A VIEW FROM HEAVEN'S SIDE!

In case you don't realize it, Heaven is already quite populated.  God drops hints of this in Revelation chapter five where He tells us of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand (v.11).  To help you grasp this grouping of angels, let me remind you that ten thousand times ten thousand equals one hundred million!  Quite a crowd!  And, they are not all alike.  Some are angels, others archangels, still other are seraphim or cherubim!  

It's difficult to imagine what a normal day in Heaven must be like, but I can tell you about a day in Heaven that was NOT normal.  It was the day that the angel visited a young, Jewish girl named Mary. During his visit, the Holy Spirit came over Mary and she conceived a holy son.  In that instant, Heaven was changed in a way it had never been changed before!  It had always been inhabited by the triune God:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  But for this season, the Son willingly vacated the halls of Heaven and took up residence in the womb of a virgin girl in Nazareth.  

That's right!  The Lord and Creator of the universe...[Philippians 2:6,7]

Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be grasped;

but made himself nothing,

    taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.

Just like you and me!  The same process.  Totally dependent on the mother!  Little wonder that this young girl has been so elevated in history:  Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  [Luke 1:42].

As difficult as it is to imagine, Heaven was changed for a season.  For a period of nearly thirty-four years it would experience the absence of the Son of God!  Was there mourning in Heaven at this absence?  We know there are no tears in Heaven, but surely there must have been a different feel for this period of time.  

But I'm particularly intrigued by a line from Luke chapter two that rarely gets explained.  I think there was a moment in our well-known story that brought all the inhabitants of Heaven to alert.  Let's review the story. 

• Mary is visited by an angel and conceives through the Holy Spirit!
• Joseph is visited by an angel and is told about the immaculate conception!
• Ceasar Augustus issues a decree that causes Joseph and Mary to have to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
• While they were there, (probably living in a cave or stable, since there was no room in the inn)  the time came for the baby to be born...  [Luke 2:6]
• At or near the time of the birth, an angel appeared to shepherds in the fields outside of Bethlehem announcing the birth of a Savior!

Aha!  Now comes a divine moment often under-emphasized!  

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 

Here's the way I envision it with my childlike mind and faith.  I think there had been a lull in Heaven for nine months!  I think all the angels, seraphs, cherubim and Godhead had dearly missed the presence of the Son!  But they knew the plan and the purpose of His mission.  There was a growing sense of excitement and anticipation for what this all would mean!  They knew that an intricate plan was unfolding on earth that would impact millions of lives for endless millions of years!  They knew an angel had been dispatched to make a vital announcement to a group of shepherds - although they certainly did not understand why.  The containment of all these feelings and emotions was difficult even for the heavenly host!  

But what's this?  Suddenly, God opened a fissure between Heaven and earth and gave a nod of permission for them to join their angel messenger.  And in an instant, millions of angels rushed through the fissure to join a massive angelic choir singing praises to God with hearts overflowing with love!  It was for every inhabitant of Heaven, a moment to remember!  They were only visible to this group of lowly shepherds.  No one else heard or saw their presence!  It was a DIVINE MIRACLE!  Excited, exuberant faces glowed down from the heavens on these humble men who epitomized the role of the One just born!  Like them, He would care for His sheep - each and every one - especially the lost ones!  

It didn't last long.  Upon the conclusion of their message, they rushed back through the opening and returned to the eternal glory of Heaven!  Imagine the excitement as they talked among themselves of what had just happened!  This had been the first time some of them had visited earth!  The chatter must have lasted for a long time as they reflected on this moment of glory!

But the shepherds...they were left standing in the dark!  What had been a brilliance indescribable and a scene beyond imagination, was suddenly renewed with the blackness of the night - except for the STAR!  Like three others who were making a journey, they too made a journey just as they had been instructed by the angel.  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  [Luke 2:16]

Even Steven Spielburg would be challenged to portray the magnificence of these moments!  Events like this are best left to the imagination - itself a gift from the awesomeness of God!  

