Blessing Others With What We are Given

Today, I watched a powerful story on video that popped on my Facebook mini-feed. Here is what happened in the story: A marketing director was contacted by 20th Century Fox to make a promo video for the upcoming movie "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty". The studio gave him a $25,000 budget but instead of making a trailer about Walter Mitty, the director spent the money on helping the victims of typhoon Haiyan. So the director lived out the "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" as his promo video.

As Christians, we too are called to live extraordinary lives. We are called to go serve the poor, feed the hungry, and help the sick. I want to make a difference in the world, how about you? At our church, we are finishing the last book of the Bible, Revelation. A few days ago, we read about great multitude covered in white robes from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne of God.

Revelation 7:15-17 says,

“They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

This is my 100th post, I hope all of us can remember that our purpose should always aim towards eternity with Jesus Christ. Remember to GIVE this Christmas season. You can give time, you can money, you can give love, and you can give hope. But most importantly, remember God's gift of salvation to us and that we are called to share this gift with others. Feel free to watch the video below.

Angels We Have Heard on High!

Here are two rendition of Angels We Have Heard on High that I thought you might enjoy! My prayer is that the words of this song have as much meaning to you and I as it did when the shepherds first heard the angels sing on the first Christmas day. Be blessed as you are listening and singing GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO with the angels!

What's your favorite Christmas song and why?

Listening and singing your favorite Christmas song helps ushers in the season of celebration for many people. Some people love the traditional hymns. Other love the new pop renditions of timeless classics. Still others even turn to tunes about Santa and reindeers. Well, I would like to know what is your favorite Christmas song and why?

Since I ask you to share, I will volunteer to share first! Let's see if you can guess my favorite Christmas song as I describe the setting... "On a quiet holy night, shepherds stand guard watching and tending their flocks. Suddenly, angels appear speaking (and singing) about good news. The shepherds are afraid but the angels calm their fears speaking about the birth of a Savior - Jesus Christ."

If you haven't guessed already, I really enjoy listening to the beautiful chorus of "Angels We Have Heard on High". The angelic melody brings both wonder and peace with "Gloria, in excelsis Deo!" This song reminds me that God enters the lives of ordinary people like the shepherds and also to you and me. In the Christmas season, we can join along in singing with all of creation to give glory to God in the highest!

The origin of "Angels We Have Heard on High" is anonymous. It has always been printed with no known lyricist or composer. There is some historical studies that many years ago shepherds in the hills of southern France had a Christmas Eve custom of calling to one another, singing "Gloria in Excelsis Deo," each from his own hillside. The traditional tune that the shepherds used may have been from a late Medieval Latin chorale. It became the magnificent chorus of "Angels We Have Heard on High."

"Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? Say what may the tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song?

Come to Bethlehem and see Christ Whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

See Him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise."

Now it is your turn to share your favorite Christmas song and why!

Christmas Revelation

Today's title combines the Christmas season and our last book this year of devotional Revelation. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday of the year. It's my favorite not because of the gifts, carols, or Christmas trees. Although, I love all of those things. The most beautiful part of Christmas for me is that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

This year, Leah and I, are beginning to wrap gifts. We picked out our very first Christmas tree together. We are starting to sing Christmas songs. What amazes me in particular is that people celebrate Christmas whether or not they believe in God. For those who don't believe in God, Christmas is in general a happy time of year to give gifts and celebrate with family. Christmas is a fun holiday because family and friends give gifts to one another. For those who do believe in God, Christmas is more than just a happy time of year...Christmas celebrates the Messiah, the coming of a long-awaited Savior. Christians celebrate Immanuel who is God with us. Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, God's one and only son who paid the penalty for our sin with His innocent life.

Isaiah 9:6-7 says, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."

So I hope you will join in the annual Christmas Revelation with me this year. A child was indeed born with a name above every name. His name is Jesus. He is a wonderful counselor, a mighty God, a prince of Peace, and in Him we can commune with our Everlasting Father. So when you say "Merry Christmas" this year emphasize the "Christ". We cheer, celebrate, and carol to proclaim the promise of Jesus Christ. As you wrap your gifts, decorate your Christmas tree, or sing carols remember that this is all about worshiping God. Thank Jesus for this season. Thank Him for the blessing of a Christmas revelation.

Be in Awe of God's Creation...See it for yourself!

Got some free time on your hands? Here are two must-watch videos about being in awe of God. One is focused more on the earth and everything in it...The other enlarges the scope to the entire universe, the stars, and the infinite expanse outside the earth...I hope you enjoy being in awe of God as much as I did.

Watch if you want to be in awe of God's Creation - The Earth:

Watch if you want to be in awe of God's Creation - The Universe:

Being in Awe of God

Being in awe of God is not a strong point of today’s culture. In fact, being in awe of anything or anyone falls fairly low in scale of most people’s daily life. The rapid progression of science and technology continually researches what was once unknown making it known; thus, turning the mysterious into the common. People are no longer in awe of tornadoes, hurricanes, or unusual storms as in past generations. Science has explained that these natural phenomena are caused by pressure systems, humidity levels, and changes in temperature. Technology has helped predict the weather forecast and the annual climate. Most people are also no longer left in wonder by magicians and performers because they know there is a scientific explanation to the trick or act. What about God? What do people think about when they think about God? Is God worthy of awe and wonder or can God be explained by human progression? In my person study, I believe God is the one thing in the created universe that can never be truly explained in human terms, and only God can create a sense of humility, awe, and wonder found in a worshipful heart.

I write this knowing that my natural inclination this week has not been towards worshiping God as He deserves. Yesterday, I lost something very valuable to me and I've been beating myself up about it. I've wrestled with God and asked Him, "Why?" So I struggle even as I write asking myself am I worshiping God in spirit and truth? Am I believing that God is awesome, holy, and mysterious? Psalm 145:3-13 says,

3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. 5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 6 They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. 9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. 10 All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. 11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.

The comfort in the Bible is found that is has nothing to do with me, but everything to do about God. The psalmist David shifts the focus from "I" towards God. Great is the Lord. God is most worthy of praise. I am not the lord. I am not most worthy of praise. The truth found in Scripture is that the world has nothing to do with me but everything to do with worshiping God. You and I are made in the image of Christ. We are a but a reflection of God's glory. So what good would it be if I found the most valuable prize in the world, but forfeited my soul? I would rather have God as my prize who is more valuable than anything in this world. God is out of this world, but while I am in this world...I will worship.