Who's in your manger?

One of the central images of the Christmas season is the nativity with the infant Jesus lying in his small manger. It's generally depicted as a sweet family moment with Mary and Joseph looking on, wise men and shepherds gazing in and possibly an angel hovering overhead.

Our church this year did a Christmas drama that took a look at the things that a lot of people currently think about Christmas. Everything from the "good message" of morals to the bah-humbug approach were parodied among a group of mall store owners and customers. It was a fun evening of enjoyable characters.
As I watched, though, it occurred to me that what really was taking place was that those people were trying to put something else in the manger. And in each of those characters I saw someone I know, someone trying to avoid the question of who the event of Christmas is for. I suspect its often because if they really were to acknowledge that that baby was the Incarnate God, life might get very uncomfortable for them. If that was truly God, the things He has to say about their life might mean they'd have to change something. And so they take the warm fuzzies of the season but don't want to step too close to see who is actually in that manger. So reindeer and elves and snowmen and grinches and penguins and polar bears and family and generosity fill the holidays and give them the illusion of celebrating the season without having to examine the Christmas story.

But not everyone wants to avoid the Christmas story.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2: 8-12)

The shepherds, on getting the news of the manger rushed off to see if it were true. This was a promise they had been hearing about all their lives. And to think it might be true! And in the manger, they found the child.

Throughout the Bible, we see that this baby has a variety of names and roles. But none of those names is St. Nick.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:23, quoting Isaiah 7:14)

Immanuel - God With Us. I think it's the most exciting and the most terrifying of God's names. Exciting because God came to be with us. Because He loved us so much He would do whatever it took to be with us. Terrifying because a mighty God can ask anything He wants of me. I suspect God came as a child to help us not be overwhelmed by the fear of a very present God. Usually the appearance of angels or God himself began with a "fear not", and probably for good reason. But make no mistake - Jesus came because He passionately loves you, and wanted to provide a way to be with you forever. That baby is also your Saviour, the only one able to take your sin away and promise a future of hope and purpose.

So my prayer for you this Christmas is that you see Jesus in the manger - God with us - and come to know him as the reason for your season.

Merry Christmas!

Show don't tell

One of the basic maxims of the writing life is "Show, don't tell." It's often the difference between a writer that can succeed in the writing profession and the one that just never quite makes it.

Today I came across this verse:

"You show that you are a letter from Christ ... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." -2 Corinthians 3:3

I suspect that, like writers, our effectiveness in sharing the hope and miracle of Christ's offer of salvation lies in our ability to show, not tell. Words alone may not convince another person of the difference Christ can make. But a life turned over to him on a daily basis can't fail to make the message heard.

Who?

A friend posted a great thought and I wanted to pass it along:

"God is not who you think He is;
He is who He says He is."

Have you taken the time to find out what He says?

Beautiful - by Mercy Me

A toothbrush experience

Some time ago, I was at a fun ladies evening that involved, among other things, chocolate and a panel of four very funny women. I don't even remember what the panel's topic was that evening but at some point, one of the panel members began extolling the virtues of ... her toothbrush. In this particular setting, is was just part of the fun even though she had no particular point to make about the toothbrush except that she REALLY liked it. Quirky, but cute.

I thought of her toothbrush a few times over the next few days. Not because I was thinking of trying the toothbrush but mostly because it struck me as a funny thing to get so excited over. I've been brushing my teeth for many, many years and never had a toothbrush that I felt the need to mention to anyone. It got the job done and that was enough.

Until my dentist gave me one of "her" toothbrushes at my next semi-annual check up. Again, without much though I went home and switched the new toothbrush for my old one. But the next morning, I got a surprise. Everything she had said about this toothbrush was true! It really was a unique sensation to use it and it did a spectacular job. It has become my favorite toothbrush, too!

Oddly enough, her toothbrush also came to mind as I sat in a conference about the Holy Spirit. There was no hype, no over emotionalism, but as the speaker began to share the experience of the Holy Spirit and the Biblical truths of the Spirit, I kept thinking about that toothbrush.

Why?

