Peace on Earth

Luke 2
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

This is the story of the birth of Jesus. We know it. It is alluded to in some Christmas hymns and songs, so it is impossible to not hear something about it this time of year.

Christmas is an interesting time. We all run around like crazy, busy with work and Christmas shopping. We bake goodies and look at lights on the tree that is so immaculately decorated. We spend time and make memories with loved ones. These are all great things to do. I have always loved Christmas and all that it entails, with the exception of the materialism that goes with it (but that is a whole other blog post). When these things are present we say 'it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.'

Some of us remember the birth of Jesus Christ this time of year. Some choose to go to church because they haven't been in a while, and some choose not to celebrate the birth of Jesus at all. Many people still celebrate Christmas in 'their own way'. They look at Christmas as a time to give to those in need, be with family and/or exchange presents. Even the most grinchy and scroogy person you know seems to celebrate something this time of year. It is almost as if something clicks in our human nature that makes us desire to be with others, spread cheer, hope for peace and give to charity. I believe the saying is "Peace on earth and good will toward men." That sounds familiar. Isn't that what the angels sang when Jesus was born?

Luke 2: 13-14 says, "suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

I was researching the saying, "Peace on earth and good will toward men". I feel like a lot of people tend to summarize the idea of Christmas as everyone getting along for once and showing favor to those who are often ignored, perhaps the poor and needy (i.e peace and goodwill). Do not get me wrong. I believe in charity. We are such fortunate people, even when we do realize it. We may feel shortchanged, but there is usually someone out there who needs more than we do. The Bible teaches us that pure religion is looking after widows and orphans in their distress (James 1:27). Is charity enough? Is there something missing? Can I meet someone's material needs and not tell them about the true meaning of Christmas? I mean, they should get the idea by now, right? How many Christmases in America have they celebrated by now?

In verse 13, the angels begin praising God. God is getting the glory for the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is 'good news', or as we call it, the gospel. Some translations of the Bible say, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests', instead of 'Glory to God in the highest heave, on earth, peace, goodwill toward men.' These look like different verses. The favor and goodwill is not referring to man. It does not mean that when we celebrate the birth of Jesus every year we will have peace and goodwill toward each other. The favor and goodwill belongs to God because He has given us the gift of Immanuel, God with us. He has shown us favor by giving the greatest gift of all. Robert Stein says in his commentary on Luke that this 'peace' refers to the fullness of blessing which the Savior brings. He says it is a synonym for salvation! Jesus was born to reconile God and sinner. That is the amazing news of the gospel and the beautiful message of Christmas! The peace is in our reconciliation with God. Our sins are forgiven and salvation is here!

Yes, it is good to show love, peace and charity to our neighbors. But if we do this without telling them the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, what is the point? All creation should sing Glory to God for such a gift and praise God for His favor!

Hark the Herald Angels Sing is one of my favorite hymns. Listen to the lyrics. It captures the essence of Christmas, the gospel of Christ. I love it! Listen here to the version Keith and Kristyn Getty do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiP6HtIaJ70

Merry Christmas!

A New Leaf

Wow, what a year. It started out with moving, planning a wedding and falling even more in love with my soon to be husband. Then I was diagnosed with mono, and was sick for months, even all the way up until my wedding week. On April 2nd I married the man I love and off to Myrtle Beach we went as husband and wife. We were both tired still from mono (Steven had it too but not as bad as me), so it was a very relaxing trip to the beach. Yet I still had mono on my wedding day and honeymoon! Mono is horrible.

Then it was time for real life.

A couple of months into marriage God answered our prayers to be parents. I found out I was pregnant when Steven was at work and there was a tornado hitting down in Louisville. He almost didn't make it home that night, but thank God he did because being pregnant was not news I could hold in! I was overwhelmed with joy because I have wanted to be a mom for years. It is so surreal and amazing that God gives us the chance to bring life into this world and care for it. Steven was overjoyed too, as his passion for family is one of the reasons I knew I should marry him.

