A PRE-CHRISTMAS DATE: Young Love compared to Seasoned Love

Deb and I are fresh back from doing some Christmas shopping and having a nice lunch together at Longhorn Steakhouse! We dressed up and made it into a special time.

But before I can tell you more, I must provide some background information.

Through the years, I’ve struggled with the purchasing of appropriate Christmas gifts for Debbie. There was a season when I bought her appliances and kitchen gizmos. I’ve been wise enough to almost always include some jewelry among her gifts. Some years they were dangled for weeks ahead on the Christmas tree, only to be discovered on Christmas Day after she opened a special, romantic card.

 

I also shopped for her buying her clothing for a few years. I walked through classy department stores and bought her sweaters or tops that I really liked. I remember one that I purchased at Penney’s in the Northern Lights Shopping Plaza in Baden many years ago! It was pure white, with a fair amount of embroidery, with short sleeves and a slight V-neck. I thought it was glamorous! I spent far more money on it than I should have. - - - - - I never saw it after Christmas Day! 😶

 

Somewhere along the way, I realized that I was severely missing the mark!

 

I’m a reasonably intelligent guy and thought to myself: Harold, think this through! There’s got to be a way for you to buy gifts for Deb that will thrill and please her.

 

That’s when I hatched my plan!

 

In early November [while stores are still well supplied with merchandise and sale prices are beginning to become available] I set a date with Deb during the daytime. I took her to the mall and just sauntered through with her. I made sure that we walked through Penney’s and Macy’s Department Stores as well as pausing at a few jewelry stores. Then, it was essential to walk through Yankee Candle and Bath-and Body! Because Victoria’s Secret was right next to Yankee Candle, I always paused to see if she showed any interest in shopping there [Hey! What can I say? I’m only human! 😏]

 

When she would stop and look at certain items, I made mental notes about where we were and which items she picked up. I was discreet and made no comments. I was only present as an observer!

 

Then, the very next day I retraced our steps and purchased many of the items that she had examined. Later, I – very poorly – wrapped these items and placed them under the tree. In most cases, Christmas was still six weeks away, so I don’t believe she ever put two-and-two together. I had solved the problem! From that point on, she was almost always delighted with the gifts that I presented to her. 🙂

 

For whatever reason, a few years ago she seemed reluctant to go shopping with me so early. As a result, I divulged my secret and told her what I had been doing. She thought it was really great and declared that she had not caught on to my plan.

So – today was the day! After her Physical Therapy session, we dressed nicely, hopped into the car and headed for Boardman. First, we walked through Kohl’s. Then, we migrated to T. J. Maxx. She used her card at Kohl’s to get an extra 30% off [I’ll pay that bill for her – of course]! By the time we’d walked through these two stores she was pretty tired and my leg had gone numb. Being a veteran of shopping with my wife, I took my chair-cane with me. I always get a lot of looks when I set it up and sit down to rest for a few moments! ☺

That’s when we headed for the Steakhouse! It was probably 2:30 PM. We were seated immediately and had a relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable late lunch together. We gave thanks, enjoyed our appetizer, along with our salads, loaded-baked-potato and potato soup! We brought enough home to have for supper later this evening!  👍

We talked and enjoyed the beauty of this day as we drove to and from Boardman. After a fairly long period of several months affected by her hip pain, surgery and recovery  – it was a most enjoyable treat for us! 

I’ve already told her that I think we should do it again – next week! As for now, two bags of gifts are stashed in my study waiting for me – with my ‘all-thumbs approach’ to wrap them for her delight!   

If nothing else, I can testify to the fact that there is some truth to the old phrase: “Older and Wiser!”

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Maybe next week we’ll hit Victoria’s Secret?   -    [Hey! I’m old, but I’m not dead!  😁]

GOD ALWAYS HAS A PLAN!

This is a good thing to remember – especially when things aren’t going so well.  All of us need to be reminded of this from time to time.

