Christmas Greeting

There are a lot of messages that fly around Christmas, like — “Christmas is about love”, “it is about family,” it’s about gifts,” “it’s about Santa Clause,” “lights,” “indoor trees,” “it’s about giving,” “Turkey,” “ham,” “seasonal songs,” “shopping,” and of course “Shepherds, sheep, wisemen, angels, and baby Jesus.” What if I told you that Christmas’ isn’t about any of these things?

Christmas is a mystery, a veil temporarily pulled back, a battle. Christmas is birth and death, bondage and freedom, grace and mercy, love against the background of hatred, goodness pushing past evil, and light breaking through the darkness to give us a glimpse of God.

The smile on a step-father’s face, the gleam in the new mother’s eyes, the wonder of the shepherds and the quizzical expression of the angles who looked down in awe of God’s work of Grace. All of this but a blimp in the course of time, a prequel to a more dramatic moment of God’s relentless love and Grace.

This is Christmas in all its splendor, for which we gather in large groups and small, to worship the God who made it all possible. This is Christmas, I’m just saying — MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Baby Ralphie, Really?

Christmas wouldn’t be complete if there wasn’t some kind of controversy about, well, something. This year the anti-gun people are upset because a photographer used a baby as the backdrop for Christmas (or holiday) icons. In the background you have the leg lamp (a classic), the bunny suit, and of course the BB gun, all references to a particular movie. The baby, of course, is adorable, and the gun is kind of funny. Is it offensive, bad taste, abusive, or borderline hilarious? I’m sure that the photographer knew there would be an uproar, that’s why he did it. 

The holiday, however, is about another baby. Jesus has been more controversial over the years than any gun toting infant will ever be. The nativity has been thrown out of more public areas than we could count, and the irony is that Jesus came to bring peace. I guess you can’t have guns or peace. I understand the angst over the baby hunter, but why has Jesus been offensive?

The scripture says that the cross is foolish to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the Jews. The world can’t comprehend why God would send his own son to die a miserable death for someone else’s sin. The baby in swaddling cloth represents the innocence that is prepared for the slaughter, and that is untenable. Baby Ralphy can at least defend himself. I guess that’s the point of Jesus. He didn’t want protected. He gave his life freely. The baby swaddled in a food trough felt safe surrounded by family, both earthly and heavenly. Yet, in the darkness the evil one lurks, seeking to consume him. For a moment, the innocence and glory of God meet in the most offensive infant ever to be born.

As believers we embrace the offense, the angst, the guile that the world throws at Emmanuel, God with us. We uplift the miracle of God breaking into the word — Emmanuel, God with us. We accept by faith the reconciliation of a rebellious world to its creator — Emmanuel, God with us. We receive this gift of salvation, the freedom from the bondage of sin — Emmanuel, God with us. So, this Christmas, as unbelievers wrestle with the tension of a holiday commemorating an event they don’t believe in (thus offended), let us show the love and compassion that began with an infant wrapped tightly in swaddling rags.

Down and Dirty

When creating something from motorcycle or car part, the biggest hassle is cleaning the dirt, rust and grime off so it will look nice. But what if you are doing a project with your grandchildren (8,6,and 4) and it necessitates buying new materials? The answer, put it all in a container full of dirt and water (commonly called mud), give them each a wire brush and have them clean the nuts and bolts as best as they can. It sounds counter intuitive to buy new, get them dirty just so you can clean them. But what good art project requires little effort on the part of the artist, yet not too hard that they give up and go play with Lincoln Logs.

I was thinking about this in regards to our relationship with God. In the beginning man was created good. God knew, from the foundations of the world, that The Son would die for the sins of mankind. So, when God pronounced his creation good He knew that it would descend into the dirt and mire of the consequences of man’s rebellion. Therefore, he had a plan to clean it all up, and through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection we become new creations, our sins are forgiven, and we are reconciled to God. However, our flesh, that part of us that leans toward sin, won’t be totally irraticated until Jesus returns. So, we were given the Holy Spirit to work in us to want and to will to do God’s good pleasure (that’s called sanctification). This is the interesting part.

Even though the Spirit works in us, we are still responsible to “work out” our salvation. The end product is God’s work, but He gives us each wire brushes to scrape away the grime and muck of our lives. We really can’t do it on our own, but it is important for us to work at it in order to appreciate both the process and the results. From our perspective we are to “be”, to “live”, to “walk”, to “work”, and to persevere. Our strength is in the Spirit as we walk in obedience to God’s Word. So, grab your wire brush and spend some time cleaning. I’m just saying.

