Discipleship Network Forum

I'm the world's worst at New Year's Resolutions. When I make them at all (which after years of guilt-filled feelings of disappointment for my inability to keep my resolutions) which isn't often, I tend to look at the things in my life that I don't like and try to fix them . . . weight gain, lack of exercise . . . Sound familiar?

This year, I met two adorable children on a senior adult trip to see the Christmas lights north of Atlanta. The children serenaded me all the way back after the light display with a variety of Christmas songs. My favorite was their personalized rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." They ended the song with "We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New YOU." That grabbed my attention and I've continued to think about it since this. I mean, really, can we create "happiness"? What is "happiness" anyway? A fleeting emotion? The ability to laugh and giggle? Or is it "learning to be content in all circumstances"? (Phil. 4:11) 

Our family had a really tough year in 2009. As my husband told someone, "We wrecked two cars and sunk our boat, and that was just the beginning." We were so happy to see 2009 end. Then, 2010 turned out to be even worse and included the death of Bob's dad. I've talked to so many people who have experienced a tough couple of years. That helps me understand "a Happy New YOU". I cannot control what the New Year will be like, but I can control how I respond to it. 

So this year, I'm going to make New Year's Resolutions that are keeping with the things that matter most to me:

(1)  I pray for contentment this year, not happiness, as I seek to depend upon the peace of Christ in my life to see me through whatever 2011 has to offer.

(2) I pray for wisdom this year, not knowledge, as I seek to demonstrate the impact of Christ's peace on those whose lives I touch.

(3) I pray for patience this year, not endurance, as I seek to distinguish the opportunities that come from God from the frustrations of life.

May the new year bring you the peace and job that comes from Christ!

Margie Williamson

Community Manager

Meny people will look back  over the  past  year with a sense of accomplishment and hope . Others may have regrets and wish they had tackled life differently.Learning to set goals for your  life is an excellent way to  build encouragement into your daily routine, especially when you set  reasonable goals that you can  achieve without  fear of failure.Always begin the  goal setting process with  preyer.

Peace & Love

Sydney

“Therefore, if anyone is united with the MESSIAH, he is a new creation – the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new!”  (2 Cor. 5:17)

          The person who surrenders his life to YESHUA and receives Him as LORD and Savior becomes one with Him for he becomes the Temple of the living GOD.  For as many as did receive Him, to those who put their trust in His person and power, He gave the right to become children of GOD.  People who are born of dust are like the man of dust (Adam) and people born from heaven are like the man from heaven (YESHUA).  It has been the perfect will of the FATHER to create a new man through union with the MESSIAH.  YESHUA was the firstfruit – the second Adam – and all believers, being born from above, partake of the divine nature of YESHUA.   

          In times past, the blood of bulls and lambs poured out as a sacrifice on the mercy seat by the High Priest would atone (cover) the sins of the people and GOD would pass over and not pronounce judgment; but the Scriptures declare that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and lambs to take away sins (Heb 10:4) but GOD permitted it until the MESSIAH came.  In times past, the anointing of the HOLY SPIRIT among the prophets, priests and kings was intermittent.  It would come only at the time needed for a mission to be completed and at times when the servant of GOD is in communion with Him. 

          At the fullness of time, YESHUA came, full of the SPIRIT, being incarnated by the SPIRIT, performing the work of the FATHER, in the natural and the supernatural, walking as a normal man subjected to the hunger, suffering, sorrow and toil of the curse of man; but without sin.  He presented himself as the Lamb of GOD who takes away the sins of the world.  He became the only ultimate and eternally acceptable sacrifice that enabled all believers to be adopted into the family of GOD.  Thus, the cross of sacrifice became the tree where YESHUA, the MESSIAH, poured out His own pure blood, not just to atone (cover) the sins of the believer, but to wash away all sins, past, present and future, to present every believer as His brothers to the heavenly FATHER.  For how could the HOLY SPIRIT dwell permanently on an impure man other than a man whose sins have been completely washed away and forgiven through the blood of the perfect Lamb? So, everyone who beholds the SON of GOD on the cross and believe, is completely saved and is given a divine nature through the HOLY SPIRIT who indwells him.

