The Jesus Revolution

I have been going through a little bit of nostalgia the last few weeks. My wife and I just went opening weekend, to see the new movie that just released called "The Jesus Revolution". We have been seeing trailers, and I have watched lots and lots of videos of interviews with the cast, and some of the people who experienced the events of this movie. It was very good, and I highly recommend anyone to go see it if you are wondering. 

It is based on the true story of a pastor of a church in California during the late 60's and early 70's into what became known as the Jesus freaks and hippies of that time.  His church was on the verge of closing because of the poor attendance, and a hippie named Lonnie Frisbee, who met with the pastor, Chuck Smith; who didn't like hippies, but who softened to the idea of opening his church doors to invite those hippies in to hear a message of the love of God. Within a short time the church could not contain the converts and they had thousands attending services in a large outdoor tent. And they baptized thousands of people in Pirate's Cove Bay.

 And while I was never a part of the hippie movement, I did leave home when I was 16 in 1973 and through an unusual series of circumstances I gave my heart to the Lord when I was around 17 or so. I don't really remember the date, but just the circumstances of praying to ask Jesus into my heart in my bedroom with the woman who would soon be my wife. To be honest, I did not really feel "Saved". I did not feel much different at the time. 

Perhaps the next summer, or the one after that, (I am not good with dates) there was a Jesus Festival held at Courtcliffe Park in Carlisle Ont. and we went to it, where they had Christian singers, and preachers and teachings in different areas of the park for the weekend. Bennie Hinn preached there; a singer named Honeytree, who was one of the hippies that got saved sang there. One of the days I heard a preacher named Brian Ruud, and for me, it seemed like there was just God and me and Brian there, and I would argue that I received the Baptism of the Spirit right then!

I used to smoke, and got delivered from smoking that day, by just throwing my pack on the stage. And I had an immediate desire to learn more about God and go to church Wednesdays and twice on Sunday!  I even sensed a calling to study for the ministry. Well, the studying happened, which let to a ministry of sorts in a few years, leading bible studies for a group of mostly poor people who were being helped by a lady who opened up a store front called Operation Blessing, based from an idea watching the 700 Club. That would be about 1983?

This would be the first of a few life changing encounters I have had with God. Another was more detailed in my earliest posts having an encounter again with God after listening to a video sermon by Willie Hinn in 1993. The most recent I have been writing about more in the posts from the last couple years after God filling a deep hunger for more of Him. Some very up and down times in the more than 48 years since that prayer in the bedroom.

It is clear from even my nostalgic look down memory lane, that not  everyone who were mightily used of God led the kind of life they preached about, and were full of human failures. But that does not take away from the countless people who did hear from God, got saved and who went on to follow Jesus themselves, including me. 

At the time of this writing, there has been an awakening or revival or some move of God happening at a bible college in Asbury KY. for the past several weeks. Thousands of people have flocked to the town with more than twice the visitors than residents. It started after a handful of students stayed to worship God after chapel services, and it grew from there going non stop for weeks. Like always there are also those who will voice fervent objections to this event, claiming it is NOT of God, just like was done during the 70's and yet at the same time nothing seems to deter from the Spirit of God changing lives in very real ways! 

There is a saying that goes: "A person with an argument is no match for a person with experience." And so I have heard some "Pharisaical" comments full of the law and condemnation instead of realizing the "fruits" of what God is doing! And while not everything bore fruit, it did not stop God from working in the lives of people in mass numbers in every revival in history!

And really, with all that is going on in the world today, and with the turmoil and division in our Country; With the atheism of the youth who have not been exposed to church or the salvation message, and instead are force fed garbage like the world will end in 10 years, and life in the womb has no value, and there is no distinction in genders, and there is no hope, no God, no reason to live. School shooting and gun violence being blamed on the guns instead of realizing it is not a problem with guns, but rather these are all  the symptoms of a value problem with a society rejecting God. It is hard to love one another and still find the need to shoot the "another".

