Soon the years are gone and all there is to remember is a lot of empty struggle, and one is too old to enjoy what was gained.”
–Louis L’Amour (Westward the Tide)
“He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; [a]and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it…”
–Romans 14:6 (NKJV)
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I came across this short, but very insightful sermon. It is worth passing on and letting you ponder on it.
“It is a good thing to observe Christmas day. The mere making of times and seasons, when men agree to stop work and make merry together, is a wide and wholesome custom. It helps one to feel the supremacy of the common life over the individual life. It reminds a man to set his own little watch, now and then, by the great clock of humanity which runs on sun time.
But there is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas.
Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world; to put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance, and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground; to see that your fellow-men are just as real as your are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy; to own that probably the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life; to close your book of complaints against the management of the universe, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness–are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.
Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and the desires of little children; to remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear on their hearts; to try to understand what those who live in the same house with you really want, without waiting for them to tell you; to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you; to make a grave for your ugly thoughts, and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open–are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.
Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world–stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death–and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas.
And if you keep it for a day, why not always?
But you can never keep it alone.
–Henry Van Dyke
I remember going through several trying nights while out camping. I always figured I could make it through one night. If that is true, then why not the opposite? Instead of trying to make it through a night, why not live for a day? And if one can live for a day, why not make it a lifestyle? If I recall right, Bing Crosby once said, “that if we don’t have Christmas in our heart, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it white.”
Christmas signifies giving. Why not give of yourself this season and always?
Author: Ira Paine
Echoes From the Campfire
He had noted that some people who railed at the law’s interference in their own affairs were mightily pleased for it to show up when trouble arose.”
–Elmer Kelton (The Buckskin Line)
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
–John 16:33 (NKJV)
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This is the Christmas season and the world is in turmoil; the nation is confused and is full of chaos. Where is the peace? I thought that Christmas was to be a time of peace. What does it say in Luke?
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
–Luke 2:14 (KJV)
I think that part of the problem is that we have a misconception of peace. Our perception is only partially correct. Peace is not necessarily about the absence of trials and conflicts. For to have true peace there must be justice. If you have followed the character of Miles Forrest over the years you would know that he struggles with his duties on this earth of “bringing peace.” To have peace there must be justice. When there is safety in a town there is law and order.
I came across the following in my reading. It is worth sharing and worth contemplating.
“The peace of God is transformative. It changes us from those who would use oppressive power to a people who nurture and tend. The peace of Christ moves us into new places. This holy peace requires that we change and move, not stay stagnant.
Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the trust that God can transform conflict into reconciliation. Peace is not calm because the disparate voices are silenced, but the courage to stand within the waters of righteous anger, hear the wails of suffering, and work for change. Peace is crossing from the bank of oppression to the side of justice, and having the faith to walk in the shifting sands and strong currents that would make us turn back, except that God call us to the side of love…every single time.”
–Laurie Brock (Living Well Through Advent)
The verse in Luke might indicate that peace is for everyone, but in studying the Scriptures we know that is not true. There is peace available for everyone, but some will fall under the displeasure of God and receive His wrath instead.
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (NASB)
“Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor].” (AMPC)
To receive this peace is to recognize Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace. We must first be at peace with God before we can be at peace with our fellow man. Peace comes through a walk of faith–knowing that God is in charge and we can rest in Him and be at peace. Justice is there for Christ paid the sentence for sin. Man can have peace even though the world and the nation is in turmoil. Turn to Christ, walk in His Word, trust in the heavenly Father. Isn’t it ironic that to have true peace you must go to the Cross?
The Saga of Miles Forrest
After leaving the meeting I walked up to the corner to look for Lucas. Where was that kid? Then looking down the street I saw him racing around the corner like a banshee was chasing him.
“Senor Miles…” he hollered, out of breath.
“Lucas! What did I tell you about goin’ on the streets to the north?” I asked with exasperation.
“But, Senor Miles, I was doing what you say, ‘investigatin’,'” he panted as he grabbed hold of my arm.
“Investigatin’?”
“I saw them, the men. I couldn’t see them very well last night, but I saw them up the street so I went to look. He is the man!” he exclaimed.
“Now simmer down, what man?” I questioned.
He was beginning to catch his breath. “The man at the fire, I think his name was Teeter; he was the man I saw talking with Senor James Lamb in the doctor’s office.”
“Did they see you?” I asked with concern.
“No, I was very careful,” he said then dropped his head. “I know I disobeyed, but I had to be sure.”
I clasped him on the shoulder. “Well, that’s one thing about bein’ a man. You have to make decisions, and then be prepared to accept the consequences. We might just have to forgo that ice cream I was thinkin’ of gettin’ you.”
His eyes seemed to enlarge with almost tears, but he replied. “I understand,” he replied with a large sigh.
