Be Back January 3

I apoligize for the late notice, but I will not be able to post nuggets until January 3.
Please come back then. Thanks. Merry Christmas. Go Baby Jesus. You Rock.

Thursday Week 15

He pulled out all the stops...he was going to send a big choir of angels to sing his happy song to the world: He's here! He's come! Go and see him. My little Boy.

Now where would you send your splendid choir? To a big concert hall maybe? Or a palace perhaps? God sent his to a little hillside, outside a little town, in the middle of the night. He sent all those angels to sing for a raggedy old bunch of shepherds watching their sheep outside of Bethlehem.

In those days, remember, people used to laugh at shepherds and say they were smelly and call other rude names (which I can't possibly mention here). You see, people thought shepherds were nobodies, just scruffy old riff-raff.

But God must have thought shepherds were very important indeed, because they're the ones he chose to tell the good news to first.

That night some shephers were out in the open fields, warming themselves by a campfire, when suddenly the sheep darted. They were frightened by something. The olive trees rustled. What was that? A wing...

They turned around. Standing in front of them was a huge warrior of light, blazing in the darkness. "Don't be afraid of me!" the bright shining man said. "I haven't come to hurt you. I've come to bring you happy news for everyone everywhere. Today, in David's town, in Bethlehem, God's Son has been born! You can go and see him. He is sleeping in a manger."

Behind the angel they saw a strange glowing cloud - except it wasn't a cloud, it was angels...troops and troops of angels, armed with light! And they were singing a beautiful song: "Glory to God! To God be Fame and Honor and all our Hoorays!"

Then as quickly as they appeared, the angels left.

The shepherds stamped out their fire, left their sheep, raced down the grassy hill, through the gates of Bethlehem, down the narrow cobble streets, through a courtyard, down some step, step, steps, past an inn, round a corner, through a hedge, until, at last, they reached a tumbledown stable.

They caught their breath. Then quickly, they tiptoed inside.

They knelt on the dirt floor. They had heard about this Promised Child and now he was here. Heaven's Son. The Maker of the Stars. A baby sleeping in his mother's arms.

The Jesus Storybook Bible - Sally Lloyd Jones

Friday Week 15

That same night, in amongst the other stars, suddenly a bright new star appeared. Of all the stars in the dark vaulted heaves, this one shone clearer. It blazed in the night and made the other stars pale beside it.

God put it there when his baby Son was born - to be like a spotlight. Shining on him. Lighting up the darkness. Showing people the way to him.

You see, God was like a new daddy - he couldn't keep the good news to himself. He'd been waiting all these long years for this moment, and now he wanted to tell everyone...

[Because] This baby would be like that bright star shining in the sky that night. A Light to light up the whole world. Chasing away darkness. Helping people to see. And the darker the night got, the brighter the star would shine.

The Jesus Storybook Bible - Sally Lloyd Jones

Wednesday Week 15

There, in the stable, amongst the chickens and the donkeys and the cows, in the quiet of the night, God gave the world his wonderful gift. The baby that would change the world was born. His baby Son.

Mary and Joseph wrapped him up to keep him warm. they made a soft bed of straw and used the animals' feeding trough as his cradle. And the gazed in wonder at God's Great Gift, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.

Mary and Joseph named him Jesus, "Emmanuel" - which means "God has come to live with us."

Because, of course, he had.

The Jesus Storybook Bible - Sally Lloyd Jones

Tuesday Week 15

Everything was ready. The moment God had been waiting for was here at last! God was coming to help his people, just as he promised in the beginning.

But how would he come? What would he be like? What would he do?

Mountains would have bowed down. Seas would have roared. Trees would have clapped their hands. But the earth held its breath. As silent as snow falling, he came in. And when no one was looking, in the darkness, he came.

Jesus Storybook Bible - Sally Lloyd-Jones

Monday Week 15

Now some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should and shouldn't do. The bible certainly does have some rules in it. They show you how life works best. But the Bible isn't mainly about you and what you should be doing. It's about God and what he has done.

Other people think the Bible is a book of heroes, showing you people you should copy. The bible does have some heroes in it, but (as you'll soon find out) most of the people in the Bible aren't heroes at all. They make some big mistakes (sometimes on purpose). They get afraid and run away. At times they are downright mean.

No, the Bible isn't a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It's an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It's a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne - everything - to rescue the one he loves. It's like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life!

You see, the best thing about this Story is - it's true.

There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.

It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. And as the center of the Story is a baby. Every Story in the Bible whispers his name. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle - the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture. And this is no ordinary baby. This is the Child upon whom everything would depend.

The Jesus Story Book Bible - Sally Lloyd Jones

Friday Week 14

We're getting ready for Christmas!

