I had to share this!
My Letter from Snooki
Reply
Random thoughts from the Advent Journey
As the title says these will be random thoughts:
Have you ever seen how God is able to use the least expected vessels for His mission? An unwed mother, from Nazareth (“Can any good thing come from Nazareth?”), a stable in a small town called Bethlehem not to mention a killer of His people named Saul, later known as the Apostle Paul.
Have you ever noticed that God’s view of people isn’t always ours? Shepherds in the field chosen as the first to receive the news of Christ birth, instead of the priest and kings.
Gentile, wise men, led by a star the first to give Him gifts.Jesus’ willingness to eat with tax collectors and sinners, even His chosen disciples were fishermen and tax collectors not priests or scribes.
Have you ever noticed that where God needs us isn’t always a comfortable place? A mother about to deliver in a stable, taking a young child and running to Egypt to save His life, Paul and Silas in Jail, Jesus on the cross.
Have you noticed that fulfilling God’s will often requires a difficult journey? Mary and Joseph’s journey of about one hundred miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the wise men’s coming from the east, Paul’s ship wrecked missionary journey, the children of Israel from Egypt to the promised land, Jesus’ journey to the cross and our journey of course from sinner to saint.
Now for a confession, every time we sing, one of my favorite Christmas Songs, “Silent Night” or “O Little Town of Bethlehem” I have trouble seeing the place as silent or still. An uncomfortable crowd, forced to travel with no place to stay, there to pay a burdensome tax imposed on them from a foreigner, you know they were talking loudly with each other. Not to mention the family reunions taking place with loud greetings and memories and catching up. It’s no wonder the people in Bethlehem didn’t come running to the stable they were distracted with the every day things of life. My prayer for myself and everyone else is that we may not be distracted this Advent Season but that God will gain our attention and we will see “The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” as the shepherds and wise men did.
One last thought, of course He called shepherds He had a very special Lamb to be watched over.
By Rev Bill Rafuse
Pondering on Christmas
Every house was full with families gathered together, many for the first time in years. Loud discussions could be heard, some about the cost and danger of the journey. Others upset with the politicians and the new taxes they had just imposed. Late comers had trouble finding a place to rest tired bodies. So as evening came many slept,others tossed and turned and still others hurried about town seeking a place to sleep.
Bearded men set at a table,heads covered in a heated debate about how to keep the Lord happy with such difficulty keeping the laws. “Did you see those in stables with unclean animals?” “Yes and not enough water for all to bathe properly!” “Who will minister to them with most of the priest in other towns?” “Counting the number of gentile merchants who have come in for the profit is impossible.” “Nothing good could ever come of this mess, boy am I glad we live right and have nothing to fear.” “Those poor tribes of Ishmael in the East, and the lower class like the shepherds in the fields have no hope of pleasing the Messiah when he comes.” Head coverings straightened, robes hitched tighter, and sandals tied they leave for the comfort of the places their power and wealth afford.
Thirty years later some of those bearded men came together again and questioned the story of this man from Nazareth, something about Bethlehem during the tax, they were there and nothing of importance happened that they knew of.
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them.”(Luke 2:8-9a) You know the rest of the story. “Magi from the east came” (Matthew 2:1) finish the story you know it.
Christmas has a gift for us all, not just the great gift of God’s son, but the assurance that God is a God of His word and even in times of difficulties, even when we are in situations were a blessing from God would seem impossible, and even if we don’t see it at the time, God does, has and always will keep his promises. Galatians 4:4 tells us that “In the fullness of time”, when God decided, “Christ came to earth”.God chooses the time to bless not based on what we see, think or fear but on His Amazing Grace.
By: Rev Bill Rafuse
Another’s Son
“…he did what the angel of the Lord commanded him…” – Matthew 1:24
Christmas Eve is always an interesting time in our home. Between the last-minute packing for a Christmas Day trip, the rush to get a few more presents under the tree, the quick trek to extended family celebrations and the candlelight service that ends the day, we still manage to have time for our immediate family. During the mad dash to get it all done, I always seem to find myself leaning up against a doorway watching my wonderful son and his stepfather as they discuss whatever activity is coming next. It’s a scene that fills my heart with love, joy and grateful thanks.
It is no easy task to raise a son. And it’s doubly difficult when that child is not your own. Nonetheless, millions of men and women seem to accomplish this with a care that matches the most devoted of biological parents.
For Joseph this duty was magnified as he dedicated himself to the physical care and upbringing of the Son of God. What an amazingly daunting task that must have been! And yet, even in the few Biblical references we see that Joseph accepted this undertaking as a treasured gift from God and accomplished it with integrity, honesty and love. Joseph stood arm-in-arm with God here – the earthly parent of God’s child. And in doing this, he stands as a parenting example to us all.
Prayer: Loving God, may the gift of our children be treasured above all earthly gifts. Open our hearts to the example of Joseph and the guidance of Your grace and wisdom through the Holy Spirit. Grant that we, too, may stand arm-in-arm with You in the raising of our children and help us to guide them to the sure knowledge of the One who makes all things possible. Amen.
By: Rev. Dawn Carlson
The waiting on the Lord is never a passive activity
“While I’m waiting, I will serve You…while I’m waiting, I will worship…while I’m waiting, I will not faint, I‘ll be running the race, even while I wait!” I sat down to ponder the theme of advent and immediately this song came to mind. Advent is a time of waiting BUT also a time of preparation. The waiting on the Lord is never a passive activity.