          The question is, how do believers exercise the divine nature?  Firstly, the HOLY SPIRIT who raised YESHUA from the dead lives in us; and He also gives life to our mortal bodies empowering us to obey the law of the SPIRIT, setting us free from the law of sin.  This is the proof that we are truly sons of GOD when we are led by the SPIRIT (Rom 8:11,14).  As ADONAI promised, “I will house Myself in them and I will walk among them, I will be their GOD, and they will be My people” (2 Cor 6:16).  We have stripped off our old nature and every day, we put on the MESSIAH by renewing our minds in the Word of Life.  This new nature expresses itself in righteousness and holiness that flows from the Truth.  GOD gave us the SPIRIT who is not timid but produces power, love and self-discipline.

          Secondly, GOD’s power has given us everything we need for life and godliness, through our  knowing the One who called us to his own glory and goodness.  By these He has given us valuable and superlatively great promises, so that through them you might come to share in GOD’s nature and escape the corruption which evil desires have brought into the world (2 Pet 1:3,4).  The key to exercising the divine nature is through meditating on the promises of GOD, speaking them into our lives and walking in them daily!  By meditating, speaking and walking in them we begin the process of knowing the MESSIAH; His mindset, power and acts.  The goal is to internalize the MESSIAH in us because, as the Scripture declares, YESHUA in us, is our only hope of glory (Col 1:27).  As YESHUA himself said, “The things that I do, you shall do also…”(Jn 14:12).  Through this, we become one new man with our LORD YESHUA.

          The promises of GOD are yes and amen to those who believe.  They become facts when we believe and become reality in our lives.  The provisions of GOD are bountiful but do we dare to issue checks against our heavenly account? 

          The righteous shall live by his faith!

          מלאך

I was just sitting here thinking about the "Happy Holiday" vs. "Merry Christmas" debate. I'm tired of hearing about it. A commercial on TV said "Happy Holidays"... and I was surprisingly unaffected by it. And then I started thinking about the Christmas "holidays" of my childhood. I assisted my father in shopping for and placing "Santa's" presents under the tree for my siblings. Never thought much about why we did it. But I now can remember that we did it because we were American. And at that time (about 50 years ago), being American meant celebrating the "holy-days". We actually had a nativity play in school! Without talking about it, there was an understanding that Americans were Christians. We were taught the Christian heritage of our history in public school! Although my parents were alcoholics, I'm sure, if they were to be asked if they were Christians, both would say "Yes, of course, we are American".

In middle school, I had a friend whose family was Jewish. All I knew about Judaism were the slurs and nasty remarks. And yet my friend seemed like everyone else I knew. Until the holidays came along. And I sat enraptured with her telling of the Hanukkah traditions.

She was not offended that we celebrated Christmas. I was not offended that they celebrated Hanukkah. It was what it was. As I got older, I saw the Jewish community and the Christian community, each separate on Sundays, but working together, shopping together, and being friends together during the week. Without finger pointing and judging each other. Getting along together, helping each other.

Gee, I'd like to go back to that time.

“Don’t boast about tomorrow for you don’t what the day may bring.”

-         Prov 27:1

Modern man thinks of time in linear terms.  We see it as a span from the beginning of time (whenever that might be) to the year 0 before Christ and the 1^st Century AD until today, 2010.  We think of the past as behind us and the future as ahead of us.  However, from ancient times, the Hebrews have the opposite orientation.  To them, the past is before their very eyes since it is already known and written in history; but the future is behind them because it is a closed door, dark and unknown.

