Month: December 2021

Mary was so young. So scared… but so trusting.  Jesus… a baby like any other.  Carried for nine months and born of blood… of pain.  As she held him close, she could feel his beating heart.  As she gazed upon his face, she could tell he was hungry.  Like all babies he needed food… he needed her.  As she brought him to her breast, the reality fully set in.  I am feeding, and giving life to, the son of God.  I am giving food and nourishment, to the Savior of all mankind.  My Savior.  I am sharing my blood, my life, my heart with the King of Kings. The Lord of Lords.  He is God’s son… he is my son… he is a part of who I am.  He came as an infant.  He came helpless… naked… and needy.  Just like us, he was totally dependent on his mother for life, for food, for comfort.  Jesus could have come as an already grown man.  He could have come to simply teach, and simply save.  He could have spent three years, and returned to his fathers side.  He wanted us to have more.  He wanted us to know more than just salvation.  Christ showed up as a defenseless… helpless… baby, to prove that he needs us, as much as we need him. He needs our love.  He needs our compassion.  He needs our relationship.  Let’s not forget that, this Christmas… this year… as we humble ourselves in his presence.

Philippians 1:9

Merry Christmas!

I Love You!

Perry 

As I sit in this large restaurant, there are so many people. Waiters and waitresses.  Buss boys and cooks.  Everyone rushing around.  People are busy eating and visiting.  It gives me pause.  I think on the hustle and bustle, of Bethlehem this night.  The streets were crowded.  The taverns where filled to overflowing.  The hotels had no vacancies, and the shop owners were selling merchandise, left and right. No one had any idea what was about to happen.  Everyone was going about their busy lives, just as they are tonight.  No one had a clue, that on the edge of town, the world was changing. Life was transforming, for all of eternity.  The Savior of the world was being born. God was appearing in the flesh.  And yet everyone was busy with their agenda.  Busy with their list.  Busy with what they considered important.  I see that today.  We go about our busy lives, with not a thought as to what is right before us.  We rush here and there, with no thought of our Savior.  The one that brings meaning and glory to our souls, is a part of everything around us.  He is in the people we see, and the air we breath.  He is right before us, every minute of everyday, and most of us never even notice.  Take time to pause. Take time to see him… feel him… and cherish him.  Because of tonight… life will never be the same.  Ephesians 1:11

Merry Christmas!

I love you!

Perry

I’m not sure what I am to do.  My future wife is pregnant, and it is not mine.  How can I stay with her?  She is disgraced among our people.  How can I be expected to raise this baby, as if it were mine?  There was this angel.  I think it was an angel… it could have simply been a dream.  I feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders.  How am I suppose to be a dad, to God’s only son?  How do I discipline him?  How do I teach him? How do I simply talk to him, knowing who he is?  I’m just a simple man.  Why was I chosen to bear this burden, and be blessed at the same time?  There could be no greater honor, but I simply fell in love with a girl.  Am I expected to help her deliver this child?  Will there be help from above?  An angel maybe?  What am I to do when he arrives? Will I fall to my knees, or simply shout out, when I feel his beating heart?   Just like Joseph, so many times we feel intimated by his presence.  Maybe we feel overwhelmed, or we feel as if we are not worthy.   Then our Lord takes us in his arms and reassures us… he simply loves.  He simply cares. He simply forgives. There is no greater honor than to be one of his children. 

John 14:16-17

Merry Christmas!

Perry

So many days, my thoughts turn to the love of our Savior.  I think about all the things he did, because he loves us.  He made food taste amazing.  He made the world look spectacular.  He put love in our soul, so we would find joy in each other.  He gave us eyes to see, and ears to hear.  He gave talents, to so many, in order that we may enjoy each of our senses. However, the greatest show of love he gave, was making himself human.  Leaving his throne of glory and becoming just like us.  If he had not become human.  If he had not rose again in human form. We would not have been saved. We would not have been able to look upon his face… feel his warm touch… or look into his loving eyes. He could have simply came here, corrected our sinful ways, or said “I’m done” and allowed us to die.  Instead he came, he allowed himself to see and feel what we do. To suffer as we do. To laugh as we do.  He came, in order to produce more sons of his father God.  To turn us into himself… so we may call ourselves God’s children.  God doesn’t just want better people, he wants children who call him father.  The only way that would happen, is for us to see his child in human flesh. That is the greatest love of all.  Romans 8:31

I Love You!

Perry

Do you find it hard to think of Christ in human terms?  To think of him as a person, just like you… like me?  Not until we grasp that concept, will we fully understand the importance of his birth… his death… his resurrection.  He was fully human.  He had odor after a long hard day.  His poop stunk, just like ours.  He got gas from what he ate.  He got boogers in his nose, from time to time.  He liked some foods, more than others.   His breath didn’t smell the best, right after he woke up.  He had to clip his finger nails.  He enjoyed laughing.  He was tempted, by all the things we are.  Sexual desire, stretching the truth, anger, selfishness, malice, conceit, and so many more.  The whips that hit his back, caused great pain.  The thorns on his head, were like so many needles.  The driven nails were excruciating.  Then just like us… he died.  His heart stopped beating.  His lungs gave their last breath. His brain waves were no longer.  However, he lives again.  His heart beats, his lungs breath and his brain waves respond.  So when we think of his birth… it was miraculous… but it was still human. I gain great peace in knowing that he understands my struggles.  I take greater peace in knowing my heart will stop at some point, but just like his, it will beat again. 

Hebrews 2:5

I Love You!

Perry