I just finished reading some of the chapters from Genesis that give Joseph’s story. Let’s review some facts to bring you up to speed:

·         Joseph [although the eleventh-born of four wives] is one of two sons born to Jacob from his true love – Rachel.

·         Genesis 37:3-4 [All quotes from TM unless otherwise noted]

Israel [Jacob] loved Joseph more than any of his other sons [twelve sons from four women] because he was the child of his old age. And he made him an elaborately embroidered coat. When his brothers realized that their father loved him more than them, they grew to hate him...

·         Israel used Joseph to check up on his brothers as they grazed their father’s flocks. According to 37:2,4, Joseph brought his father bad reports on them…they wouldn’t even speak to him.

·         On one of his visits to them in the fields, they threw him into a pit and then later sold him as a slave to a group of travelling Ishmaelites heading for Egypt. They stained his coat with blood and reported that he had been eaten by a wild animal. Of course this caused Israel to go into prolonged mourning over the loss of his precious son.

·         Upon arriving in Egypt, Joseph was purchased by Potifar – the captain of the Pharaoh’s bodyguards.  Because God was with him, Potiphar’s house prospered greatly!

Now this is a good point to remember a teaching that Jesus gave in Romans 8:28-29 

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are called according to His purpose.  [NASB}

·         Potiphar’s wife takes a liking to Joseph and invites him to respond to her sexually. He refuses to do so and ultimately runs from her – leaving his coat in her hands. She entrapped him and Potiphar believed her lie and sent Joseph into prison.

·         39:21,22 reports:

But there in jail GOD was still with Joseph…The head jailer put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners – he ended up managing the whole operation. 

·         Two prisoners have dreams that only Joseph can interpret. Joseph tells the Pharoah’s cupbearer that the meaning of his dream means that he will return to his former position. However, he interprets the head baker’s dream to mean that he will be beheaded. Within a few days both dreams are fulfilled just as Joseph had predicted. But the cupbearer never mentioned Joseph’s role to the Pharaoh.

·         Two years later the Pharaoh had a dream and his advisors couldn’t interpret it for him. The cupbearer remembered and mentioned Joseph! He was immediately brought before Pharaoh to hear and interpret his dreams. The meaning was clear to Joseph: Egypt would enjoy seven years of great prosperity followed by seven very lean years. He counseled Pharaoh to:

Look for a wise and experienced man and put him in charge of the country. Then Pharaoh needs to appoint managers throughout the country of Egypt to organize it during the years of plenty.  [41:33-34]

·         Pharaoh gives Joseph his signet ring and makes him a ruler in Egypt – second only to Pharaoh himself! Joseph organizes the country to prepare for the seven bountiful years – followed by the seven years of famine!

·         Eight years later, the famine begins to be felt in neighboring lands as well as Egypt! Jacob [Israel] sends ten of his sons to Egypt to purchase grain [he keeps his beloved, youngest – Benjamin – at home with him.]

·         When the ten sons of Israel [Jacob] arrive in Egypt, they are greeted by Joseph – who immediately recognizes them. Joseph puts Simeon in prison and sends the brothers home with instructions to come back bringing their youngest brother with them next time. Meanwhile, Joseph fills their sacks with grain and secretly puts the money back into the sacks with the grain.

·         The brothers are shocked when they find the money in the sacks of feed. They report to their father – Israel [Jacob] – all the details of their journey; including the fact that Simeon is in an Egyptian prison. Israel is crushed to think of sending Benjamin to Egypt; he fears that he will lose another son by doing so.

·         Eventually, the brothers are forced to return to Egypt to purchase more grain. Judah argues persuasively and convinces Israel to allow them to take Benjamin with them. Israel sends a double payment, balm and honey, spices and perfumes, pistachios and almonds with them as a gift from their area to this ruler in Egypt [not knowing that this ruler is Joseph – who Isaac thinks is dead]! He also prays over them before they head for Egypt!