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as the people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors deviding the plunder.

For you will break the yoke of their slavery ad lift the heavy burdens from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor's rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.

Isaiah 9:2-5

Midian is referenced several times in the Bible, but since Isaiah is referring to them as "the oppressor's rod," likely, the account he is referring to is in Judges 6-8. It's the story of Gideon. Check it out. Think of the parallel's with God's plan to send a little baby to be the mighty one to save us. As Isaiah mentions in the next verse:

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. the government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven's Armies will make this happen!

Isaiah 9:6-7

Thursday Week 14

I'm feeling weak this morning. Angry and weak.

This verse is on my wall in the office as a reminder...

My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. 2 Corinthians 2:9

Where are you weak this morning? Where do you need the power of Christ? Pray with me today...his grace is all I need....his grace is all I need...his grace is all I need...

Wednesday Week 14

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:17

Jesus' mission to the world was to save it.

What is my approach to the world?

Jesus' purpose toward the people who disagreed with him was to save them.

What is my approach to the people I disagree with?

Jesus' desire for the people that were difficult to be around was to save them.

What is my approach to the people that are difficult to be around?

What would it be like to approach the world the way Jesus did?

Tuesday Week 14

There is plenty of room in the stable.

Monday Week 14

After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves, he said, "Get out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"

His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."

John 3:12-17

Do yourself a favor and throw out that picture you have of Jesus with the cuddly lamb over his shoulders. Jesus was a stud. He took on a mob by himself and won. That’s right. Jesus was no meek and mild pushover. Jesus was a ninja warrior. While attending the Passover festivities, he walks into the Temple, his Father’s house, and he sees people making a profit off of forgiveness. True, forgiveness comes at a cost (blood), but never was it intended as a business venture. The sight sets Jesus off. He makes a whip and starts a stampede. He scatters the money changer’s coins on the ground. He overturns tables. Nowadays, Jesus would have been arrested for disturbing the peace. For him, it was acts like this that ultimately cost him his life.

Friday Week 13

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."

"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, "Mow draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."

They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants, who had drawn the water knew. then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

John 2:1-11

We've been looking at this passage all week, but I must confess there are seven words that have stolen most of my attention. I have resisted mentioning them until now. Do you know which ones they are? Are they the ones that gripped you, too?

Verse 10: "you have saved the best till now."

Jesus gave them the best. He could have given them what they needed, what they wanted. He could have given them just enough. They were at the end of their rope. Anything would have been appreciated. But Jesus didn't give them anything. He gave them the best. He saved the day. Like a perfect hero, at just the right moment, Jesus swooped in and turned despair into victory.

These are the questions I've been wrestling with: Is Jesus my hero? Do I believe he is going to swoop in and save the day? Am I afraid he won't? Am I rationing what I have so I won't have to experience emptiness? Is Jesus waiting for me to be empty? Will he show up if I trust him? What if I don't? Do I believe he wants the best for me?

I love how it says, "till now" Not later, Not last, Not Never...but Now!

Do I have faith that Jesus can show up now?

I want to. Help my unbelief.

"Ready or not," he says, "here I come."

Thursday Week 13

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, "Mow draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."

They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants, who had drawn the water knew. then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

John 2:6-11

There's so much to say, but yesterday I told you that I would tell you what Jesus got out of this miracle. The answer is in the last part of the last sentence: "his disciples put their faith in him." That's what Jesus wants from us, too: our faith. So if you want to give Jesus something today, something that he really likes, give him your faith. Put your trust in him. It's all he wants. And he deserves every ounce of it.

Wednesday Week 13

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, "Mow draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."

They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants, who had drawn the water knew. then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

John 2:6-10

Have I said this already? I love this passage. I love how much wine Jesus makes. Think about it: this party has been going long enough that they have no wine left. I'm sure the master of the banquet had not intended to run out of wine, so we can surmise that they were well into the festivities. And here Jesus goes and has 6 jars averaging 25 gallons filled to the brim. According to my Bible that's about 95 liters per jar. A bottle of wine is 750 milliliters. So 95 liters is about 127 bottles of wine. Now multiply that by 6! That's 762 bottles of wine. That's A LOT of wine. That's the kind of son of God Jesus is. He's extravagant. Wildly generous. He's limitless, beyond measure, way over the top.

And humble. Perhaps the most amazing part of this event is that no one knows about the miracle except the servants! Jesus didn't parade what he had done. In fact, he let's the bridegroom get the glory! Jesus does the work; he let's others get the credit: the servants, the bridegroom. It's astounding! It makes me want to reconsider how ravenously I tend to horde praise whenever it comes my way.

In verse 11, we see what Jesus gets out of this miracle. But we'll save that for tomorrow.