This world is ripe for another move of God, and it is the longing of my heart and soul that God would sweep down on this land with His Holy Spirit, and renew the hearts of the people back to God in a very real and profound way! It is time we stop cursing the darkness, and let the light of the Life of God shine forth in a glorious fashion to the astonishment of all who are lost and without hope! Do not quench the Spirit. 1Thes 5:19 And do not suffer loss, ...because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:44

Even so, come Lord Jesus! Rev 22:20  It is time for this generation to experience personally for themselves The Jesus Revolution.

 

The New Printing Press.

 Paul Young (the author of The Shack  mentioned in a video interview, that the best way to explain how there is such a rapid increase in the number of people going through what they call Deconstruction is that: "The Internet is the new printing press". By comparison: "It’s estimated there were about 30,000 books in all of Europe before Gutenberg’s press. Less than fifty years later there were as many as twelve million books, and the book that was printed was often the Bible. As people became more interested in studying the Bible, Bibles were printed not only in Latin, but in German, French, and even ancient Greek. Many believe that without the Gutenberg press, the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century might not have been possible. His invention of metal movable type in 1450 has accurately been called “an invention that changed the world.”

The exponential increase in knowledge around the world that took place after the invention of the printing press can be compared to the exponential increase in knowledge around the world because of the Internet!! "January 1, 1983 is considered the official birthday of the Internet. Prior to this, the various computer networks did not have a standard way to communicate with each other. A new communications protocol was established called Transfer Control Protocol/Internetwork Protocol (TCP/IP). the World Wide Web announced that it was for everybody. On April 30, 1993, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) put the web into the public domain a decision that has fundamentally altered the past quarter-century."

I have wondered for several years if God was about to "do a new thing, that has never been done before"? Almost like we are on the cusp of a world changing event, and yet with that understanding of the impact of the Internet, then perhaps we are right in the middle of it!!

When the printing press was discovered, it took a few years to really "get off the ground" so that it was a common thing. And of course the writings and the books that became available after that was astounding and life changing for the multitudes! People that used to have to spend large amounts of money to get something hand written to read, if they could read at all, now becomes mass produced at a fraction of the cost! It was impossible to keep the bible out of the hands of the common people written in the common language. It also make it possible to pave the way for Martin Luther and the Reformation that got started by reprinting his 95 Thesis on the church door. 

Not much different with the Internet. I remember getting my first computer with Windows 3.1 operating system. Some sort of word processor so that I could write essays for a correspondence course without having to retype from scratch any changes I needed to make. And there were a few simple games like solitaire and mine??? Oh, and a dot matrix printer.

 It wasn't long after that when my brother convinced me of the possibilities of a connection to an unlimited source of mostly free information all over the world. Which also eventually made this blog possible for anyone in the world to read and gain knowledge from what I write. 

The vast wealth of information that can be accessed through the use of the internet even in countries that have laws forbidding such access, cannot be contained by laws! At one time bibles had to be sneaked across the border of such restricted countries. (read the book called: God's Smuggler by  Brother Andrew for exciting stories about that.) Now, those same countries are able to have greater access through this miracle of the information highway. 

The miracle of the Internet has provided the life changing multi season series based on the life of Jesus called  The Chosen to reach a Billion lives around the world with the Gospel message! It has also allowed virtually unrestricted access to virtual books written by the Patristics of the faith; the church fathers. It has provided access to check up the answers provided on any question anyone might have about any subject, especially faith and beliefs and doctrine and truths and even false teachings. 

As I write this post, there is real time videos of what is being called the  Asbury Revival, taking place at a bible school in Asbury KY as just one example. And while I strongly disagree with any teaching of some sort of Rapture theology, and a literal place of eternal torment called hell, nor that this or any other event being a sign of that teaching being Biblical; the Internet also provides a place to discover other teachings and interpretations that are more aliened with Truth. The Internet provides information to show you that you don't have to believe the one teaching that has been put forth to you as the only truth. There are different points of interpretation.  

This and a never ending supply of Spiritual revolutionary thoughts and ideas are available which is also discovered and verified by a simple access to the Internet search, so there is no excuse. Of course just as the printing press has been used for evil purposes, so also the internet, so it is important to protect the free access to information rather than censor what some are allowed to know by those in control, through a sort of cyber "book burning" which is a word of caution  to this generation's version of  The New Printing Press.

 

Is God's Forgiveness Conditional ?

