The Avengers

114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:114 NIV

I'm copied up in my newly appointed (almost finished) Star Wars room. It's really just our extra bedroom that we remade into a Star Wars themed room for watching movies and housing guests. Right now The Avengers is on tv. I think I'd feel pretty safe if I was protected by them, especially Hulk or Captain America. If they were real I'd like to think that the world would be a bit safer than it is now. But they're not real. It's only Hollywood magic for cosmic book heroes.

But God is real. His sword and shield are real. To be surrounded by him is to be completely protected. There's no need for heroes. He's got no use for a magic hammer or power suit. He's the almighty. He is enough.

Let God be your strength and shield. And let Hollywood have it's heroes.

The Macarena

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19 NIV

Our after-Christmas purchase was an Echo. Yes, we've become Alexa users, connected to the web 24/7. I'm sure as time goes on we will transform into a smart house, but for now, Alexa is good at playing music which is very good for impromptu dance parties. I have passed on my love of music and dance to my youngest, and of course we love all the fun party dances. I've taught her the Macarena, the electric slide and the cotton eye joe (which I learned from my oldest at her wedding). And we can't forget the Thriller. What would party dances be without it?

What can all this have to do with today's verse? I've made a disciple out of my youngest. She listens and learns from me when it comes to music. She also teaches me about more modern tunes and I then enjoy giving her history lessons of how that music started or where they got the inspiration.

It's so easy to pass on the things we love. So why not pass on our love for Jesus? Make disciples out of those you know. Get them to be eager to learn and then let them give their insight as well. Each person has their own unique way of telling the gospel. They pass it on and those people pass it on and soon the love of God is known everywhere.

Make disciples of all. The world needs to know of God's love.

Praying in the Spirit

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Sometimes our hearts can't say anything. Sometimes God's words are perfect and need no introduction, no explanation. Sometimes our hearts pray in sounds and words that we don't understand because the Spirit is interceeding on our behalf. This is the fulfillment of the promise in this verse. When we can't, God can. And sometimes it's when we are so weak that we can't even pray.

Let the Spirit pray for you as he renews you in body and soul.

Christmas Rush is Over, and I'm Tired

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV

It's been a busy few days for us. It's probably been a busy few days for you too. You may even have to return to your job this week as I do, or you may not have gotten a break at all. There are many people who work to keep our communities running even on holidays. We are truly blessed in that we believe everyone should be able to be home with their families on the holidays, especially Christmas.

As I said, it's been busy. It's a busy time of year. We are tired, worn down, exhausted. From the preparation to the visiting to the parties to the volunteering and shopping, we are bone tired. But somehow, somewhere from within, we summon everything we have to pull through. And we do it beautifully and to some, effortlessly.

We may be so dismayed or worn down from sin and strife that we have no idea how we are going to get through. How is that bill going to get paid? How are we going to put food on the table? How am I going to get well? And yet somehow we pull through. That's God. And when people are amazed at how easy we make it look, that's just God showing off. His power is sufficient. He will not let you fall. He will be there to help you pull through.

Christmas Light Show

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace good will to men.” Luke 2:13‭-‬14 NIV

Today is Christmas Eve. It's a time for spending with family and friends, a time for reflection, a time to enjoy the peace that naturally comes with the season. We use this time to celebrate the birth of Christ. We put up lights and decorations to commemorate the holiday.

We toured lights tonight in our town. We even saw a few that came with music. Those are the best. So can you imagine that night when a host of angels joined  in singing and worshipping the arrival of the savior? I think that would have been the ultimate light show. Nothing could ever top that, don't you think?

So as you go about your festivities, put on some music and imagine what that heavenly choir sounded like.

One day we'll know. Merry Christmas!

Aimless Words

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 NIV

Words are plentiful and it doesn't cost much to say them. In fact, a lot of people throw words around like they are millionaires passing out money. They are careless with their words. And words can hurt if passed along needlessly. But in the end it's only words.

We can say we love God all day long. But unless we put some ooomph behind those words, they are meaningless. Faith without works is dead. Words without action are wasted air.

God didn't just tell us he loved us. He showed us with his actions. He didn't leave us waiting for anything. He followed through on his promise. Praise God he did!

How will you demonstrate God's love?

What's in a Name

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NIV

A name game was going around Facebook today. In fact, there were several names games floating around. This time of year social media users like to circulate the games that give you a funny name based on your initials or birth month. I think for one I was Happy Gigglesworth or some such thing. Another game is to state your first name that is the same as a famous person then say you're not that person, such as I'm Brad, but not Pitt. Also on the news today the most unusual baby names and the most popular baby names for 2017.

What's in a name? It can be a baby's first identity. A woman changes her last name (or not) when she marries, or uses a combination of names. I'm named after my mother's best friend and my middle name is a family tradition. I use my maiden name on my Facebook account so people I knew in my childhood recognize which person I am. There's a lot in a name.

You can imagine the care that God took when he decided on Jesus' name. It had to be carefully chosen because of who he would be...our savior. Our redeemer. The Prince of peace. Jehovah.

So what's in a name. Salvation. Eternity. All in the name of Jesus, the baby born in a manger.