Tuesday Week 13

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."

"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, "Mow draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."

They did so.

John 2:1-8

I can only imagine what was going on in the servants' minds. Did they know Jesus was about to pull off a miracle? How could they? He'd never done any thing like this before. I am amazed at their willingness to go along with Jesus' instructions.

I guess the question for me is how willing am I to go along with Jesus' instructions? Do I rationalize them away? Re-interpret them the way I see fit? The servants didn't; they obeyed. They filled the water jars to the brim.

I want a to the brim kind of faith in Jesus, too. What does a faith like that look like for you today?

Monday Week 13

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."

"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

John 2:1-6

I love this interaction between Jesus and his mother. It reminds me of many interactions I have with my wife. She gives Jesus what I like to call "The Announcement." She is asking him to do something, but she doesn't ask a question. She just announces the need. This annoys me. By looking at Jesus' response, it seems like it annoyed him too!

It doesn't surprise me that one of the common things Jesus says is: ask. (See Matthew 7, John 14). He's a guy. If you want something, don't beat around the bush. Just ask it!

The other thing I love about this interaction is that Mary isn't really asking for a miracle. This is my take at least. She notices a problem; my suspicion is that she wants Jesus to chip in and do his part as a friend to the host.

Her expectation on Jesus is on one level. What he does in response is on an entirely different one. It makes me wonder about the things I talk to God about. What if he wants to respond to my requests on an entirely different level? Am I ready?

Are you ready?

Friday Week 12

What does LIGHT mean in this passage?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

What does the LIGHT mean to you?

Thursday Week 12

On Monday, last Monday, I met with my mentor, Fil. I confessed to him that I was tired. "What kind of tired?" he asked. "Physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, you name it," I said. He said, "Sure you are. But what kind of tired?" "What do you mean?" I asked. "Well," he said, "is it fatigue? Or are you burned out?" "A little bit of both," I said.

He quoted me these words from my man JC: "Are you tired? (Yes)Worn out? (Yes) Burned out on religion? (You bet) Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest."

"I like that verse," I said, :all but the last part. What I need from JC is some more energy. Something to get me motivated."

"Do you ever rest, Ned?" Fil asked.

"Not on purpose," I said. "I mean, I'll watch some football on the weekends if I can't think of something better to do."

We continued to talk. Fil continued to expose my rest aversion. To him, rest sounded essential. To me, it sounded like a waste of time. He encouraged me to practice resting. Take a portion of each day and intentionally stop and do nothing of particular value (other than the value that there is in stopping). I said, "I'll think about it."

I didn't.

It was Thanksgiving after all. We traveled to Columbus, Tuesday night. The next day, I asked Lia if she minded if I got some work done in the morning. Afterward, I hung out with the kids, got them down for their naps. Ran. Read. Did my emails. Talked with my mother in-law. Picked up Chad from the airport, and so on.

Thanksgiving Day. Lia and I ran in the Columbus Turkey Trot. Got in a marital spat. Went for a long walk with my father in-law to talk it out. Ate lunch. Made up. Played some ping pong. Played with the kids. Talked to the relatives. Talked to my parents, sister, and so on. We ate Thanksgiving dinner. It was great.

At midnight, I started to hurl. I really don't know if it was food poisoning or a bug. It really doesn't matter. (Cara contracted the exact same thing. Only the two of us ate this suspicious ham for lunch earlier that day. Hmmm. Sue's theory is that since Cara and I are chock full of recessive genes (light hair, light eyes, left handed, etc.) that we are weaker creatures and therefore more susceptible to things like bugs and bad food. Thanks, Sue.) Anyway, I was vomiting up all my favorite foods. I thought I was going to die. Despite my mother in-laws theory, I don't get sick like this very often. (When I do, everyone knows it. See past entries.) All I know was that I was out for the count. Midnight to 6am was a blur between bouts of my favorite foods coming out both ends.

My worst nightmare: no, not the sickness. I could deal (barely) with the sickness. What was going through my mind was that I'll never be able to eat turkey, stuffing, gravy, mash potatoes, spinach casserole, and corn pudding ever again. That's serious.

It finally subsided. From 6-noon. I was laid out in bed. The whole family minus me went shopping. I didn't move. Then, around 10 o'clock, it hit me: I'm resting.

Now, I'm not theologically savvy enough to know whether it was somebody's germs, my man JC or my own stupidity that got me sick (I can't speak for Cara); what I do know is that I was forced to stop. And I didn't like it. But it was good.

All this to say, I'm learning. I'm not ready to jump on the Restful bandwagon just yet, but I'm starting to think those Sabbath-loving, nap-taking, kick-off-your-shoes yahoos might not be as crazy I think they are.