Imagine seeing the most expensive,
beautiful,
and useful gift beneath the tree at Christmastime
and giving it only a cursory glance,
acknowledging it’s presence, but never claiming it as yours,
and, therefore never realizing, experientially, all that that gift was intended to be!
Christmas is a time of connection.
Before Christmas, God was Creator.
There was a vertical relationship: Creator to His creation.
When Jesus came to earth, God connected with man in a different way.
In His infancy, He was dependent upon His earthly parents.
As He grew up,
He was subject to limitations not experienced in the heavenly realm,
and experienced the selfishness of humanity that led to His crucifixion.
That connection was essential – both necessary and sufficient –
for us to experience a restored relationship with God.
It is that connection that Christmas is all about.
Celebrate God’s connection with men, via Jesus Christ.
Know that Christmas is far, far more than any material gift man can give.
The price of God’s Gift of life was the death of His Son, Jesus!
Without accepting and embracing that Gift, Jesus,
and the forgiveness of sin freely given those who seek it,
none of us can enjoy the full expression of God’s love,
an eternal connection with the Creator and Redeemer!
My prayer for you is this: that you know JESUS, the One whose birth is celebrated at Christmastime, and that you revel in all that the gift of His life means.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
As this Christmas season was approaching, I was reminded of a Christmas past when those of us gathered were encouraged to tell the Christmas story – or a part of it from a different perspective. And as I pondered that, I thought about how that might have been for Satan. Here’s my take:
Long ago, I was the covering cherubim in God’s heavenly throne room. I aspired to be like God. Because of my sin, pride and rebellion, I was thrust out of heaven, along with those I had convinced to follow me.
Since then, I have been on earth, establishing my kingdom here. I have been acknowledged as the prince of this world, and I am building my case against God.
God and I are bitter foes. We are at war.
When God created man, He gave him a free will. Exercising my freedom had gotten me expelled from God’s kingdom, so I saw my opportunity and determined to get in on the ground level, targeting man’s free will. – God had placed the Tree of Life within the Garden of Eden. He had granted His children access to all that was within the garden, except that tree. It was there, a test of their loyalty.
Recruiting them was not difficult, for I appealed to their curiosity and desire for knowledge. I told them that God was not who He was, that His motives were to control and restrict, and that freedom came by partaking of that which was forbidden.
God was disappointed and grieved by man’s choice, but I had recruited every inhabitant in my new domain. Success was mine! Man had broken God’s law – and they were now condemned to die and suffer the same fate as I.
My celebration was short-lived, as I observed the sacrificial system God had set up, one that pointed forward to a plan that would provide a way for my captives’ release and grant them pardon. -- I was enraged, and determined I would not go down without a fight!
I found the sons of man easy prey. My ability to deceive is well-practiced. No one escaped. All had, in some way, fallen for my trickery. I was proud of my record and confident that I could thwart God’s plan!
The prophecies are clear that God will become man very soon, placing Him within the reach of my power. -- Yes!
A virgin birth - who’ll believe that. When people discover Mary is pregnant, Joseph can have her stoned. But if that doesn’t work…let’s see…
God’s sending His Son as a helpless infant. I’m sure that King Herod won’t be thrilled about a contender for his throne. I’ll have to alert him to the presence of the One who is to be King of the Jews. Fear can make people do many things to protect themselves. Herod may be my man, the one to rid the world of this threat to my kingdom.
Hmm… There must be something I’m missing. I’ll need to be alert to all that’s transpiring… This isn’t working as well as I wanted. My strategy is going to need to be multi-pronged. Let’s see – in the future I’ll need to keep the religious leaders focused on protecting themselves and their turf, create dissension between them, cause the Jews to think that His mission is to save them from the Romans rather than all people from their sin, keep people busy focusing on themselves instead of God, acquiring recognition and things, forgetting Jesus in their celebrations… (fade)
Twila – Christmas 2007
Long ago, I was the covering cherubim in God’s heavenly throne room. I aspired to be like God. Because of my sin, pride and rebellion, I was thrust out of heaven, along with those I had convinced to follow me.
Since then, I have been on earth, establishing my kingdom here. I have been acknowledged as the prince of this world, and I am building my case against God.
God and I are bitter foes. We are at war.
When God created man, He gave him a free will. Exercising my freedom had gotten me expelled from God’s kingdom, so I saw my opportunity and determined to get in on the ground level, targeting man’s free will. – God had placed the Tree of Life within the Garden of Eden. He had granted His children access to all that was within the garden, except that tree. It was there, a test of their loyalty.
Recruiting them was not difficult, for I appealed to their curiosity and desire for knowledge. I told them that God was not who He was, that His motives were to control and restrict, and that freedom came by partaking of that which was forbidden.
God was disappointed and grieved by man’s choice, but I had recruited every inhabitant in my new domain. Success was mine! Man had broken God’s law – and they were now condemned to die and suffer the same fate as I.
