The Best is Yet to Come

Earlier this month our mission in Japan had a retreat.  We went to a venue in the Mt. Fuji area.  We left early because we were concerned about heavy traffic. The roads were running well, and we arrived in time to catch breakfast at a favorite spot.  Mom and Dad had been commenting on how clearly they could see Fuji all the way there.  From my seat in the car I could not really see it.  As we sat in the restaurant eating breakfast Mom pointed out the window to my left, and there was Mt. Fuji, large, grand, majestic.  I was agape with wonder.  It was beautiful. 

That night we had a session that started with great praise music.  I again was moved, but this time I was moved by the Creator.  I could not help dancing.  My whole body was involved in praise.  However, my tongue could not articulate my praise. 

The next night as I again worshiped with the music, my tongue got the idea, and I was able to sing along some words.  It occasionally happens, but not often.  It was thrilling.

God chose to give me that little taste of heaven.  Then, my whole body will function completely.  Wow! That thought encourages me as I come back to the mundane tasks of life.  Oh, for me, the best is yet to come!

That Nasty Word Change

 

The day was rainy and windy.  It  was a day I was to go horse riding, but due to the weather we agreed to pass on riding.  As an autistic man I abhor change.  I am known for my resistance to change.  I really think I function much better when everything stays the same and there is NO CHANGE!  I understand why we could not go, but I still do not like it. 

My mom has frequently told me she understands my feelings about change, but life is full of changes.  To survive I must learn to navigate change.  It is inevitable.  She has told me she expects me to learn to flow with life’s frequent changes with grace. I have come to see that accepting change with grace will be a mark of my maturity.  I confess, I have a long way to go in this area of my life. 

Contemplating how to grow in this area, my thoughts went to what God might say to me about this.  The Bible is full of references to Gods constancy.  He does not change.  He is the same every day.  He is our rock, shield and refuge.  He is always there, forever. 

In the midst of this constancy, his mercies are new every morning.  He creates new sunsets every day.  He changes the seasons and the weather. He gives us surprises that change our days.

I have decided I need to enjoy the changes as I walk safely in the shelter of the unchanging God.  Only then will I know true joy and peace.

Go Into All the World

 

Many of you know I love to ride horses.  It is a fun way to learn a new skill and do something normal.  Through the years I have had many trainers.  Some have been good, and others not so impressive.  I have been burdened to share the love of Jesus with them. Many are troubled people who struggle with life.  Sometimes I have given them CDs of our Gospel Choir.  Sometimes I have given other tokens of appreciation, but as far as I know only one has trusted Jesus as a result. 

 

Currently, I have two trainers who trade off.  One is very young, and very lonely.  I try to show God’s love to him.  He is not sure what to do with me, but he is willing to learn.  My other trainer has been there quite a while.  He is a bit lazy at times, and I have not always enjoyed having him, but God challenged me to love him and share the love of Jesus with him even though he is not my favorite.  So, I began to do that.  After many months he shared that he had met another family with an autistic child.  He told them they should try bringing their child for horse riding lessons.  He told us he had shared about me.  He told them not to worry, because he knew how to teach autistic kids.

I see more confidence and creativity in his teaching.  God is using me to impact his life.  It is my prayer that he finds Jesus and becomes a new man.  Only God can do that.  God will use me as part of this if I am willing to submit.  Lord, here I am.  Use me!

Moving in God's direction

 

It is the New Year.  People make plans, and try to start fresh on projects and goals.  We want the year to be better.  We want to be better.  We are optimistic that this will go better.

 

Well, when I read my Bible I don’t see that unless Jesus comes.  We will have disease and some of our friends may die. There will be natural disasters.  There will be broken relationships.  There will be failures, and rough roads for us on this journey of life.  So should we be depressed?

 

No, and no, and no!  We can just release to God’s control and let Him handle all that mess.  Because I know God is in control, I can rest easy.  I look at Joseph who was ridiculed by his family, sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers.  He was wrongfully accused and imprisoned.  He was forgotten.  Yet, he was faithful to God.  He saw all that as the means to position him to save lives, and preserve Israel in a devastating famine.  I need to get that kind of perspective.  Then get busy and follow the Lord.  Quit complaining and trust God.  Then get moving in the direction God is pushing me.  Up and at it, Jeffrey!

Snow in the Heart

 

The other day we saw our first snow of the winter.  We were out when it started, but came home before it began collecting.  I just love to watch it drift quietly to the ground and cover all the dirt and imperfections underneath.  It makes everything really beautiful.  It is peaceful and even mesmerizing to watch.  I love it!  All day I went back again and again to the window to see the snow falling and collecting on the ground and trees.  Where we live snow falls occasionally, not every year.  I like to watch the snow from the window.  It does not mean I like to be out in it or touch it.  I want to drink in the beauty.  It gives a freshness to the landscape.  It sparkles. 

The blood of Jesus not only covers my sin, it washes it white like the snow. Only the blood of Jesus can make me clean, white, fresh, and sparkle.

 Wow!  Thank you, Jesus for redeeming me!  Snow in my heart today!

Christmas Day

 

Christmas Day

John 3:16(ESV)

¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

 

Now we have journeyed together through Advent to Christmas day.  It is the climax!  We are excited.  Why are you excited?  Because of the food?  Because of the presents? Because of family?  I must confess that is usually the focus of my excitement,. 

 

I think God wants better from me.  I think He wants me to be excited about what He did for me.  He wants to hear me thank Him.  He wants me to worship and praise Him.  He wants me to show His love to this broken world.  I need to reset my focus and see with eyes of the heart. I need to turn around and get a different view. 

 

Time to step up and do what will please God today.  Time to rejoice.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  Time to take that verse which holds all of the Christmas story to a broken world.  Time to see God at work in this world even today!

 

People of the Advent: Jesus

 

Philippians 2:8(ESV)

⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

 

There is another person in the advent story.  It is Jesus.  He did not hang on to His rights, but emptied himself and became human.  He left all the glory and status of heaven to become a human being.  He did not become a wealthy human.  He was born into an obscure family of meager means.   He was willing to come as a baby and endure all the humiliation of being a baby.  He had earthly parents to obey and help.  He most likely learned his father Joseph’s trade of carpentry.  People may have bought items he made in that trade.  Handmade by the son of God!  He did that because He loved His Father, God Almighty.  He did it because He was obedient to His heavenly Father.  It was an act of love.  He did it knowing He would have to die in excruciating pain of both body and soul.  He knew His God nature that abhors sin would take the sins of the world upon Himself.  He did that in obedience to His Father.   It was in love for the world.  It was love for you and me.  So sing praises to Jesus our Savior.  He is at the center of the Advent!