Tag Archives: God

One Yard of Christmas, pt. 3

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Shepherds. They saw angels on the night of the birth of Jesus. Can you picture these smelly guys hanging around the fire? They could have been dreaming up stories for their families. Maybe they were thinking of how to make some money off of the angel visit. Perhaps a book deal was on their mind? Actually, we know that they were not doing any of those things. As with the first two parts, let’s go to the Word of God.

Luke 2:16-17 “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,”

Here is how Dictionary.com defines the word feet:

Noun, 1. a plural of foot.

Foot, noun, plural feet

  1. (in vertebrates) the terminal part of the leg, below the ankle joint, on which the body stands and moves.

 

One of the best parts about the gospel (or the story of Jesus) is that is forces us to make a decision. It seems that the shepherds were among the first to hear the story.

Once they heard, they moved. It was clear to them that what the angels were speaking of was for real. They had a choice and they made that choice without hesitation. It says the “hurried.” And when they saw the baby, another choice was to be made. They “spread the word.”

It is like having a can of paint. It must be spread in order to do the job. It won’t do any good to anyone if it stays in the can.

paint can

Friends, Christmas is all about God giving to us something unique. His son. The other part of that is us giving the world the same gift.

WE MUST TELL THE WORLD ABOUT JESUS. And it is my opinion that this “feet” is the most difficult of the three.

In conclusion,

  •  One Yard of Christmas
    • Feat
    • Fete
    • Feet

Will you wonder in the feat of God giving His son to us?

Will you celebrate the birth of Jesus instead of commercializing it?

Will you be like a paint brush and spread the truth about Jesus?

I hope you have enjoyed a One Yard of Christmas. It has been fun reliving Christmas this January.

Now go, spread the word and enjoy Jesus for the rest of 2015!

One Yard of Christmas, pt. 2

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Christmas is the greatest time of the year! Jammed pack into a few weeks, one gets to experience cookies, family, gifts, lights, music, and so much more! It is a great time to celebrate. In fact that is the topic of this blog; celebration. If you have not read part 1, please do so and you will understand what I mean about One Yard of Christmas.

As we did with the word ‘feat’, let’s go back to Luke 2 and find out what the second word is in One Yard of Christmas.

Luke 2:8-10 says, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

We have all heard the story. The shepherds out in the fields with the sheep. A quiet and chilly night. Clear skies. BAM! An angel bursts into vision! The shepherds freak out! (I think any normal person would) But then the angel begins to speak, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy…” The angel used the word Joy.

That brings me to the second part of One Yard of Christmas: fete

Here is how Dictionary.com defines the word fete:

  1. a day of celebration; holiday 2. a festive celebration or entertainment 3. a religious feast or festival

christmas fete

The birth of the Savior gives us reason to celebrate. Let’s hold a fete in His honor. Bring out the cookies and cakes. Wrap the presents and trim the trees. Sing great anthems to God. These are all appropriate actions because we are commemorating a timeless truth: God came to earth as a little baby human so we could see him. This brings great joy!

As you recall this past Christmas, what was it you were celebrating?

In your entire cookie eating and gift opening, who was at the center of your heart? You or Jesus?

Don’t misunderstand me. I like getting gifts and enjoying holiday parties. But it boils down to honoring our Lord and Savior with all that we do. So next time you hear the phrase “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”; please remember that the fete of Christmas is really for Him. I know there are 11 months until next Christmas so start now. Get into the habit of making your life a fete (celebration) of Jesus. He won’t mind a year long party. =-)

One Yard of Christmas, pt. 1

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Happy New Year!

I usually look forward when starting a new year. But for this month, I am going to reflect not on 2015 but on Christmas. Yes, the modern season and commercialism of Christmas might be the Reason for Christmas is still real. Jesus, that helpless little baby born in a manger is still alive today! And because He still lives and reigns, the celebration must go on. So I now present to you One Yard of Christmas!

There are three feet in a yard. So it only stands to reason that in One Yard of Christmas, there are also three feet.

Here is the first one: a feat

 

Luke 2:6:7 says, “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

 

How is it that God, who happens to be completely powerful, was born completely helpless? At birth, that little baby was just like you and me. Totally helpless. It becomes even more staggering to think where He came from. The timeless words of John tell us “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…” John 3:16a. What God did was a feat of great love.

