Saturday December 01, 2007

 

 

Dear Family:

 

Why is Friday after Thanksgiving referred to as black Friday? I think I got a glimpse this week when at 5:00 a.m. in front of a shopping mall in Louisiana two women began to fight for position to be the first to enter the mall when it opened.  What a sad commentary to human civility. What a sad example to the world of the spirit of the season.

 

I wrote to you just this week of "Thanksgiving" being the climax of the year to the spirit of thanks and of giving. Thanks to God for His goodness during this year. Thanks to those who have been a part of our lives this year especially those who have remained lovely, loving and gracious to us even at our worst. We thank those who have been there with sympathy and empathy when we needed them even if we were void of those qualities.  We thank those who have given of themselves to serve us without conditions or expectations. Now we begin the climax through our giving back and when it is done through our priestly service we find peace. The meaning of this climax is found in Christ's own words:

Matt 28:19-20  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
(NKJ)
 

In the NAME of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are some of the most profound yet most misunderstood words given us. The real message is in the meaning of the word name. The Greek form of "name" is (onoma-). Now look at what it means.

1) name: universally, used of proper names
2) the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, that is, for one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.
3) persons reckoned up by name
4) the cause or reason named: on this account, because he suffers as a Christian, for this reason.

A better translation of the word "name" is "nature" or "personality."  So if we read the verse inserting this rendering we see, "In the nature or personality of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

 

When I read this verse in the context of the Father's intent, I see my role in life in a whole new light. Christmas is a season of the service of love, not giving of things. Christmas is giving the nature and personality of God to the world just as He did on that first Christmas day when God gave of Himself in the form of His Son.

John 7:38-39 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; (NKJ)

"Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."  This is the Holy Spirit, the spirit of God and Christ. We become so consumed with being consumers that we miss the blessings of  letting the living water flow from us to those we truly love.  Consumers are only a benefit to the economy but when we are conduits for the living water we promote life, love and peace. This peace is a peace which passes all understanding. This peace is far better than the stress we have as consumers.

John 14:25-27 "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
(NKJ)

My gift to you this season is the blessing of peace.  A peace only found in giving of yourself in the nature and personality of Christ to those around you. 

Spirit of the living God

Fall fresh on me
Spirit of the living God

Fall fresh on me

Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me

Spirit of the living God

Fall fresh on me

My prayer for you this season is that you will pray this prayer, sing it and then experience it  throughout this season in the fellowship of service especially to those  you love.

 

Love Ya,

 

Dad
 

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