Anger Issues and the Misfit Prophet

Jonah was angry at the Ninevites because they threatened the sovereign nation of Israel. Jonah was angry because God had called him to take a message of repentance to his enemy. Jonah was angry because he knew that God would forgive them if they relented. Jonah was angry because God wouldn’t let him die as an option. And when he was in the mountains, waiting to see what God would do to Nineveh, he got angry at a plant that died and didn’t give him shade. Jonah was just one angry dude.

Why was God so patient with Jonah? It’s not about Jonah, but with the message God wanted Israel to understand through Jonah’s story. Israel had gotten to a point where they believed that, as chosen people of God, they could do anything they wanted and still receive God’s blessing. Jonah’s anger served to remind Israel that they had no right to God’s Grace, it was His to dispense to anyone who repented, even their most hated enemy. Jonah, and Israel, didn’t have a right to be angry. 

Jesus reminded the Pharisees, “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” Matthew 3:8. Even in Jesus’ day the religious establishment held a superiority complex in regard to their relationship with God. Jesus was constantly reminding his listeners that God’s Grace is for everyone who repents and believe, but the religious leaders of Israel wouldn’t accept it, and throwing a tantrum they killed Jesus. In doing so the gospel went to the gentiles, and those of Faith were grafted into the vine of faith. Now we, as gentiles, are the chosen Israel. But wait, what did Paul say?

“That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.” Romans 11:20-22.

“The heart of man is evil above all else.” God lavishes his love on us, and for some reason we begin to think that we have sole rights to His gift, and we become angry when those less deserving than us are offered the same grace. It shows itself in many ways.

1. A fellow Christian falls into sin, repents, and you are offended and hold on to unforgiveness when God’s grace is extended. It’s easier to “run” than to truly be reconciled.
2. A known husband who doesn’t live up to husbandly or fatherly responsibities, and when he does turn around, ever so slightly, we tend to hold our grace cautiously, when God’s Grace holds no such conditions.
3. Your disappointed by someone in authority, and when they are repentant you offer “grace,” but reconciliation and trust are cast aside because your own pride is greater than God’s grace.
4. A person of ill repute comes to the church and is politely greeted, but no one offers hospitality. It is embarrassing to invite her home for lunch, or to become a part of your friendship circle. We like the idea of grace and forgiveness but it is inconvenient.

At least Jonah was honest about his anger. It allowed God to work with him; in him.  Anger is an emotion that tells us something deeper is wrong. Unless we are honest about it, repent of its sin, and give our rights over to Jesus, we will remained mired in uselessness to God’s Kingdom. I’m just saying... 

Trump That One

I was sitting with a friend this afternoon and we were watching Fox News (liberal friends bear with me). It was a little embarrassing watching Schumer and Trump go back and forth, “you did it,” “no you did it first,” “that’s not true,” “yes it is,” “I’m going to do it my way,” “oh yeah, I’m going to sit over here and sulk.” You can’t make this stuff up. I don’t watch the news very much anymore because it can be disheartening. But then again, 

 “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.” James 4:1,2.

“What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:12

 

In some churches congregational meetings sound like this, “Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.” Acts 19:32

  Not all churches fight tooth and nail over every little thing, but enough do for the name of Jesus to  e tarnished among unbelievers. Paul told Titus, “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” The world is going to hate us, but let’s not give them any other reason accept for the Name of Jesus. I’m just saying...

Long Enough

Wether you are feeling the blues or you’re in full blown depression, at some point you just have to say enough.

Long Enough

I have stood in darkness long enough 

Dwelt in consuming self-pity.

I lift my head to what can be

Leave behind the shackles of depression

Why should I be tied to others?

Their lips of true love’s concern speak not 

Their empty hands pat my back

Be warmed and filled as the door closes

Today is the beginning of light

To pursue unfettered by others expectations 

Today is the beginning of what could be

To reach a new height of potential in me

One door closes and another opens 

To reveal a path un-expectantly taken 

My feet step out to find my way 

Known to God revealed to me.

Anger not at the rocky path

It hears no words of angst aggression 

Focus on the future prize

Lift high my head on a smooth path

I’ve known the lows of depression, and their are aspects of it that are chemical imbalances of the brain. Take your medication and stop whining (I know that sounds harsh). We can either wallow in self pity or we can look toward a future that is both seen and ordained by God. In that reality we then chose to thank God for everything, because it is ultimately from His hand. Complaining, getting angry, or just pouting about how unfair it is doesn’t change the situation. Trust God, and do something about your life.  I’m just saying..

I can’t believe I’m doing this

I can have the tendency to go overboard, and then at some point in the project I want to just stop. I’ve had enough and the work that I have to go seems so much more than what I have done. So, here I am building a Lincoln logesck play house for my grandchildren. It would have been much easier to have pulled out a tent and set it up. For some reason I thought this would be so much more fun for my grandchildren (my boys say I would never have gone to this much trouble for them when they were the same age). But this is the first Christmas we will have with them, and maybe again for a long time. 

