Moving Forward, Glancing Back

   The new year is upon us. Is it two-thousand ten, or twenty ten? I haven’t quite decided what to call it yet.  January was named after Janus, a Roman god that is usually depicted with two faces, in opposing directions. The Roman god Saturn had rewarded Janus for his hospitality with a gift to see both the past and the future.

    Many people make resolutions as a mark of a fresh start, a new beginning. This can serve as a wonderful time to make goals, to think about the future. As we move forward, lets not forget to glace back at the past, as Janus could, and bring the lessons that we have learned with us. We should use our blessings, challenges, victories and lessons as the foundation for our tomorrow.

    2009 was a year of struggle for many people. Those close to me that I love and care about deeply had a very difficult year financially and medically. But I ask them to remember the good things that came out of their difficulty. Who comforted you? Who showed that they cared? Who came to your aid? Who just listened and provided a shoulder to cry on? Who spurred you on? Who encouraged you to keep your faith and hope? What skills did you hone? What lessons did you learn? What do you appreciate now that you took for granted before? What attitudes changed? Many learned that they had many friends, family and supporters that loved and cared about them very much.

    Examine the positives as well as the negatives, but focus on the positives more.  With your new-found appreciation and realizations, you can move forward into a new year. Why not start on a new adventure? What are your goals? What do you have to do to get there?

     We learn by asking questions. We can learn much by asking ourselves questions, especially those that take careful thought and honest insight. That is how we grow and that is how we can succeed. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. I wish for and want only the best for you in 2010. May God bless you abundantly and keep you and yours safe in His love.

Gifts of the Magi

The Magi were wise men from the East.  They were students of prophesy, religion and philosophy, astronomy and astrology.  The Bible does not state how many Magi came to visit the child Jesus.  Many people hold that there were three wise men, maybe because there were three gifts.

 I find that the gifts that were offered were a fascinating demonstration that shows the extent of the understanding that the Magi had as to Jesus’ life and purpose.  As many of you know, the gifts presented were gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

 Gold was given in ancient times as a tribute to the reign of a new king.  The Magi had told Herod that they were in search of a king that was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem and that they were following a star that would lead them to that king.  Gold was a wonderfully appropriate gift.

 Frankincense is an aromatic incense that was used in sacred rituals.  The Magi were acknowledging Jesus’ spiritual life and the sacredness of his being.  Because they had studied ancient texts, the Magi knew that Jesus would have an immense spiritual impact on the world.  Frankincense was a wonderful choice as a gift that recognized the incredible gift that God the Father gave to the world.

 And finally, myrrh is a spice that was used to prepare bodies for burial and had other uses during funerals.  This gift represents the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus would make for all of us, the completion of the purpose of Jesus’ life here on earth.

 In these three gifts, the Magi had truly represented the essence of Jesus’ life.  These gifts represented: the everlasting kingship and reign of Jesus; the sacredness and spiritual impact of His life; and finally the suffering and sacrifice that fulfill the promises made by God in earlier revelations.

 Remember that God had given us the beautiful and wondrous gift of His Son. That His Son suffered and died for us.  The gift of love and forgiveness is given to us each and every day.  That gift of love is ours to have, offered freely and in unending abundance.

 Peace be with you all.

The Light Within

My soul is like a candle with the love in my heart being the flame.

When I light the wick of another, their light shines bright. My flame is not diminished, the light does not grow dim because it is shared, but burns ever bright. You cannot be loved less when love is shared with others because love is ever abundant.

Real love replenishes itself as fast as it is shared and becomes greater still. Real love can grow and grow until the boundaries of the universe are breached. Real love can never be exhausted. In our humanity: we lose patience; we lose hope; we lose trust; but none is lost if love is found.  For love to be found, all one has to do is look and accept that it is there.

Love is not limited unless you limit it. You must shield your eyes from the light to avoid love. You may even deny that it exists.  You may even try to extinguish the flame.  I know that the flame burns within me and shines forth to all that will accept it. Do not hide your light, but uncover it for all to see.  Share the flame of your heart to light the wicks of the souls around you, so that love’s light will shine ever brighter.

When this body can no longer hold the flame, the flame will join the stars and shine in the hearts of all those who dare to look towards the heavens. Be at peace, become quiet, listen for the whispers of angels, and feel the gentle flutter of butterfly wings. Love is ever delicate and yet a force that is strong beyond belief.

May the upcoming season be a joyous one for you as you celebrate with those who fill your life with love, remembering those who passed on and sharing warm greetings with those yet to be friends. Peace be with you and may love be yours always.

Letter from Jesus about Christmas

I did not write the letter below.  I have no idea who wrote it. It was sent to me as a chain email.  I thought it might be shared with my readers.

A Letter from Jesus about Christmas

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don’t care what you call the day.  If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree.  It was I who made all trees.  You can remember Me anytime you see any tree.  Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 – 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list.  Choose something from it: 

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is  being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home.  They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year.  I know, they tell Me all the time. 

2. Visit someone in a nursing home.  You don’t have to know them personally.  They just need to know that someone cares about them. 

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you’ll be praying for him and his family this year.  Then follow up… It will be nice hearing from you again.

 4. Instead of giving your children many gifts you can’t afford and they don’t need, spend time with them.  Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here.  Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them. 

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her. 

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless?  Since you don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference. 

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there.  Give them a warm smile and a kind word.  Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one.  Then stop shopping there on Sunday.  If the store didn’t make so much money on that day they’d close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families. 

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary — especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here’s a good one.  There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive.  If you don’t know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you. 

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and  loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian.  Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in My presence.  Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine. 

Don’t forget; I am God and can take care of Myself.  Just love Me and do what I have told you to do.  I’ll take care of all the rest.  Check out the list above and get to work; time is short.  I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your court.  And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember.

I LOVE YOU,
JESUS

Positive Thinking – Acknowledging the Negative

   I am a strong supporter of positive thinking but that doesn’t mean being oblivious to negative circumstances.  I really don’t believe that the world is all rainbows, unicorns and butterflies.  I do believe, however, that no matter what the situation, we can move forward in the best possible way – even if that means choosing the lesser of two evils.

   Every situation offers us options, some more obvious than others. We need to examine those options.  What is it I can learn?  What do I need to gain?  What do I need to surrender?  What do I need to leave behind?  How do I persevere?  These are all questions that I can ask myself so that I can continue to move in a positive direction.

   The more honest I am with the person in the mirror, the clearer my vision will be as to who I am and who I am destined to become.  It isn’t just about getting ahead, it’s about getting ahead and bringing the world up with me.  If I want to see changes in my world, then I must become the change I want to see.  I can’t expect kindness, if I am unkind.  I can’t expect generosity if I am overly selfish.  I still might receive those things from positive thinking people but I shouldn’t expect them.

   Our worldview is a reflection of ourselves.  The world isn’t perfect and neither am I, but I think it is beautiful and so are you.  I am glad you are in my world.  I know that when you find your true gifts, the world will be a much better place.

   Take care, stay well, and be safe.