·         When they arrive and Joseph sees that they have indeed brought Benjamin, he orders his servants to prepare a feast for all of them.  The brothers were terrified to be ushered into Joseph’s home; they are confident that they’re going to be turned into slaves. Simeon was brought from jail to join them! Joseph welcomed them and inquired as to the health of their father. As Joseph greeted Benjamin he was overwhelmed and ran from the room weeping! They feasted with Joseph facing all of them.

·         The next day they were sent on their way. Joseph instructed his servants to put their money back into their bags again. He also had them place his personal chalice in Benjamin’s bag. After they had left, Joseph had them pursued and accused them of stealing his chalice. It was found in Benjamin’s bag! They were forced to go back to the city. Arriving, they bowed down before Joseph! Judah spoke of their innocence and pleaded for Benjamin to return to his father! He volunteered to stay in Benjamin’s place out of mercy for their father.

·         Finally, Joseph breaks down and reveals himself to his brothers!

They were speechless – they couldn’t believe what they were hearing and seeing. [45:3]

·         After explaining his story to his brothers, he sent them to get their father and bring him to Egypt where Joseph could care for the entire family!

If you’ve read this far then you have shown patience and endurance. It is a long story with many twists and turns. 

Joseph has endured:

o   mistreatment by his older brothers

o   being the subject of envy

o   being misunderstood as a dreamer

o   being betrayed by ten of his brothers and sold into slavery

o   being carried far away to a foreign country

o   being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife

o   being abruptly and unjustly thrown into jail

o   being forgotten by the cupbearer who could have helped him

o   being cut off from his beloved father and brother – Benjamin – for many hopeless years

But he had personally come to learn that GOD ALWAYS HAS A PLAN! And no human action can thwart God’s plan. It may take years to unfold, but if you remain faithful to God, He will work out His plan and restore your peace!

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How about you?

Do you believe that God always has a plan?

Are you staying faithful to God even though things are going poorly?

- even though you’ve been betrayed by family or friends?

- even though you’ve lost your job?

- even though you’ve been separated from your family?

- even though you’ve been completely isolated and cut off?

- even though you've lost everything/everyone who meant anything to you? 

Could it be that God has a bigger purpose for your life that simply takes time for Him to orchestrate?

Do you believe that God always has a plan?

Are you willing to endure hardship and delays in order to see His glorious ending?

We ALL pass through deep waters and desperate, hopeless times!

Are you determined to stay faithful to God through your tough times?

Joseph persisted  -  and God honored him immeasurably!

God doesn’t love Joseph any more than He loves you!

ALL THIS FROM WATCHING A MOVIE?

Okay, I’m about to divulge a few of my secrets. Deb and I enjoy watching TV together almost every evening. We seek out clean, wholesome programming that doesn’t offend us and then tend to binge-watch until we’re caught up to current programming.

We also watch old movies that have proven the test of time.

We watch newer movies also, but select them very carefully. We’re not drawn to the improbable, unrealistic action movies that tend to mark this period.

One technique for finding good movies is to follow the career of an actor or actress that we have enjoyed in a movie. The hope is that if they made one good movie, perhaps they’ve made others.

I used this approach after watching a Christmas movie that we really enjoyed the other night [by the way, it’s early for us to be watching Christmas movies]. The movie that we watched and enjoyed was “A Kindhearted Christmas” [2021] starring Jennie Garth and Cameron Mathison. The plot was very low-key and believable. We were entranced as we watched. Both actors were admirable. It was a genuinely realistic ‘feel-good’ plot.

So – I looked to see other movies that Jennie had made. Lo and behold, there was an earlier movie [2013] that featured both Garth and Mathison: “Holidaze”. With high expectations, we started watching the movie full of hope. Within minutes she was in bed with a man and we faced our disappointment by quickly switching to something else!

But last night, I decided to try again and found another movie featuring Garth that was not a Christmas movie: “A Time To Dance” [2016]. What a powerful movie! I won’t divulge details – in case you want to view it – but it was an effective portrayal of a dynamic love story that had lost its glitter after twenty years. A couple that had made a lifelong commitment to each other finds themselves totally distracted and on the verge of a divorce that will shock everyone who knows them – including their two young adult kids!