I kind of like the Hebrew way of thinking.  The HOLY SPIRIT woke me up very early today and described to me how the ancient Hebrew thinks of time and how it is intimately related to their walk with GOD.  Because the future is completely unknowable to the natural man, he has to trust in someone who can guide him faithfully through the unknown frontier.  It is like walking backwards.  It is unnatural and the walk is uncertain and shaky.  It is like walking blindly.  The real Israeli would rather take the hand of ADONAI and let Him lead because he knows ADONAI knows the way home.  After all, that is where he wants to go.  Home is GOD’s Kingdom built not with human hands but a magnificent eternal dwelling whose architect and builder is ADONAI ELOHIM.

To the ancient Hebrew, time and space is the same and it is quite notable that recently, modern science teaches that time and space are similar.  It seems that the more science advances and discovers, the more it confirms the declarations of Scripture.

Some people would consult mediums and spiritists, consulting the dead on behalf of the living;  would you rather not consult your GOD?  In the very center of the Bible, Psalm 118:8 says:  “It is better to trust in the LORD that to put confidence in man!”

מלאך

“He who digs a pit may fall into it;

He who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

He who quarries stones may get hurt by them,

He who chops wood puts himself in danger.

If the hatchet’s blade is blunt, and its user doesn’t sharpen it,

He will have to exert more effort; but the expert has the advantage of his skill.

If a snake bites before it is charmed,

The snake-charmer has no advantage.

-Ecclesiastes 10:8-11

Risk is a part of life.  Every time you open your mouth, you are at risk.  The moment you step out the door, you are at risk.  Whether you decide to go to the right or to the left, you are at risk.  When a man courts a woman, he lays his life on the line!  When you lend money, even to a friend, you are at risk.  When you ask for an opinion or advice, you are at risk.  Every moment of our lives, we make decisions and each decision entails risks.  Risk has many factors:

§  Value of investment – the question is, how much is the amount involved?  How much financial exposure does it entail?

§  Rate of return – how much do I get in return?  What is the expected revenue?  How long will I recover my investment?

§  Personal involvement – do I hire somebody to do it or do I have to do it myself?  Do I have the skills to succeed? What is my likely exposure to embarrassment?

§  Business environment or situation – What is the market appetite for the business like?  Where would you locate the business?  Who are your prospects?  How big is the customer traffic?

§  Timing – Is the market ready for your product?  Will the economic situation allow you to succeed?

There are many more valid questions you have to ask yourself when you are seriously about to make a major decision especially on investments, but the above questions are enough for our purpose.

Whatever you are about to do, whether it’s chopping wood or quarrying stone or the serious business of investing, will entail risk.  Many have earned a lot of money by becoming consultants to investors and they pose as experts on financial instruments so that investors will attain a level of comfort that what they are about to invest in is the ‘right’ investment.  The truth is, markets are volatile, especially at this time, and it is hard to predict with certainty, how an investment will fare, especially in the stock market.  There is no substitute for becoming your own expert because you have the advantage of skill.  Besides, if the consultant is so sure of his product, you might ask him how much he has invested on it himself!  Solomon says that your axe must be sharp to cut wood; or else you will have to exert more effort.  For sure, the expert has the advantage of skill.  As a Christian, you have the mind of CHRIST.  It is the LORD who gives us the ability and power to acquire wealth.  We can learn whatever we put our mind to if we do it by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.  Besides, He promised to guide us and even disclose to us what is to come.  The question is, would you trust Him?  Only GOD holds the future in His capable hands and in trusting Him, we are blessed with blessings of Abraham!  The SPIRIT knows the perfect timing of everything under the sun because He hovers over us to prosper our way.

Risk becomes an adventure when you put every decision in the hand of GOD who loves you with an unfailing love!  When the disciples asked YESHUA, “When will the Kingdom of GOD come?“  He replied, “Only the FATHER knows.”