My celebration was short-lived, as I observed the sacrificial system God had set up, one that pointed forward to a plan that would provide a way for my captives’ release and grant them pardon. -- I was enraged, and determined I would not go down without a fight!
I found the sons of man easy prey. My ability to deceive is well-practiced. No one escaped. All had, in some way, fallen for my trickery. I was proud of my record and confident that I could thwart God’s plan!
The prophecies are clear that God will become man very soon, placing Him within the reach of my power. -- Yes!
A virgin birth - who’ll believe that. When people discover Mary is pregnant, Joseph can have her stoned. But if that doesn’t work…let’s see…
God’s sending His Son as a helpless infant. I’m sure that King Herod won’t be thrilled about a contender for his throne. I’ll have to alert him to the presence of the One who is to be King of the Jews. Fear can make people do many things to protect themselves. Herod may be my man, the one to rid the world of this threat to my kingdom.
Hmm… There must be something I’m missing. I’ll need to be alert to all that’s transpiring… This isn’t working as well as I wanted. My strategy is going to need to be multi-pronged. Let’s see – in the future I’ll need to keep the religious leaders focused on protecting themselves and their turf, create dissension between them, cause the Jews to think that His mission is to save them from the Romans rather than all people from their sin, keep people busy focusing on themselves instead of God, acquiring recognition and things, forgetting Jesus in their celebrations… (fade)
Twila – Christmas 2007
Thursday, December 18, 2008
I am BETHLEHEM
My name means “House of Bread.”
I had many fields of barley and wheat.
I am a town located in the land that was given to the tribe of Judah.
When Ruth returned with her mother-in-law, Naomi, from the land of Moab,
after their husbands had died,
she settled here.
Widows were permitted to gather grain left by the harvesters in the field
and Ruth had asked to do so in the field owned by Boaz.
She was a steady worker, noticed by the landowner himself,
who gave instructions for her to continue reaping with his servants.
Naomi had sold the parcel of land her deceased husband had owned.
Boaz sought out the one who had the first right to buy back the property
and provided him the opportunity.
The offer was turned down for selfish reasons,
that man not wanting to endanger his own estate.
So, Boaz, as the next and only other kinsman redeemer,
took possession of the land and married Ruth,
in order to provide her with an heir
who could carry on the name of her deceased husband.
They had a son and named him Obed.
Obed's son was Jesse, and Jesse was King David's father.
That's why, when Caesar Augustus decreed a census should be taken,
and everyone needed to go to their family's home town,
Joseph, who belonged to the house of David, came with Mary.
Mary was pregnant and the town was crowded with many people.
I remember that night well.
It was a clear night with shepherds in the fields, tending their sheep.
It was a noisy night.
Inn accommodations for the night had been given to those who arrived earliest.
Travelers' donkeys added their braying to the cacophony of sounds.
Others were camping in surrounding areas, waiting to register for the census.
That's when the census increased by One,
One that would refer to Himself as the Bread of Life.
Yes, He was born here – in Bethlehem,
where seeds of wheat and barley are sown,
where fields of grain are harvested,
where grain is crushed, and bread is made.
His name ~ Jesus!
Twila
Christmas 2008
My name means “House of Bread.”
I had many fields of barley and wheat.
I am a town located in the land that was given to the tribe of Judah.
When Ruth returned with her mother-in-law, Naomi, from the land of Moab,
after their husbands had died,
she settled here.
Widows were permitted to gather grain left by the harvesters in the field
and Ruth had asked to do so in the field owned by Boaz.
She was a steady worker, noticed by the landowner himself,
who gave instructions for her to continue reaping with his servants.
Naomi had sold the parcel of land her deceased husband had owned.
Boaz sought out the one who had the first right to buy back the property
and provided him the opportunity.
The offer was turned down for selfish reasons,
that man not wanting to endanger his own estate.
So, Boaz, as the next and only other kinsman redeemer,
took possession of the land and married Ruth,
in order to provide her with an heir
who could carry on the name of her deceased husband.
They had a son and named him Obed.
Obed's son was Jesse, and Jesse was King David's father.
That's why, when Caesar Augustus decreed a census should be taken,
and everyone needed to go to their family's home town,
Joseph, who belonged to the house of David, came with Mary.
Mary was pregnant and the town was crowded with many people.
I remember that night well.
It was a clear night with shepherds in the fields, tending their sheep.
It was a noisy night.
Inn accommodations for the night had been given to those who arrived earliest.
Travelers' donkeys added their braying to the cacophony of sounds.
Others were camping in surrounding areas, waiting to register for the census.
That's when the census increased by One,
One that would refer to Himself as the Bread of Life.
Yes, He was born here – in Bethlehem,
where seeds of wheat and barley are sown,
where fields of grain are harvested,
where grain is crushed, and bread is made.
His name ~ Jesus!
