Archive for December, 2008

25
Dec
08

The Family Christmas Tree

tree2

“I AM the Vine, you are the branches…” (John 15:5)

“Christmas is not about being with people you like. Christmas is about being with family!”
–Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor, Home Improvement

I love the family the Lord has put me in.  In fact, I like my family (most of them). And I think most of them like me. Unfortunately, like many of you, I have family scattered all over so occasions like Christmas are nigh unto impossible to get us all together. But this year…this year…I’m thinking differently.  For the first time in, like, ever, I am going to enjoy the whole family tree under one roof, at one time, together and intimate.

And here’s how I’m going to do it. One word: genealogies.

The story of Christmas is familial. The two gospelers that leave us with the record of Christ’s birth also include His family tree. Matthew’s gospel shows us the line of Christ giving Him legal right to the Throne of David through his earthly father Joseph.  Luke’s genealogical record solves the sticky case of a cursed bloodline by showing Christ as also coming through the untainted lineage of Mary. Long story short, if Christ had only come through Joseph’s line, He could not have sat on the Throne with Divine favor–even though it gave Him legal right to it–because of a ‘little’ problem back there with Jehoiachin (see Jeremiah 22:24-30 and Matthew 1:11,12).

God “got around” this pothole by birthing His only begotten Messiah Son through a virgin who also came through the lineage of David. Here stands Yeshua Hamashiach, with legal and Divine rights to the everlasting throne. A king (Jehoiachin/Jeconiah/Coniah) almost messed up the Christmas ‘Tree’ but a virgin sealed the deal!

Which brings me to my Tree. Continue reading ‘The Family Christmas Tree’

16
Dec
08

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas (In Legalese)

bowlites

Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a
certain improved piece of real property (hereinafter “the House”) a
general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to a mouse.
A variety of foot apparel, e.g. stocking, socks, etc., had been affixed
by and around the chimney in said House in the hope and/or belief that
St.Nick a/k/a St. Nicholas a/k/a Santa Claus (hereinafter “Claus”) would arrive
at some time thereafter.
The minor residents, i.e. the children, of the aforementioned House,
were located in their individual beds and were engaged in nocturnal
hallucinations, i.e. dreams, wherein vision of confectionery treats,
including, but not limited to, candies, nuts and/or sugar plums, did
dance, cavort and otherwise appear in said dreams.
Whereupon the party of the first part (sometimes hereinafter referred to
as “I”), being the joint-owner in fee simple of the House with the parts
of the second part (hereinafter “Mamma”), and said Mamma had retired
for a sustained period of sleep. (At such time, the parties were clad in
various forms of headgear, e.g. kerchief and cap.)
Suddenly, and without prior notice or warning, there did occur upon the
unimproved real property adjacent and appurtenant to said House, i.e. the
lawn, a certain disruption of unknown nature, cause and/or circumstance.
The party of the first part did immediately rush to a window in the
House to investigate the cause of such disturbance.

At that time, the party of the first part did observe, with some degree
of wonder and/or disbelief, a miniature sleigh (hereinafter the
“Vehicle”) being pulled and/or drawn very rapidly through the air by approximately
eight (8) reindeer. The driver of the Vehicle appeared to be and in fact was, the previously referenced Claus.

Said Claus was providing specific direction, instruction and guidance
to the approximately eight (8) reindeer and specifically identified the animal
co-conspirators by name: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid,
Donner and Blitzen (hereinafter the “Deer”). (Upon information and belief,
it is further asserted that an additional co-conspirator named “Rudolph” may have been involved.)

The party of the first part witnessed Claus, the Vehicle and the Deer
intentionally and willfully trespass upon the roofs of several residences
located adjacent to and in the vicinity of the House, and noted that the
Vehicle was heavily laden with packages, toys and other items of unknown origin or nature.

Suddenly, without prior invitation or permission, either express or
implied, the Vehicle arrived at the House, and Claus entered said House
via the chimney. Said Claus was clad in a red fur suit, which was
partially covered with residue from the chimney, and he carried a large
sack containing a portion of the aforementioned packages, toys, and other unknown items.

He was smoking what appeared to be tobacco in a small pipe in blatant
violation of local ordinances and health regulations. Claus did not
speak, but immediately began to fill the stocking of the minor children,
which hung adjacent to the chimney, with toys and other small gifts.
(Said items did not, however, constitute “gifts” to said minor pursuant
to the applicable provisions of the U.S Tax Code.)

Upon completion of such task, Claus touched the side of his nose and
flew, rose and/or ascended up the chimney of the House to the roof where
the Vehicle and Deer waited and/or served as “lookouts.” Claus
immediately departed for an unknown destination.

However, prior to the departure of the Vehicle, Deer and Claus from said
House, the party of the first part did hear Claus state and/or exclaim:
“Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”
Or words to that effect.
 