מלאך

I grew up in a Christian home which was rich in Christmas tradition. After celebrating our "Santa Claus" we would all gather together to read the Christmas story from the Bible. Mom made it seem like it was just the natural thing to do. Since she led us children with a daily Bible passage each day of the year, having a devotional time on Christmas morning did not seem at all out of the ordinary. As we gather this Christmas let us all remember from whence we are hewn. May Christ and the Bible take center stage as we celebrate his birth for in coming He came to save His people from there sins. We are they, so let's celebrate together. Let me challenge each family to gather around God's Word and celebrate Jesus. Lead your family to repent of sin and receive Christ as Lord and Savior as well as their guide through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray to our Father and thank Him for sending His Son, His only begotten Son, that we might trust Him and take up our cross daily and follow Him. From a small town in Bethlehem God introduced the world to His son. From our small town and from our small study groups and our small families may God begin a new work that will guide generations into His kingdom.

A few weeks ago, Tyler Charles interviewed me for a BuildingChurchLeaders.com download, which was recently published and contains seven excellent articles. My interview was recently posted on their site. They also published my article, Ministering to Challenging People. Both are valuable resources for anyone who leads people.

Continue reading at http://whydidntyouwarnme.com/2010/12/14/making-the-effort-to-connect-with-difficult-people/

From a friend of the Navigators in Malaysia…

A commentary: “How Many More Christmases?”
By Bernice Lee

Earlier this week I had lunch with a dear friend, one of the bravest ladies I know. A breast cancer survivor, she discovered last year that the cancer had snuck up on her again. I’m sure she had her share of long and hard discussions with her Maker following that discovery. While I was not privy to those deeply private conversations, I do know for a fact that she would come out of her prayer closet invigorated and more determined than ever to lick the disease.

One full cycle of chemotherapy later, she learnt that the drugs weren’t achieving the desired level of cancer cell deaths. This was news she didn’t need. Chemotherapy is financially draining even under the best of circumstances. She had been blessed to have been picked for a drug trial that first round. How would she be able to afford newer and stronger drugs with her limited resources? God blessed her with yet another chance to go on a new drug trial. And so we rejoiced! Then, at one of her regular progress check-ups, she was told that the cancer count had gone down. We rejoiced even more!

Oh, her joy has been so infectious. Looking at her, with her full head of hair, twinkling eyes and ever-ready smile, you would not know that she was fighting for her life, or that her vision has been severely compromised by the chemotherapy. She is so full of life and joy because her roots of hope go deep. In fact, she’s planning a Christmas dinner for her children, their friends, and those of her nephews and nieces who are currently in Singapore. The only poignant moment in our conversation came when she wistfully said that she so much wanted to do this because she didn’t know how many more Christmases she would have.

Do we know how many more Christmases each of us will have? Some of us, like my friend, are blessed with timely reminders of the fact that this life is a temporary one. And so she has launched herself into this adventure of living life to the fullest because she knows where her hope and her final destination will be. She epitomized for me the “passionate patience” that Luci Shaw wrote about in her book The Crime of Living Cautiously (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005).

[I particularly like the oxymoron implied in “passionate patience,” a phrase Eugene Peterson uses several times in The Message. I have to ask myself, Am I passionate in my patience as I wait for God to act for me or through me? To direct me? To speak to me? Or do I lose the spark in the waiting? (The Crime of Living Cautiously, 37.)]

Many of us are so caught up in the daily struggles of our existence that we lose sight of Life itself. I don’t make light of all that you and I need to do in order to maintain a roof over our heads, feed our families and ensure that our children have a good educational head start. But, like my friend and Luci Shaw, I have begun to see that there is more to life than the daily grind. Perspective is everything, isn’t it? Jesus could have seen, at every turn, the multi-headed beast called “sinfulness” and been totally defeated by despair. And He almost was at the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:41, 42). But His obedience to the Father and ownership of His mission gave Him the courage to go on. If we can see a bigger overarching story to our lives, it gives everything we do and everything that happens, a different perspective. Henri Nouwen put it so well when he said:

[If I were able to trust more, to open myself more easily to be more vulnerable, then obedience would not be so hard. I would be able to say… “If I am still asked to do something I do not like to do, perhaps I must be open to the idea of God’s preparing me for something greater and more important than anything I can imagine.” (The Genesee Diary, New York, NY: Doubleday, 1981, 119.)]

