Christmas Refugees

OK, OK! I'm so sorry but garbage pickup was the morning following Christmas Day. Not only did I have to control the organized flow of wrapping and packaging to make sure it would fit into the “trash receptacle”, but all the scraps and grand-kid rubble of the Christmas meal had to be disposed of “NOW”; or by next week our neighbors would be wearing nose clothespins as part of their daily attire. Dragging the “big plastic trash wheeler dumpster” to edge of the drive on Christmas Day Eve just felt so wrong, but it did fit the current state of affairs of the 2013 Christmas season (“Let's get it over with! Next Sale!”).

“For unto us a Child is born (God has made an intimate connection to us), unto us a Son is given (His sacrifice would satisfy the broken connection to God for us)”

Christmas is a wonderfully strange time of the year. There are so many traditions that have been carried in, that have morphed in and that have crept in, that would be very alien to the season and day that Jesus was born. (And this monologue is no way intended to be “Grinch-attitude” or “Scrooge-like”, please bear with me until the punch line it may have an impact.) Isn’t it wild how a house or town or city is sensed to be “Christmassy” by the lights, the luminaries, wreathes, decorated trees, flashing shrubbery, ribbon bowed fences , foil covered imitation packages, monster sized candy canes, be-dazzled sleds with decorative ice skates, jovial inflatables, molded images, wooden jig- sawed images, ringing and in-ring-able bells, glittery tinsel, unending strands of winding garland, endless images of smiling bearded men, pointed ear children, hot cocoa with marshmallows, and the air filled with all sorts of mixtures of pine/cinnamon/cranberry/cookie oil candle scents. It is a time of whimsical expectation, magical delight and fearless thoughts of entitlement of peace and goodness. NOEL! (Christmas? Birthday? Noah? Peace? No Elohim? One God? … wow, we even sing a word that “if that's what they think, hence, that's what it means” - still I only have a clue … So Noel is Jesus! Cool!)

What a tense season, really! There seems to be a struggle between ignorance,humility, moderation and “go for the gold” in order to get the “gold star”, or “thumbs up”, or to somehow hide from observation from the mysterious invisible Giver of Gifts. Whatever we do, we must take action! We have multiple choices of action in the “Holiday” season”, here are just a couple:
1.To work real hard at being politically correct so as not offend anyone (which in doing this … it isn't you, and you will probably appear insincere!).
2.To be a hermit and communicate with only those you feel comfortable in communicating your joys, fears and complaints(this will once again be an overload on you, and you become a burden on that small select few).
3.To Be Real ...take full advantage of whatever degree of love you have for the King of Kings during this season that marks the time of His birth … and let that love naturally spill upward and outward (Still you will be misunderstood by some but at least they will know your connection).

 “And the government shall be upon His shoulders” (The results of actions of History, He takes full responsibility for ...the glory is in the details, and Blood of the Cross covers it all … for those who trust in Him).

The morning after Christmas Day, I was dragging the “Mobile Waste Unit” (I have no set nor intimate name for this carrier of stink and waste) back to its six day resting point, when I observed a few trash refugees that had managed to escape the previous nights efforts to do away with the remains of the holiday. I actually paused and snapped a picture of them(attached). I prayed at that moment to not let the season stop. I want everyday to be a celebration of eternal life... so that this Abundant Life in Jesus that has been given to “all who believe”, can be seen by those who are yet to believe as the reality of the active love that God has bestowed on us as “Birthed from Above” kids.

 “And He SHALL be called … Wonderful (My King of Wonders)… Counselor (My Closest Confidant) ...the Mighty God (My potential belongs to Him and Him alone) ... Everlasting Father (My Daddy Eternal) … the Prince of Peace (My true source and ruler of the fabric of my peace)”.

For the sake of your heart read to understand Isaiah 9:1-7 and rejoice this season is yours.
Merry Eternal Christmas!! Let's be resilient joyous refugees of the continuing season of the Grace of God. Be not thrown away! Though we may be strangers and aliens during these weird momentary seasons of life, our connection to our eternal home is becoming more intimate as we walk daily in Heaven's Noel.

HLFA,

Jeff

Do You See What I See? (Christmas 2013)

I have to ... I must ...
Oh, just to get away from all of the “Holiday's” hustle, bustle and pressure on both sides of the cash register caused by “what to say” after the transaction (so as not to offend)! “Merry” - “Happy” - “Blessed” Gobbledygook to you. "Hey world around me, you can't hide your gift buying and gift giving hypocrisy!" "You are taking advantage of the season whether you believe in it or not." "Nicolas would be so embarrassed that you have elevated his status above the true Gift of Heaven."

I think I would have exploded into a million atoms had not the hand of God kept me together. I blurted out “Thank you Jesus!”, but saying that almost felt like I needed to wash out my mouth for that statement (or run a soapy wash rag through my head)

Unbelievable … Do you see what I see? (words to a Christmas song) ...Tramps and bums, whores and pimps, pushers and users, perverts and predators, gluttons and drunks, profane and vain, abusers and cruel, dirty and stinky, crude and rude, careless and callous, “the fearful, the unbelieving, the abominable, murderers, whore-mongers, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars … shall have their part” … the whole scene was taking on an obscene twist of Biblical proportions, all this derelict humanity was lined up to buy -buy -buy! Aaaaaaaarrrggggh (an irreconcilable expression of disgust)! “I'm Gone!”
 