Because many, many Christians feel the same way about the Holy Spirit as I did about that lady's toothbrush. I thought I had shared the same experience, I thought I understood what she was talking about and I didn't see the reason for the excitement. So I went on with life until the day I really experienced her brand of toothbrush. Not just the usual, run-of-the-mill toothbrush, but one with a truly unique design and application.

So often, we think our experience of the Holy Spirit is the same as everyone else's. We think we understand His work in our life. And when someone has a different experience, we don't get it. It seems unwarranted, or, even worse, un-Biblical. We think they're just experiencing "the tingles." And we walk away, content to live in our run-of-the-mill understanding of the Holy Spirit's work and presence in our lives.

Now, I know the toothbrush comparison is a fanciful one. I'm sure most people will get through life just fine without knowing about this particular brand of toothbrush and will still have teeth left to smile with. And I'm sure, too, that most people in life will get through not missing a personal, real time experience of the Holy Spirit. Or content to let the God-in-us relationship will remain a nodding acquaintance instead of a dynamic partnership.

But maybe we need to be open to the idea that there's something more that's actually worth getting excited about. Maybe, just maybe, the unique role of the Holy Spirit is something we've been missing. I'd encourage you to start digging around and see what God's Word has to say about this part of his character.

I suspect it will become something truly unique and worth getting excited about.

Symmetry in the Psalms

I was reading last night in the Psalms and came across an absolute delight of literary construction. The Psalms are special that way - they are a unique collection of what might be called journal entries - songs and snippets, with some "diary days" thrown in where the psalmist simply opens his heart and spills it all out. But there are a special few that are a delight because the very purposeful structure adds additional layers to the message. Psalm 132 is one of these "purposeful poems".

Psalm 132

A song of ascents.

O LORD, remember David
and all the hardships he endured.

He swore an oath to the LORD
and made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
"I will not enter my house or go to my bed-
I will allow no sleep to my eyes,
no slumber to my eyelids,
till I find a place for the LORD,
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."

We heard it in Ephrathah,
we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:
"Let us go to his dwelling place;
let us worship at his footstool-
arise, O LORD, and come to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
May your priests be clothed with righteousness;
may your saints sing for joy."
For the sake of David your servant,
do not reject your anointed one.

The LORD swore an oath to David,
a sure oath that he will not revoke:
"One of your own descendants
I will place on your throne-

if your sons keep my covenant
and the statutes I teach them,
then their sons will sit
on your throne for ever and ever."

For the LORD has chosen Zion,
he has desired it for his dwelling

"This is my resting place for ever and ever;
here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it-

I will bless her with abundant provisions;
her poor will I satisfy with food.

I will clothe her priests with salvation,
and her saints will ever sing for joy.

"Here I will make a horn grow for David
and set up a lamp for my anointed one.

I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but the crown on his head will be resplendent."

Watch what happens when you divide this poem and sit the first and second half side by side.

This psalm becomes a conversation between David and God. In verse 2, it says "He [David] swore an oath to the Lord..." and verse 11 responds, "The Lord swore an oath to David..."

Verse 5 speaks of David's search for "a place for the Lord" and verse 13 assures him "the LORD has chosen Zion ..."

Verse 8 invites God to come to his resting place and verse 14 answers "This is my resting place for ever and ever..."

Verse 9 expresses David's hope for God's home "May your priests be clothed with righteousness, may your saints sing for joy" and God answers "I will clothe her priests with salvation and her saints will ever sing for joy."

Verse 10 asks for God to remember David; Verse 17 assures him the promises God made to him will be filled.


What does this psalm demonstrate to us? Through its form and through its theme, it is a reminder to us that will we are asking, hoping and praying for God's will in our lives, He is also at work to fill the many promises he has made us.

Psalm 132 is undeniably a thing of beauty.

A thought for the day(s)

Saw this in a friend's tag line and loved it:

Love Generously,
Care Deeply,
Speak Kindly

& Leave the Rest to God

In a nutshell

Sometimes we make faith complicated. But there are two simple principles that can govern every action, every thought, every motive of our every day lives. It's this:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. One these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37

That's it. Easy to do? No. Not if I hold every thought, every action, every motive up to this standard. But it's hard to say I don't understand when it's been made this simple, isn't it?

