Miracle Eve

It is Christmas Eve, 2008. This last year has been awfully challenging for millions of people, including us. The world is full of hopelessness and panic pushers. But we have a hope that pierces through the blackest headlines. We have eternity in our souls. We have Jesus, the light of the world and the Master of Miracles.
The original Christmas Eve was a hopeless time for the world, too. God had promised a savior and redeemer, but that was seven hundred years earlier. Do you suppose the Israelites wondered if Isaiah had made the whole thing up? Where was this redeemer who would rescue them from the tyranny of a godless government? Why was God taking so long? Didn’t He care?
Then, in the swiftness of a baby’s first wail, God came to earth. Light was embodied. Hope was born. The world has never been the same.
We all have prayers we are waiting for God to answer. We know His word promises us certain things, and we don’t understand why He takes so long in fulfilling His promises. Did we misunderstand His word to us? Does He really care about our plight? We have the same questions the Jewish nation had just before Jesus came.

One of my favoriter preachers, Joyce Meyer, likes to say: "faith requires unanswered questions." If we knew what God was going to do ahead of time, it would not be faith for us to believe His love and goodness, and rejoice in Him in the darkness.
Let’s not give up on God. He may be planning the greatest miracle we’ve ever experienced. He may be staging our rescue this very moment. The blackest picture can transform to a lovely, light-filled landscape with one word from Him. He is still the Master of Miracles. Let’s hang on just a little while longer, and believe that He will come through. Any night just might be our Miracle Eve. --- Jen

Imposed Reverence

Imposed Reverence

Last Sunday afternoon we attended an eye-misting, heart stirring Christmas musical performed by an all-church community choir and several instrumental groups. Some of the music was classical, some traditional, and I was amazed at the talent and creativity in our little town, stuck away in the middle of Eastern Illinois. “My heart rejoiced in God my Savior” as Jesus' mother, Mary said. I even got goose bumps from the sheer joy of knowing this God-become-man, and His eternal love for me.
But, I left the church with it’s exquisite stained-glass windows less than elated. Instead of my joy remaining and spilling into the coming days, I was disappointed, sad and angry. Why?
Because some zealous soul got the idea that reverence equals silence.
Printed in the bulletin for this glorious, Godly music was a request to not applaud, either during or after the program. We, the audience had to bottle and cork our thanks and exultation as we stoically, politely listened to the story of the God of eternity stripping off His robe of glory to become a man. I was tortured.
Praise was shooting out my ears, oozing out my eyeballs and dripping from my hands, but I was not allowed to express it. I felt like a frog at a sitting convention, or a jumping bean in a straightjacket! It was all so frustrating. The beauty and magnificence of the music was squelched by the rule of silence.
I understand that when some people are moved by beauty and awe, they are silent. I have experienced that myself in the presence of God as I’ve prayed or worshipped my Lord and Master. But to impose it on all in the audience because it is one person’s or one group’s idea of reverence, is criminal. I felt cheated out of the blessing of giving my whole self to the One I owe everything to. I needed to clap! I needed to shout “Hallelujah, Jesus is real!” “God is good!” to fully enter into worship (I did sneak in a few ‘amen’s that only Kevin could hear, but that didn’t satisfy my ‘praise’ appetite). I needed to be allowed to express my gratitude to the Savior of my soul, who bought my life from satan and freed me from hell. But, I was obedient during the program, sitting in silence. Later on the rocks and I cried out in praise to Jesus.
Sadly, I won't return to this program next year. Not because the artists didn’t do a splendid job of glorifying God and His majesty. But because they were the only ones allowed to do so.
-Jen

