Fiery Guidance - Part 1

Wouldn’t it be great to have visual confirmation of God’s presence?

Think of the Israelites.  From the day they set foot in the wilderness after leaving Egypt they had visible evidence, 24 hours per day, that God was with them.

“The Lord went ahead of them.  He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and He provided light at night with a pillar of fire.  This allowed them to travel by day or by night.  And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.”  Exodus 13:21-22 (NLT)

How reassuring is that?!? Real proof of God’s presence.

I’m especially partial to the pillar of fire.  I grew up on a farm in rural Manitoba.  The closest city was about 100 km away.

When you live in the middle of nowhere outside the “urban glow” you understand what “dark” really is.  Your eyes strain to see, but a black void consumes your attempts.  You’re essentially blind. 

As a kid this was a huge problem for me.  I was afraid of the dark. 

Picture taken from
www.jimwegryn.com/Photos/Photos2.htm
"Old Barn"

One of my chores was feeding the cats.  I know this doesn’t sound terrible, but the cats were housed in our old, ramshackle barn which lay on the opposite side of the farmstead from the house.

The walk to the barn was scary, but at least I had the furry comfort of cats milling around my feet.  The walk back was spine-chilling!  I was convinced hundreds of nasty monsters lurked in the dark recesses of the barn. 

I’d drop the food dish on the floor, turn, shut the door behind me, and sprint to the house, convinced that all the powers of hell were in hot pursuit!

I really could have used a fiery pillar lighting my way! In fact, I could still use one today.  It would be comforting never to have doubts about God’s presence. 

What about you?  Could you use some reassurance of God’s presence in your life?  Consider the following promises from scripture…

• “…And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”    Matthew 28:20

• “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.”  John 14:16

• “The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call in Him in truth.  He grants the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries for help and rescues them.”  Psalm 145:18-19

• “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have.  For God has said, “I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.”  So we can say with confidence, “the Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear.  What can mere people do to me?”  Hebrews 13:5-6

• “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10

Still not convinced God is with you?  The Bible is full of promises of God’s presence.  Take time to dig deep into the truth of it and savour the promises you’ll find there.

Do you ever need reassurance of God’s presence?  Share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” below.

Moral Dilemmas

Last Thursday evening my husband and I went on a date night.  The plan was dinner and a movie.  Given my husband’s American background he wanted to see “Lincoln”, so off we went.

I enjoyed the movie but two uncomfortable thoughts burrowed into my brain and continue to gnaw rat-like away at it.

The first is this…

Does the battle against an evil justify blurring the lines between what’s right and what’s wrong?

Lincoln’s goal to abolish slavery in the Southern United States is the main plot line in this historical movie account.  A worthy goal, though not popular in his time in history.

We all know Lincoln achieved this goal, but the way the movie depicts the journey to get there leaves me wondering if it’s OK to blur the lines between black and white, or right and wrong, if the stakes are high enough.

In the movie Lincoln resorts to bribery, coercion, buying votes, and downright bullying to ensure the bill to end slavery is passed.

I sat with a sense of unease as I watched the story unfold.  Is it OK to use whatever means necessary to get the desired outcome?

What about the controversial torture scenes depicted in the movie “Zero Dark Thirty”?  Can we conveniently turn off moral beliefs when the “greater good” is at stake?

You’re probably sitting there thinking, “They’re MOVIES you idiot…fiction…creative writing…get over it.”  Fair point.

But let’s be realistic.  We all know black and white turn to shades of grey in politics, in business, and in other venues.  And we turn a blind eye, making an excuse, “Well that’s just business.” Or, “It’s politics, what can you expect?”

Whether it’s fact or fiction it still begs the disconcerting question…is it OK to blur the lines between “right” and “wrong” or “good” and “bad” when trying to rid the world of a greater “bad”?

The second thought is this…

The thirteenth amendment to the U.S. constitution outlawing slavery was signed in 1865.  Today we’re close to being 150 years in the future.  At first glance you think, “How far we’ve come”.  Perhaps a more accurate statement is, “How far we have to go.”

Hate crimes and prejudices are still all too common, not only in our own back yards of Canada and the United States, but around the world. 

Granted, slavery no longer exists openly on the North American continent.  But we’re still slaves to our own biases that prevent us from seeing and treating people from other races and religions as equals.

