A Fresh Start Miracle

 

Annalyn gestured to her husband, trying to get his attention.  He was oblivious, or at least selectively so.  He was the other side of their compound wall, shooting the breeze with his neighborhood comrades.  Annalyn could see them and hear their laughter.  Insulting, so it was.  The other men ignored her signals and beckons; not bothering to relay the 'message' to her husband.  Or maybe that was what they were laughting about.  All in male cahoots.  

Speaking of male...there was one sitting on her front step.  That's why she needed Tom.   In the meantime maybe she could see what the fellow was doing there.   "Hey, sir, what are you doing here?"  she asked.  There was not much response from him either.  Typical, she thought.

He looked like a monk.  His hair was completely shaved off atop his head.  The puzzling thing was, he wore a most beautifully exquisite, emerald silk robe of high quality, very unlike the usual Buddhist monk, mustard-yellow-orange linen wrappings.

Perhaps he had a vow of silence.  All he did was sit there, elbows resting on his knees, chin cupped by his hands, framing a persistant smile.  The intruders' eyes looked at nothing in particular.  It was unsettling, really.  Annalyn wondered if she should start screaming.

Instead, she gestured more frantically to her husband.  Still he rebuffed her.  Serve him right if something untoward happened to her.

Something very weird was going on, she thought.  Besides the monk fellow, there was the appearance of the baby.  A baby girl about seven or eight months of age; old enough to crawl because that's how she'd arrived.  She crawled right up the front steps before that monk man came to be there; at least she thouht so.  The little one crawled right through the dog flap in the door, went upstairs into the bedroom and hid under the bed.

Annalyn had followed her upstairs.  "Come out baby," she had coaxed when she'd heard some cooing coming from under there.  "Come out, baby."

Next thing she knew, a little girl about four years old came prancing in.   She had a beautiful head of hair, lovely, abundant brunette ringlettes all around.  She laughed at some private joke.  Happy.

She went under the bed with the baby.  They seemed like sisters and had some sort of silent communication that contended and calmed them.  She didn't speak either, just like the emerald man on her front doorstep.

What was going on?!

A goat came next!  Of all things!   A billy goat.  A youngish one cuz its horns weren't well defined yet.  Goodness.  What would be next?  

Billy Goat Gruff in the house, and under the bed with the little girls.  Their pet?

And, where was her dog?  Why wasn't he protesting the intrusions, and barking his head off?

That's when she'd gone outside looking for Bouncer their dog and found the man there instead and tried to get her husband's attention, which she still could not get.  Hmmm!

She had an idea.  She wouldn't scream after all.  It would be something even better.  She marched over to the opened shed, rummaged around, got what she was looking for and quietly tested it.  Yup, it still worked.  Tom always said it'd come in handy one day.  Sure enough.  Hee, hee.

Grinning despite her irritation, she put the bullhorn to her lips in earnest, pressed the on button, and let him have it.  "Thomas Alcorn Birkenstock!  Calling Thomas Alcorn Birkenstock!  Time to come home.  The sheep's in the meadow and the cow's in the corn.  I'll not get off this horn, until I see your handsome form, at home."

"Calling once, calling twice!"

The men, startled, finally stopped mid-sentence.  Her Tom met her eye in angered embarassment.  She kept up her beckon.

"Thomas Alcorn Birkenstock..."

She saw him on the move.  She'd be safe though.  The crowd sizzled with what they thought would be a domestic drama, as Tom sprinted into the yard, his dander up.  He stopped short when he saw the Emerald Monk Man.  "Who are you and what are you doing here?" he demanded.

"Ahh," said the man.

"Oh," thought Annalyn, "so you do speak."  She turned to Tom, "This is why I've been flailing my arms at you.  Why were you ignoring me?  He's not the only company we have.  There are two young girls and a goat in the house.  Who knows what else may have arrived since I've been out here signalling to ya."

"Ahh," said the Emerald Monk again.

Tom and Annalyn looked at him.  He said, "Man, you should listen to your wife more.  Be attentive too, that is, if you cherish her."

"Who are you to lecture me, you, you stranger!  What are you doing here, anyway?"  Tom shouted in contempt.  "Go!  Get off my property!"

The crowd lining the compund periphery was growing.  Some hecklers shouted, "Hey green man, you from Mars?"  They didn't help matters much, Annalyn mused, Tom was real triggered already.

"Call the police," she suggested to Tom.

Tom, not usually one to give his wife an inch, realized, that this once, his wife might have a good idea and scrabbled for the phone in his pocket.  