The Moon Shines Down book review

The Moon Shines Down
By Margaret Wise Brown

This beautifully illustrated children’s picture book was lost for over fifty years, and recently discovered in a Vermont barn. The original manuscript was written by Margaret Wise Brown, but since the manuscript was too short, it was added to by Laura Minchew, a children’s book publisher and a fan of Brown.
It’s singsong style and bold, colorful illustrations are endearing. However, the rhymes that did not rhyme grated on my nerves. Some examples are “asleep” and “country”; “East,” “sleep,” and “speak”; “dream” and “things.” Either make a rhyming book or just write prose. Don’t say it’s a rhyming book if it doesn’t truly rhyme!
Another factor I questioned was the use of the word “kids” in place of children. Because Margaret Wise Brown lived from 1910 to 1952, I doubt she used the word “kids” in her writing. In trying to appeal to modern readers, I think the newer text lost the flavor of Brown’s original writing.
Different cultures of the world are wonderfully represented in both the manuscript and illustrations by Linda Bleck, an award winning artist. From Holland to Japan, from Africa to Australia, the moon shines down on each boy and girl. Every poem ends with the familiar and comforting, “I see the moon and the moon sees me. God bless the moon and God bless me.”
In spite of my two little issues, I would recommend this book for young children. They will enjoy the vibrant colors and the cadence of the rhymes.

-- Jeanette Levellie

Divine Appointments

God uses strange things at times to dispense His grace. This morning it was a battery that was questionable. Turns out that the battery was fine, but because I felt it needed testing where we bought it (and it was still under complete warranty) we went to a different place than what we had planned to go this morning. At the last minute in another place near there we were deciding whether to stay on or to go elsewhere for coffee. We stayed and in stepping five steps to the left rather than going to the right and exiting the building we ran into a friend who really encouraged us. Now, that wasn't "lucky" or a freak accident. It was a case of having our footsteps guided.
Many times I've gotten off the track I've set for my day, and I couldn't understand why. Then something like that happens and the moment it does I know the full reason for what happened before. It takes time to learn to be open to the will of God, but He always rewards a faithful heart. God's Spirit always knows the best paths to travel.
- Kevin

Christmas Greetings From Kevin 2008

Christmas Greetings from Kevin 2008

The days
That made the world
Are not even noted
On any calendar
For even
Occasional commemoration
Yet they began
All things

So
Often are beginnings
Cast away
In the contemplation
Of what
Looms large
And seems to make
Today important

Yet the origin
Started the line
Which now
We draw
But it
Did not
Complete the drawing
Nor do we

For that,
Another hand
Was needed
To take up the pen
And flourish
It to
A favorable
Finish

And that hand
Has made its mark
So well
That it need not
Do anything
More
To make us
Complete


I have been writing Christmas poems in lieu of Christmas cards since 1970. This is the 39th year I've done these and they've been different every year. I hope the different perspective will bless your season. As I wrote in another article posted today, May You See Wonders!

Christmas Greetings From Jeanette

Christmas Greetings from Jeanette 2008

Everything I have
Came from you
Everything I am
Is because of you
Everyone I love
You gave to me
Every day I live
I live for you.
Jesus, Son of Man
And Son of God
You left everything you had
To come to earth for me.
Born in a stable
Lived with the lowly
Died a criminal’s death
So that I could be free
Forever Free.
Everything I have
I give to you
Everything I am
I dedicate to your sweet name
Everyone I love
I place into your loving hand
And every day I live
I’ll live for you
Yes, every day I live
Will be praise to you.

May You See Wonders

MAY YOU SEE WONDERS

A season of wonders. That’s what this month has been called. Have you seen any yet this year? Wonders, I mean. For that matter, how many have you seen in your entire life?
There are people who think they see a wonder when they look in the mirror, but don’t be discouraged. You don’t have to agree with them. A true wonder is something beyond what we have seen up to this time. It is something new, something strikingly, arrestingly new. It stops you and overwhelms you. It may be as small as a brilliant flower bud or as large as an entire sky display of lightening, but it gives a new focus, sometimes even a new reason for living.
May YOU see wonders! I’ve written those words on a lot of Christmas greetings this year. It is my blessing for you whether I know you or not. The wonders of God are not just something of the past and they are not the emotional feelings aroused by this season, but realities of God in this world, even in us. Jesus came in the flesh at Bethlehem (a Wonder with no doubt) and His Spirit has come into the spirit of every Christian (one of the present day Wonders). He enables us to do what we cannot do.
People who lacked love have learned to give it. Those who had no patience with others now bear with those who still irritate them. Souls stunted through selfishness have learned to think of others and sometimes even to think of them first. Folks without self-control have learned to say no to substances and acts which would steal their life. Those caught in traps of the past are free for the future.
God sees and knows every one of these wonders. He made them, and He is looking to make more. May you not just see wonders; may you BE one.

- Kevin