Studies in Jeremiah - Serving on Purpose

Serving on Purpose – Jeremiah Style

This week’s lesson begins a four part series entitled “Serving on Purpose.” Based on the call to the Prophet Jeremiah, we find that God puts out the call for each of us – each of us. This is not just the preachers, pastors, evangelists, missionaries and other “usual suspects,” it is to each of us in our own individual way.

“Starting Now” asks the question: “when God calls will you take the call or screen it?”





“Paying the Price to Serve God” reminds us that service is not all glorious pep rallies with Cliff Barrows and the 5,000 voice Crusade Choir singing “Just As I Am” while all the busses wait just for you. There ultimately is a price to pay – it costs us something – it ain’t free. Are we willing to pay that price?



“Dealing with Doubt” has nothing to do with Monty Hall, it is about (drum rollllll)……….. doubt. What about when God’s call doesn’t seem clear or we doubt we have heard Him right “You mean you want me to do what?”






“Doing My Part” ask us to put all these together and determine exactly what is my part. Then, of course, as Henry Blackaby would say, it leads us to a “crisis of faith and belief” when it concludes with, “. . . so OK, are you going to do it or not?”


As we said, all four lessons are based on the Book of Jeremiah. (Unlike the TV series, “The Book of Daniel,” the Book of Jeremiah has not been cancelled and is still running strongly in syndication some 2600 years later. [That’s a lot of episodes!]


The Book of Jeremiah is named after the Prophet and chief protagonist of the Book who was one of God’s pre-exilic spokesmen to the Southern Kingdom of Judah. He lived circa. 626-580 B.C.

This was stormy time in the history of man and especially so for the Nation of Judah. As you will remember, after the glorious and prosperous reign of King Solomon, the Kingdom was divided between the followers of his two sons and became two separate countries. Moral decline which actually began during Solomon’s time, set in and judgment fell on both kingdoms. The Northern Kingdom, of Israel, comprised of the ten tribes fell around 750 B.C. to the Assyrians. They cease to bean independent nation at that time and basically vanished from the stage of history.
The Southern Kingdom, Judah includes the two remaining tribes, Judah and Benjamin. It ultimately suffered a similar fate at the hands of the newly rising stars of history, the Babylonians, though Judah as reconstituted after the captivity and continued to be an important player in history.

As Jeremiah is speaking his prophesies, Babylon is ascending and the then great Assyrians are in decline. At this time, a much weakened Judah finds itself “ham sandwiched” between the perennial power of Egypt on the West, Assyria on the North and Babylon on the Northeast, East and South.

Through much of the period of Jeremiah’s prophesy, he finds himself prophesying that Judah will fall to the feared Babylonians and will suffer an external captivity. This prophesy came true and lasted 70 years. [It is interesting to note that in Hebrew numerology, the number 10 is the number signifying man and the number 7 stands for completeness or perfects, thus 70 or 7 X 10 is the perfect control or ascendancy of man over Judah.]
Jeremiah’s prophesies were in stark contrast to much of the prophesy of his compatriot prophets, many of whom, though not all, proclaimed a much more acceptable idea that Judah would overcome the Babylonians or that at worst, there would be a short captivity of only a couple of years. In other words, they prophesied that there would be a recession while Jeremiah cried “destruction.”

For this obvious, Jeremiah was not well liked, The people, like us, did not want to hear bad news and they transferred this dislike of the message to the messenger. Thus, the call of Jeremiah was to a distasteful – though completely necessary - task, not a job Jeremiah relished at all.
So it is for us, God sends out the call for each of us to serve. Sometimes it is to the great and glorious and people will like us. But, sometimes it is to bring tidings of bad news. We are all presented with the call; will we pick up the phone?

Sexual Purity Matters

Sexual Purity Matters

Today’s lesson, Sexual Purity Matters, is classic Baptist Sunday School stuff. When I first read the lesson, I said, “yeah, yeah, anybody’s who’s ever been to Sundays School knows that stuff, we heard it all our lives – but is it real world?

Sexual purity has been an issue for man [and woman] since Adam and Eve. It’s one of those issues for which extreme positions may come fairly quickly. Some voices tell us that anything you want to do is acceptable as long as it is between “consenting adults” and no one really gets hurt. Others would tell us that there should be only limited contact between men and women and those well supervised.

Against this backdrop, we will examine the unsurprising teaching on the subject and then ask about a couple of “buts . . .”

Today’s lesson comes from Genesis 2:18-25; Proverbs 5:15-20 and Romans 13:11-14. However, it’s also important to hear the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 20 and the voice of Ruth at chapter 1.

1. Consequences of Sexual Impurity.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs.) IN the old days, it was something to joke about because 50,000 units of penicillin at the health department would fix you up. And then in the mid-80s, the discovered HTLV, which came to be known as HIV infection and it was a killer. STDs aren’t a joke any more. I am writing this on Friday, January 27. Today, I presided at a public hearing concerning the disposition of federal funds for the Ryan White CARE Act program. Ryan White was young man who contracted HIV infection and ultimately died from it because he had hemophilia and took a tainted blood transfusion. His story was so compelling that the Congress named a billion dollar appropriation after him to be given to the states to combat HIV infection.

