Myself and number one and only grandson Kevin, along with Randy and his son Noah took a hiking trip to the Walls of Jericho Monday. Some of our pictures are below.
L. to R. Randy, Kevin, Noah, Jim
Me and Kevin
Randy and Noah
Kevin fell in the creek saving his walking stick
He was soaked
The end of the trail
All in all, a good day.
Jim
Epiphany. The celebration of the revelation of Jesus Christ to the entire world as represented by the coming of the Magi to worship the baby King.
There is much more to the visit of the Magi than singing the song: “We Three Kings.” Their visit represents the fulfillment of Simeon’s prophecy in Luke 2:32. Jesus came as “…a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
The visit of the Magi is a sign of the widespread reach of God to call all people to himself. Think about what it means that God calls all people, not just a few, but all people of all nations and races to come and worship him.
Peace
Jim
Life’s Little Instruction Book volume II number 1007:
“Life is short. Eat more pancakes and fewer rice cakes.”
Enjoy the day
Jim
The message of Jesus’ birth continues to be a message of expectation, a prospect for the future, new and exciting things to come in our lives.
And if our future is sprinkled with the grace of God, which it is, then we can look forward to our days ahead looking for new experiences.
Jesus still offers breathless moments to people just like he did at his birth.
Peace
Jim
The expectation continues…
The expectation that surrounded Jesus in his day continues to be the order of the day for us. What all might Jesus do in our life? Better said, what all might Jesus do through us in our life?
Think about that.
Peace
Jim
MERRY CHRISTMAS !
Naomi got me this neat little plaque for Christmas that expresses the way I feel about life.
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take…but by the moments that take your breath away.”
I can’t think of a much better philosophy of life, it goes well with my sermon title for this week: “Hang On To Your Hat!”
Live the excitement that reflects the freedom we have in Jesus Christ.
Peace
Jim
On the rush again today. Speaking of all the rush, be sure and keep attention focused on Jesus. You’ll need his strength through the next few days especially.
Peace
Jim
Well… my car battery could only grunt once. I’ve been expecting it, and it finally happened. Its 9 degrees at my house this morning, the VW just wont start.
We very often stop the Christmas season on Christmas day. But the story continues. Luke records more information about Jesus in Luke 2:22-40.
When Jesus was taken to the temple in keeping with law, the family was greeted by the old man Simeon. Simeon had been told through the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. And in the temple that day he declared that God could now “dismiss his servant in peace.”
At the same time a prophetess Anna was also at the temple and she spoke about the child Jesus and his relation to the redemption of Israel.
Mary and Joseph could only look forward to the life of their son and what all he might do. They had been told of Jesus’ position by an angel before his conception, the shepherds told what the angel informed them, and now Simeon and Anna put their two cents in.
In other words, the lives of Mary and Joseph were full of anticipation at what Jesus might do. So I think, since Jesus is still alive (remember we serve a living God) we should also live our lives in anticipation of what Jesus might do. If his life on earth is any indication of his abilities, then the message of Jesus for us today just might be, “Put your faith in me…and hold on to your hat!”
Peace!
Jim
Christmas is just around the corner. I get excited when I think about it. I start remembering things from the past, and I begin to look forward to the future.
Christmas is about the coming of Jesus and Jesus is about the fulfillment of the past… and a glimpse and promise of the future.
Enjoy these few days leading up to Christmas morning and be thankful that we serve a God who loves us enough to come and experience what we live through so that he might comfort us when we hurt, and cheer us on in our joy.
Peace
Jim
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