The rest of the summer we were gone almost every weekend visiting, interviewing with and preaching (not me, Steven) at prospective churches. We felt peace about a church job that ended up not as we had planned, but I guess God had other plans. So now we wait for the baby to come. Well I wait, but my husband has to work a lot. We decided that I would stop working so that I could work at home and prepare for the baby. We have to make room for a baby in a one bedroom apartment. My husband is probably the hardest working man I know. He goes above and beyond and works for the Lord. We are still praying for and seeking where God would have us minister.

Life is not at all what we thought it would be a mere 5 months ago when we were on our honeymoon. Things are not always easy, but we press on. It is amazing how we can live a fairly predictable life, going to school and work, eating and sleeping, yet when our lives became one it seems like all predictability went out the window. This is life now. It is our sovereign God's plan for us, no matter how hard that is to understand at times.

I love the lyrics in this Bebo Norman song. We may fall apart but our Lord saves us from our sin and gives us new life. Underneath every trial and every joy there is a purpose and it's worth it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlR3Xoegq2I

So now I want to try to blog a little more. I want to share some things about our family and little tidbits about my pregnancy and sweet baby. I am 16 weeks pregnant and we find out the gender of the baby in a month! I can't wait. I am hoping for a boy, and I'm pretty convinced it is a boy. We shall see what God has planned.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:14

The Lord Works

I cannot stop thinking about how the Lord works in mysterious ways. He is undoubtedly in control. Today at work I encountered the author of a book that changed my view on marriage. I read the book early this year, in February I believe. The book Get Married is about marriage and what single women can do to get prepared for marriage. After reading the book I finally felt at peace about my strong desire to be a wife and mother. Her premise in the book is that it is a good and natural thing to desire marriage, because God put that in our hearts. Most people get married, and it was part of God's plan to be married and be fruitful and multiply. It is not a bad thing to desire marriage if you are single. That book was the beginning of God working in my heart and preparing me to be a wife. I met the author, Candice Watters, when she was at the seminary talking about the book earlier this year. Today I saw her again, and I was surprised to learn that her husband just took a job at the seminary and they moved their family here. When I met her before I thanked her for writing the book and I shared a little of my story. Today I didn't get the chance to tell her that I am now engaged, and I am ready to 'get married'.

Thinking about this year is very surreal to me. My prayers have finally been answered. I have prayed for a husband that would love the Lord, love me and desire to be a father. God knew what He was doing when He brought me back to the seminary. He also knew what He was doing when He brought Steven Dresen to seminary and also put us in the same church. All I could do to prepare for marriage as a single woman was pray and seek God's wisdom. God continues to sanctify me and I have felt His presence as I have studied what the Bible says about marriage and family. His grace is more than I deserve. I prayed for a godly husband and he exceeds all of my expectations. I pray that I never take him for granted but always honor and respect him. God has blessed us with an opportunity to live out the gospel daily in our relationship and we seek to honor Him in that.

If you are single and lonely and wondering if you will ever get married please remember that God is in control. He will bring that person in His timing. He will bring you together in a way that honors Him. He will teach you as you go, and He will never leave you anxious on the journey. He brings us peace and all wisdom and understanding. Never stop praying. God knows what He is doing!!

I literally cannot think of a proper title

I have recently been reading a lot of Elisabeth Elliot books. She is my favorite author because she is so wise and truthful. She has this amazing ability to point everything back to God's truth, and I am always encouraged when I finish reading. Some of what I read has made me think a lot. One of the main things I have pondered is the wonder of being a woman and the fact that woman was created for the man because God, in His infinite plan, knew that Adam should not be alone.

Elisabeth Elliot is a very conservative lady, and she was raised in a completely different generation than I. She tells the story of her first date. The rules were simple: boy asks girl, he has a plan for the evening, he is a gentleman, he asks her parents' permission, and gets her home by curfew. Also, there were other old-fashioned rules that applied of course. Later, she went on to say that her daddy told her brothers that if he was ready to tell a girl he loved her then he better be ready to marry her. Apparently they stuck to this little rule of thumb. I think I agree...

I read this and think it sounds great. If only things were like they used to be. Now we have this awkward dating scene, where we go into it seeing what we can get from it, and don't think about the long term affects it will have on our lives. I wish somebody would have stopped me from dating my first two boyfriends. And the last two relationships are not a better story. I wish things could be simple. I wish I didn't give my heart away and follow my emotions instead of God's will. I can't change the past and God is good, but I was done with trying to find 'a guy' and looking for the wrong type of guy yet justifying that he was 'good for me'. I wish somebody would have told me to stop chasing boys, because it is not our job to initiate. God is in control, and everything is great when it is according to God's perfect order. It glorifies our Creator when we live as He intended us to live.

