Unto us a child is born, Unto to us a son is given,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6
A Child who is also The Wonderful Counselor;
A Son who is also Our Mighty, Everlasting God;
A Savior, who told us not to worry about our world; ultimately
all government rests on The Shoulders of The Prince of Peace.
There are 2 realms at work on Planet Earth...one seen, one unseen.
Some choose to believe only in what we can be measured and quantified. Some intellectuals and visionaries tell us to ‘think outside the box;' yet, their minds won't open to the possibility of an unseen God, Sovereign over us. Creation declares that there is a Supernatural Hand at work; but God chose to do more than create the intricate beauty that surrounds us and speaks His Name.... He chose to make Himself visible. Heaven came to Earth. God, in flesh and blood, through Jesus.
It is hard for the human mind to imagine how God's Son could leave the royal robes of heaven behind to come to us as a helpless baby, who needed to have his diapers changed and felt hunger, cold… and rejection. It is a blessed mystery, but deep in our souls we know that it is TRUE. Jesus coming to Earth as a baby, was Heaven’s Way...the Way of Love, Humility, and Service. How hard it is for us to love without condition; to lay down our pride, and to refrain from justifying our every action! Jesus was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and the Perfect Lamb of God, did not open his mouth to defend Himself…. Every moment of His Earthly Life, had already proven who He was. He fulfilled every prophesy; then willingly, Our Good Shepherd, laid down His LIfe for His Sheep.
Take the time to read what He said; study His Words in the Gospels and He will unveil Himself to you. If you desperately seek Him, He will show you Who He Is.
How wonderful it is to be a "BELIEVER" at Christmastime!
The story of Santa Claus delivering presents and The Grinch returning presents; flying reindeer and toy-making elves are sweet images, ingrained in our Christmas culture now. But, Lord restore to us the REASON FOR THIS SEASON, help us to BELIEVE IN YOU, and trust You more, as we think about all that You left behind when You came here to save us. This is the truly wonder-filled story. Let the true story of Your coming to Earth as a tiny baby, sink into our souls and fill us with AWE.
Lord, this world is not our home, just as it was not Yours; but while we are here, make us worthy of the upward calling to press on in Your Name, The Name above all Names: Baby Jesus, Teacher Jesus, Sacrificial Lamb Jesus, Savior Jesus, Risen Jesus, Intercessor Jesus, in all things The Lord Jesus Christ. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Good Shepherd, Ruler of all that is seen & unseen.
Unto us 'An Indescribable Gift' was given,
A Savior who brought Heaven to Earth.
O come let us adore Him, Christ The King!
12/18/08
12/15/08
Pressing Onward & Upward
But ONE THING I do:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I PRESS ON toward the GOAL to win the prize for which God has
called me UPWARD, toward Heaven, in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13b, 14
In my last blog I wrote about “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and I received some interesting feedback. Apparently, some people think that The Grinch is symbolic of The Devil… I don’t think so. I think The Grinch is symbolic of US, human beings whose small, selfish, coveting hearts can grow BIG, transformed by the love of God.
I think the central theme of The Grinch Story is REPENTENCE.
The Bible tells us that we are all sinners, ALL have fallen short of God’s Glory (Rom 3:34) but, we have been given a Savior, One who stood in for us, took our punishment for sin, and redeemed us (see Gal 3:13-14) And, He has left His Spirit here to fill the hearts of men; if, by faith, we open the free gift of grace that he presents to us (see Rom 5:5)
We can turn from self-centered living and press onward and upward toward Jesus. This is the choice, THE ONE THING, that defines each person’s destiny.
In the story of The Grinch, he literally turns his sleigh around as he sees the townspeople join hands and begin singing….despite the fact that all their stuff has been stolen! Their actions are so topsy-turvy to what he'd anticipated…. he stands awestruck for a moment. Then, he makes a decision to ditch the way he has been living, and go after what they apparently have found: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. These gifts cannot be mustered up, they come into our hearts by the power of God's Holy Spirit, when we agree with Him that He is God and we are not; and that we need HIM.
