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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend

 "How can this be?" Luke 1: 34

Sometimes a passage jumps out at you. you've read it many times before, but this time, it strikes a chord. In the first chapter of the Gospel of Saint Luke, I found this verse interesting, "I investigated accurately everything from the beginning..."

I can imagine this writer amazed at what had occurred and desiring to come to the truth. 
He interviewed many of the disciples and people involved in this
 out of the ordinary series of events. 
If Mary was still alive, he would have interviewed her to verify her story. 
What would he have found?


 A woman still amazed, still in awe at God's goodness? 
In spite of all she had gone through? 
The stigma of her virgin pregnancy, the flight to Egypt, 
knowing hundreds of babies were being slaughtered because of the search for her Son, 
and ultimately the horror of seeing her Son hanging on the cross, 
mutilated, seemingly defeated.

"How can this be?" she asked. How can this be that God chose me? 
How can this be that God would want to make me part of His plan to save humanity? 
How can this be that I would carry the mysteries of the universe in my womb?

 "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord." Luke 7:38
Sometimes, when I've had a difficult day, being a handmaid of the Lord is the last thing on my list. I just want to get through the day without drowning! When I think about Mary, she seems so far removed from the day to day struggles we face. I see a peaceful, calm young girl, praying, helping at home, perhaps picking flowers in the garden or singing to children. My life is not like that.
How do I reach a place where I can say, "I am a handmaid of the Lord" like Mary? Do I quit my job and just spend my days praying and pondering God's Word in the Bible? Is that really what God wants of me?

I look deep into my heart and I know I was "made for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). Just like Esther who saved the Jews from annihilation, just like Martha and Mary, just like Dorcas and Lydia. God put me in this time and place, and amongst a particular people.
To become God's handmaid, His servant, I have to hear God's call. After all, He is my Master. I have to recognize my gifts and resources because they are the clue to what God wants me to do. I don't live in a world of random events, coincidences. God is the Master Architect, and He orders my steps. He will call, and He will equip me. That is where I find my peace.


"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son.." Luke 1:31

Why do Catholics call Mary the Ark of the New Covenant? There are many parallels in Saint Luke's gospel that show us why. Here are just a few.

The Holy Spirit overshadowed and then indwelled the Ark just as the Spirit overshadowed and indwelled Mary. Both Mary and the Ark became the dwelling place of the presence of God. Just as Mary traveled to the house of Elizabeth and stayed there for 3 months, so was the Ark brought to Obed-Edom, only a short distance away from Ein Kerem (Elizabeth's place in the hill country), and remained there for 3 months. John the Baptist, of priestly lineage, while in his mother's womb, leapt at the approach of Mary. So too David, dressed as a priest, leapt and danced before the ark. Inside of the Ark of the Covenant, were the stone tablets of the Law, the manna from the wilderness, and the rod of Aaron, the proof of true priesthood. Inside Mary's womb, was the Word of God made flesh, the Bread of Life, and the actual and eternal High Priest.

Just like Elizabeth, I ask, "Why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord shall come to me?" Just like David, I ask, "How can the Ark of the Covenant come to me?" (2 Samuel 6:9). Indeed He comes, ever new, ever faithful. 
I await Him and He comes. 
Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!

 "The friendship, companionship, intimate fellowship, of the Lord, 
is with those who fear, revere and respect Him and His covenant..." Psalm 25:14
Saint Teresa of Avila, at one time, fell off her donkey and got hurt. She asked God why this happened as it could not have come at a worst time. He answered her that that was how He treated His friends. She then retorted that that was why He had so few!!! This was not the only time she complained as she was often the butt of gossip and hostility at the convent.
Indeed when we are friends with God, it does not guarantee a life free from suffering and hardship. A friend of mine who had undergone a heart operation a couple of years ago and almost died, now had to have a mastectomy a few days before Christmas because of a fast growing cancer. I know she is God's friend, and she can rightly ask God why!

One bible verse is particularly apt- "Faithful are the wounds of a friend..." Psalm 27:6. I can't help but relate this to grafting. Why does God allow us to get hurt? Perhaps it is the only way we can grow, and bloom and bear fruit. He is the vine and we are the branches. We are supposed to abide in Him, attach ourselves to Him, remain in Him, "No branch can bear fruit by itself." In grafting, the tissues of one plant are inserted into the tissues of another so that the two sets of vascular tissues are joined together. The "vine" contains the desired genes to be duplicated in the branch! But we can't get connected without the wounds on both the vine and the branch!
When God allows pain and suffering to enter our life, we are invited to join with Him. He sees we are strong enough to enter into a closer, covenantal relationship with Him. And He asks us during these times, "Do you still love Me? Do you still trust Me?"

