Just Be Ready

Monday, January 7, 2013

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we would walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).

Hey Gang, about a thousand years ago, it seems that long ago (but then again I have never lived a thousand years, so I certainly do not know how it feels to live a that long)!

But, I was the ‘only unemployed director of a non-existent boys home’.  I had reached the point where I felt it was time for me to join the world of reality and become a provider  for my family and get a regular job.

Does that mean that I had given up on what I thought God had said to me, two years before in California, and driven the point home when he sold our home in a very miraculous way?

 Sometimes, but not really!  I did know that he honed Moses for forty years in the wilderness as a sheep herder before he called him to take on the task of leading a million or so complaining Jews to the land of "milk, and honey". Now keep in mind that Moses had all the best training available in the world as the adopted son of Pharaoh.

 I had no such training. I came to the conclusion that, if it took forty years to prepare Moses, who had already done great things, it would probably take me two or three hundred years to be honed for action. But, you all know that God does not work that way.  I interviewed at a child-care facility and they turned me down because I had too many children.  I learned there was a critical need for a maintenance man at a mission in Haiti and was turned down because I was over-qualified.  I even tried to sign on as a farm hand and was turned down because I didn't  know which end of the cow milk came from.   

Do you think I might have asked myself more than once, “Am I reading the signs wrong?”  Was it just a figment of my imagination that God was going to use me to help young lives in His Name? 

Do you think it began to eat at the root of my faith and surfaced all the feelings of unworthiness that I had tucked away in my heart and mind?  Have you ever reached a point in your life where you were ready to "chuck it all" and God would not let you?

Two years of agony and pain, questions, misgivings!  Two years of feeling that I had failed my duties as provider for my family!  Two years of wanting to run from what I thought was God's calling!  And then the light began to seep through my "stinking- thinking".  A tiny chunk of Solomon's wisdom began to creep into my mind, "There is an appointed time for everything. And then a time for every event under heaven" (Ecc. 3:1). 

In these times of woe and disappointment in our country, I have once again been drawn to the words of Habakkuk where he gave us words of hope when we feel the sky is falling. 

Notice his counsel to us, "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.  Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay" (2:3). 

Soooo, good friends and neighbors, are you struggling this morning? Not sure you are on track with Abba Father?  Well, take it from an old salt and note what Isaiah said to us a few years back, "In a favorable time I will answer you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you" (k49:8).

Blessings,  

Gramps

I Wonder If This Might be the Last Christmas On Earth?

 

 Monday, December 30, 2013

 “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”.  (Luke 2:11).  “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God” (I Thess. 4:16). 

 Hey Gang, Have you transitioned in your walk with the Lord between verse one of the morning Scripture and verse two? Me thinks that many folks are still locked into the “Babe of the manger” and not the "King of kings and Lord of lords"! 

  This past week I came in contact, once again, with Paul’s words to the Philippian Believers. I must admit that, in the many times I have read Philippians, I never associated Paul’s words in chapter 2:5-11 as being Paul's Christmas story.  As I read this portion of Paul’s words, I was impressed that he did not stop at the manger but described the birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and Second Coming of the Lord!

 Several weeks ago, our Pastor preached a message that he titled “Hopeful Anticipation”.  I have said on many occasions that one of the great tragedies of our 'instant gratification generation" is the taking away the joy of anticipation.  Receiving a gift is nice but when you have prayed, dreamed, and waited with great anticipation for something you really want, and the day arrives when you can hold it in your hands, it is very special memory that you will remember forever.

 Those who know me know I have always gone to great lengths to make the Christmas Season very special for my family.  Some might even suggest the hundreds of feet of Christmas displays is a wee bit on the over-kill side.  But, as a “Seed Planter’ my heart has always been to implant that Jesus not only came as a babe but “He is going to come again as King of kings and Lord of Lords!”  We know not when Father God will tell His Son to “go for it”, but we do know from His prophetic word that all is in place for the final chapter to begin.  

 Sooooo, Yes, Jesus was born in a manger under very miraculous circumstances - but that was only the delivery system to get Him to earth.  This Christmas season as you have heard the Christmas Story once again, make sure you do not leave Jesus in the manger.  As Paul Harvey would say - “now here is the rest of the story"… “Then they will see The Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send forth the angels and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven” (Mark 13:26-27). 