 

Here is how Dictionary.com defines the word feat:

1. a noteworthy or extraordinary act or achievement, usually displaying boldness, skill, etc.:

For me, God giving His son is an amazing act. A feat that has never been duplicated in all of time. You can probably think of many great feats that have happened through history. But do they really compare to the Almighty God and Creator of the Universe wrapping Himself in skin and being born as a crying little baby?

 

But why does it matter? Let’s go back to John. He wrote the three little words that are so simple yet so impactful: “God so loved.”

 

So as we journey through this year, may we never forget that God so loved us. I mean me. I mean you. Anyone can experience this love. That is what is so noteworthy or extraordinary about Jesus. The love of God shown to us in and through the infant of Christmas.

 

This is all in vain unless there is application. Carve out some time today and everyday to ponder the love of God. Read His Word. Soak in it. Let it be the driving force for your life. Surrender to the waves of His unending, unrelenting love. His compassions are new every morning! See Lamentations. Let 2015 be a year in which you are changed. God’s love will do that…

but only if you let it.

What does 2015 hold for you?

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Hello friends,

It is Sunday night, December 21st. It is also the shortest day of the year. That means two things:

  • Winter starts today. =-(
  • The days will be getting longer starting tomorrow. =-)

I like to think of myself as an optimist. It seems that there is always a bright side to any situation. Sure, it may not be evident right away but keep looking. When I think ahead to the next year, I see tons of potential. It will be an adventure trying to free that potential.

 

God is so incredible. He created me exactly like He wanted to. That is the extreme potential that I am talking about. As I continually lay my life down for Him, He can release more potential.

 

A quick illustration from the world of science. A roller coaster that sits on the track but never moves is full of potential. Even as that coaster is cranking up that first incline, it is still remaining as potential energy. Once the train gets over that initial hump and start to descend, the potential energy becomes kinetic energy. That coaster, at that moment, is doing exactly what it was created to do. Potential energy is stored energy waiting to be released. Kinetic energy is energy that is moving, it is being expended.

God gave me potential when He created me. I am thrilled because 2015 is going to be a year of kinetic energy. It will truly be wonderful to do exactly what I am created to do. I hope you find God in this amazing way.

 

So are you seeing the potential in yourself? Remember, it might be a little difficult at first but you have potential. It’s in there!

roller coaster

 

 

Look for some good changes in 2015! See you next year, Merry Christmas.

“G”

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I live in Green Bay, WI. What was the first thing that popped into your mind when you read the words Green Bay?

For many, the football team that plays here would be the first thing into their minds. For others, it might be cheese. Beer? Some might even call it home. But I think we could agree that we are the most famous for the green and gold, the Green Bay Packers.

Back in July of this year, I had an amazing opportunity. Without going into the whole story, I was asked if I would give the Invocation at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Induction Banquet!

Needless to say, my answer was yes.

My wife and I got to attend the banquet, enjoy dinner, meet some famous people and shake hands with some Packers themselves.

Big deal right? Sure, it was probably something that I will never get to do again. It was really fun! Meeting these larger-than-life people is surreal. Very tasty food also!

 

But if one is not careful, those things (Packers, banquets, fame, food etc.) can become the object of our worship. 

I believe that God created us with a built-in capacity to worship. We will worship something. The great part is that we get to choose what object, thing, or person we will worship.

Let that sink in for a minute. Click this to read a passage from God’s word.

To end this post, I want to share with you the prayer that I prayed for the Invocation. For me, reading it again is a good reminder to reevaluate what I am worshipping.

 

Thank, It is indeed an honor to be a part of Packer history so again, thank you.

We are all on a journey. Life itself is a journey. Everyday, we make stops along the way of our own journey. However, for the vast majority of those of us gathered here tonight, those stops do not include being inducted into the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame!

It is a gift to be a great football player as such are gathered here tonight. In fact, all gifts are given to us by God and God alone. Therefore, as we honor these men tonight, let us remember to recognize that all good things come from the Father above. Let us pray.

Almighty God, we magnify you tonight. For it is by your grace that we stand here today. May we honor you because of who you are.

Arrest us in our sin.

Aid us in our shortcomings.

Affirm us in our strengths.

May your blessing rest on these inductees. Let your love abound to all who are present.

Thank you for all the work and effort that has preceded this banquet and give us nourishment from our meal.

We pray all of these things in the matchless name of Jesus, Amen.

Closing thought, “What does that G stand for again?”G on helmet