Reflections

Did you have a nice Christmas? I did. My younger brother and his wife invited me up for a late breakfast Christmas day. They had also invited a retired couple from their church. I was surprised to receive a gift. Our family is kind of iffy on that. Later, the guests (a couple) I'd invited to my apartment were right on time! Such is not usually the case. They also surprised me with a gift. Two other friends had given me gifts the week before. I mention this only to say I'm not used to getting so many gifts on Christmas. I was also surprised to receive two phone calls from the president of a ministerial organization of which I am a member. The first was an inquiry as to my financial problems. The second was to report that another member had paid my dues for me. Praise the Lord! Our Christmas eve services were nice. My brother who lives in Pennsylvania is here for the holidays. I expect to see them tomorrow, the Lord willing. Church life continues to be a challenge. This church has a culture that is very different from any I've experienced since becoming a Christian (that difference is not positive). One difference has to do with the place of women. They listen to me better if I say, "My brother and I discussed this, and this is what we decided..." My word alone has little weight. But my older brother has agreed to be a sounding board to help me out in this. Praise the Lord! There are other issues. One issue in counseling is overcoming the fear of man. The Lord specifically directed me not to fear man at church. This issue is bigger than I can describe here, but this both frees me of a burden (Praise the Lord!), and hands me an interesting dilemma. How does one stand firm in this freedom, while at the same time respecting those in leadership in the church who often trigger this fear of man? I think my brother's backing will help, but more and more, I am seeing that issues like these do not respond to talking. The Lord showed me that He has already overcome the battles I am fighting (Matthew 16:33). Praise His Name! I need to stand firm in this victory. The best weapon in this battle is prayer. This illustration may be crude, but it really summarizes this issue. You can talk to a blind man all day to try to get him to see, but at the end of the day, he won't see, because he's blind. Only God can open blind eyes. The battle is His.

Redeeming Grace

Do you know what the meaning of Christmas is? It's in the last verse of Silent Night. Son of God, love's pure light, radiant, beams from thy holy face, at the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. The birth of Jesus was the dawn of redeeming grace. A light shining in a dark place. Hope begins to dawn. People can have their sins forgiven and have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, by trusting in His full payment for our sins on the cross. Rejoice!

Challenging Times

Sunday evening we learned more about our pastor's recent departure. Our elders are handling this extremely well. They are so awesome. Life moves slowly in challenging times. I am finding more challenges in my own life, and in how the church deals with me. I'll spare you the details. It's a good thing God can do anything, because I/we cannot. We are such frail creatures, but the amazing thing is that God still loves us. I hold onto this. He is great! Bless His Name!

Mixed Messages

The Lord answered a prayer. Two, in fact. I prayed I'd run into a certain staff member at church, which seldom happens, and I did. The second request was a longing to be of assistance in this individual's frantically busy department. He replied that he had been thinking of that very thing! Praise the Lord! Then, a few days later I got a very negative and hurtful, but unrelated message from that very same department. Isn't it amazing that the person attacked was the very one trying to help! It happens alot, I'm sure. So, I've forgiven in my heart, and started the reconciliation process. I'm meticulous about relationships. God blesses good relationships, and people are worth it. Remember Jesus this Christmas.