 Blessings,

 Gramps

From Miracles to Blahs!

 Friday, December 23, 2016

 "But Mary treasured all these things pondering them in her heart.  The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them".  (Luke 2:19-20)  

 Hey Gang:  When I was a little squeezer, the time from Thanksgiving to New Years was "out of sight".  It was a time for digging the platforms and Christmas trimmings out of the cubby hole on the third floor of our house, lugging them down two flights of stairs to the living room, and taking out each peace with loving care.  It was an exciting exercise! Each year, as I grew older, I was allowed to be more involved in the building of the little Villages and putting up the trains.   

 We had a tradition that was handed down from my Dad's family: the tree did not go up until the little ones were tucked away in their beds on Christmas eve, awaiting the arrival of Saint Nick.  I was never quite sure how Dad trimmed the tree and set it in the middle of the platform without stepping on the houses, but he did. 

 There were other wonderful things that happened in that time period.  It was the choosing of who would be in the Christmas Pageant at the church, and then rehearsals two and three times a week.  I have since come to the conclusion it was not the involvement in the play that made it so special, but the fellowship and fun, even though there were times when Mrs. Holiday got on our case because we were not as focused as she wanted.    

 No doubt the script of our Christmas Pageant was based on the stories told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.  These accounts tell of the action surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ.  But the Gospel of John cuts through these descriptive accounts and simply tells the significance of what happened.  John's account provides no opportunity to fall into sentimentality or nostalgia about Christmas.  Neither does it lend itself well to pageants on Christmas Eve.

 John minces no words. He jumps to the chase and tells us,  "The Word, who was God, was made flesh".  I sense he wanted to make it as clear as humanly possible that Jesus was really and truly a man who subjected himself to the miseries and calamities of the human nature.  God became flesh!  That is really the purpose for this season; Jesus left the Father to become like us.  Do you think He ever wondered if that was such a good idea?

 The final days of preparation arrived and we did a walk though; they called it a ‘dress rehearsal’.  Not sure why because we were not dressed in what we would wear the nights of the performances.  Opening night was a very high point in my year.  Wow, was it neat to see the cars coming from all over the city to see the Nativity play.   Our sanctuary only seated 150 people but they could open the back doors and seat another 75.  Each night the church was packed.

 I never graduated beyond the shepherd level, which was just a very small step from being a sheep.  This role was given to all children who were too young to play the glamorous characters like Mary, Joseph, angels, and wise men.  There must have been at least a dozen of us traipsing and tripping down the aisle of the church each night.  I remember that my turban was an actual bath towel and my robe was the same bed sheet that had formerly transformed me into a ghost on Halloween.

 On the final night they served a banquet, or I thought it was a  banquet.  Today, I am not sure wieners and hamburgers quality as feast--food .  And, at the end of the feast, we donned our coats and visited all the shut ins in our church and sang Christmas Carols and wished them a Merry Christmas. One year a local farmer provided a horse and wagon which was neat.

 And then it was over for another year.  As I hung up my sheet, and put my staff in the corner for another year, I prayed that next year I would be elevated to one of the real key player positions, but tragedy struck our church that year.  The church board, after much prodding, decided the church really needed an organ to increase our level of songs and praise.  To make the long story very short - a war broke out between two factions in the church about who was going to play it.

  It would have been better if they would have called the Body together and torched the organ -Do you know what happens when power and pride get involved in God's work?  It not only split the church but also took the heart out of those who did not give a hoot who played the organ.  One might have gotten the idea there was some sort of plague in the church, for people were bailing out faster than if someone yelled "fire" .  The church died the day the truck pulled up and delivered the organ - from more than 200 regulars to 45.  

 Soooo, I still have a sadness in my heart that I never had the opportunity to move up and be a king or a Magi, or even reach the pinnacle of the Church Nativity Program - to be Joseph the father of Messiah - wow, would that have been neat!  But the bottom line is – Jesus came and paid the debt for you and me. Praise You Lord for You came! God in Flesh!

Jesus left His place, to come to my place, to die in my place, to take me to His place.