Twila
Christmas 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
It's ADVENT, a time of anticipation,
looking back and remembering Jesus' presentation in Bethlehem,
looking forward to Jesus' next presentation
when every eye will see Him...
not just those who were in town to pay their taxes,
not just those on the hillside busy with their sheep,
not just the magi who traveled from a distance.
On that first Christmas, God gave the Gift, Jesus, to mankind,
in a very humble way.
Ordinary people doing ordinary things were interrupted
by an unexpected opportunity to see and become involved
in what was happening around them.
It was a time of offering a stable, the only space available for lodging that night,
a time of hearing and searching out the truth relayed by an angelic choir,
a time of sharing with those around the good news,
the coming of the Messiah!
For many years in our culture, focus has been on gifts ~ giving and receiving.
Children are taught to expect gifts and encouraged to tell what they want.
“Want” and “need” have been used interchangeably and we have become confused.
We have found ourselves feeling deprived when our wants have not been met.
Perhaps this year will put things in a better perspective.
What we have taken for granted is no longer “there.”
We are better able to distinguish between “want” and “need.”
We are evaluating our priorities, practicing self-control,
and learning how to give the gifts that mean the most ~
the presents of PRESENCE:
time to work alongside another, teaching a practical skill,
time to listen to someone's concerns,
time to recall memories of treasured experiences shared,
time to sit with someone in their grief,
time to share a meal with a hungry family,
time to tell others about the most precious Gift of all, Jesus,
His birth, life, death and resurrection,
providing us with forgiveness for our sin.
It was a costly gift but one He bought and God considered His blood payment in full.
Our only part is humble acceptance of that gift.
We have nothing of value to return to Him except our grateful service,
our presence with Him in study and worship
and His extended presence in the world through us.
With wealth comes the tendency to overlook the gifts of presence.
They come wrapped in time instead of pretty packages with bows.
Twila Charles Leichty
December 11, 2008
looking back and remembering Jesus' presentation in Bethlehem,
looking forward to Jesus' next presentation
when every eye will see Him...
not just those who were in town to pay their taxes,
not just those on the hillside busy with their sheep,
not just the magi who traveled from a distance.
On that first Christmas, God gave the Gift, Jesus, to mankind,
in a very humble way.
Ordinary people doing ordinary things were interrupted
by an unexpected opportunity to see and become involved
in what was happening around them.
It was a time of offering a stable, the only space available for lodging that night,
a time of hearing and searching out the truth relayed by an angelic choir,
a time of sharing with those around the good news,
the coming of the Messiah!
For many years in our culture, focus has been on gifts ~ giving and receiving.
Children are taught to expect gifts and encouraged to tell what they want.
“Want” and “need” have been used interchangeably and we have become confused.
We have found ourselves feeling deprived when our wants have not been met.
Perhaps this year will put things in a better perspective.
What we have taken for granted is no longer “there.”
We are better able to distinguish between “want” and “need.”
We are evaluating our priorities, practicing self-control,
and learning how to give the gifts that mean the most ~
the presents of PRESENCE:
time to work alongside another, teaching a practical skill,
time to listen to someone's concerns,
time to recall memories of treasured experiences shared,
time to sit with someone in their grief,
time to share a meal with a hungry family,
time to tell others about the most precious Gift of all, Jesus,
His birth, life, death and resurrection,
providing us with forgiveness for our sin.
It was a costly gift but one He bought and God considered His blood payment in full.
Our only part is humble acceptance of that gift.
We have nothing of value to return to Him except our grateful service,
our presence with Him in study and worship
and His extended presence in the world through us.
With wealth comes the tendency to overlook the gifts of presence.
They come wrapped in time instead of pretty packages with bows.
Twila Charles Leichty
December 11, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
from the 1980's, in one of my books of writings:
PRIDE IS AN ATTITUDE.
It is overestimating
or underestimating
my value as a person.
It is accepting my evaluation
instead of God's.
And so, I play God,
establishing myself as authority
and denying Him His rightful place.
HUMILITY IS AN ATTITUDE.
It is willingly accepting
His evaluation of me
and acting in accordance with it.
~ tjcharles
-----------------------------
Concentration on ME
encourages me to hurt
and continue hurting,
to be afraid
and keep on fearing,
to become angry
and remain so.
But, it does not teach me how to love!
~ tjcharles
PRIDE IS AN ATTITUDE.
It is overestimating
or underestimating
my value as a person.
It is accepting my evaluation
instead of God's.
And so, I play God,
establishing myself as authority
and denying Him His rightful place.
HUMILITY IS AN ATTITUDE.
It is willingly accepting
His evaluation of me
and acting in accordance with it.
~ tjcharles
-----------------------------
Concentration on ME
encourages me to hurt
and continue hurting,
to be afraid
and keep on fearing,
to become angry
and remain so.
But, it does not teach me how to love!
~ tjcharles
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