Emerald Man was swift, lashed out and snatched Tom's phone, "Oh no you don't, no police!"

Tom, a muscled man, pulled back, wound up and thrust his punch at Mr. Emerald.  Shock formed on his face as Mr. Emerald absorbed the punch with a fluid flick of his wrist.  "Are you ready to listen to me, Tom?" he asked.  "Why don't we go inside away from the prying eyes and pitcher's with big ears."

"Oh no," Tom retorted, "I'll not fall for that.  I don't know you and who knows what you'll do to my wife and me.  No, we'll stay right outside here."

"Suit yourself, Tom-man."

Tom turned to his buddies, "Call the police."

They reached for their phones but those too, were snatched away, as if by some tweak of gravitational force.  Everyone saw their  phones swoosh through the air, and then march into a hidden pouch on the Emearald Man's gown.

"Who is this guy?" everyone began to wonder uncomfortably.  "Some sort of magical being?  An angel?"  It was kinda freaking them all out.

"I repeat; 'Are you ready to listen, yet, Tom?'" Mr. Emerald asked.  "Have I gotten your attention?"

In this situation of importunity, Tom grudingly grunted he was ready.

Annalyn could see him seething though.

She was really curious to see how this was going to play out.  She was still nervous and a bit afraid; glad Tom insisted they stayed outside with the neighborhood gossips hanging over the wall.  For once, she was thankful for them.

"First off," directed Mr. Emerald, "Go into the house and verify that your wife is telling the truth about the three "kids" under the bed.  Come out and report your findings."

Tom complied albeit defiantly.  Annalyn could hear his stomps up the stairs.  He hadn't removed his dirt-grimed boots.  She sighed.  His inconsiderations always angered her.  She'd wait this out though.  Maybe this was the life change opportunity she'd often prayed would transform Tom to be "more like Christ" and to begin to be the more pleasant companion and husband she yearned for.  Yes, a bit of dirt on the stairs would be worth it.  Yes, she'd wait. 

"Now," Mr. Emerald Man explained, "I've come here not to harm you, but to exhort.  Never mind what right I have, just hear me out."

"Those two children represent that you need to 'rethink' and 'redirect' your focus.  When you accepted Jesus as Savior, by faith in Him, you had to 'become like a child' and humbly repentant, confess your sinfulness and need of a Savior.  You need to be reminded of the on-going process of sanctification.  You need to bear more fruit, the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

In practical terms, stop running roughshod over people, especially your wife.  Stop bulldozing over everything she says and does.  Vilify and vindicate that yes, she does, have worthwhile ideas, opinions and things to say.  Converse and actually communicate.  Stop your harsh treatment and words.  Am I getting through to you, Tom?"

"Yes," Tom meekly replied.

"I'm not asking you to become less of a man, nor a wet rag.  NO!  Rise up and be the head of the home you should be.  Leadership is to listen and to consider the "underlings'' words, thoughts, opinions on matters of the relationship and family living and so on.  Consider Annalyn's!  It does not mean you accept everthing and incorporate everything.  NO.  You take what is best for the both of you, that would honor God.  Think wisely.  Consider.  More than likely, your wife will be amenable even if you don't use all her input in your final decisions.  Two-way street communication, is key. Decide things, together."

"You do need to make these changes here and now, Tom!"  Emerald Man continued.  "Are you getting this?  I'll be back in a couple of weeks to check on progress.  Any questions, Tom?"

Tom was having difficult finding his tongue  New phenomenon.  He, at last, asked, "Why the goat?"

"Oh,"  Mr. Green Man chortled, "That's to let you know, I'm not kidding!"

"You may also be wondering, why my emerald green garment...Think, growth - new and continued growth.  Tom, it needs to happen in your spiritual life and relationship with Christ, your wife, and then out to others.  Grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ." 

Annalyn was still cradling the bullhorn, the village folks were still gawking, mouths agape, but the feistiness had drained out of Annalyn.  She was feeling some compassion now for her husband and ever so thankful for Mr. Emerald Man's words - whoever he was and from wherever he was from.  She sincerely hoped this would indeed be that turning point she'd hoped, wished and prayed for, for so long in Tom and in their marriage.  She looked up to heaven and whispered, "Thank-You, Father God!  Help us both!"

With that, she walked over to Tom, stood in allegiance beside him, lending him her support and intertwined her fingers with his.  She looked up at him, found his eyes, now gentled, and spoke, "We're in this together.  We'll figure it out one day at a time.  Deal?"

"Deal," he smiled at her.