The Grinch is like The Prodigal Son who thought he wanted the world, but almost lost his soul in the process. In the end, he repents, re-turns home, seeks and receives acceptance. A great feast is held and repentant thieves (Prodigals & Grinches), become the guests of honor. I believe that great celebrations are held in heaven as well, when people find their way back to God.
I decided to ‘Google’ Dr. Seuss, and see what his intention was, with his character of The Grinch, please enjoy the wisdom of Theodor 'Seuss' Geisel:
"Despite the widespread appeal of the Grinch Story, not everyone was pleased. Dr. Seuss once received a letter from brothers David and Bob Grinch of Ridgefield, N.J., asking if he would change the Grinch's name. Friends were teasing them mercilessly.
Seuss responded, "I disagree with your friends who 'harass' you. Can't they understand that the Grinch is the HERO of Christmas? Sure... he starts out as a villain, but it's not how you start out that counts. It's what you are at the finish!"
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I PRESS ON toward the GOAL to win the prize for which God has
called me UPWARD, toward Heaven, in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13b, 14
In my last blog I wrote about “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and I received some interesting feedback. Apparently, some people think that The Grinch is symbolic of The Devil… I don’t think so. I think The Grinch is symbolic of US, human beings whose small, selfish, coveting hearts can grow BIG, transformed by the love of God.
I think the central theme of The Grinch Story is REPENTENCE.
The Bible tells us that we are all sinners, ALL have fallen short of God’s Glory (Rom 3:34) but, we have been given a Savior, One who stood in for us, took our punishment for sin, and redeemed us (see Gal 3:13-14) And, He has left His Spirit here to fill the hearts of men; if, by faith, we open the free gift of grace that he presents to us (see Rom 5:5)
We can turn from self-centered living and press onward and upward toward Jesus. This is the choice, THE ONE THING, that defines each person’s destiny.
In the story of The Grinch, he literally turns his sleigh around as he sees the townspeople join hands and begin singing….despite the fact that all their stuff has been stolen! Their actions are so topsy-turvy to what he'd anticipated…. he stands awestruck for a moment. Then, he makes a decision to ditch the way he has been living, and go after what they apparently have found: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. These gifts cannot be mustered up, they come into our hearts by the power of God's Holy Spirit, when we agree with Him that He is God and we are not; and that we need HIM.
The Grinch is like The Prodigal Son who thought he wanted the world, but almost lost his soul in the process. In the end, he repents, re-turns home, seeks and receives acceptance. A great feast is held and repentant thieves (Prodigals & Grinches), become the guests of honor. I believe that great celebrations are held in heaven as well, when people find their way back to God.
I decided to ‘Google’ Dr. Seuss, and see what his intention was, with his character of The Grinch, please enjoy the wisdom of Theodor 'Seuss' Geisel:
"Despite the widespread appeal of the Grinch Story, not everyone was pleased. Dr. Seuss once received a letter from brothers David and Bob Grinch of Ridgefield, N.J., asking if he would change the Grinch's name. Friends were teasing them mercilessly.
Seuss responded, "I disagree with your friends who 'harass' you. Can't they understand that the Grinch is the HERO of Christmas? Sure... he starts out as a villain, but it's not how you start out that counts. It's what you are at the finish!"
12/11/08
Make Me One WHO Loves!
The Grinch HATED Christmas,
the Whole Christmas Season; no one really knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But, I think that the most likely reason of ALL,
May have been that HIS HEART WAS 2 SIZES... 2 SMALL!!!
-------------------------------------------------------
I LOVE The Grinch. He mesmerizes me with that crocked smile and those long fingers as they tap his cheek, or pluck stockings from the WHO's unsuspecting mantels. I've watched the show countless times and I know every word; so, no one will sit and watch with me, (even when I try to be quiet, my lips move involuntarily.) The other night I was home alone, so I seized the opportunity to savor yet another year's Grinch-ly ritual. This time it was The WHO's who mesmerized me.