At first glance it’s easy to throw out pat answers to these thoughts, freeing our minds to move on to other seemingly more important questions. 

If we do gloss over this type of thought process I think we cheat ourselves out of an opportunity to open our minds to consider different opinions and ideas.  In doing so we miss out on an opportunity for personal growth.

What do you think?  Do we need to struggle with questions like these in order to learn and grow?  Is it OK to blur the lines of black and white when it serves a higher purpose?  Do we still struggle with human equality issues around the world today?

Share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” below.

Keeping Christ In 2013

“And so this is Christmas.  And what have you done.  Another year over.  And a new one just begun…”  John Lennon – “So This is Christmas” lyrics.

It’s December 31, 2012.  These lyrics play in my head as I sit contemplating the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013.

I’ve “put away” Christmas for another year.  The tree was undecorated on the weekend and hauled off to the recycle centre where it will resurface as mulch in one of the town parks in the spring.

The Christmas gifts have settled into their new homes around the house.  The decorations are packed in the Rubbermaid bin and stashed under the stairs for another eleven months.

This morning I lit the three tea lights that haven’t burnt away to nothing in the nativity set.  No point wasting them – might just as well use them up before packing it away.

I gaze contemplatively at it.  A thought strikes me.  How ironic.  Each figure in the scene has a lit candle – the angel, the shepherds, the kings.  All of them except the figure of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

I wonder if that’s a telling reflection of my life.   When I pack up Christmas for the next eleven months, do I pack up Jesus?  Do I put out the light of Christ for the year, only conveniently pulling it out to be relit for one month at Christmas?

Did my priorities from 2012 reflect this?  Did I make Christ the center of my life, or did I choose to worship other things.  Other priorities…busyness, work, money…instead of Christ’s priorities…relationships, service, and community.

Jesus is the centre of the nativity scene.  Without him there wouldn’t be a nativity scene…no angels or shepherds or kings. 

It’s the start of a new year.  What does 2013 hold?  New beginnings, new commitments, new goals, new vision.  A year full of promise, not yet sullied with hardship or struggles.

I refuse to pack away Christ’s light just because Christmas is over.  In 2013 I want His light to burn brightly in my life.  I want it to shine through me, enabling me to love and serve others so they can see and share in Christ’s light.

What does 2013 hold for you?  Will you pack up Jesus when you pack up Christmas, or will you choose to keep His light burning strong in your life through this new year that’s about to start?

Please share your thoughts on how to keep Christ’s light burning throughout the year by clicking on “comments” below.

Luke 1:36-38 - Contagious Love

MEMORY VERSE:
“What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age!  People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.’  Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.’  And then the angel left her.” 
Luke 1:36-38  (NLT)

Today we lit the fourth candle on the advent wreath.  The candle symbolizing love.

How Mary loved God!  She gave her life to bear God’s son.  She says, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.”

Mary couldn’t foresee the pain she would endure in being Jesus’ mother.  But she did understand the trials she would face when her family and the community she lived in realized she was pregnant.

Despite her uncertain future, she gave up plans she had for her life to follow God’s plan.  She loved her God.

And how God loves us!  How Jesus loves us!  He gave up his kingdom in heaven to come to earth as a helpless child.  He grew up and endured scorn, ridicule, hatred, suffering, and death for us. 

Jesus gave up His life because He loves us.  How do we respond to a love that runs so deep it surpasses our understanding?

You can respond by choosing to ignore Jesus and deny His existence.  Or, you can respond with love.  Love for Jesus and love for God.

And here’s the cool thing…love is contagious!  When you respond to God with love, you find yourself responding to people all around you with love, too. 

Mary responded to the angel with love and sacrifice.  Jesus responded to us with love and sacrifice.

Christmas Day is just a few days away.  How will you respond to the helpless baby lying in a stable?

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’  Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen?  I am a virgin.’  The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.  What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age!  People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.’  Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.’  And then the angel left her.” 

Luke 1:30-38 (NLT)

Luke 1:34-35 - Conflicted Joy

MEMORY VERSE:

“Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen?  I am a virgin.’  The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”  Luke 1:34-35 (NLT)

 

 

 

Today we lit the third candle in the advent wreath…the candle of Joy.

As I read through these two scripture verses I wonder what Mary thought.  How many conflicted emotions raced through her mind?  Did she have cause to be joyful?