There is an ultimate purpose to all the “madness” and so we can take to the white waters of life in our puny rafts and whoop with joy as we crest the next wave or rapid. And even if the raft should occasionally overturn, we’ll have the faith ballast to right it again and continue the ride, soaking wet yet filled with joy and a sense of adventure.

Both Soo Inn and I lost our first spouses to cancer, and you would think that we’d know better than to open ourselves up to the very real possibility of similar loss and pain. But here we are, married to each (for better or for worse), and in for the ride of our lives with a God who holds our future firmly in His loving hands and guides us surely over the rocks and swirling waters. It hasn’t always been easy and we have to constantly remind ourselves not to swing from a bland acceptance of life’s ills to an adrenalin-driven compulsion to fill each waking moment with activity. It comes back to the “passionate patience”. Passionate? Hmmm, yes. Patience? Well, that’ll take another eCommentary to unpack! (*grin*)

Why am I talking about death and dying when it is Christmas that we’re anticipating? Well, the joy only makes sense when we remember that Jesus came in order to die for our sins. And the death only makes sense when we remember that He rose again. That’s why Luci Shaw says we can go on this “Adventure of resurrection, a new life given into God’s hands.” (The Crime of Living Cautiously, 24.)

I don’t know how many more Christmases I’ll see, but I do know I want to make this one count. And the next one, and the one after that…

It's Christmas time, and while I somewhat dread the thought of what gifts to buy for whom, there is nothing like choosing, wrapping, and giving a gift you know someone will love. Even the anticipation of waiting for the opening at Christmas adds enjoyment to the giving. Then the moment when the gift is placed in their hands, still wrapped, concealed, unknown - you know they're going to love it! The smiles of wondering as paper is torn, the surprise of recognition, the delight and even tears of gratitude. Then come the explanations of how the idea came to you, how long it took to find it, why you knew it would be perfect, how it expresses your love. It's as if you've just received a gift yourself with the giving. After all, "It's more blessed to give . . ."

But have you ever given a gift with the same preparation and expectation of appreciation, but was disappointed that your gift wasn't understood or recognized as uniquely chosen, or perhaps even how much it cost you? Has the moment of revelation when the treasure is opened brought disregard or even rejection?

So I wonder, sitting by the tree with my family on Christmas morning, is this anything like the giving by God of His Son? He knew the perfect gift, chose it, kept it hidden with anticipation for so long, waiting for the moment of giving with more love than is possible from a human heart. He knew how necessary but extravagant this gift would be - essential really. He had planned it for so long, waiting for the day when the veil would be torn open, the surprise of recognition, the delight and tears of gratitude. Then came the explanations of reminders from the prophets, how long He'd been planning for this day, why it's perfect and how it expresses His love.

But what of His unbearable pain when the receivers of the gift don't understand or recognize how uniquely chosen His gift is, or how much it cost Him, and disregard or even reject it? And is it possible that for many, this most Precious Gift remains still unopened, ignored because of too many other things to play with or activities to pursue, or maybe because no one has ever placed it in their hands and told them it was theirs to open?

How do we even know about giving gifts? How do we even understand the joy that gift-giving brings? It's because of Him. He gave first - everything in the world, and then more.

My lesson to put into practice this Christmas as I unwrap each gift: truly see the gift, understand what it meant to the giver, and express my gratitude. With some gifts it will be easy; with others I may need to look deeper to find their value. Even Mary didn't fully understand this gift she'd assisted in presenting to the world. It took years of treasuring these unfolding events in her heart - layers of unwrapping.

And I must remember that the exchange doesn't end with the opening of the gift. It's returned in gratitude to the giver, and beyond as the gift is used, worn, displayed, treasured. And the greatest expression of a gift received is when it actually changes a life.

