Moving On

Jesus had a lot of opportunities to be offended and excuses to quit, right from the start, but He chose to keep going and to forgive - even to His last breath on the cross.

I was dwelling on something unfair that happened to me recently. Then I suddenly remembered my one and only serious car wreck. I was 20 years old. Another driver cut me off causing me to total the borrowed car I was driving. I was shaken, but not seriously hurt.

I rode with the wrecker driver as he hauled the car to the junkyard where I stayed until my father could pick me up. What if I had chosen to stay in the junkyard and never move on? Of course, that's ridiculous! Daddy picked me up, dusted me off, and the next day, I was driving again. My brother even forgave me for wrecking his shiny new car!

Like many people I know, the last year has seemed to be full of broken promises, dead ends, closed doors, unanswered questions, and unwanted transitions. Yet, we have to "move on". We cannot give up hope because Jesus forgave us, and endured the death sentence we deserved. He has promised to be with us, and has prepared a home for us for all eternity.

Hey! We will always have recession-proof job security as worshippers and intercessors.

Thankful for the Living Word of God

At this holiday season, we are accustomed to thinking of Jesus from the time He was born in Bethlehem, and we traditionally read the account from Luke 2. However, Jesus existed as God from eternity to eternity. The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell of Jesus' birth, but John goes back to who He was from before time began. John calls Him "the Word" (logos). Jesus was God's Word - His love letter - to us.

Also, John records these claims of Christ:

"I am the bread of heaven," following the miracle where Jesus fed 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes.

"I am the light of the world," just after He restored the sight of the man born blind.

"I am the resurrection and the life," Jesus declared as He commanded Lazarus to rise from the dead and come out of the tomb after being dead for days.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. John 1:1-3

Jesus, thank You for leaving heaven, to enter a human body, laying down your life for people who may or may not choose to believe in You. "To a world that was lost You gave all You could give to show us a reason to live."

Click to hear We Are the Reason on You Tube

Another Year Ends

As I listen to the news reports and dire predictions for the economy in 2011, I am so thankful Jesus is the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Revelation 21:6

This life brings disappointments, but God's Word tells us: "Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them."

Psalm 126:6

In the words of an old song, "Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand, but I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand." Ira Stanfill

Through It All

More and more, I see on the news and on Christians television how brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering persecution around the world. Yet I hear these who have lost so much, continue to profess their love for Jesus Christ and their faith in God's Word. To the family of God in countries where religious freedom is limited, I honor you and pray for you.

Paul talked about those who suffer for the name of Jesus. Here is the Message Bible translation.

Our work as God's servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our best setting things right; when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.

2 Corinthians 4-10 Message

Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior

I asked Jesus to forgive me and make His home in my heart 52 years ago. He has been faithful!

Jesus is altogether lovely; He saves us, and He keeps us by His power from sin and death.

He has given to us His robe of righteousness. He extends His mercy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, tenderness, healing and compassion.

He is our Shield, our Defender, our Rock, and our Hiding Place.

He is our Provider, Counselor, Great Shepherd, our Friend, who is closer than a brother, and He is our Love. He is the Husbandman, the Keeper of the vineyard. He is the Source of all blessing.

He restores, rescues, forgives and redeems.

He is our Victor, the Captain of Hosts, Mighty in battle. He is our Banner, and our Standard, and He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Jesus is crowned with glory and honor; He is our Savior, Sanctifier, Redeemer, and the merciful and faithful High Priest.

He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He was dead, but now He is ALIVE forevermore, and He is seated at the right hand of God – it is finished! - Kathie Walters

The True Meaning of Christmas - God With Us

Just think!
You're not here by chance,

but by God's choosing.
His hand formed you.

He made you the person you are.
He compares you to no one else --
You're one of a kind.
You lack nothing His grace can't give you.
He has allowed you to be here at this time in history
to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.
Roy Lessin

Caroling, Caroling Through the Snow

Our little church had our first youth pastor/choir director in 1965. We teenagers proudly donned out new royal blue choir robes over our warmest clothes and braved flurries and 20 degree temperatures -arctic cold for Georgia- to go Christmas caroling.

Around the streets near the church we circled, making sure to visit the oldest members of our congregation. I still remember looking through the frosted windowpanes into the sitting rooms and seeing faces brighten when they heard the familiar strains. There was Carlos and Lucy sitting by the fire reading their Christmas cards, Fanny, the church pianist sitting at her piano, and Katherine and Wendell, with their hand-made Santa and his sleigh on their roof, offering hot cocoa and peppermint sticks.

We were royally welcomed as the shepherds welcomed the angels' song long ago.

Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King!

Rain Down Righteousness

You heavens above,

rain down my righteousness;
let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
let salvation spring up,
let righteousness flourish with it;
I, the LORD, have created it.

Isaiah 45:8

Worship Jesus

Jesus said: "I say to you that many will come from the east and the west and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of Heaven."
Matthew 8:11

When These Pictures Develop...

“I will never fail you.

I will never abandon you,"

So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper,

I will have no fear.

What can mere people do to me?”

Hebrews13:5 NLT

I've had many experiences in my lifetime. Some good and some bad, and though the events are history, the memories have stayed with me. I even have photographs of some of them.

Before the digital age, we had a polaroid "instant" camera, so we wouldn't have to wait overnight to have the film developed. Yet, even as great an invention as "instant pictures" were, in some conditions some were blurry or dark.