Say what?  Yes, Annalyn's heart did a flip.  Tom was smiling pleasantly at her!

They were off to a better start already.  "Lord," Annalyn breathed another silent prayer, "see us through and thank-You, again.  Amen."

Husband and wife, turned to speak to Emerald Man, but he'd disappeared, and the "three little kids" were just seen departing the compound.  Tom's phone was dancing around his head until he reached up and grabbed it.  As for the townsfolks' phones, they were step-marching back to the respective owners' outstretched hands.  One by one, once they retrieved their phones, they shook their heads from side to side, trying to grasp what had just happened.

Annalyn pinched her right thigh, experimentally,  was she dreaming or was this for real?

"Ouch!"  Yes, it was real.  She was awake.

She and Tom disappeared into their home and shut the door.

"Praise the Lord, " Annalyn whispered heavenward as she prepared the evening meal.  Wonder of wonders, Tom joined her and was actually, freely and happily listening to her directions of what she had in mind for dinner preparations.  Miracles do still happen!

And there was Bouncer.  He now sported an emerald green dog collar.  Annalyn smiled.

Thus began a new chapter, a better chapter in the life and times of Tom and Annalyn.  A fresh start miracle, indeed.

                                                       ~ERC  October 2021~

Blockage

 Is it because we don't believe the Holy Spirit is as active and the same as He was back in the days of Acts, that we are afraid to preach the message of Jesus as freely as the early Christians did?  They walked from place to place and preached as they went along, town by town.  They preached boldly.

Almost immediately as they were converted and had received the Holy Spirit's indwelling, they were 'filled with the Spirit,' rejoiced and went out and preached.  It all went without saying.  It just happened as a natural course  of action and spontaneous reactional response; a chain reaction that happened.  The Holy Spirit's filling does that.

It did it to Saul of Tarsus, you know, the one who became known as Paul the apostle.  He just could not help himself, nor stop himself.  This characterized most of the other early Christaians too:  Peter; John; Stephen; Philip the Evangelist, to name some.  It was not showbiz, it was sincere reality.

So, I ask, why don't we do so nowadays?  So openly, with threat of persecution is still just as real and imminent.  Urgency is not part of our fabric.  Fear incapacitates.  Fear of man instead of fear of God.  I admit it.  We hold back.  We are sick.  The Holy Spirit's power and authority is suppressed  and we don't shine with His light.

Don't we want to?  

I say I do but then...then I feel myself shrink back. Fear.  Dread.  Find excuses not  to sally forth.  Not to speak.  Blockage of my own making.  Use of pen, can.  Indirectly.  Yes, they say we each have our own gifts.   I hide behind that; make it an excuse and tell myself, you are still getting the message out.  

Is it enough?

Jesus, I feel like I should  be doing more.  To be courageous and walk the streets and  tell Your message of love and forgiveness. People are perishing and I live complacently.  Walk and pray in the streets of our neighborhoods to start. Walk with us.

Give us the words.  Give us the courage.  Holy Spirit help.  Fill us.  Help us overcome our fears, shortcomings and excuses.  Pass us not oh gentle Savior.  Hear our humble, distraught cry.  Remove our blockages.  Make us enough to preach in the name of Jesus wherever You open our mouth in compulsion to do so.  Use us.

Father, may the numbers in Your church grow through the help of Your Holy Spirit.  Strengthen and make us all grow and live only in the  reverence and fear of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

In  Jesus' Name, we beseech You.

                                                     ~ERC  October 2021~

Based on Acts  9 NIV/GoodNews

The Next Assignment

 

We never know what our next assignment will be.  Philip, one of the seven chosen to wait on tables, probably never dreamed he'd become an evangelist.  Oh, it was his launching pad though.

Persecution was the spark that launched him, him and many others scatttering them to the four winds.  Philip 

"went to the principle city of Samaria and preached the Messiah to the people there" (Acts 8:4 Good News).

The people paid close attention, many were healed, others had evil spirits cast out and most importantly, many believed the message of Jesus Christ, that their salvation came  through Him.  They believed and had "great joy".

Now, as we recall the qualifications of the seven men chosen to wait on tables, making sure all the widows were equally served, you'll remember the apostles said these men  would need to be;  "known to be full of the spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3 NIV).  Philip was second on that list after Stephen.  Not sure that meant anything in particular though.  The detail to focus on here is "full of the Spirit". 

As Philip went from assignment to assignment, even in this brief "newscast" of his recorded 'doings', we see he was indeed full of Him.  He was senstive to the Holy Spirit's guidance and was willingly obedient.  However, we can note that Philip had a different catalyst that brought him to another next assignment.