In the car - REVERSE – out of the parking lot – DRIVE – to a quiet remote spring fed stream. Ignition off – SEAT FULLY RECLINED; now I will close my eyes to decompress. What in the world? I can't believe what is interrupting my quiet moment, that irritating unceasing ringing of a kettle bell.

SEAT RETURNED TO FULL AND UPRIGHT POSITION – I looked in the direction of the holiday dinging clamor with my face positioned for disgust, only to uncontrollably blush. What I saw both humbled and terrified me. There standing in the spring fed brook was a radiantly handsome Man with unusually scarred hands motioning for me to come join Him in the brook.

I was more than compelled; and without hesitation and without inhibition, I slipped into the water beside Him. His unusual scars called my name as His radiant hand pointed to the lines of horrendously stained and ruined humanity from which my appalling soul had me drive. “No please, enough, I want peace!” my troubled soul cried. Then He pointed to the water of the brook and in a still small voice implored me “Drink full, drink long and then behold the throng!”

The spring fed water was otherworldly... cool and refreshing. With each each sip and swallow, I felt a different burden overcoming my soul … and my tears began to mingle with the clear flowing waters. When I lift my eyes toward the direction of the masses, I was completely overwhelmed by what I was now seeing. Precious daughters and sons with torn and ragged play clothes standing in unending lines to purchase useless, battered and ruined toys. Oppressive and discouraging rhetoric was blaring from the mouth of an unseen and cruel illegal guardian. I could feel the hopelessness, the abandonment,and the abuse that had come upon their lives via choice or circumstance ...that mattered not, for the bribes and the broken promises they were given were overwhelming.

The still small voice came once again – “Go and tell them that I love them, while you are loving them too”. I waded out of the waters to rejoin the throngs but this time with a broken heart and a different set of eyes on.

Psalm 110:7 - “He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.”

He continues to drink of the torrential brook of the valley, and beckons us to drink also; this is why there is hope for the discouraged and a continual message of love ...to the outcast ...through the outcast ...from THE OUTCAST SON - “He came unto His own and received Him not.” John 1:11 The wonder of the Christmas Mystery is still carried about by simple shepherds, chained slaves, ransacked vagabonds, wounded strangers...all broken vessels leaking grace wherever they go as part of the majesty and glory of God's Amazing Continued Christmas Story. “But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name” John 1:12

Merry Christmas 2013!

HLFA

Jeff

The Kneeling Mirror

“When God had loaded provision and orchestrated the filling of the vessel of time, so that all was in place, all was ready for the launch: God sent out His Son from Him for a mission; having a submissive positioning and an intimate, beginning connection to humanity's birth "a woman", and to humanity's burden, "the Law". He did this to redeem us, to ransom us from the fallen birth and the unpaid debt of the law, but it did not stop there. Because of Jesus, the potential for sonship could now be offered and received: an adoption, a provided binding connection to the Father. Further more with this reception we are secured as sons by His Spirit, who opens up the Ache, who translates the Cry … “Abba, Pater” .... “Daddy, Father!” We are no longer subservient to our fallen birth nor the task mastering of the law, but now as Sons and Daughters we have access to all of the privileges of our Heavenly Family. We are now heirs by His provision of Jesus.” (Devotional translation of Galatians 4:4-7)

 “Now we see through at glass, darkly, but then face to face” I Cor. 13:12. As the door flew open from my Pantry (my sanctuary, His sanctuary) and I moved out into the realm of His Desire, my heart was filled with the weapons of love's warfare and I was ready! Or at least I thought I was ready...
A strange wind blew through my life that caused me to faulter in my step for a moment. Actually, it was the sound of the enemy once again, but this time the voice carried the gentle creeping tentacles of guilt and fear that began to wrap themselves around my heart. Fingers were pointing at me, cries carried my name, desires and demands were being thrown my way. These fingers, cries, desires and demands began to paint a gray shadow that hung over that colorful field of God's desire that had initially opened before me. I looked at those perpetrating the onslaught of this divisive, manipulative outcry and realized something about us all ... that was very broken. It would not be fixed in a moment, and it would not be the task for sluggard nor the faint of heart. This would be a challenge for the love found in the Sanctuary.

The outcry seemed to cascade from “my” choice between two mirrors in which to gaze. One mirror stood upright and was immediately before the face of the gazer. In this mirror I could see the immediate perception of my pitiful state of affairs and gain a callous(but false) realization that nobody around me truly cared. My family and my peers all seemed to be preoccupied with their own mirrors; and when I would turn from mine to look at them, they appeared to have an abundance of things that I needed. This mirror immediately caused whining and complaining in my soul. Praying was negated by an overarching “woe is me” and a grave desire to blame others for not seeing my obvious need, which surely could be taken care of by their abundance.

