Blessed Christmas–
a time to remember how the present God became an intensified presence, donning our flesh to be one of us. The depths of my despair, loss, and dysfunction cry out to the depths of his love, accessibility, and resource and
that deep crying to deep is answered in Jesus.
Hallelujah.
Wishing all of my blogger friends a joyous Christmas! We are still sick and hoping the bugs die off quickly so we can start 2018 in robust health. Joy to all!
♫ ♬♫ ♬ On the 9th day of sickness, my true love gave to me
fresh squeezed fruit juice
One thing of cough med
slippers for my footies
another hour to sleep in
…………………………the heat turned up one degreeeeeee!!
more blankets on
more essential oils
another round of juice,
and a binge fest of LOST just for me! ♫ ♬♫ ♬
I remember as a young girl a big painting reproduction Mom and Dad had hanging in their bedroom. It showed two young children crossing a rickety bridge, looking scared and alone in the dark; however, unseen by them was a huge angel, towering above, guarding them safely home. Though the angel is much more feminized than possibly angels really are, as a child that image brought comfort; and as an adult, I bought a wooden plaque with that same picture to remind me that I am in God’s care.
In Hebrews 1:14, the author writes, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” And in Psalm 103:20-21, we read, “Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will!” And though prophetic of Jesus, as part of His body, we can also draw comfort from Psalm 91:11, which says, “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.”
In this broken world, it is a wonder to know that what we see is not all there is. We are not left alone to battle the brokenness and the forces that rage against God, both human and demonic. When we feel alone and scared, overwhelmed by circumstance, undone by sorrow, we have the Holy Spirit within and heavenly guardians without, watching over our lives. They are not fat cherubs, sitting on clouds playing harps. They are not the flawed Touched by an Angel deal, but the real deal—powerful beings with a mandate from the Father to guard His very own and war on their behalf. I would say that is wonder-ful!
Carried for nine months and birthed far from
Heaven’s hallelujahs into Israel’s
Rough fringes—a Bethlehem town,
Incarnation, God come to be one of us—a
Singular identification with
The lost and the loved: It was a lowly
Ministry to a dying
Adamic race, desperate to
Save, destined to
Give hope where there was none, exchanging the glories with the Father for the
Isolation and humiliation of life with the
Fallen, and we reach out from our disgrace
To receive Heaven’s gift.