Do yourself a favor.  At some point today when the turmoil and excitement has concluded, take a moment to envision what the shepherds saw and heard.  It's the most downplayed moment of the Christmas story; yet it holds tremendous fascination for those who will meaningfully reflect on it!  As you do so - let YOUR "Glory to God in the highest" join in with the song of all the heavenly host!  

Have a blessed Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE HAIRE'S

I'm kind of a sucker for those Christmas stories where gifts show up at the last minute to make the day special.  I love the one from 'Little House On the Prairie" where Mr. Edwards shows up almost frozen with tin cups and candy for the girls.  I also love the old 'Walton's' movie where the father makes it home at the last minute with a big bag over his shoulder and simple gifts for each family member.  Last night we watched a mini-movie on Pure Flix about a poor family who was trusting the Lord for a package to arrive before Christmas.  Lo and behold, numerous crates arrived after the post office closed.  In the midst of a blizzard the postal worker and his son delivered the crates to a family that was praying and trusting.

We have our own story that has some parallels.

In our younger years, we were not very financially stable.  I attended seminary in Pittsburgh part-time for over ten years.  It was expensive.  Then, after graduating, I attended Franciscan University for a second Master's degree.  Unfortunately, my pay was never adjusted to reward all the education I had attained.  I remember after getting a fifteen dollar-a-week raise one year, a friend commented that I could now buy a pizza every week.  :-)  Add to the mix raising three kids and being unwise financially, and we had some tight times.  I suppose many others have faced similar situations.

Like our own parents, Debbie and I didn't buy a lot for our kids during the year;  but Christmas was a time for delivering everything they would need for the next twelve months.  So, as a result, we tended to spend a good bit in December.

I should note here that God was repeatedly faithful to us in regards to our finances.  We have quite a few stories of His deliverance for us at critical times!  We have been and are grateful to God for His bountiful and timely financial provisions!  We're also thankful that today we are more stable and need His help in other areas...

One year was particularly difficult for us.  Two years earlier, we had sold our house because we were told we were being moved.  We didn't move!  We had to rent a house three blocks away and move everything we owned!  Then, after a year, our landlord sold that house and we had to move again!  We were given access to a massive house with four huge columns and three full stories!

We affectionately nicknamed this house:  MANIAC MANSION!  After getting our first gas bill, I went to the basement and shut off one of the two furnaces.  Travis lived in a back section - where the kitchen was - that remained heated .  The rest of our bedrooms were in the main part of the house with minimal heat.  Debbie and I woke up one morning and our bedroom was forty degrees!

As we approached December, we had very few gifts purchased and were without reserves to see us through.  Needless to say, we had cast our need before the Lord and were looking for (and hoping for) His provision.

As was our custom, we were having our evening meal together in our massive dining room.  This was a special time for our family when we caught up on one another's days and shared stories and laughter.  We often spent upwards to an hour together around that table.  [Today, Tracie's family eats around that old Haire-loom oak table every evening!]  ;-)

In the midst of our meal, we heard a knock at our front door.  I got up to answer the door but found no one there.  I looked up-and-down Fifth Street - no one in sight!  That's when I noticed the envelope taped to our door!  I removed it and returned to the table where I opened it and read it to our family.  It simply said:  "MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE HAIRE'S!"

That's when ten crisp, new, one-hundred-dollar bills fell out of the envelope!  My jaw dropped and our kids eyes popped in disbelief!  Was this a dream?  Could these be real?  They were real!  All ten of them!  Christmas was going to happen at the Haire house without going into further debt!  Hallelujah!

Like so many other similar gifts that God sent along, we never found out who His messenger was.  But we thanked God for them and for their obedience and generosity!

Of course, we explained our need to our three T's and then explained how Debbie and I had entrusted our need to God in prayer.  Then we explained that God had heard our prayer and answered it!  And, of course, we lifted a prayer of gratitude to God together!

Interesting, I don't remember any of the gifts we bought for the kids that year.  But I sure do remember God's kindness to our little family.  He loved us then;  He loves us still.