Earlier in verse 31 the angel tells her she’s going to conceive and give birth to a son.  Mary’s not stupid.  Now she asks “But how can this happen?  I am a virgin.” 

In her world a pregnancy outside of marriage is a death sentence.  And the sentence is carried out by stoning.  Why would she rejoice over this news?

But the angel continues his message and tells Mary, “So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”

Wow!  Two conflicting events…imminent death…and the birth of the promised Messiah.  How do you process that information?  How do you respond?

I suspect Mary felt a mixture of fear, anger, doubt, resentment, excitement, hope, and yes, even joy.  So often we hold joy in tension with other emotions in our lives.

 

Where are you today?  What conflicting emotions live in your heart?  Are there things you have cause to rejoice over even if life isn’t perfect?

• Your home
• Your family
• Your job
• Food on your table
• Time with friends
• A safe place to worship
• Your car
• An education
• A warm bed to sleep in
• Money to pay your bills

Your family may not be perfect.  You may not have the job of your dreams.  But if you dig deeply enough you’ll probably still find some reason to be joyful in this Advent season.

I pray for a little piece of joy to permeate each reader’s life this week.  May you receive it, recognize it, and rejoice in it.

God bless.

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.  Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen?  I am a virgin.’  The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”  Luke 1:30-35

Orange Chocolate Snowballs

Last year I posted a recipe for snowballs and cherry snowball candy made with mashed potato.  I know it sounds weird, but they're actually quite tasty.

A few weeks ago, after making the annual Christmas snowballs, my husband and I had an impromptu fruit fondue with the left over melted chocolate.  There's something just so incredibly yummy about the taste of chocolate and orange!

My brain started working and I thought...orange chocolate snowballs.

So for anyone wanting to experiment with some tasty Christmas candy here are some guidelines for orange snowballs.

1 small to medium sized potato
Grated peel from one large orange (navel, not mandarin)
Approximately 1 cup icing sugar (this will vary based on the size of potato)
1 tsp. orange extract
Drop of red and yellow food colouring
Semi sweet baker's chocolate, or dark chocolate dipping wafers

Boil the potato until done.  Mash it and allow it to cool.  Put into mixing bowl with the grated orange peel.  Beat in 1 cup icing sugar and 1 tsp. orange extract.  Add a couple of drops of yellow food colouring and one red - enough to make a light orange tint. 

Beat in enough icing sugar to make a soft dough. 

Roll into small balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper.  Allow them to set for two or three hours. 

Melt chocolate.  Place rolled snowball on fork held over chocolate pot.  Spoon chocolate over snowball, then use a knife to slide the snowball onto the waxed paper.

Voila, an orange, chocolaty treat!

Luke 1:32-33 - Preparation

MEMORY VERSE:

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”  Luke 1:32-33

 

 

It’s the second Sunday in the Advent season.  This morning we lit the candle of preparation.

What are you preparing for...Christmas?  And what is Christmas…A joyful time of celebrating a new birth?  But what if you don’t feel much like celebrating?

Perhaps your time of preparation this Christmas season isn’t for something as joyful as a new birth.

Maybe you’re preparing for a lay off from your job.  Perhaps you’re preparing to face the loss of someone very close to you who’s ill…a spouse, a sibling, or a child. 

 

Maybe you’re preparing to do battle against cancer, or depression, or anxiety.  Or perhaps you’re preparing to face the loss of your marriage, and with it, your hopes and dreams for the future.

This week I find myself reflecting back 29 years when my mother was preparing us (her family) to continue our lives without her.  She knew she was losing the daily battle for survival against what was then a deadly disease…lymphoma.

Being young, I was shielded from the details, but I imagine these weren’t preparations she wanted to make that Advent season.  She had a husband who loved her and three children, ages 15, 19, and 22, who she desperately wanted to see grow up into adulthood.

She knew that wasn’t going to happen, so she prepared by writing each of us a letter that would be given to us after she died.  She and Dad planned Christmas that year.  We would have Christmas whether she was there to share in it or not.

On December 10, 1983, she lost her battle, but the plans and preparations she made for our future continued.

Advent is a time of preparation.  The preparation you’re engaged in may not be pleasant.  But Advent is also a time of hope.  A time of finding light in the darkness.

I pray that all of you reading this today will find a ray of hope in your time of preparation this year.

God bless!

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’  “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 

Luke 1:30-33  (ESV)