Think of Mary, as she waited for the birth of God’s son. I am sure she was extremely nervous about the events that would take place every step of the journey. Yet, she did not become inactive. She told the angel, “Let it be unto me as you have said!” She then went and informed her family. She even travelled a great distance to meet with her cousin, who might be able to share some advice about what God was doing through her.
Many Israelites had waited years for the arrival of the Messiah. They also waited actively. They did not stop worshipping when the Messiah failed to appear. They did not lose faith in the God who had promised to redeem them from their situation. They continued to follow the ways of God WHILE THEY WAITED.
How many of us pray for God to bring deliverance of some kind and then sit back and passively wait for His answer? How many of us grow angry when God does not answer us quickly enough, because we are tired of waiting? How many of us encourage others while they wait, yet cannot relieve themselves of their own despair in the waiting?
Isaiah 40:31 states: “…but those who wait on 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.” There seems to be a great deal happening in the lives of the believer who waits on the Lord. Strength and energy, unknown to the believer before, begin to emerge. Those who wait on the Lord no longer seem to be weary from the anticipation!
As we enter the season of Advent, you may find yourself praying for those things which you have long-awaited. You may find yourself thinking, “God, it has been so long waiting on you to bring that which I have prayed for…” But have you done any preparation for that which God may bring your way? Have you spent time in the Word allowing God to penetrate you with His wisdom? His wisdom and guidance are essential in preparing for that which you await! Maybe God has been trying to answer the longing of your heart and you simply missed it by sitting back and wondering why He has not yet moved?
You all know the story of the man who prayed for God to save him in the flood. A raft, a boat, and a plane all came by to offer rescue. The man turned them all down because he was waiting on God to save him. What amazing things have you missed by sitting back and “waiting” on God to act on your behalf? The song shouts out to us, “I will move ahead bold and confident, taking every step in obedience…while I’m waiting!” Are you moving ahead with obedience, or have you taken up residence in your Lazy Boy, all the while wondering, where is God?
By: Sheri Koyles
Do You Have Any Room?
“She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger because there was no room in the inn.” Luke 2:7 (NIV)
Senior moments seem to come more often these days, why just this morning I had one. As usual the phone rang when I was doing something, this time pouring a cup of coffee,
I put the pot back on the coffee maker and answered it, while talking I decided I would pour myself a cup of coffee and proceeded to pour coffee into an all ready full cup, you got it a 2 paper towel mess.
Ever had one of those Christmases where the Christ child doesn’t seem to bring what you expect to your day? You know what I mean the real meaning doesn’t seem to arrive for you.
Could it be that your heart is like my morning coffee cup all ready filled, with less important things like; will they like what I got them, will I get what I really want that new cell phone that does everything, that new laptop or whatever. Is your heart and mind busy like the inn entertaining others while Christ waits to come in and touch your life in marvelous ways?
Try taking a part of everyday this Advent season to empty your mind of the commercial side of Christmas and focus on that wonderful miracle of Christmas. A holy righteous God loved me enough to come to a humble stable and extend his amazing grace to me a sinner.
Dear Lord please help me to see you in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season. Help me to receive the gift of your amazing grace in its fullness. Realizing we have received the greatest gift already. Amen
By: Rev. Bill Rafuse
Thanksgiving in the Midst of the Storms
A group of religious believers wanted the freedom to read the scriptures for themselves and the freedom to worship as they pleased so they left their homeland, family and friends and traveled to Holland. When they had been there a while they saw that the children were acting more like the people of Holland than the people of the home land of England. So when they heard that a group of people were going to settle an English colony in the New World they asked permission to go there. These separatist,as they were called, became known to us as pilgrims and settled in Plymouth, MA the story of their journey and landing should give us all a lesson in Thanksgiving in the truest form.
I would like to tell you that since they were God’s people the journey from England to the New World was smooth sailing but it was everything but.. They had strong winds and major storms, high waves and many deaths. They landed in Plymouth during the cold months of a New England winter. More than half the settlers died the first year, and yet what is it we remember most about them–Thanksgiving Day. How, what could they be thankful for?
That scripture they now could read themselves had told them a few things they followed;
(1) Philippians4:8 “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things”
(2) Philippians4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always”
What was good? What was pure or praiseworthy?
During the voyage the ship’s main beam broke and there was a printing-press that was just the right height when extended to hold the beam in place and allow them to continue.
They landed in a place already cleared in which to settle the new plantation.
Amazingly they also landed in an area were 2, never mind one, English-speaking native happened to reside.
Natives had taught them to plant and fish.
Scripture had told them “That all good things come from God”. They knew it was no accident that the printing-press was there, the land was cleared, or that English-speaking natives had arrived to greet them. They knew the God they desired to worship and learn about had been faithful to His word to provide for their needs as He does the birds of the air and the grass of the field.
May our thanksgiving everyday,but especially Thanksgiving Day, be because we know the God of the scriptures is faithful and that all that we have comes from His loving hands.
Dear Lord we thank you for all You have given us that we see and know and also for those unseen blessings we take for granted. Amen
Rev. William Rafuse