The other mirror was very strange (I almost tripped over it!). To look into it you had reposition yourself to look down, and the clearest vantage point was from a kneeling position. It was a little uncomfortable because it made it hard to look anywhere else but into this darkened obscure mirror. Those who gazed into it on their knees would soon be found with tears of joy falling from their eyes, and sighs of gratitude pouring from their lips. When they would lift their fragile human frame from that mirror, there was a contentment and confidence that they carried away from their time of gazing into it. It had challenged them. It had changed them. Although their pitiful state of affairs may have intensified while there on their knees, I did not hear the whining and complaining, nor felt blame and shame exuding from their lives. As I drew close to their point of departure I heard the joyful expression that they carried from the strange mirror … “Daddy! Oh, how He loves me! It is written, He has given us an everlasting consolation and good hope through grace II Thes. 2:16”

Christmas(where did that come from?)… such a strange and magical time of year, but look there … there stands a mirror; and there lays a mirror. Into which are we gazing?

Kneel, gaze with anticipation into His Word and be loved by the Father so that you can love those who are pointing, crying, desiring, and demanding guilt and shame be cast on you.

Reflect his love that you will find in the mirror of His Word.

HLFA,

Jeff

link

Where is Your Song?

I was so tired of the fear and rejection. Life was just not working. I was never noticed for my efforts of love, but became the big announcement when I made any perceived mistake. I was shunned as renegade, disorderly, and marked as “one that causes divisions and offenses” when I would speak of my passionate pursuit of God. When I had dire need or physical failings it seemed former friends were nowhere to be found, and none looked my way. And no matter where I turned there were unanswered questions; and suspicion was cast my way due to my asking. It seemed like I had been running for miles beyond my strength. Bearing the soul tingling sense that the adversary was on my trail, I just knew he was tracking me down to hurl that final dart into my already broken and wounded heart. I became worthless, for so that I am. My strength now gone, I fell to the ground and cried out “Where is my God?” … As a lay there with my eyes closed to any ray of light … I heard a still small voice say in response, “Where is your song?”
 
Psalm 96:1 – “O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth”.
O wandering minstrel, as you travel along through your life's adventure, sing your song … sing it to an audience of One. Because you have been repaired, because you have been renewed, because you are New, fresh and alive your song should be also. O earth, land where the minstrel's feet doth trod, sing out loud because the Lord's servant has blessed you with His New Songs unto his Lord and walked His songs over thee. Every where his feet have stepped there is the melodic remains of the Love of God.
Your Song is Jesus!

Psalm 96:2 – “Sing unto the LORD, bless His name; shew forth His salvation from day to day”.
O wandering minstrel, as you travel through your life's adventure, sing your song ...sing it to an audience of One; intentionally and intensively adore His name, His reputation, His Fame, His glory; Bear the news, announce the news, gladden those around you with His Good News … Declare it as Good News of His victorious deliverance that brings eternal prosperity in the arms of His Salvation – bring it a days journey to another days journey every day and every way!
Your song is the Good News, and the Good News is Jesus!
 
(Psalm 96:6 – Honour and majesty are before Him: strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.”) When I opened my tear filled eyes … I found myself there … in “His” Sanctuary, in “His” pantry, in “His” prayer closet … and there on the shelf were the provisions of promise that I needed to break through the fear of the enemy. In the gaze of this place that radiated the beauty of His face, I would find “Honor “ (the Splendor, the glory and vigor of His life in me) and “Majesty” (the ornament, the steadfast excellency if His love running through me). In His Sanctuary I would once again find “His Strength” and “His Beauty” bestowed upon my fragile frame so that my journey among men would carry the power of the welcoming Grace Heaven. My provision is Jesus!

There is a world that has been numbed by the Destroyer's song of fear and shame. Many hearts have waxed cold and many hearts are failing because of the drone of its sound. God has not abandoned us to raise the white flag to this momentary desolate victory of the cruel. He has not abandoned His new creation, nor cursed His people. So why do we lock away the truth in a pious performance of a counterfeit holiness, that causes the world to be sickened by our vain show of world worthiness and sham wellness. While in the midst of our pretentious worship, we display a repulsive behavior that pushes away the most desperate and the most needy. The Savior's voice too “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden” is all but lost in the dismal clamor of our broken strings, our splintering reeds, our off-synched “slave drum” beat, and our tuneless and pathetic whining.

Abandon this dying realm of fraudulent religious exercise (it isn't getting His attention), and “Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness” as challenged in Psalm 96:9 … (Huh? This is such a misunderstood phrase that ironically brings a hearty robotic reply of “Amen!”out of congregations ... Who wants to appear unknowing or ignorant?) Don't miss this!

Here is a thought on worshiping the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
O let us position our broken dependance and fragile devotion in such a way, that our adornment of God's truth causes others to see the love God has for them: and positions others for the opportunity to receive and reciprocate His love for them. True worship is humbly connecting our every need to God's eternal provision through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and letting the growing abundance of that supply spill joyfully over into the lives others.

Sing our NEW SONG … and Jesus is our Song!

HLFA,

Jeff