Month: December 2016

What kind of magic is this? Definition of magic is “the power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces….having or apparently having supernatural powers.” Was magic performed when we consider the birth of a child through unusual circumstances? Magic in my opinion is a human art form. Talented magicians I suspect can capitalize on their art form. I also suspect they spend hours and hours of practice to get the trick perfected to convince their audience. How did he do that? Practice makes perfect in this profession as it does in any worthwhile profession. So I ask again what kind of magic was this? We celebrate the birth of Christ every year and though it seems more and more commercialized the wonder still exists. Was it magic or was it a miracle? Definition of miracle is “a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.” It is your choice on how to categorize the birth of Christ. Was it magic, miracle or an extremely well orchestrated hoax that has fooled believers for thousands of years? Let me say up front, that a hoax is easily ruled out due to generations of fact checking but if you choose not to believe, these words will be a futile effort to convince you. Only His prevenient Grace can soften a hard heart.

Back to the question of magic versus miracle. What say you? Was it a slight of hands by a human professional or was it the work of a divine agency (God)? The prophets of old as mentioned in Matthew 1 starting at verse 18 tells the story of Emmanuel, “God with us.”. Jesus came into this world in a not so usual way but grew up from infancy to adulthood to be with us and teach us a better way then reconnect us to the Father in Heaven. Paul saw the great light and through His grace became an apostle to all who would come to believe. He shared the light. So should we as affirmed in Romans 1:1-7.

In this time of joy and happiness, we all know it is also a time of reflection and perhaps sadness of lost love ones. Let us remember the reason for the season and let us recognize that until we are called to the heavenly host, our mission is still to go out and share the light. Peace to you all and have a very Merry Christmas with a renewed since of purpose in the New Year.

T

The below audio is for your hearing convenience.

 

By definition, bling means, “denoting expensive, ostentatious clothing and jewelry, or the style or materialistic attitudes associated with them.” Ok, I am the first to say how beautiful Christmas decorations can be but I am not naïve enough to think these decorations are the reason for the season. By now, with all of the politics and battles for ideological victories, can we all admit that this season would not be considered much of a Holiday without Christ. In my opinion, it should remain Marry or Happy Christmas not Happy holiday to be PC. Let’s all take a chill pill on this and let’s truly celebrate the reason for the season. For some that do not want to believe, no need to read any further.

Prophets who spoke long ago, in the name of the Lord, are examples of patient resolve and steadfastness. May we remain steady in our resolve as well. Like the farmer who plant seeds, water and fertilize the soil around the seeds who go on faith that the effort into the preparation will yield a harvest of good fruit and vegetables. So too should we have the patience to wait strengthening our resolve for the coming of the Lord. May the Prince of Peace who first came as a little baby so many years ago, with a promise of eternal life return in time with the ultimate resolution to the senselessness of this world.

John the Baptist was used as a messenger to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. Though he was great in our eyes as mere humans, may we be reminded that the least in the KOH is greater than he. May we humble ourselves before the mighty thrown.

Just who do you think you are? Do you think you are better than another person? Perhaps we all need to take a chill pill on blowing our own trumpet and remind ourselves that we are just a moment away from dust. Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. In Matthew, John was looking for that person that he thought he knew. He sent his followers to find Jesus and ask him “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Just who did he think he was? John came dressed in Camel hair and eating locust and honey. Did he expect Jesus to be like him? Or did he expect Jesus to be dressed in refined clothing as found in a royal palace? Jesus responded by telling his followers as if John was standing in front of him. “What did you go out to see?” May this message be a warning to us all that we should remain patient as advised in James and do not get ahead of ourselves in thinking who we should expect and who we are. In this season of Joy and Peace, may we truly anticipate with patience the miracle to come. Listen my brief message below if you have time and patience.

T

As we celebrate this Advent season where we have parties, enjoy families and friends, may we also welcome each other, in the same way that Christ also welcomed us. He became a servant of all whether Jew or Gentile. Scripture was written long ago for all our instruction to have hope through endurance and encouragement. May we be filled with joy and peace in faith so that we overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Some of my readers may think I am too far into His message of hope but at the risk of alienating some, I encourage you to read on about fruit inspection.

John the Baptist, baptized many to change their hearts and lives. He came dressed very strange in camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. Would we have judged him for his appearance in today’s world? Most likely! Can we look beyond the façade into a person’s heart? Do they produce fruit that shows a change in heart and life? May we inspect the fruit that indeed shows a change in heart so that we can live a life together without judgement?Endurance, encouragement and fruit inspection. Say what? In Romans, Paul advised us to let the scripture do its magic. It is instruction so that we have hope through endurance.

Let’s consider exercising for a moment. If we live in a passive world without movement of any kind, we will have no need for muscle and our internal bodily functions will rapidly decrease leading to an early life expectancy. However, if you live in an active world with plenty of movement and exercise regularly and if we are not ravaged by disease, our muscles and internal organs will keep our body strong for a long time. It does take effort and perhaps a little pain. Without pain there is no gain. I see the need to exercise our bodies similar to our need to exercise our brains. The Scriptures are available for instruction but no book will help us if we do not endure to reading. Hope through endurance of continued exercise of our body and brain will only strengthen ourselves to meet the future with a renewed since of energy. Let us pray for those challenged by a diseased body and claim the victory through His healing Grace.

Do not know for sure how long John stayed in the wilderness? I imagine the endurance strengthen him for his mission. The mission was to enlighten a people to the changes coming. He recognized the phonies that came to impress their constituency. The Pharisees and Sadducees came to be baptized but was not willing to change. He was a fruit inspector so to speak to call them out for their hypocrisies. May we open our eyes, minds and hearts to change but may we also check the fruit on the tree that it bears good fruit.

Listen to my brief audio message below if you have time and have a very Merry Christmas.

T