Freedom in Christ

Living in America we hear a lot about freedom. Being thankful for freedom, fighting for freedom, honoring those who paid the price for our freedom. It's a freedom that sometimes we celebrate while forgetting the price that was paid for it. And one of the ironies of that freedom is how many people take it as license to do many things that run contrary to the freedom they enjoy. They live the freedom but they won't acknowledge the responsibility that comes with it.

Christians too, talk about freedom. Freedom through grace. Freedom from the penalties of sin. Freedom from the law (of the Old Testament). It's a freedom that should be celebrated. Christ's death and resurrection on the cross paid the ultimate price so that we could be free from sin and back in a relationship with the God that created and loves us.

But the price of that freedom isn't simply a license to carry on with no consequences. Paul says in Acts 6:1, "Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?"

My concern sometimes is that we, as Christ followers, forget that we still have the responsibility that comes with freedom. But it's not always black and white. Our behavior, our choices still carry some eternal consequences even though we may have the freedom in Christ to do them. While we have no law that forbids them, they can still be sin. And we have the responsibility of being an example to others even while we live in freedom.

"Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols?" (1 Corinthians 8:9-10)

Paul is addressing a specific action here but what if we substitute some other choices?

For if anyone sees you _________, won't he be convinced he can __________? (lose your temper, sit in a bar, talk negatively about your pastor, watch an R-rated movie, ...)

Why is this a problem?

"... So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ." (1 Corinthians 8:11-12, emphasis mine)

Ouch.

Let's keep in mind that our freedom in Christ, just like our freedom as citizens of free countries, still carries with it a responsibility to point people to Christ. Let's exercise our freedom accordingly.

Succeeding (on God's terms)

I was able to visit a favorite church of mine recently and the pastor was speaking on the life of Joseph. As part of the service, we got to this verse:

"... the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did." (Genesis 39:23b)

Well, isn't that nice for Joseph.

But stop for a minute and look at where Joseph is experiencing this success.

He's in jail. He has grown up in a highly dysfunctional family, been sold into slavery by his own brothers, falsely accused of attacking his boss's wife and now sits in jail, working for the warden. He had been responsible and trustworthy and given great responsibilities. But even then, every time it looked like things might be leveling out for Joseph - WHAM! Life smacked him again.

Had Joseph done anything wrong? No. Perhaps he'd been foolish about a few things (see Genesis 37: 5-11) but he hadn't sinned. And yet he still found himself destitute, working for a jail warden, with nothing and no one to rely on but God.

And this was God's idea of success for Joseph.

What can Joseph's story mean for us? Sometimes we feel like we are just getting smacked around by circumstances. It's one blow after another and we don't see how God could possibly be working. (Or we just wish He'd pick another way.) But I would encourage you to have hope. God is still with you as he was always with Joseph (Genesis 39:21). Your very reliance on him counts as success.

If you read on in Joseph's story, God was uniquely positioning Joseph and preparing him to lead the entire country of Egypt, along with its neighbors, through a long period of famine. Joseph's position let him save his family (the future tribes of Israel) by being able to provide for them, and let him be reunited with them.

Who knows? God may be preparing you for your greatest achievements yet. Trust Him to have your success in His hands.

Joseph's family story is a fascinating one, with all the twists and turns you could imagine from any afternoon soap opera. If you want to dig further, read Genesis 27-37 & 39-47. Whew! That was a family that knew drama!

Before The Morning (Josh Wilson)

A large canvas...

"... We often forget that God is painting on a large canvas. He sees the big picture. We only see what's happening to us at the moment. That's why God allows events to come into our lives—good things and bad things; things that make sense and things that don't.

What you and I may think is harmful and destructive God can use for our good ... He will allow nothing to happen to us that isn't first filtered through His screen of protection."
-Micca Monda Cambell, 6-11-10 for Proverbs 31 Ministries

Overcoming evil (not Hollywood style)

Thanks again to Rick Green at Organized Doodles for this "picture translation."

Taking Him at His word

There's a remarkable story in the book of John where dad comes to Jesus begging for his son's life.

Once more he [Jesus] visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."

The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."

Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live."

The man took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour."

Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed. (John 4:46-53)

Part of what was miraculous about this story is that this was only Jesus' second miracle (verse 54). There had not been time for His reputation to spread through the area. No healing had been noted so far. Just a case of wine at a wedding. What prompted this man to believe Jesus could save his son?