Take a look.  The first, as already mentioned was the persecution that started off his evangelizing.  Next, "an angel of the Lord" told him to get ready and go "south to the Desert Road" (Acts 8:26 NIV/Good News).  The next breath there states, "so he started out"....  Catch this...willing obedience acts straight away.  It seemed to be Philip's mode of operation.

This brings us alongside the chariot of the high ranking official of Candace, Queen of Ethiopia.  This man was reading, pondering and puzzling upon Scripture; whatever could it mean?

The table-waiter cum evangelist, Philip, who seemed to have been 'fit' as well, jogged along beside until he was invited up.  Philip explained that it was all about Jesus and his need of salvation.  Jesus - the one the eunuch had been reading about.  This ended in joy and rejoicing for the eunuch.

In the third recorded impetus, Philip was whisked away suddenly, by "the Spirit of the Lord".  Before he knew what hit him, Philip was on his next assignment.  We can imagine how his mind was trying to keep up with where his body was.  

"He found himself in Azotus" (Acts 8:40 Good News).

Philip found his feet, which was quite a feat, considering what had just happened to him; flying with the Holy Spirit?!  Anyway, he didn't dwell on that too much as we might have.  He traveled about on foot, quite possibly, 

"preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesrea" (Acts 8:40 NIV).

He didn't waste his opportunities.

It seems that Philip lived in Caesarea.  The next honorable mention of him is in Acts 21 verses 8 and 9.  "Philip the Evangelist's house" was open for hospitality.  The apostle Paul and at least, also Luke, stayed there.

Philip's four unmarried daughters prophesied.  Indeed, this "kitchen aid, table waiter" cum evangelist, went from strength to strength in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit of whom he was full.  Willingly, he embraced each next assignment no matter how they transpired.  What a special man of God, we too can emulate.  Even his daughter's prophesied.  His household was in order, what an honor to have been one of his daughters.

Only the Lord knows how wide and vast Philip's influence was but it seems his attuning to the Holy Spirit's direction and obedience, even to jobs such as waiting on tables, which most men would have shunned and left to the women.   He humbly and willingly applied himself thereto with right good will, to his Master's voice and will.

Philip is said to have died on 11 October (1st century).  Could not discover the how's and why's of it or if he had been martyred.  We cannot confuse Philip the Evangelist with Philip theApostle.  Neither should we worship this Philip; however, we can follow the faith he had had.  We can follow the obedience to the Holy Spirit he had had.  Before that following though, we need to attune our hearts and minds to wanting to willingly obey the direction and guidance given, as Philip had had; listening in expectancy to hear his voice, no matter what the next assignment may bring.

Go forth and do great exploits for the Lord.  Let the message of Jesus ring out.

                                                 ~ERC  October 2021~

Based on Acts 8 (NIV/Good News).

Angelic Face or Dirty Look?

Stephen was one of those seven men commissioned to be 'kitchen aids' of hospitality and keepers of finances overseeing daily distribution of food for widows.  This, so the apostles could devote their full time and attention on prayer and the ministry of preaching the Word of God and gospel of Jesus Christ.

These ministers of money and food had been chosen because they were known to be "full of the Spirit and wisdom".  Stephen was specifically known to also have been "a man full of faith" (vs 5) as well as the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:3-5 NIV).

Here's more of Stephen's character and blessing:  he was "richly blessed by God" (GNT Acts 6:8) and "a man full of God's grace and power" (Acts 6:8 NIV).  His blessing was grace and power from God.  Besides his kitchen duties and serving tables, the blessings of God enabled him to do "great wonders and miraculous signs among the people" (vs 8).  Isn't it wondrous!

Then the bitter pill of opposition arose, instigated by "little" men full of the spirit of jealousy and rage.  Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit was with Stephen granting him wisdom to refute the arguments presented by members of the synagogue of the Freedmen.  They could not stand up against him.

Not to be outdone, their next tactic these little men presented was to "secretly persuade," likely through bribery, to falsely accuse Stephen of having said things he obviously would NOT say:  i.e., blasphemy against Moses and God (vs 11).  They even produced false witnesses to testify to it (vs 13)!  Some things never change.  They did this to Jesus too.

Stop and think a minute.  If you'd been falsely accused about anything, what would your reaction be?  Angelic face?  Dirty look?

