Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Christmas Facts and Fiction #3
1) There is no record of how many "wise men" came to see Jesus. Since three gifts were given to the child, it has been assumed by some that there were three who carried the gifts. Most likely, there was a sizable entourage of "wise men" (magi) accompanied by soldiers to protect them and the cargo that they carried.
2) Luke 2: 11 says, "On coming to the house they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh"
Note: By the time the "wise men" had arrived to see Jesus, He was in a house - not in the manger. It must have been a considerable time after His birth that the "wise men" found Him.
The text also tells us that Jesus was a child when the "wise men" found Him. The Greek word for "child" is different from the word for "infant" and refers to someone who is around two years old.
While folks attempt to include everyone and everything in the nativity pictures, we do know that the "wise men" were not yet present in Bethlehem when Jesus was born.
The important fact, however is that they worshiped and adored Him even when he was a child. They recognized the child as Deity.
Wise Men still adore Him ~ Bob
Monday, November 30, 2009
A Very Lavish Gift
"The key to building up people is kindness -- giving them what they need and not what they deserve. When you consider the way Jesus built up people, He did three things: challenged, encouraged, and spoke honestly."
Read more ...
Thank you, my friend. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit {Galatians 5:22-23}. It's not some magical thing we can drum up on our own. It seems to be a rare commodity today in our self-serving society, and sadly seems to be in short supply in our homes, churches, and workplaces.
1 Corinthians 13:4 reminds us that "love is kind." Here's a simple guideline ... can you put your name in place of the word "love"? 
What might the Spirit lavish on you if you surrendered to His filling and control? Most likely, it would be a beautiful gift destined to be poured into another's weary, parched soul.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen ... Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you"
- Ephesians 4:29, 32.
A gift we each need to give ... and receive ~
Linda
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Christmas Fact or Fiction #2
Neither the Bible nor history place Jesus' birthday on a specific day. Many scholars believe that Spring is the most likely time of year for His birth. The primary reason is because shepherds were watching their flocks at night and Spring is when ewes bore their young. In fact, around 200 AD, some of the church fathers declared that Jesus was born on May 20th. Others argued for dates in April or March. The actual date of His birth was not a major issue for early Christians. The fact of God's Incarnation was the primary concern.
In 385 AD Pope Julius I declared December 25th as the day for celebrating Christ's birthday. That date was chosen in part to challenge the pagan celebration of the Roman god - Saturnalia - which was celebrated with social disorder and immorality.
The world has continued to use the December 25th date to celebrate the birth of Christ and to maintain it's holiness instead of worshiping the gods of materialism and revalry. Will your celebration be that of honor and worship of God's Incarnation or will it be focused on bowing before the god of things?
Anticipating the celebration ~ Bob
Friday, November 27, 2009
Christmas Facts and Fiction
However, Dr. James Strange of the university of South Florida is an expert on the area where Nazareth is said to have existed. He describes Nazareth as being a very small place - about 60 acres - with a maximum population of about 480 at the beginning of the first century.
When Jerusalem fell in AD 70, priests were no longer needed in the temple because it had been destroyed so they were relocated to other areas (including Galilee). Archaelogists have found a list in Aramaic describing the twenty-four families of priests who were relocated and one of them was registered as having been moved to Nazareth.
In addition, archaelogical digs have uncovered first-century tombs in the vicinity of Nazareth which would establish the village's limits, because Jewish law determines that burials take place outside the town proper. In fact, among archaelogists, there has never really been a big doubt about the location of Nazareth. The burden of proof is on those who dispute its existence.
Other skeptics have said that "such findings suggest that Nazareth may have existed in Jesus' time, but there is no doubt that it must have been a very small, insignificant place."
So small that Nathanael's musings in John's gospel make more sense: "Nazareth!" he said, "Can anything good come from there?"
Fact - Jesus grew up in an insignificant village named Nazareth.