I'm sure there were a number of reasons. But here, in my opinion, is the real miracle.

The man took Jesus at his word (verse 50). Then he left. That was enough for him. And he got home to find his son whole again.

What would happen if we took Jesus at his word? Here's just a start:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19)

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. ... But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. (Luke 12:22-23, 31)

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. (James 5:15)

...if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

I'd encourage you today to find out what Jesus has said. And then take Him at his word.

"I have heard..."

"In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"

"Yes, Lord," he answered.

The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard..." (Acts 9:10-13a)

When I was reading through this passage the other day, I had to stop right there. Think of the number of responses that can follow this phrase. I realized that in spite of the number of times I've read this chapter, I expected an "I have heard and I'm off to do what you asked," or "I have heard and I'm on it." Something like that.

Ananias chose a very human response. He did not take the attitude "to hear is to obey." Ananias had something he had to clear up with God first.

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."(vs. 13)

Ananias had just heard from God. A one-on-one, personal message from the Lord. But he did not respond in the manner of Samuel who answered "Speak, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:10). The voices he was paying attention to at that moment were those bearing the rumors, the news stories, the updates and all the bad news. Not surprising, really, is it though? After all, this chapter begins with Saul "breathing out murderous threats." Ananias had to be very well aware that he was one of the people Saul had permission to imprison or to kill. Whether he was thinking of the risk to himself or just reminding God what was at stake, Ananias had to verify God's request.

"Lord ... I have heard many reports about this man..."

("God, are you sure?")

The good news is that Ananias obeyed. I'm guessing it was probably one of the most difficult things he had to do in his lifetime, even with God's assurance. (Although if you read on, he had quite a time convincing the other disciples not to be afraid of Saul.) And yet, look how his obedience changed the world for all time. Saul went on to become the disciple Paul and one of the most fearless leaders of the early church!

What's the lesson to us?

I think it's this - Ask if you must, but ultimately, go. And you never now how God will use your obedience to change the world.

An old message a new way (Tamara Lowe)

Perspective for today

"Our weakness and frailty are not merely places of desolation; they are dance floors—holy places where the God of the universe is allowed to freely move in our lives." Mary E. DeMuth

Read the entire article around this quote at Proverbs 31 Ministries

Is Easter nonsense?

Today marked the end of another Easter season. Churches everywhere sang their songs, presented their pageants, put on their plays and coordinated their choirs. On this day, more than any other, the message of Christ's death and life is shared around the world. And for many people, this Easter Sunday marked the beginning of a new journey as they realized the personal power that Christ's death and resurrection has for them. What an exciting time to celebrate!!

As I was reading through Luke's account of that first resurrection day, I was struck by a phrase I'd never noticed before:

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " Then they remembered his words. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. (Luke 24:1-11, emphasis mine)

I, too, sang in an Easter choir today and I joyed in the power of the resurrection as I sang of the hope and promise that God has given me. Easter Sunday is really the day that makes the difference of eternity. If Jesus hadn't risen from the dead, he'd really be just another dead man. That's it. But his sacrificial death and then his defeat of death mean that we can be truly and forever reconciled with the God that loves us so much He made a way to pay for the sin that separates us from Him.

But how many people sit in churches and to them it just sounds like nonsense? The proof isn't convincing. The words they hear don't seem to fit the facts as they know them. The lives they see around them in that church may or may not fit the expectations they have of people of faith. And they leave thinking it's just nonsense. Maybe the family member or neighbor that came with you left that way. Maybe you're the one that walked out unconvinced.

But that doesn't mean the end of the story.

Let's face it - even the disciples thought it didn't make sense. When Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and the other women came running back with a story of angels and an empty tomb, the disciples - those who had hear Jesus in person explain and predict his death and resurrection - didn't believe it. I doubt those women changed their mind. They had experienced it. The disciples hadn't. Luke even tells us Peter went and checked it out but he didn't go away convinced. He went away wondering what had happened. And who can blame him? It's a pretty mind-blowing reality to have to grasp. It had never happened before in history and has never happened since.

Here's the exciting part though - by the end of the chapter, they believed.

Why?