Those actual accusors from among the Sanhedrin "looked intently at Stephen during this fiasco (vs 15 NIV).  Stephen's countenance was "like the face of an angel" (vs 15 NIV).  It must have been somewhat unsettling for them.

With angelic look upon his face, Stephen began his verbal defence.  He reiterated their Jewish history as we read in Acts 7, remarking on times of Israelite rebellion against God and Moses who granted them mercy; of Joshua, David, Solomon and so on, bringing them up-to-date with their disposal of Jesus Christ.  Stephen used the adjective, "stiff-necked" (Acts 7:51 NIV) with which, he said, this generation of religious leaders were characterized.  They'd killed the "Righteous One" (7:52 NIV).  He told them they "always resisted the Holy Spirit" (Acts 7:51 NIV).

This made the leaders all the more angry.  Then with waves of dirty looks and frowns of explosive anger burgeoning upon their faces, they stoned Stephen to death.  Stephen, still full of the Holy Spirit, looked up and saw God and Jesus, remarked about what he saw.  The stones came then, harder and faster, in full-blown rage.

Before his last breath, Stephen managed to cry out, 

"Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60 NIV). 

 He then "fell asleep" in Jesus.  

Forgiveness.  Mercy.  How sweet the sound and how like Christ, Stephen had been.

May we allow the Holy Spirit sway within us too, in our day and age.  May we become Christ-like, even in the face of strong opposition as Stephen had done, and that with angelic look upon his face!.. 

Thank-You, Jesus for Your Holy Spirit's indwelling and dynamic power we Your followers, can have when we allow Him to work within and through us.  May our faces shine with angelic look on Your behalf, come what may!  May our character shine as Stephen's had done.

Big talk, but we seek your help Father, through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

                                                   ~ERC  September 2021~

Based on Acts 6:8-15 and Acts 7 NIV/GoodNews

Sing, All Hail the Power of Jesus Name, with Maranatha.

and A Mighty Fortress is Our God, with Michael W. Smith

So the Gospel Spread

 

The apostles listened to the women!  They did not set up a committee though, to examine whether the alligations of neglect were true.  They were pro-active.  So that they did not become distracted from their mission of preaching God's Word, the apostles commissioned seven men to the administration of equality among the saints of different groups of believers.  These men, who were

 "full of the Holy spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3 GNT), 

were to account for the finances and the distribution of food.  They became "kitchen aids" for Christ and His people.

These seven men became the hospitality detail for the homefront while the apostles could give their,

"full time (and attention) to prayer and the work of preaching" and "administering the word" (Acts 6:4 GNT/NIV),

and go out into all the world to do so.

"The whole group was pleased with the apostles' proposal..." (Acts 6:5 GNT).

 The whole group then chose the seven according to the apostles' criteria and presented them to the apostles.  I like how the apostles did not claim monopoly on such decisions.  Instead, they allowed leeway and gave the "congregation" respect and confidence to make the wise decisions according to guidelines.  Notice the apostles didn't further interview the seven men.  No.  Once these men were presented to them, the apostles laid their hands on them, commissioning them to their sphere of ministry.  No doubt the Holy Spirit would have alerted the apostles to anything amiss, for they were alert and attuned to the Holy Spirit's voice and guidance.  

I'm kind of imagining this dedication service as similar to Moses' consecrating Aaron to the high priesthood, and Aaron's sons to the priestly work of the worship and sacrifices to God, and to the various roles of service.  Wonderful times of commissioning.  Glorious moments initiating new things for God their Heavenly Father.

Meanwhile, back in the kitchen and dining room, peace and harmony were restored.  A big hoo-haw avoided.  The apostles could still spread the word of God unabaited.

The result?  I love it!

"The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith" (Acts 6:7 NIV).

All this because the apostles took the women seriously.  They must have learned from Jesus and His treatment of women, not to shame, ignore or humiliate; nor to treat them as chattal as was the society of the day's way.

Of course, I'm not advocating any one particular group domineer but rather when "matters arise,"  those in leadership will regard those with issues, seriously and have wise response, and even to handing some responsibility over to those bringing up the matters.  Additionally, the group with the conflict, should be willing to accept the solution suggested, along with prayer and seeking the Lord's will.

The purpose?  So the whole group will learn to,

"...make every effort to keep unity of the spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3 NIV).  

Beyond this, so that the Word of God can continue spreading and large numbers of people will accept faith in Jesus Chrst, making Him their personal Savior and Lord.

Can I get an "Amen"?

May the blessing of such unity continue to be among and upon each of the readers' church family and beyond today.  May the Lord add fmany souls to His family and 'yours'.