If you have a need of any kind, get into a right relationship with God and then cast your cares on Him.  He loves you and will answer your prayer and meet your need!  Have a blessed Christmas!

A WONDERFULLY UNCOMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE

Since Debbie was away overnight, I got up early and attended an Episcopal worship service at 8:00 AM in a nearby town.  I frequently attend two (or more) worship experiences when we travel.  I enjoy discovering different worship settings and environments.

Let me say right off that attending a new church is an intimidating experience!  As a pastor, I was always sensitive to the fear that newcomers faced when they attended churches that I led.  One of the churches I served had its main entrance in front of the church, however most of the parking area was behind the church.  There were significant physical obstacles to be overcome to get guests to the sanctuary.  These barriers can usually be overcome with excellent signage and the appropriate placement of greeters.

This morning, I found the parking area quickly and entered a 'side door'.  Fortunately, two women greeted me and handed me a worship folder.  Then, excellent signage led me through a maze of hallways and stairways that eventually brought me into the 'front' of the sanctuary.  Unfortunately -through my inadequate guess at travel time - I was only a couple of minutes early.  Consequently, I didn't have adequate time to review the worship folder.

The sanctuary was very large and quite beautiful!  It is an old church with elegant wooden pews and ornate features - even without the many Christmas decorations.  I had a sense of awe as I gazed at my surroundings.  It was quickly apparent that the gathering of about thirty worshippers were sitting exclusively at the far side of the sanctuary.  I joined them, feeling quite conspicuous.

Within moments the priest called us to worship.  Her voice was crisp and clear and she used a microphone that helped some.  [Hearing is a huge problem for me in worship!  We only attend services that provide hearing devices - otherwise the experience is purely frustrating for me.]  I was immediately lost!  We were clearly using a liturgy, but I had difficulty finding my place in the folder [which included an abbreviated order for the 8:00 AM service and an expanded order for the 10:00 AM service}.

Shortly, a gentleman sitting behind me noticed my situation and handed me the Book of Common Prayer opened to the appropriate page.  What a wonderful act of kindness!  I was warmed by his sensitivity.  For much of the liturgy I was able to stay connected.  Many of the words were very familiar to me from my past experiences and readings.  However, I was repeatedly caught off guard by not knowing when to stand and when to stay seated [later, I realized that these notes were included in the bulletin order].  It's embarrassing to suddenly realize that you're the only person still standing.

The congregation was largely made up of very elderly people.  During the passing of the peace I was greeted warmly by all those sitting nearby.  The priest made her way around the congregation greeting every worshipper.

I was deeply moved by the ancient words, prayers and scriptures that were shared by the priest and various readers!  Liturgy can be very welcoming and meaningful when you are familiar with it.  Earlier in my life I used the Book of Common Prayer regularly in my personal worship.

The pastor's message was short and relevant.  She spoke of Mary and her experience of bearing the Son of God.  She noticed that Mary went from being a young, common girl to being a theologian through the delivery of the Magnificat.  I was interested and intrigued by her observations.  She left us with a challenge to overcome the things that occur to us in life by dedicating them to God and allowing Him to guide us through them.

Then there was the passing of the peace and announcements.  It was a welcome relief for me and an opportunity to get my bearings.  Next, we entered into the observation of the Eucharist.  The beauty of the environment deepened our experience of this most precious act.  I responded with the other worshippers by taking my place at the altar.  The priest came with a broken wafer which I accepted and immediately consumed.  Then a lay-helper approached me with the cup.  That's when I realized that I was supposed to dip my wafer into the wine.  [Blush!]  I passed on the wine!  I was obviously VERY embarrassed and wondered how many noticed my faux pas.

Upon returning to my seat I wanted to pack up and leave before I made any more mistakes!  But, I remained for the closing prayers and scriptures and the final benediction.