So here I am putting it together realizing that my architectural skills are lacking and so I am adjusting the plans as I go along. I am still short pieces and the lengths I have are not the right ones. Now I am counting, measuring (if necessary) sawing and sanding until I get it somewhat the way I have imagined it. All for two weeks of with my grandchildren. It reminds me of these passages of scripture:

But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9

“In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” John 14:2

There will be a time when we will step into eternity and find more than we could ever imagine, a room just for us, built with love, and next door all those who have gone on before us. The love that I have for my grandchildren pales in comparison to that of our Heavenly Father. So, if I find this much joy in their smiles, giggles,s and delight, how much more the Father will delight in the final revelation, when My eyes will widen in awe and wonder, speechless with the joy of being in the presence of my savior and Lord; my loving Abba. I’m just saying...

Anger

We have to deal with anger at one time or another. I know I have. The following came from a time I wrestled with that awedul feeling.

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• Anger -- It swirls around in my head like electrons around the nucleus; 
• fast, continuous, trying to escape.
• Anger -- it wants to escape its containment, to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting crowd, 
• to devour those who stand in its way.
• Anger -- it pulsates and throbs like the pounding pain of a migraine.
• Anger -- it lashes out at the innocent like a rabid dog gone mad 
• Anger -- it consumes all that's around like a cancer 
• eating at the rotten flesh of a living, yet dying carcass.
• Anger -- it has little redeeming value for the human condition 
• who knows not how to direct it towards righteousness.
• Anger -- isolates
• Anger -- consumes
• Anger -- devours
• Anger -- destroys
• Anger -- should be left to God.

The scripture says to be angry without sin, that’s the catch isn’t it, without sin. The scripture also says that if we could bridle our tongue we could be perfect. Guess what, none of is perfect, therefore we cannot 100% hold our tongue or be angry without sin. Anger doesn’t leave room for grace and mercy, it just eats away at a person’s heart until bitterness takes control. It’s better to trust God with our anger and turn our energy toward loving others with the Love of Jesus. I’m just saying....

Abandoned Hope

Hope is a strong emotion that gives meaning, but what if it disappears?

Evil lurks behind the ear 

Whispering words of malice 

Tempting those of weaker minds 

Steering towards destruction

No thought of goodness

No echo of what is right

No dim reminder of righteousness 

No sense of a better life

Bent towards self-gratification 

Living only for the moment 

Wading through self delusion 

No hope; No hope; No hope

They cannot hear 

They cannot see

They cannot recognize 

The ones who care

They cannot fathom

The lengths that are gone

To help them succeed

To grow into something better

They push They resist 

They fight Only to fall

The darkness consumes

The light pushes through

Only to be slapped back

And darkness lays hold once again

Those who toil on their behalf 

Exhausted rise each day

To fight a battle not their own 

Only to be mistreated

Evil lurks behind the ear 

Whispering words of malice 

What will happen to the young 

When hope has been abandoned

A friend once told me that you can’t work harder then the person you are trying to help. Sometimes it seems fruitless to continue. Jesus gives us the picture of leaving the 99 to go after that one stubborn sheep that just doesn’t want help. The evil one tells us to give up, to keep trying, he doesn’t want to work as hard as you. But then again, I’m not doing it for him, but for Jesus, who pursued me when I wasn’t interest. I’m just saying...

What I Should Have Said

I wonder if God ever gets discouraged? I was thinking of my sermon this past week and out of all the people of Israel, God chose Samson to be judge (not a great example of moral character). Yet, he was the best that Israel had to offer. Of course, God chose him before he was born, but to think that even then God knew there was no one better coming down the line. It is God’s relentless grace that filled in Samson’s deficiencies, and his unending love that would bring about a revival and the coming of king David. God knew there would be better days.

I sometimes would like to sit on heaven’s perch and see the totality of history, the highs of the church and the victory dinner with the Lamb of God. Maybe, that’s why the writer to the Hebrews wrote, 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” Heb. 12,1,2.

We might not have the vantage point now, but those of faith, who have gone before us, have, and they are cheering us on. Yes, there will be difficulties, yes, there will be pain, and yes there will be loss, but we don’t give up and we don’t give in. We throw off the weight of sin. By this the writer means that we are freed from sin by the blood of Jesus, so we can live rich and meaningful lives. We are free from its guilt, and can turn our hearts to praise. We aren’t bound by its shame, and we lift our heads in gratitude.

But what helps us to keep going down the narrow road? Two things. The first is the deep and abiding relationship we have with the Father. The second, is the testimony of the saints. Paul asked Philemon to refresh his spirit by testifying to the good things God was doing in their midst. There is nothing more encouraging than to hear the testimony of the transforming nature of the Gospel.

