Daily and Weekly Christian Inspiration
As I look back on this memory from a past New Year celebration in 2014 it
causes me to be so thankful for the restored health the Lord has continued to bless me with.
Psalm 103:2-5 Bless the Lord, O my soul,and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
What a blessing this morning to be celebrating Christmas at Life Austin in Texas with our daughter Kathleen, son-in-law David and grandsons Chernet and Miscanaw.
Genesis 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord.
“You may go if you must, but not me! The church is rubbish. Christmas is pure sentimentality…….”
The man was an agnostic. And though his wife and children pleaded with him to join them for services on Christmas Eve, he would not. “I don’t need Christmas” he would say. “It’s for children not for me.”
It began to snow. The man now, at home alone, peered out the window at white swirls dancing across his lawn. He settled down with the daily paper, hoping that his wife and children would soon be home. And then, ‘Thump…..’ on the window pane above the sofa. The man went to the door. He cracked it open to see a little ball of feathers – a barn swallow- sitting in a lump beneath the window. Apparently it crashed into the pane wanting to escape the blowing snow that now threatened to become the first storm of winter.
The man, who was not much given to sentimentality, felt nevertheless drawn to the bird. It must have a family he thought, among the many swallows that nested in the tool shed. It must have gotten lost. Perhaps it felt panic as the sky lowered and the snow began to fall.
“If only I could point it to the shed” he thought to himself. “ There the little fellow would find shelter against the storm”. He made a gesture with his hand, but he knew it would be useless. He picked the bird up and set it on the path to the shed. But it only sat there. Running to the kitchen, the man brought bread crumbs and laid them out in front of the bird thinking to lure it toward the shed.
But this, too, had no effect. “I’ll never make it understand” he thought to himself. “It speaks another language. The little thing is confused – it misunderstands my intentions.” And then he thought, “I’d have to become a bird myself and show it the way……”
Just then, above the wind, he heard a church bell ring. It reminded him suddenly of the season – it was Christmas. And in a flash he understood that Christmas was necessary after all. “How else might God let his creatures know His intentions? How else might he lead them to shelter? It required becoming one of us….”
God has become one of us. And he has entrusted us with the same message – to become a genuine part of people and cultures around the world. How else will they ever know?
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
CHALLENGE: Are you listening and following after Him?
My book and study guide “Developing a Secret History with God” will inspire you on your journey to hear His voice that you may follow after Him.
Book available on Amazon/ Barnes&Noble/ Walmart/Lulu/ itunes/ Kindle/ Nook/http wwwclfrance.com/ W.H. Smith UK/or a bookstore near you.
Languages: English/ French
Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house.
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hope that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed
Not once ever knelling or bowing a head.
And Mum in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter.
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!
The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His Hand
Was written the name of every saved man,
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said “Its not here” my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest were left standing around.
I feel to my knees but it was too late;
I had waited too long and this sealed my fate,
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh! If only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There’s only one way life and when comes the call
We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!
CHALLENGE: Since there are approximately 300 prophecies about His first coming and over 1500 prophesying He will come again, His second advent is imminent. In the middle of all the hustle and bustle in preparing to celebrate His Birth do we even give it a thought to prepare for His second coming?
Taking a day to just enjoy Christmas in New York City with the smell of chestnuts and pretzels wafting in the air to the backdrop of the sound of Christmas carols everywhere and the Salvation Army ringing bells collecting for the less fortunate. After enjoying lunch at Saks, we spent the afternoon leisurely strolling down Fifth Avenue taking in the Christmas sounds and scenes as we stop to admire the decor and window displays from Saks, Bergdorf Goodmans, Lord & Taylor and many other stores all with their own unique style. Although the avenue was packed with the usual hustle and bustle of busy Christmas shoppers, many were taking the time to flock into the beautiful old Fifth Avenue Presbyterian church to hear Handles Messiah. Even though the weather was not seasonable for Christmas in New York with a high of 60 degrees we still felt the wonder of Christmas. I may appreciate the peace and quiet of living out in the country but sometimes I just love the quote from the old TV show Green Acres. “Darling I love you but give me Fifth Avenue!”