Have you ever read a passage of Scripture, and thought to yourself, "That doesn't sound right"? I mean, when what you are reading seems to not fit in with other things that you believe in other passages of Scripture? 

How often have you prayed the Lord's Prayer? We are so familiar with having memorized and repeated it so many times, but have we really thought about what is being said here?

Matthew 6:12 of the Lord's Prayer says: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."  So does that mean that God's forgiveness is conditional on our forgiving others? What about this verse in Matthew 6:14, is Jesus doubling down on the condition of our forgiveness from God when He says:  "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Just recently these verses came to mind. It drew my attention to the implications of what it could be saying about the very opposite of the nature of God I have also believed. Is Jesus actually saying God's forgiveness is conditional? From this verse, it sure sounds like it. And in fact, from many of the commentaries I have read, that is the conclusion they come to as well.

One commentator says this: "Difficult or not, Jesus is speaking with the authority of God, and He always means what He says. We should never dismiss Jesus' teaching because it is hard to understand or to reconcile with other teachings." 

The first thing that stands out to me is what Jesus SEEMS to be saying, is that God makes His forgiveness to you, a condition of your forgiveness to others. In fact, the verse does not qualify how extreme the offense might be you are being asked to forgive. Not all forgiveness is the same. Forgiving someone who bumped into you, is not the same as forgiving someone who murdered your family member for instance. Is that what Jesus meant?

Does that even sound like the character of God to you and the message of Scripture? If it does, then there is a different problem to work out, but if it doesn't then that should be a strong indication that there is something else to what Jesus is actually saying. 

What are we are missing out on at first glance? This is why it is so important to establish a baseline of a firm and solid belief and assurance of the Sovereign and Loving and Merciful, and Forgiving Grace of God! So let's go beyond the first glance and see if we can't get to a better understanding of the verse.

This verse is found in the middle of Jesus teaching the sermon on the mount, and He has already had some shocking things to teach,  so it is not isolated in it's context, and yet it seems to be isolated when it is being quoted, usually by one wanting to put another person under guilt for not wanting to forgive them, or to impose an impossible standard of forgiveness.  But is that verse meant to be used as a weapon?

What makes sense to me out of what Jesus was teaching is that He is giving people a gauge  of the condition of their own heart. We worship the God of our imagination. In other words, if you set a standard to not forgive others, then you will also believe that God has a standard to not forgive you, and you will condemn yourself in your own mind.

Have you ever heard someone say; or said something like this yourself?: God could never forgive me. If He knew what I have done. Our own conscience bears witness against us for our own sins. So we might compare ourselves with others in order to make ourselves feel more worthy, like the Pharisee in Luke 18:11 "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican."

I think it is similar to the verse that says: "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matthew 7:1-2. It is not saying don't make a judgment, but rather consider if you would be guilty of the same thing, what would you want others to do to you?

How about deciding on who you think is worthy of salvation? How many Christians believe that God is going to send the vast majority of His creation to a version of a fiery torment in eternal hell? Will Muslims be saved? Will Atheists be saved? Will criminals be saved? Will...(name your category) be saved? If your answer is no, then how have you limited the capacity for the forgiveness God bestows on His creation? What then do you believe about the Character of God? Is He fickle with His forgiveness? 

 To be very clear, one of the characteristics of God is that He is immutable. Meaning He does not mutate, or change. He is the same yesterday today and forever! So then since we know God does not change who He is, then the Scriptures have made it clear that God forgives unconditionally! That IS the message of the cross! But I think what is being said here is that if you hold onto unforgiveness, then you will believe that God will judge you by the same standard you judge others. If you are unforgiving, then you will think God is just as unforgiving toward you.

In an earlier blog post on October 30 2021 I wrote this: "When you harbor un-forgiveness, then it is a prison of self torture! Hate, bitterness, anger, rage, fuming, all of these things are torture to your own well being and peace of mind. But if you learn to absorb the debt that others owe to you, like God has absorbed the debt of our sin, then you now have the key to get out of the prison of your own making, and living a life of peace and joy!"