Their pathway is painfully detailed as they try to protect their family from the awful reality of their failure in love! An extended period of pretending and the faithfulness of her father and a couple of trusted friends gives them the incentive to explore just what has happened to bring them to this point.

The answers are not easily found or faced! Pain is experienced – gut-wrenching pain! Disappointment and embarrassment are dealt with. Depression and disillusionment are experienced! Memories are explored. Confessions are made.  

This movie is believable! Untold couples have faced what is portrayed in this cinematic story! It is hope-restoring and offers excellent counsel while mapping a pathway to healing. I give this movie five Hal-‘stars’.

I made some personal determinations as a result of watching it that I will apply to my own marriage. Debbie and I have passed through a challenging four or five months due to her hip problems [and surgery]. Caring for her since mid-July has challenged each of us in different ways.

For example: every day I have to get down on my knees in front of her to put her socks on! A simple task that she cannot currently fulfill on her own! God is showing me that after a lifetime of serving me, it’s long overdue for me to serve her!

I’m also learning that I need to weigh my words before speaking them. I have resigned to an inactive period of my life, but she is deeply invested in the life of the church we attend. She is respected and appreciated there for her leadership and courage in a challenging season for the church. I could do more to facilitate her investment there.

All this – from watching a movie? Yep! If you keep your eyes and ears open, God will find a way to speak to you. He’s done it with me; He’ll do it with you, too! 

I SOLD MY TRUCK

I’m not good at selling things online [or anywhere else]! Troy thinks I gave it away!

Like most guys, I loved my truck! Almost every day, Gabe and I would hop in and take a ride on the country roads around Enon Valley and East Palestine.

Oop! I heard you asking.

It was a 2008 Ford F-250. White with a fair amount of rust in the typical Ford spots. I went to have it inspected and as our mechanic started listing all the work it would need to meet the standard, my brain was going ‘Cha-ching! Cha ching! Cha-ching!’  I told the mechanic that it sounded like we were around $4,000; he suggested that my estimate is probably low. That was the moment that the decision was made. 

When I listed it on Marketplace, I was typically [for me] totally honest. As soon as the ad was listed – MY PHONE EXPLODED!  That was probably the first hint that I’d under listed it. Three or four guys told me that they’d give me more when I reported that I had a woman [from Cleveland] coming to look at it. After holding off the wolves till the next morning, she called and said that she couldn’t come! 🙄🙄 Ah, the joys of selling things online!

Trying to do things right, I went to the next prospective buyer as I removed ‘Pending’ from the ad. My phone exploded again! I held off several very aggressive guys that emphasized that they had the ‘cash in hand’.

Mike showed up and liked the truck after idling it for a bit and looking it over. He asked me to review the things that I knew were wrong with it. He mentioned a mechanic friend who helped him and told me he had another friend who ran an inspection shop. He offered me some money down and the rest on the next day. I took it and wrote him a receipt. No haggling [another hint that I had low-balled the price]!  I got what I asked.

We met the next day at a notary and processed the sale. He gave me the rest of the money. I drove him to our place and within minutes he was driving away in his new truck! I watched him disappear around the bend and felt the sadness.

Because we’re inundated with hospital and medical bills currently, I can’t immediately buy another truck. We’re a one-vehicle couple again.

But the biggest problem is that I’m still raking leaves and have no way of pulling my trailer to the Heron Woods dump site!

I’m expecting a delivery from Amazon today including twelve 60 gallon, heavy duty garbage bags! I have a garden tractor and small yard wagon. It looks like I’ll be making a bunch of trips to the dump today and tomorrow!

The money is in the bank. Hopefully – before too long – I’ll be able to buy another truck that’s in nicer shape and gets better gas mileage!  Gabe and I don’t take rides anymore. When we go outside around 9:30 AM, he runs straight to where the truck used to sit, but he doesn’t seem too disappointed when he realizes that we’re just going to walk around the village. We have just as good a time, and maybe I’ll lose a little more weight?