 Blessings, means that I pray God to impart his supernatural favor on those of you who read these blogs. (Psalm 90:17

 Gramps

PS  This one brought tears as I read it again. John 1 has been special to me this fall. I  Can picture the family carrying things down 2 flights of Very Steep stairs they- (they lived in the mountains) and setting it up.  Now you know why the mega Christmas platforms at our house - over 5000 pieces which we made over the years. It is going to be boxed up after the Holidays.  I had forgotten why, until our Kids were teens, that we didn’t have a tree until the day before Christmas. We, too, had special programs at church - but no organ!! Many special memories of 63 Christmases together!!  Our family shared many with Seniors and youth.

 Sooo, no blahs!!! Fill your life - year around - With the love of Jesus!

Gma J

Questions to Ponder!!

 

My goal was to start doing some blogs in January, but seemingly God had other plans.  These thoughts were laid on my heart so urgently, today, I had to get them on paper.  Those who know me know I was the teacher and facts person of our team.  (Yes, teachers also tell stories and give examples!! And I probably give more information than you really want to know- I just want you to know what I know.

I will continue through the years to regularly repost some Gramps writings, but you will also become my classroom for things the Lord lays on my heart.   Gma J

 “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wisemen from the east to Jerusalem, saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2

Hey gang, it is not very often that we read Scripture about the rejection, passion and crucifixion of Jesus at this time of year.  However, in the last 24 hours I have read Mark 15 in Scripture and Gramps ‘Hillbilly Ramblings of that Scripture, prepared Scripture for sharing stories about some of the Christmas carols and read Christmas devotions.  My head is in a whirl.

Reading a favorite devotional, The Wonder of Christmas by Daniel Partner -which I have read every year since 2005- made me want to share some things with you.  The Bible is full of Mysteries - Mainly- how God the Creator could become the created, walk on this earth as man and give his life as sacrifice for my sin, then resurrected to be our hope of life everlasting with Him!  And there are others - but none so great as to keep us from Knowing Jesus Savior, Redeemer and LORD!

So, Mysteries in the above Scripture: (Remember Scripture is not full History of all that happened)  

       1. Wise men, Magi, Priests, Astrologers ?                                                                                                           Who were they really?  Scripture does not say.  Poets, storytellers and research scholar have thoughts. It really doesn’t matter!! They came a long way to worship Him!  If they came from Babylon, as most believe because of Daniels Influence there, at minimum have taken over a month. Questions: Were they all together when the Star appeared? Did they have to gather supplies and those who would travel with them (Caravans were safest)? Or did they leave impulsively?  Traveled at Night? Bright Star!!!

They did bring 3 gifts.  Did these have special meaning to them - as to us today?  Gold representing a King; Frankincense representing Priesthood and purity; Myrrh significant for burial?? 

     2. The Star - must have been unique orbit to travel east to west for whatever time period. ONLY GOD! With today’s computer programs and researchers, they can track stars orbits from millennia past and see them in the future as well.  (Interesting DVD at www.starofbethlehem/movie.)

     3. The Scribes and religious leaders knew the Scriptures and quickly turned to Micah 5:2. Bethlehem, only about 5 miles away. SO close, but they chose not to with the Magi, and He wasn’t there after Magi left! They missed their opportunity!!. Missed opportunity!! Were they concerned about their status? Or not want to be different? They knew the Scriptures in their heads but God did not first place in their hearts.  Magi came a long way to worship the King.

     4. Fresh in my mind were the Arrest, trial, rejection and crucifixion of Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea, wealthy, respected member of the Sanhedrin took a risk and asked to bury Jesus’ body, an act of great care and mercy in Jewish tradition. He knew his never used tomb was near-by. Nikodemus helped and brought abundant spices for the burial; maybe the women who followed them helped.  It was nearing sundown, the start of the high holy Sabbath, Passover.  Were these two men related to any of the religious leaders present when the wise men came to Jerusalem?  At some point, Joseph and Nikodemus became followers and were willing to risk lives, wealth and position for their LORD.  Not knowing there would be a NEW DAY!

Sooo, dear readers, questions for you???                                                                                                                                                                               1.  Do you know Jesus as Savior and LORD and have a personal relationship with him? If not, get in touch with me or someone you know is a true Believer                                                               

      2. If a stranger came to your door asking, “How do I find Jesus is, could  you tell them?

Blessings,

Gma J

The True Meaning of Christmas

  

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

"By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness:  He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory" (1 Timothy 3:16).

