with regret.

Some will be relieved.

"We thought we would have been better off financially."

"We meant to work less and spend more time with our family."

"We intended to get more involved in our church."

"We expected to make more progress on our marriage relationship."

"We hoped ... "

"We wish ... "

"Is it really over?"

"Is it really over?"

There is good news.

As the disciples struggled with their questions, doubts, and regretsthey received the greatest news they could have ever imagined. "The tomb is empty! He is alive!"

As we deal with all the things that we should have done, could have done, wish we had done, and ought to have done, the news is also good:"Happy New Year!" We get another chance.

The year has ended, but your life is not over! It's a new year. Make the most of it.



Happy New Year Glitter Graphics

Saved the Best for Last

Christmas time has always been my favorite time of year. From the joy of celebrating Jesus birth – To the melodic sounds of carols being sung - To a gathering spirit of love for friends and family – To the outreach of kindness and generosity - To the excitement and anticipation of exchanging gifts – and let’s not forget the fun of that cute little fat man in the red suit that appears around this time of year - To twinkling lights and the vibrant colors of Christmas sparkling from every direction in a community. It’s all so beautiful to me. The end of the season is a perfect time to get married – so we did – 46 year ago. Oh my, that’s a lot of years! That gives our kids 4 years to plan our 50th. Hint, hint! When they were in school I always wanted them to start their projects the minute they were assigned. Ah the sweet irritation of mom’s notions never really goes away. Our marriage has given our precious four a love assignment.

You’re probably thinking, “oh good, she’s got a really good long marriage pearl for us today.” Dear hearts – I have a twelve strand necklace! Marriage is not for the faint of heart. Conventional wisdom says you need to blend two lives into one with mutual respect, love and honor. Ahhh, isn’t that beautiful but how do you do that if one of the two is from Mars? In every marriage one always is and contrary to popular belief that’s irrespective of gender. Coach Wonderful and I have learned that dying to self is what builds a good marriage. Not an easy task. Most of us enter a marriage as if we were shot by a porcupine in our youth. We got quills. (Hairs with scales or shingles, that point backward. Body heat makes the barbs expand and they become even more deeply embedded) Patterns – habits, attitudes, survival instincts, defensive mechanisms, just wanting to be loved and accepted. We bring into a marriage false notions of defining ourselves by what we do, what we have, what we think, and arguing our way. Quills are all about self and need to be removed from our lives. It’s a process and depending on how ‘quilled’ you are it can take a very long time. As long as it’s an I for an I your we might be destroyed.

A pearl to string: Marriage is the single most valuable liaison to battle selfishness. Learning to die to self grooms you for a closer relationship with the Lord like nothing else I know.

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?" Luke 9:23-25

Thank you Lord for my Coach Wonderful. Thank you love of my life for helping me removes so many quills.

In Son shine,
Lyndi

SONRISE

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

It’s Christmas Time 4

Let’s Sing:



Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little boy
You've kissed the face of God

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Did you know
That your baby boy will one day rules the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am


If our greatest need had been information,
...God would have sent us an educator;
If our greatest need had been technology,
...God would have sent us a scientist;
If our greatest need had been money,
...God would have sent us an economist;
If our greatest need had been pleasure,
...God would have sent us an entertainer;
But our greatest need was forgiveness,
...So God sent us a Savior.


One Solitary Life

He was born in an obscure village
The child of a peasant woman
He grew up in another obscure village
Where he worked in a carpenter shop
Until he was thirty

He never wrote a book
He never held an office
He never went to college
He never visited a big city
He never traveled more than two hundred miles
From the place where he was born
He did none of the things
Usually associated with greatness
He had no credentials but himself
He was only thirty three
His friends ran away
One of them denied him
He was turned over to his enemies

And went through the mockery of a trial
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves
While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing
The only property he had on earth

When he was dead
He was laid in a borrowed grave
Through the pity of a friend

Nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race
And the leader of mankind's progress
All the armies that have ever marched
All the navies that have ever sailed
All the parliaments that have ever sat
All the kings that ever reigned put together
Have not affected the life of mankind on earth
As powerfully as that one solitary life

One Solitary Life was adapted from a sermon by Dr James Allan Francis in "The Real Jesus and Other Sermons" © 1926 by the Judson Press of Philadelphia.

