A Conversation with God

Me: “Good morning Lord, Thanks for the gift of another day.

Lord: “You’re welcome. Use it wisely. Press on.”

Me: “But Lord, I’m not sure exactly what I am to do, or where I am to go.”

Lord: “Listen, and I will guide you. Press on.”

Me: “But Lord, I’m not sure I have the strength to go much farther.”

Lord: “I will give you strength. Press on.”

Me: “But Lord, I’m no longer as good at setting goals as I was in my youth.”

Lord: “My goals are your goals. Press on.”

Me: “But Lord, at times my faith is weak.”

Lord: “Lean on me and I will renew your faith. Press on.”

Me: “But Lord…”

Lord: “But is an eraser. Remember my promise. I am with you. Press on.”

Me: “Forgive me for my weaknesses and frail faith, Lord.”

Lord: “You are forgiven. Press on.”

Me: “Thanks for renewing my faith with assurance that with you I can press on.”

Lord: “You’re welcome. Now, press on!”

Inspiration for this “conversation” comes from reading Paul’s words in his letter to the Philippians:

Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. ~ Philippians 3:10-16 (NRSV)

A New Season of Life

I have been reflecting on my life journey in recent days, in part because of the beginning of a new calendar year, which is always a time for reflection on the past and future. This “reflection” is also because it is my “birthday month” and at my age I must acknowledge the reality of where I am in my journey as a “senior citizen.”

A real challenge of aging is learning how to grow old gracefully. I am finding that life is fuller and complete each day. Simple things that once were taken for granted are now special treats. The rising and setting of the sun are magical moments of wonder. An occasional nap is rejuvenating. Spending time with loved ones and special friends are precious moments indeed. I view awakening at the dawn of a new day as a gift for which I am thankful. Each day brings new insights, inspiration, and opportunities.

I recently received an e-mail containing a powerful message about aging. (Author unknown.) I consider it a birthday gift, and share with you in the hope that it will be a source of inspiration and reflection for you whatever your age, no matter where you are in your journey.

And then it is winter…

You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went.

I know that I lived them all, and I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But, here it is: the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise.

How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?

I remember well... seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like...

But, here it is; my friends are retired and getting gray; they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me, but I see the great change in each of them as I am sure they also see in me. They are not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant, but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore: it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will, I might just fall asleep where I sit!

And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did. But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last, this I know, that when it's over, it’s over.

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done; things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.

So, if you're not in your winter yet, let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!

You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life, so live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember; and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past.

Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. Live well! Enjoy today! Be happy! Be thankful! Be faithful!

Gift Giving

The Christmas story isn’t complete until we observe the post-Christmas visit of the Magi bringing gifts to the baby Jesus. Gift giving was God’s idea and lies at the heart of the Christian faith. “God so loved the world that he gave…” (Jn. 3:16) Such acknowledgment causes us to ask, what gift can I offer and to whom as an expression of my faith to honor Christ? The hymn “What Gift Can We Bring” expresses it well.

What gift can we bring, what present, what token? What words can convey it, the joy of this day? When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing, what song can we offer in honor and praise?

Give thanks for the past, for those who had vision, who planted and watered so dreams could come true. Give thanks for the now, for study, for worship, for mission that bids us turn prayer into deed.

Give thanks for tomorrow, full of surprises, for knowing whatever tomorrow may bring,
the Word is our promise always, forever, we rest in God's keeping and live in God's love.

This gift we now bring, this present, this token, these words can convey it, the joy of this day! When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing, this song we now offer in honor and praise!

What gift will you offer and to whom as an expression of your faith to honor Christ this new year?

Beginning a New Year

“Happy New Year!” With that traditional greeting we begin the year 2011. Many will enter the new year with anxiety and despair, carrying with them remembrances of unpleasant past experiences. No doubt a new year will bring new challenges and opportunities. Even people of faith are sometimes tempted to dwell on the past and not embrace the present with hope for a more positive future.

Scriptures offer important insights regarding how we are to live as Christians. This passage from Ephesians offers guidance as we begin a new year: So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to -- the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy. (Good News translation)

These words from Thessalonians also offer guidance for faith living in 2011: Do not quench the spirit nor ignore the words of the prophets, but test the value of faith. Hold fast to what is good and combat evil in all forms… Faith living is the result of faithful actions, no matter what life brings.

A new year will include both positive and negative experiences. That much we can count on! There will be times of uncertainty, adversity and despair. As persons of faith, however, we can move toward each tomorrow with an assurance that we do not face any new day alone. Isaac Watts captured the promise of faith in an age-old hymn. May his words be our prayer as we journey through this New Year: Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come; be thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.

May you experience God’s blessings for the journey through 2011.