 

Hey Gang, I realize Christmas is over and all the packages that were wrapped neatly and under the tree have been ravaged by eager hands but, as I was researching, I came across this neat saying, submitted by one Delmar Eby of London, Kentucky. It rang my bell so decided to extend Christmas thoughts and send it along to you:

 

The Bethlehem Babe of the Manger became -

The Calvary Savior of the Cross, who is -

The Resurrected Lord from the Grave and is now -

The Ascended King in Heaven, soon to be -

The Returning Judge in Glory -

He became all of this so we can be -

The Reigning Saints in Glory forever!

Alleluia!  What a Savior!

 

Eby followed this with the question, "Does the commemoration of Christ's birth mean all this to you?  Or are you satisfied with a manger scene of the Babe?  For, if we are locked into the manger scene and satisfied to leave Jesus in the manger, then there is no way we can look beyond the manger to the scenario listed above.   In other words, we are locked into the Bethlehem Babe of the Manger - period.

 

Delmar made a powerful point when he wrote, "All the attributes and titles given to Jesus in the Scriptures are necessary for our eternal well-being.  We must receive Jesus for who He is; 0nly then can we find the true meaning of His birth, and Jesus will become to us all that is most comforting and blessed".  

 

In other words, as you look at the past year and prepare for the New Year, are you satisfied to allow it to be just a continuation of the past year, or are you filled with zeal and excitement in the many opportunities that are yours to serve the King of kings? 

 

I am sure that each of you, who read these epistles, have your favorite Scriptures.  I certainly have mine but, also confess, as I have reached the ‘older that dirt age’ my emphasis has changed.  My ears perk up when I hear Jesus saying, "Come you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:34).

 

Wow, is that not awesome?  But note what the King said are the prerequisites to inheriting the kingdom:  Yes, salvation is the foundation but note what Jesus said: "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." (vs. 40). 

 

Did what?   "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; naked and you clothed Me.  I was sick, and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to Me" (vs. 35-36).

 

Soooo, my young friends in Christ, I close this epistle with a promise from Yeshua HaMashiah: "Give, and it will be given to you.  They will pour into your lap a good measure - pressed down, shaken together, and running over".  Now note the next words of the Lord: "For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return" (Luke 6:38).  By whose standard of measure?  Your standard of measure!  What say ye?  Does that sound like we determine whether we will be blessed in the same measure that we give?  Wow! Awesome!   Think about it as you begin this New Yea!!

 Blessings,

 Gramps

 

"Greetings Favored One, the Lord is with You."

 

 Friday, December 11, 2015

 

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one!  The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:26-28).

 

Hey gang:  Are these not amazing words that get your heart to pumping?  The Christmas story begins with an experience that is beyond description to our human minds.  Gabriel, an angel who stands at the Throne of God, was sent to tell a young lassie that she was the “favored one” who would be the mom to the King of kings and Lord of lords. 

 

All you mom’s out there, when you learned for the first time that you were with child, how did you feel?  Now, keep in mind she was a virgin, betrothed, but not married yet. Imagine the torrent of feelings that must have surged through Mary’s heart at that moment.

 

Then the angel spoke, “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 call Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever and His kingdom will have no end”. 

 

The Catholic Church refers to Mary as ‘The Queen of Heaven’ and has placed her on the same level as deity; however, Protestants tends to place her in what might be called the ‘second class coach of the gospel train’.  We need to rethink both and be mindful of the role that Mary played in the Christmas story. 

 

God did not give her divinity, but instead used her obedience to give Christ humanity!  Note Paul’s words in I Timothy 3:16: “This is the mystery of godliness, that Jesus Christ is entirely God and thoroughly man” (Hainley rendition).  And how did this happen? Through the young woman’s pregnancy and pain of labor.  

 

Mary’s response to Gabriel foretells her important place in the gospel story: “And Mary said: ‘My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.  For He has had regard for the humble stated of His bond slave. For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed’” (Lu. 1:46-48).

 

As we begin the countdown, before we celebrate the birth of God’s Gift – His only begotten Son who came to earth for the specific purpose of giving His life a ransom  for you and for me - make sure your honor and worship and praise is for ‘Jesus, the Reason for the Season’.

 

Blessings,

 

Gramps