Then I got to thinking 🤔. Wouldn’t it be nice to have people stand up in church each Sunday and declare the goodness of God in their lives? But we have tried it and either no one is willing to share (for a number of good reasons) or God isn’t working in our midst. Guess what? It’s not the second reason. God is working and it is amazing. 

That got me thinking. What if you sent me an email testifying to how God has been working in your life, transforming you daily, helping you see a better way, and healing you physically or spiritually. Then I would share it (anonymously) each Sunday. 52 Sunday’s, 52 testimonies. 

That’s my Challenge to you, my brothers and sisters. Send your story to pperkins@sjm.church. I can’t wait to hear what God has been doing. Im just saying…

A Life Time

I wrote this during a time that I was question everything, and the gentle voice of God spoke clearly?

I have spent a lifetime learning Teaching others what I know

 Dispensing wisdom freely As if certain of what I speak

Words are easily spoken Rolling off the tongue freely

But without POWER

They are empty-vain-vapor in the air

Yet, with all the syllables that Have passed through these lips

 How have they changed a life?

Or impacted the world for the Kingdom?

I have spent a lifetime pursuing

A fleeting sense of glory 

Without understanding a simple truth 

That sustains us in the darkness

In prosperity it is easy

To raise our voice in hallelujahs 

Thanking God for blessings that

 Feign contentment and satisfaction

But when the winds blow 

When the storms of life create havoc 

The blessings that we gladly receive 

Are obscured behind pains darkness

It is easy, then, to forget

From whom the good things come 

To blame the giver of life

And wonder why He has withdrawn

All the wisdom once dispensed

 Ring hallow when spoken by others 

For surely my contribution given

 Is worth more then this darkness?

Forgotten, not, in the storm 

Though emotions wind blows 

He wraps a gentle arm around 

Protecting the hearts that are His

I must stop talking

I must look, listen, stand silent

I must see the blessings

I must stand in awe of His loving hand

And what simple truth stands

 As a beacon in the darkness 

What promise given to His children 

That brings hope in the silence

Emmanuel -- God with us

 God with us in the storm 

God with us in the silence

 God with us in the darkness

His blessings do not cease 

They come in unexpected ways

 His voice is not silent

He speaks in unmistakable tones

His care has not turned cold

A gentle touch is given by a friend 

His love is not diminished

It deepens with deeper knowledge

God is with us

Now the seal of the Spirit God is in us

A heart of stone now flesh

How does this truth profound 

Change the darkness of the moment 

How does God with us - in us

 Change the cloud I am in?

No promise has been given

Of paths without stones

Some pebbles, some rocks, some boulders

 Each path is laden with obstacles

Two things remain sure In this life that is ours

 It is full of obstacles 

And we are not alone

Whatever lies within our path— God is with us

 Whatever direction that is new —God is with us

In the darkness a light shines 

That we might see the obstacles 

That we might be aware 

That we might not be frightened

God with us Who can be against us

 God with us Peace is ours

In the darkness there is light 

On the path there is guidance

 In the storm there is peace 

In want there is contentment

I may not be what I once was

I may not have what I once possessed

 I may not see the future as clearly

I don’t stand as sure as before

Yet in it all 

Through it all

 Because of it all

 God is with us

During the Christmas season, remembering that, no matter what, God is with is an important truth to remember, more than ever.  I can’t count the times this simple truth has kept me from walking away. I’m just saying....

The Narcissism of Our Pain

The following is an excerpt from my book “Reflections of a Broken Man.” It seems narcissistic to post the reflections of some of my darkest hours, but then again isn’t blogging itself self absorbed. At any rate I thought I would repost some of the poems over the next couple of days and add some additional thoughts. The opening begins:

________________

There are times when life is overwhelming, when the truths that we held self-evident flounder against the pain. We desperately want faith to be simple, but it seldom is, it strains against self-perceptions, voices loud and subtle. During our darkest hours (and only the individual can determine that time) the heart cries for something more, something deeper, and something that will make sense of it all.

Yet, there is little sense in the world. Evil flourishes, good people suffer, the greedy prosper, and the faithful drown under the weight of life. One-step forward and two-step backward and all. There is comfort somewhere, at least we are told, that will carry us through to a better life. But why hope for a better life when the one we are in should do us just fine?

If you are looking for encouraging poetry to lift you out of the mire, this may not be for you. These reflections are the open heart of my soul in its darkest hours. It asks questions that are seldom answered, a voice shouting into the gale force winds, lost in the void, and yet, still seeking hope. Enjoy, commiserate, or not, but keep asking questions.

____________________

I am glad those days are past, at least for me. There are many around who move through the rhythm of their lives in pain. For us who have gone through we can offer hope, a light at the end of the tunnel. His name is Jesus. I’m just saying.