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  • And His Name Will Be Called…

    And His Name Will Be Called…

    Getting ready for Christmas is a holy act of thinking of others as we dream of seeing their sheer pleasure. It’s an act of service to ready our home and lives to celebrate this Baby.

    And it’s an act of worship to ready our hearts for the little one they named Jesus. And there are so many names for our Savior who shone into this dark world of ours.

    It seems the best way to capture the essence of these names is in photos of children in honor of the one who came as a child.

    “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest upon His shoulders…”

    And His name will be called…

    Wonderful

    Of all the wonderful things in our world,

    none compare to the wonder of our amazing God

    who left heaven and came to earth to embody humanity…

    to live constrained by flesh and mortality…

    to endure our limits of understanding and inability to grasp Who was among us.

    Such love leaves me full of wonder and a bit dumbfounded.

    Counselor

    This is my God

    who is intimate enough to whisper in my ear…

    His love…

    guidance…

    correction…

    encouragement.

    This tiny baby at the center of Christmas

    would never leave us alone.

    Instead, He lives within us and

    is as close to us as our breath.

    Mighty God

    This photo speaks to me…

    not that this child has ever heard the name of Jesus,

    but that in the midst of her life…

    in her world…

    miles and miles away from me…

    our mighty God is present.

    With billions in our world,

    He is present

    and attentive

    for

    all of us.

    Eternal Father

    Such delight God takes in us–His children.

    No matter who we are…

    what we’re like…

    our limits or our capabilities…

    the Everlasting Father sees us with pure love and adoration.

    Our Eternal Father

    actually

    enjoys

    us.

    That amazes me.

    Prince of Peace

    We rest

    in the loving safety

    of the Prince of Peace…

    a little sleep…

    a little slumber.

    Our breathing relaxes…

    our body goes limp…

    and we trust.

    There is no worry,

    no complaining…

    only trust

    in the arms of

    the Prince of Peace.

  • How God Says My Name

    How God Says My Name

    We’ve been having work done on our house (to try to sell it!). And it’s been interesting to listen to the workers as they come in and out. Ray noticed that one crew really enjoyed each other as they joked and worked–very hard. When I told them that, they chuckled.

    With a late-night plumber visit (that was supposed to come at 8:30 that morning!), I listened to the two men as they went in and out of our house.

    The older man, James, spoke so kindly to the younger man, Jeremiah. I could tell in the lilt of James’ voice that there was affection and warmth. I figured they were father and son.

    God knows my name

    When I asked Jeremiah if this were true, he said that James was his uncle. I told him I could tell there was a connection because of how kind and loving James said his name. Jeremiah just smiled and thanked me. It meant something to him.

    I asked Jeremiah if he was a journeyman and he said no, just an apprentice. His uncle was a master plumber with amazing skills.

    And it made me wonder. How do I think the Master of the Universe says my name? Kindly like a loving father or caring uncle? Or harshly like a stern disciplinarian I’ll never be able to please?

    How do you think God says your name?

    In Zephaniah 3:17, we learn this about how God feels and thinks about us. “The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”

    Imagine God saying your name right now. Kindly. Gently. Lovingly.

    Imagine God rejoicing over you like a father with a newborn baby–filled with delight and happiness.

    He speaks to us with a kindness that’s palpable and precious.

    Not only does He know my name, but He loves saying my name.

    This is my God!

  • God’s Good and Perfect Will

    God’s Good and Perfect Will

    Be careful what you ask for, people say…God just might give it to you.

    An example of this kind of thinking is when people say, “Don’t pray for patience because God will give you trying things to teach you patience.” Is that God’s will? The actions of a spoiled tyrant who was just waiting for us to ask so He could heap hardship on us?

    Sometimes when I say, “God’s will,” if I’m honest, I fear that God’s will could be something I don’t want. But I am mustering up the courage to just submit to whatever His will is. As tough as it might be.

    But God’s will is nothing of the kind!

    God's will

    In Ephesians 1, Paul says that he is an apostle by God’s will. Is this some terrible stewardship God has given Paul? I believe Paul would say otherwise.

    In Ephesians 1:5, Paul writes that God predestined us to adoption according to the good pleasure of His will.

    He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure.

    This is my God!

    The Greek word for will is Theiema. My Hebrew/Greek Study Bible (AMG Publishers) says that this is not to be conceived as a demand but rather as an expression of pleasure toward that which is liked–us.

    God’s will creates pleasure and joy–FOR HIM!

    “When it denotes God’s will, it signifies His gracious disposition toward something. Used to designate what God Himself does of His own good pleasure.”

    God’s will is the desire of a good and loving God who adores us! God takes great pleasure and joy in doing good for us.

    This is my God!