Do you think Mary knew? Can you imagine? What awe inspiring faith she had. Kind of takes your breath away doesn’t it?

Merry Christmas

May your homes and hearts be filled with the love your Saviors birth brought into your lives,
Lyndi

Christmas Date Note

Isn’t it interesting that there is a growing number of Christians coming to grips with history. December 25th is probably not the actual day Jesus Christ was born – could have been the day Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. So the Seed of God was placed in the womb of Mary during the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah that year.
Wow! The Light of the World is conceived during the Festival of Lights.
Learned peoples point to the Holy Scripture to explain the inaccuracy of the present celebrated dates. Blame is placed on the Catholic Church for arbitrarily choosing a day to celebrate the birth of Christ. The voices are growing in numbers, “this isn’t the date, this isn’t the date”!
Makes you want to ask, “And the point is?”

If I learned at this juncture in my life (I’m really old) that my actual birth date was about 6 months off would it change my life? Would it change who I am or how I celebrate life? I rather doubt it. Leaning into Scripture you can always find your answers. Paul rejoiced in the fact that Jesus was being preached. Some out of rivalry, but others out of goodwill. (Philippians 2:15-18)

We do celebrate Christmas all over this world - even if people are not Christians or don't believe in anything. Who get's talked about? Why I believe that is my Jesus they are dissing but they are talking about Him. He's not going away!

May you be blessed knowing that in fact our King was born and is alive for ever more and may we purpose to worship Him all year long.

Rest on His Word:
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Merry Christmas
Lyndi

Why Bethlehem?

Dr. Joe McKeever
http://www.joemckeever.com/mt/

WHY BETHLEHEM OF ALL PLACES? I’ve been to Bethlehem. It’s fairly indistinguishable from many other Judean towns, except for the Church of the Nativity built over the traditional site of Jesus’ birth. Bethlehem is located on a ridge some 2500 feet above sea level, and five or six miles southwest of Jerusalem. Why, with all the grand locations in the world to choose from, did God choose for His Son to be born in Bethlehem?

I can think of three good reasons.

1) TO FULFILL PROPHECY Seven hundred years earlier the prophet Micah quoted God: “As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah... from you One will go forth from Me to be ruler in Israel, His goings forth are from long ago, from days of eternity.”

Now, some Messianic prophecies are cryptic- they are identified and understood only after the event has occurred. Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 must have perplexed readers for hundreds of years as to their meaning. Only after the Savior went to the cross did the followers of Jesus realize how the first seems to be the thoughts of the Lord on the cross, and the second an eyewitness description of that event. God placed such prophecies in the Bible so that when they happened, His people would be comforted to know He had planned it from the beginning.

However, Micah 5:2 stands out there in the open. God wanted everyone to know the Savior would be arriving in Bethlehem. And everyone did know, at least those familiar with the Scriptures. When the magi arrived in Jerusalem asking at every street corner where the newborn King could be found, word filtered up to King Herod in the palace and he called in his advisors. “In Bethlehem,” they all agreed, quoting Micah 5:2. God keeps His word; Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

2) TO IDENTIFY WITH DAVID The Messiah would be a Son of David and sit on the throne of David. Old Testament prophecies emphasized both points again and again. Since both Mary and Joseph were of the lineage of David, Jesus was doubly covered. When the census of Luke 2:1 called everyone to his ancestral home, they made the journey of a hundred miles south to Bethlehem.

Bethlehem was where Ruth lived and where she gleaned the fields behind Boaz' harvesters. Boaz spotted the lovely young widow and the rest, as they say, is history. Their son Obed became the father of Jesse, who raised a large family of sons and daughters, the youngest son being David. Thereafter, Bethlehem would forever be known as the city of David. Even the angels called it that. “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,” they said to the shepherds. Doubtless many of the psalms of David which God’s people have loved and sung for thirty centuries were inspired by time spent in the same fields and meadows where the shepherds met the angels that wondrous night.