Remember the “fate worse than death?” Unwanted pregnancy is certainly a by-product of sexual impurity. The birth of a human life should never be a “by-product” should it? Life is too precious for that.

Broken marriages and destroyed families and homes. Everybody knows those stories – most of the time at least one of these stories is close to the heart of each of us.

Everybody knows these consequences, but aren’t there other, subtler, but equally as dire, consequences? Worry, suspicion, dread, doubt and fear.

2. God’s design meets human needs.

Is sex a good thing or a bad thing? With all the consequences listed above, it sounds like pretty much of a bad thing. Perhaps, deep down, some of us really think it is – wrong. God created human sexuality to meet human needs. See Genesis 2:18-25. Adam was watching the parade of the animals pass by –two by two – male and female. It occurred to him that if there are male and female giraffes, pandas and even lizards, for crying out loud why are there not two Adams – male and female? IN that question, Adam expresses the need in all of us for intimate companionship – he passed that need on to us. We all know that God then created Eve and, as they say, “the rest is history.”

3. Marital Boundaries Protect and Satisfy.

After God created human sexuality and human relationships, He instituted marriage. Marriage should allow for freedom to express sexual needs and desires. To protect that freedom, God put boundaries around marriage. Solomon, who knew a thing or two about marriage, [Solomon is estimated to have had 300 wives and a thousand concubines. This is the wisest man who ever lived?] this Solomon is God’s poetic voice to give forth those boundaries in Proverbs 5:15-20.

4. God calls believers to live pure lives.

Jumping forward about a millennium, the Apostle Paul [unmarried as far as anybody can tell] makes the rules pretty clear in Romans 13:11-14 where he cautions against not only sexual impurity but also carousing, drunkenness and even fighting and jealousy.

5. Epilogue

So, that’s the Sunday school lesson, but what if things are not as perfect and joyful as a Cialis commercial? Are there cases when all this stuff doesn’t apply or even hold true? What if you are single or a widow of what if your spousal relationship doesn’t rate as high on the Richter Scale as a dropped Egg McMuffin?

I submit that all that other stuff does, in fact apply – perhaps even the more so. In all situations – good and bad, optimal and minimal – God supplies the “husband.” Just like He met Adam’s need by creating Eve, a “helpmate fit for him,” God creates a remedy for the deficiency each of us as individuals. God says – and history bears this out – that He will be the “Father to the fatherless and husband to the husbandless, a defender of widows.” See Deuteronomy 10:17-18; Psalm 68:3-6 and Psalm 20:1-9.

It is in these circumstances that God does His best work in the words of Air Supply, Making Love out of Nothing at All. God will find a way when there is no way, that’s His specialty. In the Book of Ruth, we find Naomi, who becomes widowed. As you will remember widows were not just without a husband to love them, they wee also without protection and in many cases a way to make a living, thus they were especially vulnerable in society. Naomi had two sons to take care of her, Mahlon and Kilion. They had wives Orpah (not Oprah) and Ruth. Unfortunately, the sons die leave three widows. How will they survive? God met Naomi’s needs by and through her relationship with Ruth who would not leave her. Remember Ruth’s famous words in Chapter 1, which are frequently quoted at weddings – but were first spoken not to a husband but to a mother-in-law.

“Whither thou goest, I will go and whether thou lodgest, I will lodge. They people shall become my people and your god, my god.

So, how do you accept this when it’s your “ox in the ditch?” An my old business professor, Big Al Livingston used to say, “there is no panacea.” There is no “one size fits all.” But thee is a trick. The trick is to

Remain faithful to God – don’t run ahead or drag behind. Remember Ishmael? Now, there was a bad idea gone worse.

Remain in contact with God

Remain alert for what God is doing in your life – see where he is filling in the gaps. See the relationships He uses to accomplish His pure purposes of being the husband to the husbandless.

Lastly, look to the words of David in Psalm 20.

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.

May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings. Selah

May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.

[Hosanna!] O LORD, save the king!
Answer us when we call!

Is sexual purity achievable? With God’s help it is – but on our own – I don’t know. I’d rather not find out.

Character Matters

Taken from Proverbs 4:20-27; 6:16-19 and Matthew 15:1-20, this is a continuation of the Lifeway's "Life ventures" series. This week's lesson concerns character. Not "a character", but character - "Character Matters."



It does in Sunday school but does it really matter in life when the chips are on the table? Does it matter in "pocketbook issues?" Does it matter when it comes to "business is business?

Character Matters

Taken from Proverbs 4:20-27; 6:16-19 and Matthew 15:1-20, this is a continuation of the Lifeway’s “Life ventures” series. This week’s lesson concerns character. Not “a character”, but character - “Character Matter.”