I will admit that I could be totally wrong about what my reasoning is here. Perhaps all the commentators are right, and I just don't see it? That is what Hermeneutics is all about, which is the interpretation of the text. There are many more confusing texts that become clear once the right understanding is applied. Proper interpretation is key.

In this case, a proper interpretation will give you the answer to the question posed by the title: Is God's  Forgiveness Conditional ?

I Was Left Unsupervised!

We all want our life to have meaning. We want to know that our life matters, and that it has a higher purpose than just getting through the day. When we get to the end of our life, we want to know that our life made a difference in the world.  And even if we do not know the meaning of our life's purpose yet, it is not unusual for everybody to want to know how the unplanned events in their life fit into the bigger picture. Especially the bigger events. The events that usually alter the direction you are going or planning to go, for the good or the bad. The most often asked question is "Why me Lord?"

On January 14th 2023  I climbed on the kitchen chair to take a Happy Retirement banner down that I put up for my wife's retirement celebration. While stepping down I lost my balance which landed me on the floor with a thud, only to find out that I broke the ball off the femur in my right hip! With a total hip replacement a couple days later,  I am now home to endure the next several weeks to recover. 

Yet, while I knew that the moment I hit the floor my life was going to be changed for the next several months, I also had the resolution to just accept the results and take it one step at a time (no pun intended). I had an inner peace that God was guiding this whole detour, so I tried to have a good attitude with everyone that was involved in taking care of me. I was very moved by all of my friends who quickly sent me their well wishes.

 I talked later with a friend on the phone about the accident, and was regaling my foolishness to fall, and joked how when I get to heaven, God will say to me:

 "What did you do with the body I gave you?" To which I thought at the moment of this meme I have seen many times before, shown here. I said: "In my defense, I was left unsupervised".

 At the time I was making a joke, and then I thought about it some more afterward and realized THAT is the way most people see God in their life anyway!

It is more obvious for those who don't believe in God. If you don't think God exists, then there is "no supervisor." And if you think that God does exist but He is not involved in creation, then you would say you are left unsupervised by Him. In fact I would suggest that maybe they believe if there was a God, He would have more noticeable control and assume the so called, bad events are proof that He doesn't.  

 But what about those who are believers? What about the ones who know that God is real? The ones that profess Jesus as Lord? We are the ones who are supposed to know, and trust. How often do we quote Romans 8:28 All things work together for good... Until one of the ALL things happen? 

I tell you an important truth! You are never left unsupervised by our Creator! There is never a time in which God is not present with you right in the midst of whatever tragedy or circumstance or difficulty you are going through. Deut. 13:6 "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Even if you do not know the why at the time. We don't know the future, or how future events are shaped by present circumstances. But we do know who holds the future. Very likely you will not see the end from the beginning at the time. Many stories are told of people who get checked out for a small thing, that catches a more fatal hidden issue. Those times can let you know the why. But is knowing the why that important to trusting God who knows the why?

 Does it really matter if you understand all the implications or not? Does trust and faith only apply if you can see the bigger picture, and know the outcome? Or can you have faith enough to put it all in the hands of the Father, without question? Can you trust, not questioning motives, or reasons, or purposes, or outcomes? Can you just walk in the light you are given? That is all God asks us to do. Trust Him. 

I read something a while back something that sticks with me, which said: "A child will ask his father why, but a SON never has to ask". Meaning, that it is a sign of maturity to trust the father's good will and intentions, so the father never has to be questioned. Therefore, if you find yourself still questioning, then take it as a sign that you still have some maturing to do. There is nothing wrong with that. Children are not blamed for acting like children. But adults can be blamed for acting like children. Expecting the adults to be more mature because of experience. Are you a child in the faith? Then you know you have some growing to do. Are you an adult in the faith? Then your response will confirm or question your maturity.

I can write these things because I have lived them! It is not just how many years you have been a believer, but how much experience you have with trusting Jesus during those years. Many times in the past, I remember something would happen and I was devastated knowing that the outcome would be so much trouble to deal with, and I would plead an beg God that I would not have to go through the consequences of that trouble and I would question God why, when I did have to suffer those results. But I learned through the experience and the passage of time, that God was indeed faithful, and most of my fears were just bigger than my faith. 