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Friday, December 19, 2014

Paint Party Friday: New Every Morning!

 Looked through my clippings
to find a man who looks strong like Samson!

 "The woman bore a son and named him Samson." Judges 13:24
Samson is one of those bible characters larger than life. And he foreshadows Jesus in some ways. His birth was miraculous, announced by an angel, and he was used by God to deliver the people of Israel. But at the very beginning of his story, it was about his mother who was barren just like Mary's cousin, Elizabeth, and Abraham's wife Sarah, and Rachel, Jacob's favored second wife. Poor woman! She was not even named in the Bible! But the Midrash, an ancient commentary on the Hebrew scriptures gives her name as Hatzlelponi.

There is so much anguish related to infertility even today. Women are made to feel inferior, and a burden to their families. Women in the Bible lived without hope, suffered Indiscrimination and stigma. You can imagine the joy that Hatzlelponi felt rise up inside her when the angel brought her the good news, "Though you are barren and have no children, you will conceive and bear a son."


 We can relate this with the season of Advent. It is a time of waiting and hoping for a very real blessing. A blessing that changes the very meaning of our existence. We wait in anticipation and excitement for the coming of our Savior in a new way. God is never static, He is new every morning. His mercies, His love, His faithfulness are new every morning of our life! Let us prepare our hearts to give Him room! Let us set our sights on God's promises and hold fast to Him! Maranatha!

 "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about." Matthew 1:18



17 verses above this particular passage lists the genealogy of Jesus Christ. For Jews, genealogy was very important. It shows what tribe you are from, which land belonged to you. It was a significant part of your identity.

RC Sproul, the American theologian tells a fascinating story of a Wycliffe Bible translator, who worked on translating the book of Matthew for an obscure tribe for 10 years. To expedite the process, she skipped the genealogy and had the Book of Matthew printed. The tribe was not interested. She noted that they were even more interested in the truck that brought the book. She persevered and came out with a second edition that included the genealogy. As she was explaining the genealogy to the tribal chief, he exclaimed, "You mean to tell me this Jesus you have been telling us about is a real person?" She replied, "Of course!"

He said, "I thought he was some mythical character!" Soon after he realized Jesus was a historical person, that he had walked on the earth, he accepted Jesus, and the whole tribe followed him.
The genealogy of Jesus is also very important because it showed he was a descendant of David, and showed that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. We believe in a real person, not some fictional character. And it is Jesus, the real man, who wants to have a real relationship with us.


Lord, during this season of Advent, may my heart be Your manger. 
May I really know You more and more each day. 
Open my eyes to the reality of Your love for me, and Your perfect plan!

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Patsy
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Wednesday, December 17, 2014

WOYWW: Who are They?

 I had all these scrap paper that was piling up,
so I decided to paste them on bookpaper.
After I will put wall putty on them, and
paint them and use them as backgrounds.
Wish I had more time to do this!!!

 "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ..." Matthew 1:1-17
I don't know how many times I've skipped this first part of Matthew. It's at the very start, and already is boring! All those names! But when you consider ALL THOSE NAMES, it's actually very good news! There are men and women there who, if I chose my family tree, I wouldn't want them! But God chose them!
There's Rahab the prostitute, Tamar who slept with her father-in-law, Abraham who lied, Terah who was an idolater. We all know about King David, who although he was a man after God's own heart, and was Israel's greatest king, was a murderer and committed adultery! Then there's Manasseh who became king at 12 years old and reigned as an evil king for 55 years ! And who were Azor, Zadok and Eliakim? Who in the world are they?

 So why are all these sinners and nobodies good news to us? Just as they were chosen by God to be part of His family, so are we chosen by God to be part of His family! God chose these imperfect people, imperfect vessels, to bring His light and grace to a dysfunctional world!
Thank you Lord for choosing me, a nobody, a sinner, yet You chose me! Thank you for making me part of Your family, for showing me I am important in Your plan, that I have a place in Your Kingdom! May I bring light and grace to my corner of the world!