One day as the Lord and His entourage were approaching Jericho, a blind beggar sitting beside the gate began to call out to Him. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Again and again, he repeated that refrain. When our Lord came within earshot, He had the man brought to Him and restored his sight.

The son of God is the Son of David! Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

3) TO MAKE A CONNECTION Bethlehem in the Hebrew means “House of Bread.” (Today, the Jews call it “Beit Lahm”, meaning “house of meat.”) What more fitting place for One to be born who would be known as the Bread of Life.

One day, the Lord Jesus fed thousands of people with the lunch of a child. Soon afterward, He taught the people the meaning of the miracle. “There is a bread that endures to eternal life,” He said. He Himself was the living and true Bread from Heaven, “which a man may eat and live forever.” (John 6)

Isaiah asked the people of God in his day: “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread? (Isa. 55:2) That is to say, why are you working and worrying and spending your life for things that do not nourish you, do not strengthen you, and do not satisfy you? A good question for our day, also.

Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecies given hundreds of years earlier. Jesus Christ is the Son of David, born in the City of David. Jesus is the Bread of Life, born in the House of Bread.

How much plainer can God make it?
Jesus is Lord.

Christmas Prayer

I have loved ones I'm missing at this time of year as do most of you.
Some from long ago that you think of tenderly. Other's have gone to be with the Lord only this year or maybe this week. Your hearts are grieving and it's a lonely pain. Men & Women in our armed forces have made tremendous sacrifices for our freedom and protection of our democratic government putting their lives on the line for us daily. Too many have died in service to this nation. Their families and friends are suffering a mighty heartbreak. Still other's are suffering loss of a different kind: job, home, health, a friendship at odds, family bickering or devastatingly divisive disputes. This time of year can be very lonely where people feel like outcasts with no one to gather with, no one to love on or no one to love on them. We're celebrating our Saviors birth. A Savior! He came that you might have life, and have it to fullness(eternity) John 10:10 He came to love you, help you, guide you, teach you His ways. He came to hold you in His arms when you cry & hurt. I'm praying for you and may we all reach out in caring love to family, friends and strangers with all the love Christ Jesus has put in us. Bless you precious friend. Amen and amen.

For those who may be grieving or suffering we stop to say a Christmas prayer:
We celebrate this time of year because our Lord was born;
But let us not forget that there are others who may mourn.

In times of sorrow, times of strife, it's sometimes hard to smile,
So, Holy Spirit, please come in and tarry for awhile.

Touch those who may be suffering; touch every wounded heart,
Touch all those burdened souls when they feel distant, set apart.

Remove the pain, and fill their hearts with happiness and mirth,
And let them all rejoice now in The Savior's holy birth. Amen and amen

It’s Christmas Time 3

Let’s Sing:

Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm so glad its Christmas
All the tinsel and lights
And the presents are nice.
But the real gift is you.

Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm so glad its Christmas
All the carols and bells
Make the holiday swell
And it's all about you.
Happy Birthday Jesus,
Jesus I Love You.

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
(Mark 10:13-16)

If you perceive “childlike faith” as “naiveté,” “simplicity,” or even the “blind resolve” of a child you might find yourself struggling with the concept of “childlike faith”. It will be difficult to reconcile it with other Scripture regarding how we are to think of God. Solomon clearly did not hold this view when he wrote, "How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding" (Prov. 3:13). David says to "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Ps. 34:8). Additionally, when you look up the meaning of "faith" in the original language, you’ll find that it involved having confidence in something that was trustworthy. God is trustworthy, Jesus is trustworthy, and the Holy Spirit is trustworthy. So what they say is trustworthy but don’t get it confused with what man says they say. Each of us needs the Holy Spirit to understand Scripture.