Keep tuned for more facts and fiction about Christmas ~
Believing the truth of the Bible ~ Bob
Pockets of Delight
Underneath all the busyness and craziness, a deep sense of peace and gratitude is present for the blessings that have come my way in recent months. My growing family, my marriage, my work, my health (with its glitches), my friends, my home, my past, my future. I hold all these gifts with reverence and joy, thankfulness and peace. I choose to reflect on them when tired or discouraged, apprehensive or fearful. As the old hymn instructs, I count them, I name them one by one, and I thank God for all He has done.
The gratitud
e runs deep and wide. Miracles, pockets of delight, joys that were so unexpected, answers to prayer ... intermingled with deep disappointments, ongoing frustrations, and moments of searing heartache. Writing it all down allows me to sort through things, to learn lessons I need to learn. I am learning to contemplate what is true about me and about You, oh God. To explore the impact of these truths. To acknowledge and accept and embrace what You are teaching me. And from all these learnings, freedom and joy and peace spring forth.You bring truth to my life. You seal it in my heart. You allow me to reflect on all the gifts, great and small, that You have lavished on me. Some make me smile. Others cause me to shed some tears. But they are all deeply-valued gifts, given to me by the One who loves me.
You fill my heart and my hands, my hours and my days. And I offer all back up to You. All that You have blessed me with. It is all Yours to own, to control.
And I like it that way. You have taught me to loosen my grip on all that I consider valuable. And so I choose to present these priceless treasures back to You.
They're all Yours anyway, aren't they, Lord ...
Linda
Monday, November 23, 2009
8 Keys to Healthy Feasting
It's that time of year ... Thanksgiving looms with it's groaning board of very hearty foods. As you invite family and friends to join you or as you make your way to someone else's home, do keep these 8 practical tips from Weight Watchers in mind ...Sunday, November 22, 2009
Operation Christmas Child

WE ASK YOU TO WORK IN EVERY ASPECT OF THIS ENDEAVOR. WHETHER IT BE IN PACKAGING, SORTING, TRAVELING ON FOOT, THE ROAD, OR SKY, BY BOAT, OR EVEN ANIMAL. WE PRAY FOR SAFETY. WE PRAY GATEWAYS TO BE OPENED. WE LAY ON THE ALTAR FOR EACH BOX TO GO TO THE CHILD THAT NEEDS IT, WITH YOUR AWESOME WISDOM. THAT MEMBERS OF FAMILIES WILL KNOW OF YOUR LOVE. THAT FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WILL COME TO YOUR TABLE TO EAT AND DRINK.
WE PRAY FOR FRANKLIN GRAHAM, BRENT CARL, AND EVERY MEMBER OF SAMARITAN'S PURSE STAFF. PLUS ALL THE VOLUNTEERS TO BE RENEWED BY YOUR SPIRIT. FOR THEM TO FEEL YOUR TENDER TOUCH UPON THEIR HEARTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE ESPECIALLY THANK YOU, LORD FOR ENVELOPING US WITH YOUR PRESENCE. AND GIVING US THE BURNING DESIRE TO SERVE OTHERS IN YOUR NAME. THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU! WE TRULY LOVE YOU, LORD!
IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN
Friday, November 20, 2009
"MapQuest" Jesus
ssly relational, inviting us into an interactive life so that discernment and decision making are fleshed out within ongoing nudges within our everyday life with God.So while people mostly want a 'MapQuest Jesus' from whom they can request directions and find that a map pops up with five 'to-do' items, Jesus will have none of this mechanical approach. We hang out with One who will not be charted or check-boxed."
- Johnson -
Cherishing that ongoing, interactive conversation ~
Linda
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
"The Gleam of Hope"
As the story unfolds, God will apply the anesthetic He once used on you to them. Then in the eager look followed by the gleam of hope that chases away the shadow of despair from the soul, you will know why you were afflicted. And you will bless God for the discipline that filled your life with such a treasure of experience and helpfulness.Linda