It has been pointed out that every time a heavenly being manifests itself in the bible the first words are: "Fear Not."  That is the "faith-boosting" you may need today! Fear Not! Therefore, be encouraged as you read these words in this post! God does love you. God is intimately involved in every aspect and circumstance and detail of your life. And most importantly you will never say in your defense I Was Left Unsupervised!

Christmas In The Midst Of Tragedy

I am writing this post the day after Christmas 2022 in the hopes that it can provide some comfort for someone whose Christmas time; now or in the past; has not been the joyous occasion they expected because of some tragic events so near to this season, that has violently ripped the joy right out of their hearts. What follows is an email that I wrote to someone close to me in response to our conversation, followed by the very post I wrote 10 years ago:

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"I am so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law passing away, and the sad news about your dog's condition! What makes it harder is that it happened before Christmas, because Christmas is such a family time of celebration!
Many people remember the dates of events like this based on how close it came to Christmas, either before or after, which then some might say "At least they got to spend Christmas together".

Seems to me that when something like this happens before Christmas, then it taints the joy of the whole celebration. With that in mind, I remembered that I wrote a post on a blog that I have after the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012. Ten years ago just before Christmas, and while I wrote it, I did not send it in to be published because no matter the good intent, I did not want to offend someone not ready for any other perspective than grief.

And so, I am offering this writing to you in a link that you can read or not, in the hopes that it might help put these sad events into a endurable place of memories that helps to heal the grief of a sad occasion in the middle of a joyous occasion."

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A Reason For The Season

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10,11

This quote from the angels to the shepards watching over their flocks that night, which is recorded by Luke in his Gospel IS the reason Christians celebrate this season we call Christmas (and part of the reason some others do not)!

Now, there has been a controversy for years about the meaning of Christmas, and the war on Christmas, and the commercialism of Christmas. Some Christians get upset for fear that Christ is being taken out of Christmas, and others believe that He was never "in" Christmas. We do not know the actual date of the birth of Jesus, and it was very likely that it was not during December anyway. There is a lot of myths and traditions surrounding this particular holiday that some object to, and others defend.

While I am aware of the many arguments from both sides, the brevity of this post cannot do more than to acknowledge such controversy, in order for me to focus the emphasis of this post mostly on a comment I have about a very recent and public tragedy, shed in the light of an important reason for this season.

The recent public tragedy I am referring to is of course the mass shooting, and murder of 20 kids and 6 adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. During one of the many news broadcasts, and human interest stories that I listened to, it was mentioned that some of the families were taking down their Christmas decorations because they did not feel it was appropriate to celebrate the holiday in light of fact that their children were killed. And who am I to say any different? Indeed they have every right to express their grief in whatever way that gives them some relief.

There is no right or safe way for me to comment from the outside about what those on the inside choose to do, but I am hoping that since it is after the fact, and this Christmas will have passed by the time this is posted, my thoughts may be considered with less emotion and more reason, whether agreed to, or disagreed to by the reader.

The first thing that came to mind after hearing about the desire to "cancel Christmas" was; that if Christmas was just a holiday, and had no other meaning other than a secular celebration of Santa, and toys, and days off school, and parties, then by all means, take the decorations down! There is no joy available, nor hope of any goodness nor reason to celebrate so soon after such an event. And every year for years to come, this time of year will bring fresh memories to tarnish any future joy or happiness in the Christmas' to come.

But, if indeed, the True meaning of Christmas; yes the True Reason for the Season is understood to be in fact, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, then there is no more appropriate NEED for Christmas than right now! "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope." I Thess. 4:13

The school shooting replaced their hope with despair, but Christmas is all about the One who is the Hope of the world! The school shooting is all about an evil act, and yet Christmas is all about an act of the highest Love! The school shooting was an act causing death with weapons of warfare, and yet Christmas is all about an act of the giving of life with an announcement of "Peace on earth, good will toward men!"