Because they met Jesus. They saw him, talked with him, spent time with him. They could no longer deny the experience of others because they'd come face to face with the risen Jesus for themselves. And they, too, became so convinced that that "nonsense" was reality that many of them later gave their own lives to share that truth with others.

My prayer today is that anyone that left an Easter service today, unable to believe because it didn't make sense to them, will still meet Jesus. That anyone that didn't go because it was nonsense will still meet Jesus. Come face to face with the message of the cross and be able to see it's promise for them. Because when you truly meet Jesus, "nonsense" makes perfect sense. The things we don't understand take on a whole new significance as he speaks to our hearts and shows us what we've been missing. It is the moment when we, too, can respond to the power of the risen Lord in confidence and trust.

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Prayer time

I often find it hard to keep a regular prayer time going. My intentions are good but my results are not. What results? Not God's results - He has moved in some mighty and amazing ways and I am awed on those times when my prayers have been part of the process. No, the result I most often miss is the part where I listen to hear back from God. It's so easy to go to him with my list of requests and problems and even the occasional demands but how often do I wait to hear what the answer might be?

Not as often as I should. If I talked to my family the way I talk to God sometimes, there's be major trouble at my house. Those relationships would eventually just fall apart.

So it's refresher time.

What is prayer? Prayer is just talking to God. But it's not supposed to be just talking AT God. It's a conversation. A favorite verse of mine is found in Jeremiah:

"Pray to me and I will answer you..." (Jeremiah 33:3a)

Pray to me? Got it. There will be an answer? Oh. So if I don't hear an answer, maybe it's because I didn't take the time to listen.

Sometimes, when people pray, the answer to prayer comes before the prayer is finished:

"Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out..." (Genesis 24:45)

Of course, I know that God's answer may take time to come. Or I may not recognize it as an answer - particularly if it isn't what I wanted. But how often do we miss the answer because we've just rushed our Amens and walked away? Take some time to wait for an answer. Or at least to give God some space in the conversation.

What else can I expect from prayer? How about knowledge? The verse from Jeremiah above goes on:

'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' (Jeremiah 33:3, emphasis mine)

Maybe a miracle?

"Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave girls..."
(Genesis 20:17)

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." (Acts 16:25-31 - two miracles!)

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16

Maybe the assurance that God is listening:

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray." (James 5:13)

"He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea." (Psalm 102:17)

Maybe it's just about obedience.

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18, emphasis mine)

"... in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6b)

There are so many reasons to pray. So let's make our conversation with God just that - two way communication - and see what He will do with, for, in and through us.

Martin Luther said, "As it is the business of tailors to make clothes, and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray."

Let's get to work.

Knowledge & belief

"Human knowledge must be understood to be believed.

Divine knowledge must be believed to be understood."
- Unknown

For a change of pace ...

Psalm 150 as a word cloud

Gone fishing?

Have you ever been on a beautiful beach but as you get closer to the waterline you see that what's washing up isn't shells and natural wonders, it's dead fish and garbage? Or watched a deep sea diving show only to see boat ruins and trash littering the ocean floor? Or seen the cliche of the fisherman that pulls up an old boot or a tire instead of fish?

Today, those images were brought home to me through Mary Southerland's devotional when she mentioned this verse:

"Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean" (Micah 7:19, NLT)

Are you a "fisher"? Do you go trolling in your past for the sins you've committed or the regrets that you have, constantly bringing them to the surface again? It's a problem many of us face. And it's a powerful tool that Satan can use. We know that God has forgiven all our sins when we confess them to him but we still let them bog us down, snag our joy and tangle our todays. Instead of sailing ahead into God's plan for us, we're snarled in the "swill" behind us.

Today, will you take this challenge with me? Will you meet those sins with the truth of God's word? Instead of revisiting old sins that cannot be changed except through the blood of Christ, turn them over to God and then take Him at His word. Meet Satan with the truth of God's promises. Then sail on.

^"... but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back." Isaiah 38:17b


"I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins." Isaiah 43:25

"...as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12

Why Did God Give Us Emotions? (a book review)

In reading through Why Did God Give Us Emotions?: A biblical perspective on what science has discovered about emotionsI have found it to be a much deeper book that originally expected. Author Reneau Peurifoy gives a complete overview of the different aspects of emotions - physical, spiritual, etc - while also putting them in the context of Christian beliefs (or misconceptions).