“But again,” I began to say. “You brought back some important information and undertook a dangerous job to do so. I might have to reconsider.”
We walked up the street to a store that boasted of ice cream and something new–ice cream soda. Lucas looked carefully at the sign. “Senor, what is thees ice cream soda?”
I had to chuckle a little bit. “Well, Pard, I’m not quite sure but from what I hear they pour sody-pop over ice cream. Supposed to be good. How’s about us givin’ it a try?”
After ordering and receiving our soda; we both got strawberry, we sat down and I began to think of what Lucas had told me. Those men, at least Teeter, knew the Lambs. I wondered if they had anything to do with the holdup. Fooy was always very careful but there had been a man killed. Perhaps these three broke away from Fooy. After he made a haul he was known to disappear, sometimes for a year or more.
I thought that I might take a meander after supper and I put Lucas in the room for the night, but then figured that neither Marta nor Molly would approve. I’d check wanted posters at Wells Fargo on the way to the train in the morning to see if there was anything on the three.
The next morning, after a hardy breakfast, we took our horses to the station to get them loaded on the stock car. I was a mite nervous with those men hanging about. I wondered why they didn’t try anything that night at the camp? Were they concerned about Lucas? If so, that’s a plus on their side, but I reckoned that they figured it just wasn’t the right time.
I hoped they weren’t on the train. I had been playing up that Lucas was a man, but I didn’t relish to go up against three men with someone still wet behind the ears. Of course, I wasn’t about to tell Lucas that. I had half a mind to stay back with the horses, out of sight and out of the way, but decided to go ahead and ride in the passenger car.
The Lord must have heard the prayer that I didn’t say for there was no sign of the men. The trip back to Durango went without incident. Marta was there to meet us at the station and she gave Lucas a hug that surely did embarrass him. He even wiped the big wet kiss off his cheek.
When I saw that I started to laugh some. He turned to me, “What is so funny, Senor?”
“Nothin’ Lucas, nothin’,” I muttered. “Let’s go see Molly, then get the horses cared for.”
“You go ahead, Senor and see your wife. I will care for the horses,” he ordered then began to walk off. After taking a few steps he stopped, turned and spoke to me. “Gracias, Senor Miles.”
Nothing else needed to be said…
Echoes From the Campfire
He decided that he would never ignore Christmas again, and not just the date on the calendar.”
–C.J. Petit (The Second Star)
“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
–1 Corinthians 1:25 (NKJV)
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I trust that you had a very wonderful Thanksgiving. It should have been a grand day to reflect on the goodness of the Lord. The same is true as we finish Psalm 31. David has been moaning and groaning. He is almost done in and he is wearied to the bone. But then…he remembers the Lord. God has an unfailing love! When times are tough hearken to the voice of the Lord. Contemplate on these verses and you will find instructions.
19 – How great is Your goodness that You have stored up for those who fear You and accomplished in the sight of everyone for those who take refuge in You.
20 – You hide them in the protection of Your presence; You conceal them in a shelter from the schemes of men,
from quarrelsome tongues.
21 – May the Lord be praised, for He has wonderfully shown His faithful love to me in a city under siege.
22 – In my alarm I had said, “I am cut off from Your sight.” But You heard the sound of my pleading when I cried to You for help.
23 – Love the Lord, all His faithful ones. The Lord protects the loyal, but fully repays the arrogant.
24 – Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord. (HCSB)
Often we worry so much about little or nothing. Our fears become a nightmare. When, oh when, we will begin to trust in the Lord?
“Oh, what blessings will attend
Those who make the Lord their friend.
Lord, may this my portion be.
Seek it, all your saints with me.”
–Henry F. Lyte
Often we use pieces of God’s Word to comfort us in tough times, but forget His challenges after it passes. In the midst of an attack we seem to go through the same motions as before but we should remember that we can depend on God. We need to be loyal to Him no matter the plight we find ourselves in and not worry so much about those who mock God. God can take care of Himself.
There is so much talk among Christians about “relationship.” From what I have observed, it is mostly meaningless talk. Take Thanksgiving for instance; we think some about our blessings and are thankful, when in actuality we should live in that blessedness all year round. Christmas is approaching and we become joyful, yet we should have Christmas in our hearts all year round. And just think, our visible blessings, here and now, are nothing compared to what we can have if we truly want and have a relationship with Christ. I like what Alexander MacLaren says,
“All of our visible blessings are but pale shadows of the real wealth that we can have if we live in continual communion with God. He does not put His best gifts in the store windows. He keeps those in the inner chambers. The best good is not the good that we can touch, taste, and handle and that men can see.”
This season, look inward for the “best good.” Something else, there are things that we are to do. We are to praise Him, take refuge in Him, and be loyal. He also tells us to be strong. Something to consider–look at the epistles of Paul and Peter and dwell on those words. Be strong!