The Lord showed me how this was like the memories of my life. Not all of them have been developed yet. Not all of them make sense now. Not all of them are pleasant. Some still hurt. Some I want to hide, and others I wish I could forget about.

But God says in His Word that He has never left us or forsaken us. At the end of my life, and along the way, I'm going to see something different about those memories....When these pictures develop.... I'm going to see JESUS standing there with me in every one.

We can ask Jesus to show us where He was in our memories. No matter how alone or forsaken we may have felt at times, Jesus has always been right there, causing all things to work together for our good, watching over us. He wants us to know that even in present and future struggles, He is right here with us. All we have to do is call upon His name and believe that He is our helper.

Written by my son, Cameron Hill

God Gives Lavishly

Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give.

2 Corinthians 9:6 Message

The twelve year old girls Sunday School class was taught by Ms. Lounette, an older widow that had a heart of gold. When Christmas came around that year, she presented us with a choice. We could take our treasury and have ourselves a big Christmas party, go to the movie theater, a restaurant or..... we could buy clothes and groceries for a needy family. She gave us some time to think it over.

As an adult, I was teaching Sunday school, and I related this story to the young girls in my class. One raised her hand and said in all sincerity, "I'll bet you voted for the party, didn't you."

Well, I wouldn't be writing this story if we had decided on the party. The cupcakes and Coca Cola would have been long forgotten.

We went together to buy clothes for the four young children. When we got to Bates and Woods Grocery store, our little Sunday school fund seemed to buy more than we thought, as the owner piled huge bags of flour and corn meal, a fat turkey, bag after bag of groceries, and some soft peppermint sticks for the kids into our cart.

I will never forget stepping up on the uneven planks of the slanting porch with the groceries and seeing the door open. The mother looked so young and thin.

Though it was a cold December day, the children were barefoot and the house was chilly, with only a small coal heater in the center. How happy they were trying on new shoes, jackets and caps.

We left them with smiles, warm toes, and sticky faces.

Guarantee

I was dreaming this morning that I announced I was going on a plane to a faraway place. In the dream, my son was questioning me, "Where's your luggage? your ticket? your destination? Where is your boarding gate and what time?"

I was relaxed and unconcerned. "I don't know yet," I told him.

"Well, do you even have a confirmation number for your ticket?" he asked.

Then I woke up and Holy Spirit spoke to me, "I am your confirmation, your guarantee, and your destination."

Last evening, my son found out from a facebook message that his dear college friend and prayer partner had died. Maybe that is why I had this dream. How do we know that our friend is in Heaven?

"We know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven—God-made, not handmade—and we'll never have to relocate our "tents" again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move—and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what's coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we're tired of it! We've been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less."

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 Message

Honor

"The younger generation must learn once again to hold their elders in high honor and respect, no longer dismissing their ideas, values, and counsel as quaint and outmoded relics of the past. For their part, the middle and older generations must be willing to see the younger ones through a different lens: to stop viewing them simply as immature children with little or nothing to offer and recognize both their giftedness and their usefulness in the Kingdom of God. The hearts of the fathers must turn to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers in recognition of mutual respect and interdependence."
James Goll

My Life Is In Your Hands

Open House

Alpharetta, Georgia, was a very small town when we were growing up. The florist was in a tiny building that looked like a doll house. However, in the 1970's, when Jimmy Carter was governor, he used Alpharetta Florist to decorate the governor's mansion, and the florist grew in popularity.

Having moved into a much larger place on Main Street, the florist hosted a Christmas Open House that was the talk of the town. People would line up around the block to view the exquisite decorations.

In the 80's, I had an opportunity to open a floral/gift shop on Main Street in Buford. I drove over to my hometown early one hot summer day, and dropped in at Alpharetta Florist for inspiration.

I found the owners in the back room, frantically preparing for Christmas!

"Pull up a stool and sit with us," they beckoned, as they turned out gorgeous Christmas bows as fast as their nimble fingers could fly. Gerald took time out to show me step by step how to make the symetrical bows out of rich red velvet. He talked to me about being a good businessman, and about appealing to a clientele that my competition wasn't serving. As busy and successful, as they were, they certainly did not have to take time to encourage me that day - but they did!

As I made bows for some friends this Christmas, I thought about how one deed of kindness and friendship can affect someone for a lifetime.

"Love one another with brotherly affection as members of one family, giving precedence and showing honor to one another." Romans 12:10

Be Still

Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heavens all gracious King!"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold,
When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace, their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,

the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

"Sugar"

Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:10b

Have you read that popular book about "love languages"? According to the author, each of us has a special way that we want people to express their love to us. For some, it might be to receive gifts. For me, I believe it is words of kindness, endearment, and affirmation.

Those of you who read my sister Mildred's blog, know that December 2 would have been Mother's 81st birthday. The thing I remember most right now about Mother, was when she would wake me up in the morning, she would say, "Come on, Sugar! I've got breakfast ready."

Through the years, when I was going through hard times, grief and loss, I could always call Mother, day or night. She prayed for me for 58 years, and before she hung up, she would say, "I love you, Sugar."

Lord, my prayer to You today is: Thank You that You are Love, and that Your WORD is a message of love and affirmation. Any time, day or night, I can open the Bible and find love notes from You.