HOW A JEWISH FAITH BECAME PREDOMINANTLY GENTILE

Christianity arose as a movement within the Jewish community, not in the lands of the dispersion but in the land of Israel! Its Founder [Jesus] was a Jew, and so were his disciples, who in the years following his departure from them proclaimed mostly to Jews the good news he had entrusted to them. Yet in little more than a generation after his death Christianity was recognized by the authorities of the Roman Empire as a predominantly Gentile cult. THIS IS REMARKABLE!

I’m getting a new perspective on how pivotal Acts 13 is in relation to the growth and maturity of the New Testament Church!

In chapter 6, the church – becoming overwhelmed with new believers – organized with seven stewards to assist with the ministry.  Stephen – one of the seven - rose to a much larger role and in chapters 7-8 was killed as the first martyr of the church!

In chapter 9, Saul was converted. 

In Chapters10-11, God abruptly - through visions and angels – helped Peter [the outspoken voice of the Apostles] to realize that the Gospel was intended for all people – including the Gentiles!  This essentially opened the door for Paul’s [formerly Saul] future ministry!

In chapter 13, we review the calling and sending of Barnabas and Saul. But within one chapter their mission was directed almost exclusively to Gentiles! And, Paul emerged as the key to this massive transition.

The Acts narrative can be mildly deceptive for modern-day readers. Luke’s unraveling of the story of the development of the New Testament Church is accurate, but does not make us aware of the time-frame of the events. For instance, after his conversion, Paul spent time in Arabia. We know nothing of the purpose for this time. Galatians 1:18 informs us that it was three years before Paul made a trip to Jerusalem to meet with Peter! 

We know that the very significant ‘Jerusalem Council’ recorded in Acts 15, likely took place in 50 A.D. while Paul’s conversion likely took place in 34 AD – that’s sixteen years later!. By that time, James the Apostle had been killed by Herod [Acts 12:2], and James – the brother of Jesus [and author of the NT book of James] had become a significant leader in the New Testament Church.

Biblical historicist, Roland Allen singles out the decade between 47 and 57  AD:

In little more than ten years St. Paul established the Church in four provinces of the Empire: Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia and Asia. Before 47 AD there were no Churches in these provinces; in AD 57 St. Paul could speak as if his work there was done, and could plan extensive tours into the far West without anxiety…

 To observe his tireless dedication to his mission,

1.    the first missionary journey took place between AD 46-48.

2.    The second from AD 50-52; and

3.    the third from AD 53-57 when he was arrested, imprisoned in Caesarea and sent to Rome as a result of his appeal to Caesar [AD60]. 

In Ad 63 he was released from his first Roman imprisonment. He may have made a trip to Spain in AD 64. He was imprisoned again in AD 66 and martyred in AD 67.

After this, the church was led and influenced by the remaining apostles and the MANY associates/disciples of the Apostle Paul:

·         Barnabas                               Acts 13:1

·         Silas                                       II Corinthians 1:19

·         Timothy                                  Romans 16:21

·         Apollos                                   I Corinthians 16:12

·         Philemon                               Philemon 1

·         Phoebe                                  Romans 16:1

·         Priscilla and Aquila                Romans 16:3

·         Urbanus                                 Romans 16:9

·         Clement                                 Philippians 4:3

·         Aristarchus                            Colossians 4:10-11

·         Mark                                       “

·         Justus                                    “

·         Demas                                   Philemon 24

·         Luke                                       “

·         Epaphroditus                        Philippians 2:25

·         Andronicus                           Romans 16:7

·         Junia                                      “

·         Tychicus                                Colossians 4:7

And many more…                                                                                     

[resourced from https://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Pauline_Associates.htm]

The Apostle Paul’s influence in moving the church forward and into the future is inestimable!  By the end of his life, this was no longer a strictly Jewish faith!

PLUS: Remember that in 70 AD the temple was completely destroyed and the sacrificial system came to an end. The Jewish dispersion began with the fall of Jerusalem and the faith was flung to the far parts of the known world!