Jesus is not talking about all us big people jumping, dancing, and screaming at ear piercing levels. Nor is He encouraging nail biting in public, wearing ice cream on our face or rolling in mud. We were all delightful little free spirits at one time. God’s word instructs all parents to teach, train up and guide each child to a disciplined maturity. When Jesus speaks of becoming like a child He is speaking of humility. So what is humility? It simply means yielding to the Word of God. "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4) Our hearts have all been touched hearing a child’s prayer – that precious humble yielding to who God is that flows so tenderly.


A pearl to string: When I hear these beautiful little voices in the Happy Birthday Jesus song I hear a “childlike faith” and I cannot imagine any other way to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

In joyful agreement with God’s gift of life,
Merry Christmas
Lyndi

Longings of Christmas

By Gwen Smith
www.girlfriendsingod.com

"Better one handful of tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind." Ecclesiastes 4:5 (NIV)

Ah, Christmas! What a joyous time of the year! What a busy time of the year! What an expensive time of the year! Yikes!

A family friend of ours is going through a tight financial season and is concerned about what he and his wife can afford to buy their children for Christmas. He has been talking with his seven-year-old son about the spending limitations they are bound by, hoping that these talks will diminish the child's expectations of a lavish Christmas. Regardless of the monetary dialog, his son is still determined to get an electronic toy that is very expensive.

Over the past few weeks, this resolute child just could not stop talking about, longing for and thinking about this toy. My friend was amused and surprised the other day when his naïve son burst into the room with excitement, exclaiming "Daddy! Daddy! I figured out a way! I've figured out a way! I can still get my toy and you won't have to buy it! You won't have to spend your money! I've decided to ask Santa for it!"

At times, we can long for something so desperately, that we just can't stop thinking about it. The problem with me is that I'm often longing for vapors. I want things that are neither eternal nor important in the grand scheme of things. King Solomon referred to this in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes as "chasing after the wind." It just seems that my flesh is constantly battling the God-seeker in me. Can you relate?

At Christmas time, longings attack our contentment. Whether they are longings of a material nature or emotional nature -- tangible or intangible. Our desires are often heightened by the commercial status of this flesh-driven culture. I'm compelled this year to pray specifically that the God-seeker in me would be strengthened. I want to want Christ more. I want a heart that is satisfied with Him.

There's an old hymn written by the late Charles Wesley that is perfect for both Christmas time and all year round: "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus." It was the cry of those anticipating the arrival of a coming Messiah more than 2000 years ago and it remains our cry today as we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus and anticipate His return as our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee

Israel's Strength and Consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart

Born Thy people to deliver
Born a Child and yet a King
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring

By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne

The purposed love-mission of Jesus wrapping Himself in flesh and clothing Himself in humanity was for us to be reconciled to the loving heart of God the Father. Hope came as a babe in a manger and will be returning soon to take us home. Now THAT is something to long for...

Nope, No Room

If your heart be the Inn is there room for Jesus?

Kind of busy are ya?
Chestnuts roasting, scotch tape’s run out, and isn’t it a little late to be addressing those cards? Maybe you’re getting a head start on next year.
Tired – does that describe you?

How can you leave Jesus outside?
You have to make room for Jesus.
And that may be the issue for you this Christmas.
What will you do with this Son of God
who came to earth to find you?

Jesus is the One who trades a throne room for a stable,
and the praise of angels for human mockery.

This is the Creator who gives Himself on a cross!
The Bible gives us the only appropriate response:

"The life I now live I live by faith in the Son of God
who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20)

You look at what Jesus did to pay for your sin on that cross,
and you say those life-changing words -
"For me."

Jesus is at YOUR door this Christmas.
Maybe He's been knocking for a long time.
Maybe He won't keep knocking much longer.

All your life - even the events of the last few months -
have been to prepare you for this crossroads
moment with Jesus your Savior.