It is this combination that makes this book stand out from the rest. There are many resources that deal with happiness or anxiety or small slices of the emotional spectrum but few of them are written to address such a complete and balanced view of the role God gave emotions to play in our lives, and do so with a balance of medical knowledge and Biblical insight. Peurifoy also provides some good cautions about relying too much on emotions while giving some very practical exercises and examples of where our emotions can be trusted and where they can become a false guide.

I would not say this book is light reading, if you plan to use it the way Peurifoy intends it with a journal and exercises to put each chapter into a working and potentially life-balancing practice. But as someone that has struggled with an anxiety disorder in the past, I can only say I wish I'd found this book years ago.

Highly recommend.

Review copies provided by The B&B Media Group.

Crucified with Christ (by Rick Green)

Thanks to Rick at Organized Doodles for sharing this.

Jesus is ... soap?

The Bible is full of images of Jesus - shepherd, Savior, lamb, provider, protector, avenger, the way, redeemer and more. But when was the last time you thought of God as soap?

"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. Malachi 3: 1-2 (emphasis mine)

Fire and soap? Isn't God amazing? How else could we say:

"Wash me and I will be whiter than snow." Psalm 57:1b

Whiter whites and brighter brights. That's my Jesus.

Star Search

I love to watch stars. And this may seem like an obvious statement but the best time to see stars is at night. At night, preferably away from a city. In fact, the darker it is, the more stars you see. In the absolute blackness of the country or the mountains, the sheer number of stars is breathtaking.

Of course, there's the other kind of stars - the people that have achieved fame and renown in a particular field (like sports) or industry (like acting). They, too, can be dazzling, and it can be easy to look at their lives with a measure of envy. People go to great lengths to join their ranks - you only have to look as far as open auditions, game shows or reality television.

The Bible mentions the stars around us too. Sometimes it means those placed in the heavens by God's hands. But sometimes it's something else entirely.

Daniel 12:3 says, "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. "

And in Philippians 2:14-16, we are urged "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life ... "

What does this mean? God's on a star search. He's looking for people that will shine as things get darker around them. That will glow with His purpose and his light regardless of their circumstances. That will light the way for those around them and lead them to the source of their light.

Will you shine for Him?

Chronological Study Bible (a review)

There are many, many types of study Bibles available and each has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. But The Chronological Study Bible: New King James Versionby Thomas Nelson provides a rich, multi-layered way to explore God's Word.

As the name suggests, the Chronological Study Bible orders the books of the Bible according to their place in history - or at least as closely as the writers were able to place them. They state quite frankly that some books or passages are difficult to place accurately, or that some are open to debate. But seeing how the various passages link together gives some fresh insights into the cultures and situations these books were addressing.

One of the real strengths of this Bible is the types of information it provides. Insets liberally scattered throughout add to the picture by addressing food & drink, architecture & building, industry, politics & government, geography & environment, science & technology, health & medicine, and beliefs & ideas of the relevant times and cultures. These snippets give some remarkable insights into the related passages.

Also included are transition areas - information that helps bridge the move from one passage to another. Time lines and time capsules, non-Biblical historical documents and much more information is provided throughout. Color maps and illustrations also add to the context of the Biblical passages. And, of course, there are plenty of indexes, topical studies and a concordance available as well.

The topical references become invaluable as sometimes different commentary sections will cover the same passage but with a slightly different focus. The net result is that it's hard to be sure you've found all the relevant material in just reading through the passage and the surrounding information. But through the many tools offered in this Bible, you will be sure to find much to add to your understanding of the passage you're studying. I might also add a couple different translations (NKJV is a more literal or word-for-word translation) just to round out some word studies or concept passages.

Overall, this is a tool that will help you dig deep into your Bible study. I might not recommend it as a daily reading Bible just because there is so much material that it's easy to get distracted from the actual passage, but as a study tool I would place the Chronological Study Bible high on the recommended list.

*This review was written through the Thomas Nelson Blogger review program. The Chronological Study Bible was supplied for review purposes but no other compensation was provided.