 "He changed his mind and went." Matthew 21:29
Today's Gospel story is about a father and his two sons. The father went to the first and asked him to go out and work in their vineyard, but the son said no. After a while, the son changed his mind and went off to work. The father also asked the second son and this son did the opposite. He said yes right away but did not appear for work.
I started working in our family business when I was 11 years old. Sometimes my siblings and I hated having to work and we called it Siberia. It did feel like indentured slavery especially compared to my classmates who were playing all the time during vacation. But once my mom asked us whether we wanted the business to continue. We all agreed that yes, we liked the business and wanted to go on. After all, sometimes we did have fun, working together as a family.

I got reminded of this because of the first son. Although he didn't want to work, he thought better of it, and went to the vineyard. Sometimes being a Christian is hard. Too many rules. Too much giving of your time, money and whatever you have. Can't do this, can't do that. No easy way out. But then I think of what I get in return. Blessings. Fulfillment. Guidance. Love overflowing. Grace filled relationships. A clear conscience. A good night's rest. The list goes on. But the best part is the retirement plan that is OUT OF THIS WORLD! I get excited just thinking about it! I wouldn't exchange my life for anything this world has to offer!


I thank God He called me to work in His vineyard, the same way I thank my parents for training me when I was young, to work hard. To appreciate what I have. Life is a series of decisions. But when we make the wrong one, there's always God calling us back. Waiting for us just like the Father in the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. We can always change our mind and turn back and go to Him.
Lord, thank You for calling me to be with You in Your vineyard. Help me always to appreciate the place I have beside You. And please always call me back when I stray, if even my eyes stray to another vineyard!



Joining the lovely Julia Dunnit for a 
peek at desks and projects!
 
I find a lot of inspiration
visiting my friends here:


Blessings!
Patsy
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Monday, December 15, 2014

A Double Portion

 "Remember that Your compassion, O Lord, and Your kindness are from of old. In Your kindness remember me because of Your goodness, O Lord." Psalm 25:6-7
The Bible is full of verses about God's compassion and loving-kindness. Jesus, while He was on earth, showed compassion and pity for the lost and the sick. Even if He was very tired, even when He wanted to be alone to pray, He would feed the hungry not only with bread but with His living Word. He would tirelessly heal the sick wherever He went.
Sometimes we, and even great preachers steeped in the Word of God ask difficult questions. How can a loving God permit all the evil and suffering in the world? Why doesn't He put a stop to it?Why doesn't He punish tormentors? Why does He allow His name to be mocked and ridiculed?

 Perhaps, if Saint Paul could answer us, he would say: "I was the tormentor once. I hunted and judged and killed Christians. I cursed Christ and was the enemy of people who loved Him. But God in His mercy and compassion took pity on me. There are many terrorists just like me. Many dishonest and evil men who have not seen the light of the Gospel. God is patient and not willing that any should perish, but that they would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)."
"My heart is turned within me, and my compassion overflows." Hosea 11:8 (NLT)
Lord, may I not grieve You by my sins. May Your kindness and compassion lead me to repentance.

 "The God who calls you is faithful, and He will accomplish it." 1 Th. 5:24
One of the best examples for God's faithfulness among the Bible stories is in the book of Hosea. Hosea married a prostitute, and she was unfaithful. She ran away the same way we run away from God sometimes. But Hosea went to look for Gomer, the same way God, the good shepherd looks for His lost sheep. Hosea found Gomer being auctioned off on a slave block, and no one wanted her because she was disheveled and destitute, as any woman would be if passed from man to man. 
Hosea bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and thirteen bushels of barley. He restored her as his wife, and loved her.


 Even if we run away from God, even if we sin so many times, even if we ourselves think we are filthy and cannot be redeemed, God ransomed us from the auction block by His beloved son. He wants to restore us as His very own, and love us, and bring us back as His sons and daughters. How can we run away from a love like that?

"How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!" Sirach 48:4
Yes, Elijah was a wonder worker and awesome in the power God gave him! When he challenged 450 of the prophets of Baal to prove Yahweh was the one true God, he was able to call down fire from heaven to light the altar stones even if it was drenched in water. That was the most spectacular miracle I think, in Elijah's life, but only one among many others.
He took Elisha on as his protegee and before leaving him, asked, "Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken from you?" Elisha replied, "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit." Obviously Elisha was a young man eager and hungry for everything God could give him, and was not afraid to ask.
How about us? Do we desire for more of God's spirit or are we complacent and content for what we already have? No matter what our work, or where we live, we are all God's ambassadors. We could be good ones, or we can be mediocre ones. We all need God's spirit to be effective in what God has given us to do. So like Elisha, let's not be afraid to ask for a double portion of His Holy Spirit!

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