Don’t you just love “putting on” the decorations of Christmas?

We put the decorations on our tree, we put our favorite Christmas food on the stove, we put our lights on the house. Things begin to feel like Christmas when we start putting on all our Christmas decorations.

The decorations we put on for Christmas aren’t the essence of Christmas, they’re simply the evidence of Christmas. They’re more like reminders that Christmas is here. And you know we as Christians are to put on evidences as well. Kind of like putting on the decorations of Christmas; The evidences are not the essence, but they’re reminders that we possess the essence.

The essence of being a Christian is Christ living in us. And we are called to “put on” the evidence of that great truth. Col 3:12-14 says “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (ESV).”

Jesus Christ Himself is the essence of our Christianity. But He’s given us “decorations” that point to Him being alive and well in our lives. Let’s adorn ourselves with these Christ-like decorations this Christmas season. When people see our Christmas decorations, they’ll know we’re celebrating Christmas. When they see us adorned with the attributes of Christ, they’ll know that Jesus is alive and well in our lives.

Let’s put Christ-like decorations on our lives, and let’s keep them there after the Christmas boxes go back in the attic. Praise the Lord.

“There will appear signs in the sun, moon and stars; and on earth, nations will be in anxiety and bewilderment at the sound and surge of the sea, as people faint with fear at the prospect of what is overtaking the world; for the powers in heaven will be shaken…when these things start to happen, stand up and hold your heads high; because you are about to be liberated! Keep watch on yourselves, or your hearts will become dulled by carousing, drunkenness and the worries of everyday living, and that Day will be sprung upon you suddenly like a trap! For it will close in on everyone, no matter where they live, throughout the whole world. Stay alert, always praying that you will have the strength to escape all the things that will happen and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.” – YESHUA (Lk 21:25,26,28,34-36)

Before the second coming of the Messiah, there will be great famines, droughts, earthquakes, wars, and great signs in the heavens that will cause anxiety and bewilderment to all men. Natural calamities have been occurring at a much faster rate and at worst level of catastrophe. The earthquakes have already exceeded magnitude 8 on the Richter scale. Hurricanes and typhoons are much stronger and its devastation sweeping, destroying all kinds of man-made structures and crops, causing landslides and avalanches. The snow caps and icebergs are melting causing sea-water to rise, threatening complete flooding of some islands like the Kiribati. In 2009 alone, there was more frequency of flooding everywhere where there used to be none.

But the most distressing sign is that the heart of man is growing cold, totally selfish, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, insulting, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, uncontrolled, brutal, hateful of good, traitorous, headstrong, swollen with conceit, loving pleasure rather than GOD, as they retain the outer form of religion but deny its power (2 Tim 3:1-5).

I could never understand why prayer could be disallowed in public places but swearing and cursing and all forms of lewdness abound. This generation worships the human body. We have all sorts of beauty contests and even contests on the biggest loser; as if they created their own bodies so they can boast how beautiful they are. Truly, the enemy revels in corrupting the image of GOD in every human.

The LORD YESHUA, himself, warned us not to be dulled by the carousing of everyday living and its pleasurable attractions because we might lose our first love. The only antidote is to pray unceasingly for strength to overcome as if our very lives depend on it, because it does. Let’s guard our hearts, especially early in the morning, for that is when the enemy will remind us of so many urgent activities and we tend to forget to be still and commune with GOD. To postpone to pray is to walk in uneven rough roads and even to sink in the quagmire of worry without the necessary strength to overcome and navigate smoothly. When we walk with the SPIRIT daily, the way may be a wilderness, but we are assured that He who guides knows the way and we will arrive complete in CHRIST, to attend the marriage supper of the Lamb.

The signs of the second coming of our LORD YESHUA is upon us. Let us make sure that we can hold our heads up high and say, “Maranatha!”