I have been single for the last five years. Most of the time I remained content, but there were a lot of moments recently where I wondered when, or if, a guy would ever approach me. I believe that is the mans job, and I had to patiently wait for that to happen. Imagine my surprise when a guy approached me after church. He did it more than once, and ever since I met him he has initiated everything. What in the world is going on? Seriously, I was confused by it because finally a guy was doing things right. We became friends and are now a couple. Oh, and I still let him initiate because that is still the mans job.

I want God's will and not mine. How many times have I said that and not held up my end? But God is working in our lives and I trust in His perfect will, and I am thankful!

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

Sickness

Wow. What a day. I have been so sick with sinuses and other things this week that I needed a day of rest. I am tired...and I am sick. Sick of being tired, tired of being sick. For some reason the Lord has me thinking about being a mom today. I turned the t.v. on at lunch and during the day there are so many commercials targeted to stay at home moms. Also, some of my facebook friends are stay at home moms and I love reading their status updates.

I think about my friends who are single and in school. We are in seminary because we are seeking God's will and preparing for ministry. But isn't ministry for women within the home and the church? My heart's desire is to be a wife and mom. My heart's desire is also to disciple and teach women the Bible. Great news, my heart's desire is exactly what God calls women to do. I just long for the day when I'm home, chasing little stinkers around and freaking out because I'm really tired and have flour in my hair and my kids making messes in every room in the house. That will be the day!!

Marriage and Ministry

Sometimes I do not know what to say. I have a lot on my mind, not all of which needs to be shared with the world. Right now I am remembering a conversation that I had with my teenage girls at camp last year. We talked about ministry, and if we are called into full time ministry does that mean we should marry a man called to ministry? I think I had asked myself that very question before. I came to the conclusion that we probably should. But is that a command? Could I marry a man who had no desire to do ministry? We all minister as Christians, but I mean full time, devoted-to-for-life ministry. This is my calling, and I think it would be difficult to be a helper to a man not called to ministry.

1 Timothy tells us that an elder, or overseer, must be a man who is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and a man that manages his family with dignity (1 Tim 3). He must not be a recent convert and he must be well thought of by outsiders. If you were to be a wife of a man like this, wouldn't you also be expected to share in these qualities? I think, and do not know from experience, that marriages that are successful are successful because they have the same goal in life-to glorify God with their marriage. It makes sense to spend the rest of your life with a person that has similar goals and desires.

One of the girls in the group that asked that question is now engaged. She is a missionary and a woman who fears God. I am a lot older than her, but I think it's great that she has found a man to share in ministry and life. How cool is that? I know there is a time for everything...and I am trusting in God's perfect plan for my life. Jesus has not failed me yet, nor will He!

Be imitators of God

Ephesians 5 is such a loaded chapter in the Bible. First Paul tells the reader to be an imitator of God. Wow. That is loaded. What does that entail exactly? Well my pastor always says, if you don't know what the writer is saying, keep reading. So.....verse 2 tells us it means to walk in love, just like Christ did. He gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. If that is not love, I do not know what is.

Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

He continues....

3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

If we are going to walk in the light with fellowship with our Lord we must live a life that is pleasing to Him. We do not do good works to earn our salvation, we live and love as Christ because that is what He commands of us. We should discern what is pleasing to the Lord. This is not legalism, this is obedience. Grace is a free gift, we cannot earn our salvation, but obedience is another story. Be imitators of God, offer yourselves as a sacrifice JUST LIKE JESUS. He walked the ultimate life of obedience to the Father. He prayed to the Father, not my will but yours.

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

We must be wise. We must submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. He is what drives us to love others. He is our ultimate example. Also, we should continue to encourage one another. Let us not be foolish brothers and sisters. Pray that we will live lives pleasing to the Lord. Lives full of love and self-sacrifice. And let us not forget to give thanks ALWAYS. Thank you Lord for your truth!