                                                    ~ERC  September 2021~

Based on Acts 6:1-7 NIV/GNT

Sing, Bringing in the Sheaves, along with Marshall Hall and Friends

Christmas Candle Window Walk Evening

Leticia Chinery huffed and puffed her way down the sidewalk at remarkably quick-step march.  Her arms were laden with Christmas gifts in bags and parcels aplenty.  A large sack hung over her shoulder swinging and swishing like a tail and sometimes bumping into her backside as she went along.  Somehow or other she managed to clutch the top part of the sack in her hand so it wouldn't escape.  There were homespun quilts of wonder and beauty inside that sack.  They were destined for the women's shelter the next town over.  Letty, her nickname from birth, aimed for home right now, though.  She and her quilting buddies would deliver the quilts tomorrow and have a mini-celebration with whichever of their abused and battered sisters were there.

Letty glanced left and right at all the houses en route.  "They will dazzle, at night," she thought.  She noted which homes had candles in the windows and promised herself, "Come what may, I'm coming out for a stroll this evening to see all the deco lights but especially the lit candles".  

Oh, how she loved window candles!  They reminded her of her home, growing up.  Her Mom, about two weeks before Christmas, would set up a candle in each the windows in every room of the house.  She loved looking at them, especially from outdoors, at night, when they shone.

Letty continued the tradition with her own family and did so still even though she and Linc were empty nesters. She'd put her candles up a week ago.  She reminisced the yearly explanation her Mom gave and that, of course, she similarly passed on to her own children.  

She'd say, "Do you know what my name Leticia means?"

When they were younger, her children would vie to answer, shouting, "JOY!"

"OK, why Joy?"

"Well," they'd chorus, not to be outdone by each other, "you were born at Christmas time and you brought joy to Grandpa and Grandma."

"Right again, children," Letty'd say.

"Now, why do Grandma and I love to have candles in the windows?"

Again, they'd gleefully answer, "Because we celebrate Jesus' birthday and He is the Light of the world.  He brought the Light of His salvation and joy to our hearts.  To remind us," they'd finish.

"Oh my children.  You are correct again.  Always remember this.  Also, because we have Jesus, we are supposed to be light to the world too."

"Yes, Mammy!"

They loved it and she loved it.  She smiled happily as she trudged  up her walkway to her inviting home-sweet-home door, which was currently wreathed in evergreen bower.  And, you guessed it, the wreath framed a candle in the door window.

Merrily, Letty carefully cinched up her overflowing hands to reach the doorbell and rang it.  She really couldn't manage the key and the bundles simultaneously.  She chuckled  when her husband Lincoln opened the door, shocked to see her and her overflowing burdens.  "Hello dear, haul me in!" she grinned.

She was about out of puff and huff.  She really should shed a few kilos but ugh, how could she at Christmastime, the jolliest time of the year for her.  "I'd love a wee spot of tea, dear Linc.  I'm about out of tucker."

"I can see why, Letty.  Why didn't you call me, I'd of come to fetch your burdens.  Oh and you, too," he teased.

"I wanted to see all the Christmas deco cheer, dear," Letty rhymed, as she unburdened herself of her armloads, whooshing out a great contented sigh as she flopped into her armchair.  "Give me a bit to catch my breath and I'll join you in the kitchen."

"Ok, dear," Lincoln smiled.  He loved his Leticia.  She was always so good-hearted, generous, and caring, and these statistics skyrocketed this time of year, he noted. Always outdoing herself.  She'd come home needing pampering but he didn't mind.  He still loved her deeply after all these 35 some years but it might be time to pull on the reigns a bit.  They weren't getting any younger.  He guessed though what she'd say if he mentioned it.

He quoted softly to himself,

"Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace" (Proverbs 17:28).

Ha, ha.  "It's a useful memory verse".  He laughed to himself at his own private joke as he busied himself with the tea things.  His Letty was a wonder.  

He was just putting the finishing touches to their tea when she came out looking a mite better than when she'd arrived.  She, true to her name, brought joy, sunshine and sparkle to his life.

"I'm so grateful to you Linclon; you do know that, right?  I couldn't do what I do without your back-up support," she thanked him from the bottom of her heart.

"Yes dear Letty, I know.  I couldn't do without you.  I'm more of a "slow lane" chap and do love to fill in the gaps for you," he responded tenderly.

They bowed their heads and thanked the Lord for their tea, each other and especially for Jesus, the Light of the world.  Amen.