For those families in Connecticut, this Christmas season came with a terrible act of violence, causing much weeping and sorrow. Likewise, at the time of the birth of the Savior of the world, it was also filled with a great act of violence and bloodshed. " When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
Matt. 2:16-18

If Christmas is a time of celebration for celebration's sake, then by all means take the decorations down! If it is just another holiday, then take the decorations down. If it has no meaning or significance, then everybody; take the decorations down! What are you celebrating anyway? If it is just so that the stores can add profit enough to get out of the red, and into the black, then that is not enough of a reason for anyone to bother with all of the trouble and expense.

This post is not meant in anyway to chastise anyone for their sorrow, or their handling of their sorrow, but if it can be received in the way it is intended, then my hope is that by reflecting on the greater hope that we have because of a death, that began as a birth, in a little town in the Middle East, some 2,000 plus years ago; then whether we are talking about this tragedy, or any other at any other time of year, there is one who came to heal the broken hearted, and to set those who are captive free.

The Christmas season can hold a lot good and bad memories for a lot of people. I think everyone has Christmas memories they can share. I remember some of the gifts I got for Christmas when I was younger, and the traditions we had as a family growing up. We even have some traditions of our own now, and memories that we have fostered over the years.

 I watched videos of soldier dads surprising their kids by coming home on Christmas, which will be remembered by them for a life time,  but their are never videos of the dads that don't make it home which will be remembered too. My friend's dad died just a few weeks ago, and my dad is spending this Christmas in the hospital.

All of these are strong memories tied to a very memorable time of year, which is either just memorable because it is just another holiday, or it is a special holiday, because it has a special reason for it's existence. Special because it is used to celebrate the promise of Hope, and Love, and  Salvation, and Joy to the world!

Perhaps, it is a good idea to keep the decorations up. Perhaps, such promise can heal the wounded hearts. Perhaps hope can replace despair. Perhaps, we can once again discover that out of the dung pile of evil, the Rose of Sharon can still bloom, in our hearts and provide for all mankind, A Reason For The Season?

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I know that I do not get very many readers to my blog postings, but I am not writing this to the MANY, I am writing this to the ONE who would read them and have it mean something! And if you are reading this far, then perhaps you are the one I wrote this for? Perhaps this post will be the one post you needed to read to give you back the joy of Christmas In The Midst Of Tragedy

When You Ponder The Christmas Story.

 Christmas Day December 25 2022.  At the writing of this post, this day is coming to an end. 

As I already mentioned, for the first time ever, Cindi and I have been following a daily Advent book written by Brian Zhand called The Anticipated Christ. The Scripture reading for Christmas Eve, is of course the account in the Gospel of Luke chapter 2:1-20. Probably the most read and familiar Scripture of all during the Christmas season. Parts of this Scripture story is even quoted by the character Linus in a Peanuts Christmas cartoon! (an interesting background how that came about is worth researching) And so it still surprises me how many times you can see or ponder something new when reading something so familiar! 

While last year I wrote what I pondered, about Joseph and Mary, knowing that she conceived the Messiah and was carrying the Son of God in her womb, how strange that must have been, and almost surreal! She is great with child, and yet traveling to Bethlehem by coincidence(?) probably not even knowing they were fulfilling prophecy! At the same time what could Joseph have been thinking? As the man, responsible for the safety and welfare of his betrothed who was great with child! 

Instead of just reading the verses, put yourself in place of the Biblical characters, and force yourself to only know what they knew about the events at the time! Consider that we know how the whole story played out, they were living it one day at a time, one event at a time.

And so today, I pondered different Biblical characters in this story like never before. Consider the shepherds. It has only been the past year or two that I learned the likelihood that the shepherds might have indeed been young teenage girls! (that is another story).

 Okay but either way, that night a heavenly host appears before them proclaiming the first thing angels always proclaim: "Be Not Afraid". This is because as the King James bible puts it: "they were SORE afraid"! But the angels have "Good tidings of Great Joy..."  It then goes on to say in 2:16-20 "And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

So we notice that there is a couple of verses detailing the reaction of the shepherds after having seen and heard the angels, and seen the baby Jesus, and of course their proclaiming all that they had seen and heard as it was told unto them. And then my pondering mind questioned... Now what? I was kind of curious for the first time, if you put yourself in the place of a shepherd that day... then what? 

