Born is the King – It’s Christmas by Hillsong

This has been MY song this Christmas season – it’s joyful, it’s fun, it’s true.  It’s one of those songs I crank up in my car and shake the speakers and make the windows rattle.

I had another singing at the moon fit last night.  I stood on my back steps, gazing out into the darkness and around my sleepy little neighborhood.  Oh yeah.  I started rocking, and clapping and let loose with this one.  If this one doesn’t make you smile, come visit me and we’ll talk and eat Christmas cookies, candy canes, and red and green M&M’s.  I think in a bit, you’ll be on those steps with me, singing your heart out.  A king is born, it’s Christmas.  Forever and ever, halleluia!  God bless you, every one.

Born unto us this day a Savior
Gifted from heaven to a manger
The hope of the world
A light for all mankind
All of the earth rejoice
It’s Christmas time

So lift up your voice and sing out His praise
It’s Christmas
Born is the King, rejoice in the day
It�s Christmas
Make a joyful sound
It’s Christmas
Let His praise resound
It’s Christmas

Goodwill to all the earth
And peace divine
All of the earth rejoice
It’s Christmas time
It’s Christmas time

So lift up your voice and sing out His praise
It’s Christmas
Born is the King, rejoice in the day
It’s Christmas
Make a joyful sound
It’s Christmas
Let His praise resound
It’s Christmas

So lift up your voice and sing out His praise
It’s Christmas
Born is the King, rejoice in the day
It’s Christmas
Make a joyful sound
It’s Christmas
Let His praise resound
It’s Christmas

So lift up your voice and sing out His praise
It’s Christmas
Born is the King, rejoice in the day
It’s Christmas
Make a joyful sound
It’s Christmas
Let His praise resound
It’s Christmas

Joy! John 2

The past few weeks have brought to me joy and revelation.  I realized I had allowed myself to allow others to steal my joy, that I had become mired in a rut of routine – both in my day to day living and in my worship.  I was driving along listing to one of Chris Tomlin’s cd’s.  I had several songs that had touched me that I would listen to several times over.  By a mechanical malfunction, by deus ex machina, but I realize now by miracle, instead of “All To Us” playing,  the song “Awakening” played.  I had listened to the song several time but this time, I heard it.  I felt it in my heart.  I played it a few times more until I was singing it, lifting it up in prayer.

I asked my friend Beni if he knew this song.  His reply was amazing to me:  it was his favorite song by Chris Tomlin.  How he had played it over and until he sang along and then singing along as if he were in a crowd.  He said to him, it represented “inspiration in situ”.  And truly, it is.  I felt myself coming back alive, the breath of the Holy Spirit blowing joy into my soul.

That weekend, a friend for whom I had been praying for a few years called me at 4:00 am.  You see, he is in Japan and had just gotten out of church.  He knew I would be awake and he wanted to tell me,  he believed.  He had given his whole being to Jesus.  We laughed and wept across the miles.  Joy – unspeakable joy!  I shared this with Beni who was able to also share in that joy and to be encouraged.

I find it perfect that Jesus’ first miracle would be the miracle of joy.  The Bible uses symbols for things:  water is life, wine is joy, for example.  Jesus went with his mother and disciples to a wedding in Cana.  While there, the wine gave out.  At that time, this was serious business.  The wedding celebration would last for several days and there had to be plenty of food, wine, gifts for the attendees – very very serious business.  A guest, could by law, sue the master of ceremonies if there were not enough food or wine for the duration of the celebration.

It would appear that Mary and Jesus were related to the family of the wedding and that Mary was recognized as being one of the older women who would have authority over any events.  It was natural the servants came to her with problem of no more wine.  Oops.  She turned to her son and told him the problem.  He shrugged. “Not our problem. It isn’t time for me yet.”  Probably for the last time, Mary exerted her authority with her son.  She told the servants to do as he told them.  Jesus had the servants fill large ceremonial urns with water.  A dipper of the contents was then taken to the master of ceremonies who was amazed – the quality of the wine he tasted was the best of any that had yet to be given to the guests.

As Jesus transformed ordinary water into wine, so He turns our ordinary lives into joy.  The water of our life becomes the wine of joy – and it is better than anything we have had before!  Our earthly vessels are filled with joy that only comes from the changing grace of Jesus.   My friend is changed.  I am changed.  Beni is changed.  You all can be changed.  My joy has been renewed.  I have experienced “inspiration in situ“.