A few sips of tea and nibbles of pre-Christmas Christmas cookies later, Letty was feeling recharged.  "Oh Linc, let's take an evening stroll tonight.  It's that time of year and I want to savor the Christmas candle windows."

"Well now, I guess we could, at that.  I was thinking it was 'bout time to take our traditional Christmas Candle Evening Walk.  I've made some of my cinnamon-cranberry-orange juice we can nip into when we return.

Lincoln was one for puns so asked her playfully, "What would you get if you put a candle inside a suit of armor?"

"Linc! Not a pun!" she groaned. "You know I'm no good with the pun-ch lines."  Letty twittered, "but I do love your choices.  Do tell..."

More than  hoping to oblige, he gave in easily and said, "I'd get a knight-light."

The both had a good laugh.  "Cute one" Letty said.  "Anymore?"

"Ok, how about this one; did you know you could light candles with pieces of dry spaghetti?"

"No, I did not." Letty wondered how one could get a pun out of this one."How is that?"

Laughing, Lincoln told her, "by using your noodle."

They chortled and snickered together, a great guffaw.

Revived by tea, crumpets and puns, Letty was on her feet, "Well, I'll scare us up something a bit more substantial to fortify us for our walk.  I can't wait to peer into peoples' windows and see what we can see besides the candles aglow."  Oh, she was incorrigble!

"Leticia Marie Chinery!  You should be ashamed of yourself.  What happened to your manners!"  Lincoln chided, companionably.

"I know, I know.  More seriously, we shall pray for each of the neighbors that they will truly know Jesus, the Light of the world.  That Jesus brought and still brings them His love, joy, peace, holy living as well as His light. May this Child Who was born so long ago to be their Savior, become their personal Lord and Savior, Redeemer, Friend and not just be the excuse to celebrate a nominal festive holiday.  May His Light shine from their hearts too."

Lincoln concurred.  "Amen!  I'll be in my study.  Just call if you need me."

"Thanks, dear," Letty called to him as he shuffled out of the kitchen.

Rummaging about her fridge and cupboards, Letty prepared a quick repast.  It was only 5:30 pm, maybe they could eat in an hour.  Clear up and be out the door by seven or so.

Promptly at 7:11 pm Linc and Letty bundled up and stepped out into their neighborhood light show.  They ambled along amicably de-lighting in all the decorations especially where there were candles in windows.  They stopped and prayed at each home, leaving their "secret calling cards" in the respective mail boxes.  These were token samples of each type of Christmas goodie cookies, Letty had made, and Lincoln had packaged up,  that particular year.  

Most of the neighbors guessed these were from Letty and Lincoln but had never, in the 20 years they'd lived  there, surprizingly, had never been caught in the act.  Lincoln and Letty never knew exactly which day they'd deliver and pray; so it was anyone's guess.  As they posted the cookies they'd pray together in whispers, "May this home be lit by the Light of Jesus."

Letty of course, would take her peer and peek into any of the open curtained windows and ooh and aah at Christmas deco, almost sounding as if she were an owl.  Lincoln would titter quietly to himself, enjoying the whole drama that was Leticia.  Sometimes she'd stand on tiptoe or ask him to lift her up so she could see better. He drew the line at that and would never do it but it amused her to always ask.  She loved to tease him.

It began to snow light, fluffy flakes and like children, they titled their heads upwards and caught some on their tongues, dancing and giggling together on the sidewalk.  What a lovely evening!  Sometime after 8 they entered their own home, and never forgetting to bless their own place, prayed, "Lord may Your light continue to shine forth from this our home, which is at your disposal. Thank-You for Jesus, our Light."

Shedding their winter wraps, they cuddled up before their fireplace, gazing at the dancing flames, speaking softly to one another and sipping their cranberry concoctions.  Letty murmured, "Tomorrow is our women's shelter day.  This year the gifts are quilts.  I feel so blessed, Lincoln.  You are such a good, caring husband.  It's only right I can help those less fortunate in marriage or family ties.  Did I ever tell you how grateful I am for you?" Letty sleepily quieried.

"Yes, Letty, you have," Lincoln purred into her ear.  "I'm so grateful for you too.  You are the love and light of my life and I'm so glad I don't have to sneak a peek into someone elses life and windows to see peace and contentment. Not that you do either, of course but you get my meaning.  Most important to me is the Light of Jesus which radiates from your countenance.  You are my Christmas Candle and you have lit my life well.  Truly - you are joy to my soul Leticia Chinery!"