I tried not to hurry away [not being sure I would even be able to find my way out].  As I left the sanctuary, I exchanged a few words with the priest.  She led the service with grace, authority and meaning.  I appreciated her and felt that I would love to sit and talk with her.  She was intrigued to find that I was a retired Methodist pastor and shared that her father-in-law and husband were pastors in that tradition.

I must confess that I was greatly relieved to get into my car and drive away.  Curiously, I would be willing to return.  If I do, I will be sure to arrive allowing myself appropriate time to get acquainted with the order for worship.  I would likely return for the 10:00 AM service to see what the fuller experience might be like.  It was odd to encounter a worship service that included no music whatsoever.

I arrived at our church well in advance of our service giving me ample time to get familiar with the order for worship!  :-)

DECLARE WAR ON DEBT

Every year around this time I like to post something on this topic because SO MANY people struggle with debt issues.

At an earlier time in our lives, Debbie and I struggled with enormous debt.  It drove chronic depression in me for years!  I was personally convinced that we would NEVER be out of debt!  I dreaded retirement because I knew it would be horrible!

Then, God (and a few friends He directed our way) awakened me to new truth based on His Word!  I acquired new teachers to help me grow in knowledge:  Larry Burkett, Dave Ramsay, along with a couple of wise men that God brought to my side.  Eventually, we entered into a planned process to eliminate our debt.  It took about nine years and we completed the process while we lived in New Middletown, Ohio.  The completion of this process is what allowed us to go to China for three years!
 
Two years ago, we deliberated obtaining a Capital One card to take advantage of the cash-back perk.  We had been taught by our instructors to 'declare war on debt'!  Taking on a credit card did not fit in with the plan we had set in motion.  However, we had maintained no debt for nearly ten years and the benefits seemed worthy.

At first, we charged everything on this card in order to qualify for the promised bonus and to maximize our 'cash-back' incentive.  However, after two months we morphed into just using the card for major purchases.  [Charging everything was just too scary for us!]  We've done fine and have appreciated the benefit of hundreds of dollars returned to us!

We've enjoyed owning two brand new cars during our marriage:  a 1974 Mustang II, and a 1979 Ford Fairmont.  Other than that, we've driven used vehicles.  Currently, we own a 2003 Toyota Camry (which was given to us when we returned home from China), a 2005 Toyota Camry (which I purchased in January to be my Lyft car), and a 2008 Ford F-250 (to pull our 2001 Forrester 5th-wheel camper).  :-)

Having older vehicles suits me fine, however, occasionally they call for repairs.  This fall was one of those times!  All three vehicles made trips to Schultz's garage for repairs and maintenance.  Actually, each of the Camry's had to go twice!  We wound up charging over $2,000 on our Capital One card!  Uh-oh!  We were in debt again - for the first time in years!

Now, I confess, we have reserves that we could have used to liquidate that debt, but we are VERY cautious about dipping into that pool!  After using what was left from our 'emergency fund', we still owed a sizeable amount on our Capital One account!

So far, we have managed to make sacrificial payments on the account that have prevented us from paying any finance charges.

To further advance our cause, I have been Lyft-driving almost every day for the last two weeks.  Two days this week, I was on-the-road for over eleven hours!  As a result, we now have sufficient funds to pay off the card and (once again) eliminate our debt!  Woo Hoo!  PTL!

Debt has phenomenal power to rob you of your joy and destroy your life!  We must declare war on debt!  Don't use 'charge cards' this Christmas!  Better yet - don't overspend!  Your children won't remember the things you bought them, but they WILL remember the time you spent with them!  Do family projects.  Bake cookies and decorate them!  Play games.  Take walks.  Have snow-ball battles!  Build snowmen!  Watch movies!  Play video-games together.  Read books together!  Talk while sharing a meal!  Put a puzzle together!  Make home-made Christmas decorations!  String popcorn!  Play 'Hide-n-Seek'.

If you're in the process of paying off your debts - STICK WITH IT!  You will feel so much satisfaction and freedom when you've reached your goal!  Don't sacrifice your tithe to pay off your debts!  Honor God and He'll honor you!