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Happy Three Kings Day

Well, today is the end of Christmas – the 12th day, as it were.  It’s also know as Three Kings Day, commemorating the arrival of the star following magi at the side of the baby Jesus.  Makes you sort of wonder why it’s not called Four Kings day doesn’t it?

Anyone, for most of us Christmas is a thing of long ago.  Most of the lights are down, the bows and ribbon disposed of and the tree lays out on the curb for the city recycling program ( or stored neatly in the closet for next year!).  But take a quick moment to remember how following that star affected those dudes, and remember that when we stick with that Christ guy we also become kings – fellow heirs to his throne.  That’s royally cool stuff.

 

16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.Romans 8:16-17New American Standard Bible (NASB)

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So Pumped

I am so stoked today I can’t hardly stand it.  As most of you know, I am a huge WVU fan.  And West Virginia ended up the Orange Bowl last night with a pretty impressive victory over the Clemson Tigers.  My excitement is to such an extend that I could barely sleep last night and I can’t hardly stop myself from posting on Facebook!!!

Pretty ridiculous really, That much joy from watching 20 year old kids play a game?  Especially when you consider that all I did was sit on my couch in my climate controlled room watching the game on my High Definition big screen TV.  I didn’t practice, I didn’t call a play, I didn’t run a play.  All I did was claim that team as my own and cheer away – and believe. (Although, I can say I was pretty nervous in the first quarter!)

And yet, the joy overflows this morning!  I wonder if it will last past the time I walk through the office doors!

Wow, sort of reminds me of something else.  Something else that I did absolutely nothing to attain, except to believe.  Something that was done for me, for free.  Something I didn’t ask for, but has been given.

 9-11Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way. If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we’re at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah! (Romans 5:9-11 MSG)

 

Double Joy!  Maybe even Triple Joy!

And this joy is unstoppable.

So in reality the effects of this game will wear off – and the old Mountaineers will lose again sometime in the future(maybe), but the true joy that comes from the Messiah, the Christ is there forever.

Pretty sweet uh!

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Returning from the Manager

Two interesting observations about some of the first people to experience the Christ.

One group could not stop talking about it

 

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.” Luke 2:20 ASV

 

and the second group decided they would leave a different way then the way they came:

11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. Matthew 2:11-12 NASB

So after experience Christ this Christmas, will you keep him on your lips?  Is it time to go another way?

 

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Shubh Diwali

ok, so this may be another day of meaningless chatter, as the early morning hustle and bustle and the the Outlook calendar have commandeered my ‘me time’.  LOL

But seriously, I do have a few great thoughts swirling around to share with you that might actually be enjoyable to read, and hopefully I will ascertain some time at my typewriter to get those in a publishable form soon.

But in the meantime, it’s Diwali today.  That’s a great big festival celebrated by Hindu people that is called the “Festival of Lights”  It’s a time that they celebrate the victory of good over evil, the triumph of light over darkness, and the renewal of life.

I think I can spend a little time thinking about the victory of good over evil, especially since the victory has been won:

57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57  New International Version (NIV)
So, today to my friends from India I say  “Shubh Diwali!”, because the creator of the world has ultimately defeated evil and darkness for us, and has given us such a great way of renewal! 
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hm.. This is one of those mornings when I wish this were my thought:

“I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.” Psalm 119:14 NIV

Instead, I am not sure that I have even thought about any of those things this morning as the house was busy with preparations for another day.  Interestingly enough rejoicing, great riches nor following his statutes has entered the vast emptiness that sits between my two sound catching devices.

So today here is a simple yet somewhat complex reminder of the pleasure and satisfaction that awaits us when we are joyful because we have surrendered to the teachings of the Christ.  It’s quite a paradox, but one I plan on dwelling on today.  Think about this. Sometimes, when I see the 220 million dollar Power Ball sign I imagine what I could do with that money – and the projected happiness it would bring him.  Well, I know I have never sat and imagined what it would be like if I actually followed the Lord’s statutes and the various rewards that come from that.  Ones that actually have long term value.  Try that little exercise today.