Don't Say No!

 

I love to give presents.  Oh, the joy of seeing faces light up and be surprised at the treasure I have found for them!

But I also like to receive presents.  I sometimes hear my parents talking about what they will give me.  At this age I get clothes, or more utility presents, but usually one fun, surprise present.

I have never said, “No, I don’t want the gift you are giving me.”  It never even enters my mind.  Some gifts need to grow on you.  Time makes them more precious. Do you ever refuse a gift?

Well, then why do people refuse God’s gift of salvation?  Man, it cost Jesus His very life.  Yet everyday people refuse that precious gift that grows more precious every day.  If you are refusing the gift God is offering, it might be a good idea to rethink that decision.  It is really a matter of life and death!

 

Presents

 

 

Do You eagerly await Christmas?  I do, but I do not look forward to deciding what to give as presents.  That takes thought.  I love to give presents, but what to give?  I am so glad God had no problem deciding what to give me for Christmas.  He gave me Jesus!  He gave me eternal life!  The best present of all time!   Now I cannot match that, but I want to give memorable presents.  Better start praying about that!

Advent Post #2: Free For the Taking

 

I have been thinking about the angels shouting “Glory to God in the Highest.”  I think they were overjoyed and excited about God’s gift to man.  They had been seeing God’s plan unfold for centuries.  Often, they saw misery and pain also unfolding.  But Jesus coming to earth was the beginning of the end to this sin and misery.  Sure, this was a step toward the cross for Jesus, but for man, it was a big step for salvation and liberty for man!  Without the birth of Jesus, man was stuck trying to accomplish righteousness on his own, and it is always impossible.  God knew that, and out of love for us, poured glorious grace on us and sent Jesus.  So, step up and partake of that salvation all slathered in love and grace.  Oh, and did I mention it is free for the taking.  What are you waiting for?

Advent Post #1: Love to the Max

 

In Philippians we have a one-verse Christmas story.  Philippians 2:8 says, “And being found in human form, he humbled himself be becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”  That is the essence of Christmas.  We as humans live and work hard to keep living.  Jesus came to earth with the goal to die on a cross for our sins.  No life support or extraordinary measures for Him.  The cross was the goal.  It was love from start to finish.  It was living on meager means, doing manual labor, and no settled place in adult life.  It was at the mercy of friends.  Yet, it was so those friends and in turn we who come after could experience God’s mercy.  It was for us.  Wow!  Why?  Just plain love.  What is my response?  I need to model my life after Jesus.  I need to be like Jesus.  So, I better get busy, and know Jesus, so I can be like Him.  Ready, set, go!

The Glory of God in Autumn

 

Here in my part of the world autumn has arrived.  For many of you it is the same.  You revel in the fall beauty as the trees change to their autumnal attire.  You rejoice at crisp cool days and the sounds and smells of harvest.  Here, in the north-eastern side of the greater Tokyo area, we have cooler temperatures, crisp nights and mornings, and just a few pockets of autumn colors.  We live in close proximity to a rural community, so we see the sites of harvest, and even late planting. 

This year we feel much rain.  While this brings cooler weather, it also leaves a gray, dullness to the day.  So, recently when I went on my run with my dad, I was pleasantly surprised to see in the western sky a huge full moon sinking down to the horizon.  In the eastern sky pinks, purples and oranges were heralding the rising of the sun.  It was stunning.  God had prepared a rapturous panorama for my running enjoyment.  It was a sign of His majesty.  It was a reminder of God in control of everything.  It reminded me that God created me, too, for Hiis glory.  He is designing a panorama in my life that will point to His majesty.  May I display it well!

My Brother

 

I always wanted a brother.  I thought a big brother would be nice, but since I am the oldest child that seemed impossible.  God gave me a beautiful, exquisite, baby sister, but no brother.  I was thrilled to receive my sister, and content to realize this was what God had for me – His best.  

Then about eleven years ago God reminded me nothing is impossible with Him.  He gave me a big brother.  My sister married him.  He became my big brother as he is a year older.  I love him so much.  He knows me and loves me.  He makes me work hard and reach to improve.  He is a friend and family all in one.

My big brother is a doctor and one busy man.  He is a gastroenterologist and might take a look in your stomach with his camera. (Fortunately, he has not looked in mine!)  That kept him busy enough, but when COVID hit, he stepped in and began working with COVID　patients at his hospital.  Not a job most doctors wanted, but he did it, and of course he did it very well. 

Recently, I saw a picture of him beside a helicopter as he flew along to care for a patient in transit.  He looked so handsome and smart.  In case you did not know, I am extremely proud of this magnificent man I get to call brother!  He is a gift from God!

But Lord, It's Really Hot!

 

Where I live in Japan summers are hot, and I do mean hot. That translates to the mid-30s to low 40s Celsius, or mid 90s to low 100s Fahrenheit. That is really uncomfortable, but added to that is humidity, around 60 to 90%.  It can make for some really hot, sticky days.  I find it to be a challenge to be at my best, and in reality easy to be at my worst.  I confess to being very grumpy some days. 

Now to be honest, we have air-conditioning in our central living area, but the rest of the house is dependent on fans and breeze.  We sleep in uncooled bedrooms and of course our outdoor activities are breeze cooled. 

I find it easy to complain about summers as I return from an early morning run or horse riding with my shirt sticking to me, dripping with sweat.  But there is a troublesome verse in the Bible.  Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”  I wish it said, “except really hot days.” But it does not.  That means God made this miserable, hot day, and is waiting for me to rejoice at all He has made.  It is not selective rejoicing.  If God made the day, I am to rejoice in it.  In the whole thing.  I really find that one hard.  I find myself saying, “I can’t rejoice in this.”  Then God speaks to me and reminds me of another verse Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” My strength does not cover rejoicing in this heat, but I can do it the strength of Christ.  Since His strength even conquered the grave, I guess it can handle hot days.  So today I rejoice in this day God has made only through the strength of Christ!  Amen!