Don't leave Him outside any longer.
Open the door this Christmas Day.
"Jesus, I cannot keep You out any longer.
Come on in. You can have my room... my life."
Amen and amen

It's Christmas Time 2

Let’s Sing:
Sweet little Jesus boy
They made you be born in a manger
Sweet little holy child
We didn't know who you was
Didn't know you'd come to save us Lord
To take our sins away
Our eyes was blind, we couldn't see
We didn't know who you was

Long time ago
You was born
Born in a manger low
Sweet little Jesus boy
The world treats you mean Lord
Treats me mean too
But that's how things is down here
We don't know who you is

You done told us how
We is a trying
Master you done showed us how
Even when you was dying
Just seems like we can't do right
Look how we treated you
But please Sir forgive us Lord
We didn't know it was you

Sweet little Jesus boy
Born a long time ago
Sweet little holy child
We didn't know who you was



I just want to sing this Christmas, sing the joy of the Lord and His incredible gift of life and hope to us. In searching around for songs that have deep meaning to me I came across a picture of our despicable, painful & shameful history: A picture of a group of slaves singing. The picture just drew me in for I have seen this picture many times in different forms. It’s a picture of joy under the worst kind of human oppression. How can that be? As I kept the picture on my mind I continued the song search and came across a Bayou Christian whose words and song I just have to share with you. Last Christmas Pastor Bill Crawford was preparing his very first solo for the Christmas program at the First Presbyterian Church of Thibodaux.

I’ll let Pastor Crawford take it from here: “What has struck me so strongly as I have practiced and prayed through this song is how amazing it is that men and women under the grave burden of slavery would adopt the religion of their masters so thoroughly. Then, of course, I realized slaves could identify with Christ. Born under oppression, beaten, and hung on a cross. Born to a nation that had been slaves. No wonder.
Most important though is that Jesus brings victory over death, oppression, and slavery. Through the singular work of Jesus Christ we are saved, freed, and made children of God! That my friends is Good News.
The conversion of Africans to Christianity is no testimony to Americans in fact it is part of the single most tragic piece of American if not Human history - slavery. But conversion, although it is no work of our own is an amazing display of the saving power of Christ”.

A pearl to string: Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept. (Isaiah 30:29) The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, (Isaiah 61:1)

Jesus is life giving
Joy & love dear hearts ~ Merry Christmas,
Lyndi

It’s Christmas Time

Let’s Sing:
I'm dreamin' tonight of a place I love
Even more then I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you

I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

(I'll Be Home For Christmas - Kim Gannon, Walter Kent (c) 1943)

As a young teen girl celebrating my Christmas’ in the California sunshine each year I had to use my gift of imagination to turn my world into a winter wonderland. I just had to touch and gaze upon the red & green decorations throughout our home over and over again. I loved our Christmas tree and all the lights twinkling – so beautiful, so happy. The aroma of fresh baked cookies, cakes and the Christmas roast just made my senses dance with joy. I loved going to church, singing Christmas carols and listening to the story of the birth of Jesus. But every time I would hear the song: I’ll Be Home for Christmas, on the radio my eyes would fill with tears. My heart would feel like someone was standing on it and I’d break into these big sobs. A deep sadness would come over me. I was home so I can’t recall what troubled me so – perhaps just the thought of loved ones being separated from one another. The saddest separation of all has been living in a society that has created a secular holiday. The stark change has literally sucked the joy out of Christmas and booted Jesus out. How did giving turn into getting? And how did get to’s turn into have to’s? How did deck the halls with boughs of holly turn into the best, biggest most outrageously expensive decorations? It has all created stress beyond measure. People are angry and frustrated and tired. STOP! Dial the activity down and the spirituality up and find that celebration of Jesus birth again.

A pearl to string: Love brought Jesus to us and love is what peoples all over the world are lonely for. Let’s bring love back to Christmas. Let’s decide to slow down, give warm smiles and a helping hand or hold a door for someone. "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." (James 3:5) Can you imagine what a small amount of love from your heart would do when you reach out and bless someone else?

Let’s bring Jesus home for Christmas as He tells us "Make your home in me, as I make mine in you" (John 15:4). Home is where the heart is.

Merry Christmas
Pass the love on,
Lyndi