מלאך

We are both praying for the Mordecai anointing. Here's a brief summary of what Mordecai's anointing is all about. Esther chapter 4 - Taking a stand (a life and death stand) in sackcloth and ashes. His prayer and conviction was so intense it moved Queen Esther into prayer and fasting as well as action (ready to die for the cause). Even more, Mordecai's (cry) prayer and conviction was so intense it woke up a heathen king (or made the king lose his sleep). Time to have the Lord move in our situation(s). This is what our generation / church needs more Mordecai's. Too many Esther's (in the palace) are comfortable in their position (unfortunately the current state of church), however, Mordecai's anointing reminds Esther that she is placed there for such a time as this. Too many people looking and sitting pretty but it time to cry out to God to reverse the decree of the enemy on our nation (culture/society). America (and our current culture/society) has been moving in a totally different direction, however, the flow will shift (if it is up to Mordecai). The word God gave me was OVERTURN - everything the enemy planned was overturned. Haman (amalekite) vs. Mordecai (Benjamite - great grandson of Kish). Same foe / enemity from the past but in a new generation. Everyone else bowed down to Haman except for Mordecai - he did not go with the flow. Didn't care about being politically correct. Who will take / make a stand? We won't let America (our society) go down like this. All it took was one Mordecai who was placed at the gate. We are also gatekeepers (that's a message in itself) :-)

Be blessed and be a blessing. Have a safe, fun and wonderful Christmas and very happy New Year.

In Him,

Bliss and Betsy

I've just finished reading this book, 'Radical' by David Platt, a pastor in Birmingham Alabama. It is the most disturbing, but true commentary of how the 'American Dream' has permeated our lives and churches . It's not that it's a bad thing, but many of the implications are in stark contrast to Jesus' words. It is definitely a wake up call for all of us to consider Jesus' radical words, and what that means to us personally and our current culture. I challenge everyone who is in the faith, to read it - it is extremely powerful and worth your time.

Monday, December 6, 2010

That was the title of the Advent Silent Retreat I went to in December of 2005. It was lovely. Imagine forty women not talking to each other through five meals? I loved it. No obligation to make small talk. All the time in the world to focus 100% on communion with the Beloved. Making room at Christmas for Him. It is what I strive to do.

I used to be so intent on not being too busy with the whole holiday thing that I would even wrap all my presents in August. During one heatwave in Oregon in a house without air conditioning, sweating, I realized that was also SO wrong. There needed to be a balance. I think I have found it.

I just don't get stressed during this time. Our focus is time around the Advent Wreath and pinning ornaments on the Jesse Tree and reading Scripture and spending time as a family and with many friends. I love to soak in Handel's Messiah because it is mostly Scripture. I love to drink deeply of the life that we have been given through the Son, born to give us second birth, Jesus our Immanuel!

When we say so and so is a mature Christian- what does it mean? If a person can quote scriptures, does it make him/her a mature christian? If person is gifted in some area of Ministry-does it make him/ her a mature christian? If a person is an Elder, Deacon does it mean one is a mature christian?

when a person gets saved and comes to church, mostly, we have Bible classes where we teach them what we think the Bible says and mostly it is what our Denomination teaches or believes in - is that the right way of discipling a new believer? Giving them head knowledge, is it good enough?

I have come to the conclusion that a mature christian is one who has closed the "gap" between what s/he knows is the teaching of the Scriptures and his/her practicall life.

I've been involved in so many discussions about the commercialism and paganism of the Christmas celebration that it almost turned me off from Celebrating Christmas at all. But then I flew to my daughter's home where I only get to visit once or twice a year. She has a 9 year old and a 13 year old. Even they understand and loathe the commercialism. But they are still young enough to find delight in the simple celebration of family and special traditions to remind us of the birth of our Savior.

I just wrapped a secret gift with my 9 year old grand-daughter. What joy and elation! Giggling and shushing, tying the perfect bow, and placing the gift under the tree was such a pleasure for her that I found myself getting caught up in the merriment! And it's a good thing!