16
Dec
08

Just A Reminder


Translation: 10 days to buy me something nice…

:lol:

10
Dec
08

For Those ‘Trying’ To Live The Christian Life

Are we called to ‘imitate’ our Lord’s Life?

Can ‘we’ even live up to such a Life?

Here’s a question that might tip some sacred cows: truthfully now, does our Lord really need us to serve Him (see Acts 17:24,25 and Mark 10:45)? Or is the fruit of the abiding Life His serving through us that brings glory to the Father?

Take a look-see at what Mr. Morgan cooks up for us:

“The nature of the Christian Life is Christ’s Life taking hold upon all the inner life of a man, changing, dominating, pulsating…the Christian Life is neither imitation of Christ nor correct intellectual positions concerning Christ. I may attempt to imitate Christ most sincerely through long years, and yet never be a Christian. It is possible for me to admire him, and attempt with all the power of my life to imitate Him and yet never realize Him.

It is quite possible for a person to believe most sincerely in His deity and the fact of His atoning work, and moreover, in the necessity for regeneration, and yet never be submitted to His Lordship, never to have a personal share in His atonement, never to be born again.

Nothing short of the coming into the Life of Christ Himself constitutes a Christian. If Christ be in you, living, reigning there absolutely, and you are obeying Him, there will never be a moment when the Truth will not be evident. You cannot hide Christ if once He comes within. If the Light is there, it simply must shine.”

–G. Campbell Morgan (Congregational Pastor, 1863-1945)

 

“In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men.”
(John 1:4)

JT, you are sooo right, my brutha.  Only Christ can live the Christian Life. (loved the post, by the way)

It’s the Life of the Indwelling Christ that makes us His. Let’s put away our checklists, ’how-to’ manuals, rule books, and activity reports. He longs for intimacy with His own, so let’s draw near. A reigning Christ living through a reigning people.  Now that’s a recipe made in Heaven!

As Steve Brown says: “You think about that. Ah-men.”

10
Dec
08

The Little Vine And The Old Oak Tree

tornado-tree

These are upsetting times. Someone recently commented that a “perfect” storm is converging in the earth, fed by radical religious ideology, terrorism, global economic chaos, the progression toward a new world order and mounting fears that the end is near. We’re hearing the word “Illuminati” rise again in the throats of wary prophets. There’s been a run on guns and ammo of late, many fearing forthcoming legislation that would blockade such purchases and to arm homes for the very real possibility of protection in the face of looming depression. Bankers and CFO’s are turning to yoga and other meditative disciplines (not to mention self-medication) just to cope with the stress of a slip-and-slide market.

Indeed, millennialists who take the Scriptures concerning the end of times seriously and literally (as this writer does) know that the two kingdoms–God’s and the satan’s–must come into a monumental collision before the full expression of God’s Kingdom on earth is realized. In short, the news is sure to rattle the knees of the faint of heart: things are going to get worse.

In view of this, I’d like to share a little parable that might just flip aright any castdown sheep out there. A friend of mine recently told me of a tornado that had descended on a sleepy little town, derstroying everything in its path. Everything, that is, except for two marvels of nature. When the disaster relief people roared into town in their trucks and SUVs with flashing lights and sirens wailing, the personnel took painstaking inventory of the aftermath.

The tornado had uprooted fences, overturned homes and flipped cars. Buildings looked like matchsticks in the wake of such devastation. However, in a field glutted with debris, stood a lone oak tree having weathered the storm with amazing courage and endurance. As relief workers moved closer they were taken aback by a fragile young vine that had wrapped around its base, clinging to it for dear life.

No question that the same forceful winds that had roared through an hour earlier should have ripped to pieces such a delicate vine, but the feeble branches had learned long before to find and attach themselves to an immoveable object.

Isaiah prophesied to both of the divided kingdoms of Israel that separate roaring armies would invade and obliterate both north and south, save only the remnant who remained loyal to Yahweh. The northern kingdom–Israel–would fall prey to advancing hordes of Assyrians while their brothers to the south–Judah–would have to deal with brutish Babylonians years later. But to both he offered this enduring promise:

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”
(Isaiah 40:31)

“Wait” in Hebrew has the idea of twisting one’s self around something sure and unmoveable. Like that delicate vine wrapping itself around the massive oak tree, Isaiah is telling a people facing their own perfect storm to let go of their kingdoms and abide in the Vine of Life.

The shaking that is coming to the earth will destroy at will everything in its path, leaving in its wake homes built on sand, securities eaten through by moths and rust, and purses with holes along with everything else that draws affection away from Jesus.

Beloved, this is the time to cut ties.

This is the time to break unholy alliances.

This is the time to embed ourselves in Jesus, the Rock of Ages, the Cornerstone…

…the Tree of Life.




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