Christmas Love

While many people say they believe in God, some feel God is absent from their lives. Sometimes life’s circumstances and difficulties isolate us and strain our faith. Some even ask, “Where is God?” Others blame God for life’s conditions. However, Christmas reminds us that God is always present. The gift of Christmas that lasts a lifetime is Emmanuel—God with us, providing comfort and strength for the journey.

At Christmas our attention is focused on a baby in a manger. We celebrate the birth of the promised One. We recognize God’s redemptive act of incarnation. But we also need to recognize the ”rebirth” that the message offers to each of us. When the baby Jesus grow into manhood, he said to Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” To “be born again” means to realign our will and purposes with those of God’s desires for all humanity – to live life based on the principles lived out in Jesus’ life and teachings. To be born again is a faith experience that causes us to claim Christ-like love as the foundation of faith and the goal of our striving.

The story is told of a group of church school children who provided a Christmas program for their parents. The program included readings and singing, and concluded with a powerful reminder. Thirteen children were given poster board each with a single letter. At the end of the program, each child held up their letter so that together they could reveal the message: CHRISTMAS LOVE. However, as they displayed the message, one child mistakenly had his M letter upside down so that the message read CHRIST WAS LOVE. Rather than seeing a mistake, the parents were given the true meaning of Christmas. Christ was and still is love at work in the lives of believers.

Although Christmas Day has come and gone, God’s love message for the world through Christ continues to provide hope and assurance. If Christmas is love, it is not simply a day or season, but anytime love is expressed. Christmas is cause for celebration every day!

The Whole Christmas Story

Where does one begin to tell the Christmas story? It has so many parts that contribute to the whole. Most begin with the baby Jesus in a manger, and over look the preparation for the good news event that occurred in Bethlehem. There are in fact multiple messages to the whole story of Christmas. That is why during Advent we hear the stories of the Old Testament prophets foretelling God’s promise of a coming Messiah. Then the New Testament gospels tell us of how that promise was fulfilled.

In Matthew’s gospel we read of the Angel’s visit to Mary, and then Joseph offering news of what is to take place. From Luke’s gospel we learn about the difficult journey of Joseph and Mary riding on a donkey, traveling to Bethlehem for the census. Upon their arrival, weary and in need of a place to stay, there was no room available anywhere. But through the kindness of an inn keeper, they were given shelter in a stable. Thus this humble dwelling became the place of the birth of the one whose life would transform the world forever.

Another part of the story describes a hillside where shepherds were watching their flocks. But a quiet night was transformed by a spectacular announcement by another of God’s messengers. Jesus’ birth was first proclaimed by a “heavenly host” along with an invitation to “go and see.” So the shepherds responded as privileged guests to witness the miracle of that first Christmas.

The story includes a star, but not just any star. No doubt the heavens revealed many stars on that clear night. One star brightly lighted the sky, and became the compass that led the Magi to the promised Messiah. Those wise men of old visited the child, bearing gifts for a king.

Usually the entire Christmas story comes to life through dramatic portrayals of each of these important events. No matter whether we read it for ourselves from the gospels of Mathew and Luke, hear it read and preached, sing about it through carols, or witness it through drama enactment, the whole story warms and nourishes our hearts and lifts our spirits. What makes this story so special is knowing that this is God’s story for all humankind, for all time.

And this is the rest of the story. We must not overlook two central proclamations from John’s gospel: “The Word became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth. And we have witnessed his glory...” (John. 1:14) He also described the heart of Christmas love this way: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall never die, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

It is little wonder that Christmas people sing “joy to the world, the Lord is come!” As we hear and accept His story, we discover the whole story of Christmas. God is with us! May the whole story of Christmas remind us of how God continues to offer us Emmanuel for each and every day.

Celebrating Christmas

What would life be like without Christmas? Perhaps just another day... nothing special to get excited about... nothing to look forward to... no hope. Unfortunately, that's how those who do not know the true meaning of Christmas may feel.

The heart of Christmas is love – God’s gift of love given and shared for everyone for all time. The Christ of Christmas taught us that love is a verb; it’s not what we say, but what we do through acts of compassion and kindness toward others, especially those in need. Christmas challenges us to proclaim joy to the world, and to demonstrate peace on earth, goodwill to all by letting the light of Christ shine through us.

Christmas offers a rich variety of songs that speak to the heart. Many tell the wondrous story of the Christ event. Others cause us to ponder the wonder of the season and do soul searching for deeper meaning. “So This Is Christmas” is one such song that speaks to me. It is powerfully sung by Celine Dion. Copy and paste the link and listen for its message. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51bO1CVPWRA&feature=related

How we celebrate Christmas defines who we are as a people of faith. If we want to celebrate Christmas in its fullest, we must continue to ask, “How can the message of Christmas find expression in my life, and what can I do to help others claim the spirit of Christmas?"

I wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!