Nehemiah 8:10 …the joy of the Lord is your strength

My BIG decision…

It was from hell week at work- again….my boss who is almost (not quite. I’m older and have clocked in my time with this) as arrogant as I, pushed every button in my psyche he could put his hands on.  I’ve been battling with my depression over the past few weeks and my resistance was low.  I didn’t blow but I really wanted to.

After going to church today and hearing a toe (mine) stomping sermon about anger and hearing Beni do his magic with a song, I made a big decision.  Afterwards at the church dinner, I hung out with the teens and introduced the girls to sugar and butter delicious Takeshi Kaneshiro and having lunch with them, I left church and went to the Japanese Garden to visit the nishikigoi.  I’ll clarify something……The gorgeous actor was not with me.  I just happened to mention, while they were talking about hot guys, this wonderful actor and reeled off a half dozen of his movies for them.

Anyway, while teasing the nishikigoi with a few chopped grapes, I went all quiet inside myself.  I just raised a white flag and surrendered my anger at my boss and my situation.  I took the target off my back and the “Easy Button” off my soul.  I had a talk with Jesus, told him all my troubles, took them out of my IN basket and put them in His.  I’m a control freak.  It was hard and I imagine I’ll need a reminder.

But today, I decided I am back in control of my life – not the government, not my boss, not my gossipy co-workers, not my passive husband, not my mother, not my cat (we all know though there is no snooze alarm on a cat who wants his breakfast).

I am going to start flexing my faith muscle again – it’s gotten flabby over the past couple of weeks.  I’ve been listening to some old 8 track tapes that say over and over again – you’re a failure.  You aren’t pretty.  You aren’t smart enough.  You never became what my father and I wanted you to be.  You aren’t a typical woman – you aren’t the wife I thought I could make you become.  You are old and useless.  You have accomplished nothing.  Your father would be ashamed……I’m sorry. I’ve installed a new soundsystem and these tapes don’t work in the new one.

I understand particle physics.  I know about string theory.  I’m a mean Kendo partner.  I spar full tilt.  I am kind to animals.  Even herons will eat from my hand.  I am a supportive and loyal friend.  I have become a woman who can ballroom dance (I am an excellent tango-er) and I have three – yes three different Star Trek uniforms in my closet.  I have attained commander status.  I know more about cooking and cooking history and cooking chemistry than any one human should know.  I had an amazing and incredible love in my life.  I can smell snow when it is coming.  I am going to teach the teens how to make various types of sushi.

And to top off all of these amazing things, I have as my friend, the Lord Jesus Christ.  He loves me and all He wants me to do is sit at His feet and learn from Him and be loved by Him.  He doesn’t give pop quizzes or call me out in front of the class.  I am precious in His sight.

His will has become my will.  He doesn’t call me to anything great or noble or amazing…..He doesn’t say I have to be a doctor, or lawyer, or engineer, or pretty, or a stay at home mom, or a preacher….He just calls me to love others as He loves me.  It’s a hard job and it is one that can’t be done while harboring anger and carrying toxic baggage.

So that is my decision for today – God bless you all on your journies as you find what it is you need.  I know a great nishikigoi pond to hang out by.  It is open 24/7/365…

HOPE – エレミヤ書 29:11

エレミヤ書  29:11

主は言われる、わたしがあなたがたに対していだい ている計画はわたしが知っている. それは災を与え

ようというのではなく、平安を与えようとするもの

であり、あなたがたに将来を与え、希望を与えよう

とするものである

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Today, we need hope more than ever.  Thousands of years ago, God spoke to the people of Israel, exiles (captives) in Babylon.  They were taken away from their homes, their property, children – everything taken from them and their lives turned upside down and totally changed.  Their city and temple was destroyed.

A few years later, God would use Nehemiah to bring these exiles back to their home and rebuild their temple.  And years even later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to be born as a child (please read my post Why Christmas) and to live among us, die for us, rise from the dead to save us from eternal death and give us life everlasting.

God looked all the way down the millennia to then to now.  He still speaks to us.  He still has hope for us.  His Son still loves us. 

In spite of everything ugly, frightening, horrible, catastrophic, WE STILL HAVE HOPE!

John 3:16 – 17  God loves us so much, He sent His only Son to live with us, die for us, and rise from the dead to save us from eternal life.  He was sent not to condemn us, but to save us and give us hope. (my paraphrase)

It is Christmas.  Regardless of what you celebrate, how you worship, I share this with you.  Believe it or not, that is your choice.

But I want you all to know this and to know there is hope.  Be blessed.  God Bless You!  Merry Christmas!