A Poem for Grinch Transformation,
Lord, Turn Us Into WHOs, Enlarge Our Hearts:
One of my favorite things, as winter evenings grow cold,
Is to put on my plaid pj's. . . now worn, torn and old,
(A little tight these days too, if truth, truely, be told;
But, my furry red slippers. . . close toes in ' just right'
and bring icy cold feet downright 'toe-sty' delight!)
Brew some peppermint tea; now turn off every LIGHT,
'Till all you can see is that STAR shining... BRIGHT
Perched precariously there, a-top of my TREE ...
Then I tiptoe on over, and brimming with GLEE,
I insert that most favorite, of all DVDs
and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas comes on my TV!
I love that Green Grouch and his little Mutt Max
I love Cindy Loo’s face, as her presents he sacks
I love when he grabs that last crumb, (too small for a mouse)
I love when he slithers: slink, slank, slunk through the house.
But, what I look forward to most is the part
Where The Grinch hears The WHO’s singing…
and this OPENS HIS HEART,
Every year, without fail, it moves me to see,
his coronary expansion, (not just 1 size...but 3!)
As WHO’s sing & sway… despite AD-VERS-ITY !!!
Their roast beast has been stolen, no more gifts or decore
No wreaths are attached to a single WHO door,
But those wonder-filled WHO'S, they not only endure,
they lift glad voices to God for their treasures… galore!
The Who’s are not hypocrites, their Faith was tested ... fer sure!
But they came forth as gold, with clean hands & hearts pure.
No whining or complaining; No blaming, nor keeping of score,
They know the sacred secret: J-O-Y can’t be bought in a store.
The Joy’s tucked inside, Priceless Pearl... found.. then hidden away,
Joy springs from big hearts, filled with JESUS, on Christmas Day!
the Whole Christmas Season; no one really knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But, I think that the most likely reason of ALL,
May have been that HIS HEART WAS 2 SIZES... 2 SMALL!!!
-------------------------------------------------------
I LOVE The Grinch. He mesmerizes me with that crocked smile and those long fingers as they tap his cheek, or pluck stockings from the WHO's unsuspecting mantels. I've watched the show countless times and I know every word; so, no one will sit and watch with me, (even when I try to be quiet, my lips move involuntarily.) The other night I was home alone, so I seized the opportunity to savor yet another year's Grinch-ly ritual. This time it was The WHO's who mesmerized me.
A Poem for Grinch Transformation,
Lord, Turn Us Into WHOs, Enlarge Our Hearts:
One of my favorite things, as winter evenings grow cold,
Is to put on my plaid pj's. . . now worn, torn and old,
(A little tight these days too, if truth, truely, be told;
But, my furry red slippers. . . close toes in ' just right'
and bring icy cold feet downright 'toe-sty' delight!)
Brew some peppermint tea; now turn off every LIGHT,
'Till all you can see is that STAR shining... BRIGHT
Perched precariously there, a-top of my TREE ...
Then I tiptoe on over, and brimming with GLEE,
I insert that most favorite, of all DVDs
and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas comes on my TV!
I love that Green Grouch and his little Mutt Max
I love Cindy Loo’s face, as her presents he sacks
I love when he grabs that last crumb, (too small for a mouse)
I love when he slithers: slink, slank, slunk through the house.
But, what I look forward to most is the part
Where The Grinch hears The WHO’s singing…
and this OPENS HIS HEART,
Every year, without fail, it moves me to see,
his coronary expansion, (not just 1 size...but 3!)
As WHO’s sing & sway… despite AD-VERS-ITY !!!
Their roast beast has been stolen, no more gifts or decore
No wreaths are attached to a single WHO door,
But those wonder-filled WHO'S, they not only endure,
they lift glad voices to God for their treasures… galore!
The Who’s are not hypocrites, their Faith was tested ... fer sure!
But they came forth as gold, with clean hands & hearts pure.
No whining or complaining; No blaming, nor keeping of score,
They know the sacred secret: J-O-Y can’t be bought in a store.
The Joy’s tucked inside, Priceless Pearl... found.. then hidden away,
Joy springs from big hearts, filled with JESUS, on Christmas Day!
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