Extra ordinary

Reading between lines
we see the unusual
surrounding Jesus.

Women leave their homes
and families, following
this young preacher man.

What did their husbands
think? Was there resentment, anger?
Think of the scandal?

Jesus, meanwhile, caused
more embarrassment, healing
unmentionable illness,

raising from the dead,
Extraordinary sights.
Miracle worker!

This Advent, we wait
in expectation for Him,
hoping that we too

will have our lives changed.
Embarrassment? Certainly.
Jesus changes things.

Such priceless knowledge

to know the King of all kings

come to save us all.

This Man, who calms storms

restores the broken-mindedr

aises dead to life.

So tell of his deeds,

show His love shining from us

so all, too, may know.

Luke 8

Faith

That baby, renowned
the world over from his birth,
grown to be a man

of stature, wisdom,
and now miracle worker.
All had heard of him.

Even foreigners.
This Roman centurion
desperate for healing.

"Speak Your Words," he said.
"Speak healing to my servant.
Nothing else needed."

This man knew Jesus.
He recognised the power
of the Son of God.

Such faith. We also
come to the manger, trusting
in Him to save us too.

Wisdom

This baby! Who would
have ever thought such wisdom
would come from a child

grown man, wise in years
with godly inspiration
teaching all who hear.

Lord of all, yet he
chose those special friends, teaching
love and forgiveness.

Following this man,
basing my life on his life
and words, brings me life.


Luke 6: The Beatitudes

Healer

The baby has grown
into a perfect man, so
free from all wrong.

Miracle healer.
Freely giving forgiveness.
Astounding man.

He invites. No one
who comes to him excluded.
We too can come

This Christmas, turning
our hearts towards that baby
who came our Saviour.

Arrival.

Jesus arrived to
temptation, testing, trial.
rejection, ridicule.

So he healed.
delivered.
prayed.

Did any one dream
that this babe would overcome
and save us all?


Luke 4.

Advent: the Coming

The media is filled with frenzy.
Imperatives are the new emperor.
Buy this. Plan that. Go here. Do. Do. Do....

Christians, succumb. Or struggle bravely
against the prevailing culture
while still shopping.

Me? Me too. But I
also choose to plunge
deep into the Word.

Daily Bible readings
doubled with Advent studies
and attempts at prayer.

Culture calls.
Holding my course
I hold the things of Christmas lightly.

Only Christmas correspondence
hovers
on the edges of my soul.

This time of year,
this time of reconnection,
where friendship feeds my soul,

bringing joys and sorrows
as I read of change and loss
in dear lives.

Shadows of the Saviour
fully like us.
I dare to think, like me.

Here, on this little page,
this tiny unnoticed corner of a vast world,
I share my thoughts with Him.

Preparation

And so, John presciently preaches Isaiah:
"“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.
6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’"

All were waiting on

this preacher man John:could HE

be the Messiah?

No. That humble man

deemed himself too unworthy

even to untie shoes.

He prepared the hearts

of those who turn to God in

humble repentance.

His job done, Jesus

was baptized. Next we learn of

his royal lineage.

We prepare to be 

surprised by this man Jesus.

Descended of God.

Waiting

The saga continues
with Roman emperors,
humble carpenters
and a Baby.

Shepherds, too,
experience angels (oh,
so many angelic visitations
these two chapters before His life.)

Waiting is rewarded. After nine months
Mary, with her babe
knows all is well. She guards
words in her heart.

Faithful Simeon and Anna
waiting at the temple
for the One.
Rewarded with His presence.

I may not see angels,
nor do I yet know the art
of waiting patiently.
Yet I practise
awaiting His presence.

Advent comes

Today in darkness,
now December has arrived:
day before Advent.

Luke 1: an orderly account
that we might know
the certainty of things.

Zechariah: no longer waiting
for a child: only doubting.
Even an angel
could not convince him easily.

Yet Elizabeth knew. As did Mary.
These long-suffering women
accepted news of undreamed
pregnancy gladly.

This first chapter
of the Jesus story
is full of songs of certainty.

Is it simple?

Grappling with the conundrum of a loving God and unmentionable suffering, I wonder: is it simply that we live in a broken and corrupt world, the result of sin upon sin upon sin and selfishness, but our good and perfect God, who loves and delights in us, will break through with His kingdom WHEN WE SEEK HIS FACE AND ASK HIM TO REVEAL HIS GLORY?

Reading Habakkuk, Chapter 3, at the moment, with First5. Written in the face of impending invasion and destruction of all that he holds dear, Habakkuk remembers God's glory. He sings this prayer:
"I have heard all about you,Lord.
    I am filled with awe by your amazing works.
In this time of our deep need,
    help us again as you did in years gone by.
And in your anger,
    remember your mercy."

Habakkuk takes his fearful eyes off the impending doom and gazes at God. He recounts God's awesome power:

"I see God moving across the deserts ...
His brilliant splendor fills the heavens,
and the earth is filled with his praise.
His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise.
Rays of light flash from his hands,
where his awesome power is hidden.
Pestilence marches before him;
plague follows close behind.
When he stops, the earth shakes.
When he looks, the nations tremble.
He shatters the everlasting mountains
and levels the eternal hills.
He is the Eternal One!
I see the people of Cushan in distress,
and the nation of Midian trembling in terror.

Was it in anger, Lord, that you struck the rivers
and parted the sea?  Were you displeased with them?
No, you were sending your chariots of salvation!

You brandished your bow and your quiver of arrows.
You split open the earth with flowing rivers.
The mountains watched and trembled.
Onward swept the raging waters.
The mighty deep cried out,
lifting its hands in submission.
The sun and moon stood still in the sky
as your brilliant arrows flew and your glittering spear flashed.

You marched across the land in anger and trampled the nations in your fury.
You went out to rescue your chosen people, to save your anointed ones.
You crushed the heads of the wicked and stripped their bones from head to toe.
With his own weapons, you destroyed the chief of those
who rushed out like a whirlwind, thinking Israel would be easy prey.
You trampled the sea with your horses, and the mighty waters piled high." (vv3 - 16)

God is mighty. Incomparable. Nothing can stand against Him.

And so Habakkuk finishes, declaring his utmost faith in our good God.

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength! (vv 17 - 19)"

So I wonder: is it just this: we are to gaze on and acknowledge God's mighty power in the face of 

Fear is dispelled by a powerful recipe of POWER, LOVE and a SOUND MIND. The power of the Holy Spirit, the love of our Father in heaven, and a disciplined mind which remembers, recalls and relies on God's living word.

Simples, really.