Consider that suppose they were teenage girls tending the sheep, just for the sake of argument. That would be a pretty traumatic event. One they will not soon forget! But they just seen the Messiah as a baby. It is then 30 years in obscurity before Jesus begins His ministry! Seeing Jesus as a baby, and then nothing for 30 years!

Thirty years! These supposed teenagers would now be in their mid 40's before the fruits of what they saw began to take place. Now, we do read about Jesus in the temple at 12 years old, but that is something private between Jesus and his parents, and almost no one would know until it was recorded by the Gospel writers. Certainly not the shepherds either.

So, I ponder, what did the shepherds do after those days for the next 30 years? I don't think they even knew where He went when Joseph was told by an angel to take the family to Egypt. Matt. 2:14 "When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt," And while this verse says they departed, the voice of the angel in verse 13 said: “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt,". This makes me think that is was done in such a secret that even the shepherds did not know they left or where they went. Is it possible that when the 30 years had past, and Jesus began His ministry, did they know it? Did they find Him? Did they become His followers? We are not told any of this, but what do you think when you ponder this?

Of course the wise men who came to visit the new born King, left after bringing their gifts, and returned home by a different route than they came, after being warned in a dream. What were their lives like after that? Who could go through all that they went through traveling some 1,000 miles there and 1,000 miles back, and not have it forever change their lives? What do you think when you ponder this?

And so we know that while the birth of the Savior of the world took place in obscurity in the humblest of circumstances, it changed forever the lives of those who witnessed it and took part in that event. And during His ministry Jesus changed the lives of everyone He met. And for 2,000 years, Jesus is still changing the lives and hearts of EVERYONE He is still meeting to this day! Perhaps even as a reader of this blog no matter how familiar this story is to you, and no matter how many times you have read it or heard it read, your own heart will be made to change a little more again When You Ponder The Christmas Story!

A New Perspective On Life.

 I have been a regular supporter of the series; now in it's third season called The Chosen. I remember hearing about it when it first started, but did not know how to access it. And then upon further investigation, after the first four episodes I managed to find it and have been a fan ever since. 

I have watched all of the episodes so far, and most of the videos put out by the Chosen explaining it's beginnings, and the process, and the cast interviews, and the behind the scenes etc. And I have put my money where my mouth is, both in donations and buying Chosen gifts. 

I am also well aware of the countless videos from those who are against this series and it's director Dallas Jenkins. I don't even bother with what they have to say past knowing they don't like it. It is obvious that while they think they might be defending the faith, they do not consider the millions of people who this show has impacted for the Gospel, and the renewed interest it has made for those to restore or discover a relationship with God and to pursue finding this Jesus through Bible studies, and going to church, and fellowship with other believers! All that one has to do is to pay attention to some of the videos where Dallas would read letters that he received from people whose lives were changed!

The content of a scene in episode two in season three is one of many that have stirred the hearts of people around the world who can relate to the very things that are discussed between the character "little James" and Jesus. And to get an understanding of how that episode is able to impact viewers, then you must watch this interview between Dallas and Nick Vujicic seen here  The Chosen Interview .

I have watched an interview by Nick some years ago, and he is certainly an inspiration to be thankful for what you do have, instead of focusing on what you don't. But there was one thing that struck me in this Chosen interview more than anything else, and that is the part of the interview around the 18:15 mark, where he said: "I have a cousin who said to me, 'I will never believe in your god because he made you like this'". I was astounded that his cousin could say such a thing! Here Nick is the believer, and the one with no arms and no legs, and yet his cousin said that he is the one who can't believe in a god who would "do that to him"? Little does his cousin know of the value God places on everyone He creates! Even more so with those who are outcasts and valued little by others.

Nick said there is 1 in 10 people in this world with a disability, and yet I might argue that it is 10 in 10! It is God who created ALL and put ALL under the curse and consequences of sin so that He would have Mercy upon ALL! (c.f. Rom. 11:32.)

There is a saying that goes like this: " I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet." I can't imagine what our excuse for crying is after meeting a person like Nick who has no arms and no legs. And yet it is not like we don't ALL have episodes of our own pity parties! I have had plenty of my own, that I would be ashamed to admit, but we have these reminders from Nick, and this episode of the Chosen, that can give us A New Perspective On Life.