Letty's face was set alight more brilliantly then.  She rested her head happily upon Lincoln's shoulder.  It was an end to a perfect Chritmas Candle Window Walk Evening.  Softly, she began to sing, "For unto us a child was born."  Linc joined her on, "...a Son is given, a Son is given...."

                                                    ~ERC  December2021~

Sing, Unto Us a Child is Born, Tabernacle Choir.

Whose Rights?

 

Is what you are doing worth fighting for?  For that matter, first and foremost, is it honoring God and the Name of Jesus?  Jesus' Name is powerful but we who are His followers have a responsibility not to dishonor His Name nor bring shame to Him.

None of us would wish to be harassed, persecuted or tortured for Christ;  many of Jesus' followers are though.  The early believers in Christ suffered such as a 'norm'.  After all, Christ suffered at the hands of jealous and callous men.  Men who supposedly upheld the commandments of God as scripted by Moses in the Book of the Covenant (Law).

They didn't do too good a job of that and only became extremely jealous of Jesus.  They also became extremely jealous of Peter and John and the "success" they were having in teaching and preaching the message of Jesus.  

These begruding, resentful religious leaders had Peter and John arrested, flogged* and ordered not to teach in the name of Jesus anymore.  Spokesman Peter, replied,

"We must obey God, not men" (Acts 5:20 Good News).

Upon their release, Peter and John went straight back at it - continually being the witnesses Jesus asked them to be.  They were NOT sticking up for their own rights by their declaration of obeying God rather than men.  NO!  This was sticking up for God's rights.  They were proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ.  This at personal cost.  They had been flogged.  Remember what that entails?  Forty lashes to the back from a whip that must have done plenty of damage and presented plenty of pain.  

How strange then, after leaving the presence of furious "men of the cloth", we find the apostles "rejoicing"!!  They were rejoicing because,

"...they had been counted worthy to suffer  disgrace  for the Name of Jesus" (Acts 5:41 NIV).

How happy would you be to suffer in such a way for the sake of Jesus?  I ask this question of myself too.  Frankly, I'm fearful of such.  The apostles, likely still in great discomfort, sallied forth and, 

"...never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ" (Acts 5:42 NIV).

Imagine!  

The major point is that they did what they did, despite the threats of great physical retribution to themselves.  The onus was on their heads.  Nevertheless, they persevered and persisted  -- to address their own personal rights or rights of the congregation?   NO!  NO! NO! Triple, NO!  They didn't dare to laugh into the face of this.  They feared God and did so for Him and out of their love and obedience to Jesus.  They did not push their own personal agenda.

Are you wondering where this is leading?  It has greatly disturbed me time and again upon learning of, and even viewing, certan people of God in the position of influence in the pulpit, laughing into the face of the government of their land, disregarding the health of their community inside and out, in the neighborhood of those places they'd called, "The House of God".  What desecration!

How can one continue to respect a man who mockingly proclaims there is no such thing as a pandemic (COVID-19) and it is only 'fear tactics' being spread about to stop people from coming to church and disregarding, in large part, SOP.

Openly laughing!

For what?

For their rights to practice their religion!?  Such tomfoolery!  It reflects back onto the character of the laugh-er.  Additionally, such shame and disgrace reflected upon the Name of Jesus, which is far worse.  Would these so-called, leaders really continue so brazenly if they would suffer flogging, for proclaiming "NO pandemic!" and scoffingly laugh about it?  Harmful, harmful message.

For Peter and John, and many others of their caliber, even in this day and age, who sincerely proclaim the" good news that Jesus is the Christ," "obeying God rather than men" in the very face of legitimate and certain harassment, flogging, confiscation of property, and other forms of persecution and torments, they would be in consternation over this kind of namby-pamby, dangerously insolent behavior.  How does it edify the congregants and how does it honor the Lord?

Think about it!  Are you loving your neighbor as yourself, proclaiming Christ, OR are you blatantly, advocating your own will to assert your own rights in disregard of those 'neighbors', and laws of the land?  Only you can answer these questions for yourself.

I certainly hope that the Name of Jesus will not turn sour and distasteful to the "whosoever" would have!  May we uphold the Name of Jesus in reverence and fear of God, bringing glory and honor to His Name.  Proclaim the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ; that Jesus IS the Christ.  Follow God's will not our own.  This is the message to trumpet forth and is eternally worth fighting for.

Whose rights will you fight for?

"So  whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks, or the church  of God...For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." (1 Corinthians 10:31-33 NIV).

                                                           ~ERC  September 2021~

Based on Acts 5:17-42 (NIV/GoodNews)

*The Roman Act of Flogging