It does in Sunday school but does it really matter in life when the chips are on the table? Does it matter in “pocketbook issues? Does it matter when “it comes to “business is business?” To what extent does it matter? Is there a point when the bidding is too high for it to matter?

In a presidential race, the American public was asked if character mattered? They determined that while it did matter of course, there were "other" considerations as well. Unfortunately, they learned that character does matter.



Today is the National Holiday Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King. As part of that celebration, President Bush today viewed the "Emancipation Proclamation" written by President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln first announced the Proclamation in September of 1862 but the final version took full effect on January 1, 1863.

With its announcement, the institution of slavery in the United States "at last approached its demise, allowing the nation to take the crucial first steps in granting citizenship to African Americans." It is said that "rarely has a single document affected so much of the nations history, perhaps no other besides the Declaration of Independence so clearly created the vision of a new future."

How was it that Lincoln was able to write such a thing in the face of such a time of national crisis as the Civil War? It was because Lincoln was a man of character. Adam Khan in Self-Help Stuff That Works says that it is rare that great mean are really that great "but Lincoln was that great" because of his character. Kahn says:

"George Washington never chopped down a cherry tree, but Abraham Lincoln was honest. During his years as a lawyer, there were hundreds of documented examples of his honesty and decency. "

"For example, Lincoln didn't like to charge people much who were as poor as he was. Once a man sent him twenty-five dollars, but Lincoln sent him back ten of it, saying he was being too generous. He was known at times to convince his clients to settle their issue out of court, saving them a lot of money, and earning himself nothing. "

"An old woman in dire poverty, the widow of a Revolutionary soldier, was charged $200 for getting her $400 pension. Lincoln sued the pension agent and won the case for the old woman. He didn't charge her for his services and, in fact, paid her hotel bill and gave her money to buy a ticket home! "

"He and his associate once prevented a con man from gaining possession of a tract of land owned by a mentally ill girl. The case took fifteen minutes. Lincoln's associate came to divide up their fee, but Lincoln reprimanded him. His associate argued that the girl's brother had agreed on the fee ahead of time, and he was completely satisfied. "That may be," said Lincoln, "but I am not satisfied. That money comes out of the pocket of a poor, demented girl; and I would rather starve than swindle her in this manner. You return half the money at least, or I'll not take a cent of it as my share."

Where can one acquire such honesty? Family values (to use a much over-used modern phrase) certainly; from looking at examples of great people with character like Lincoln. Sure. But real character that never lets you down only comes from one source " It is a gift from God. A gift, but a gift we are given to cultivate.

Understanding the Nature of Character.

Today's lesson will ask us to understand the nature of character. This is taken from Matthew 15:16-20 where Jesus tells his disciples and us that character begins in the heart and it is a reflection of what is in the heart. Character is not looking like you are a man or woman of character, but actually being such a person. Jesus also said "as a man thinketh, so is he." Thus the place to start is within the heart and mind.

Embrace God's Values (Matt. 6:16-19)

Next, we must learn to embrace God's values. Follows a list of things the Lord Hates:

• haughty eyes,
• a lying tongue,
• hands that kill the innocent,
• a heart that plots evil,
• feet that race to do wrong,
• a false witness who pours out lies,
• a person who sows discord among brothers.

Do you think that these seven things are not the only things God hates? "If God hates them, so should we."Now, that sounds like something a preacher would say, doesn't it? It's almost a truism. But, where would our society be without God'sÂ’s character and values? One of my favorite old Gospel songs is "The Lighthouse." A line form the chorus states, "if it wasn't for that lighthouse, tell me where would this ship be?"

Guard Your Heart (Prov. 4:23-27)

Lastly, we must learn to guard our hearts. The wisdom from the Proverbs tells us to:

"guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.[Hebrew for from it flow the springs of life. ] Avoid all perverse talk; stay far from corrupt speech. Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil." (Baptist translation)

Back on my original point, character is a gift from God. Our author tells us that only God can cultivate a godly character. Only God can change a heart, and He does so supernaturally. Human efforts to be good or make others good will fail. God's guidance, strength, and discipline are needed to shed sinful habits and develop godly ones.

Conclusion

Here's a pop-test:
T or F Character is important.
T or F Character is important all the time.
T or F Character is important not matter what the cost.
T or F Character is a thing that we work hard to build up.
T or F Abe Lincoln may be the best source to look for to find character.

Now, grade your papers - and your lives.

Life Matters

This is the third in the series from Lifeway's "Life Ventures" dealing with things really matter. Today - "Life Matters."

Taken from Matthew 9:18-38, Jesus teaches His followers some valuable lessons by what He does as much as by what He says.

Life, itself matters. (Matt. 9:18-21)


Jesus demonstrates in the raising of the daughter of Jarius that to Him, all human life was a precious thing. So what constitutes human life? To get to the point, when does life begin? As far as we are concerned, is this merely an academic question or does it mean that something is expected of us as Christians?



Health Is Important (Matt. 9:20-22).

In this passage, Jesus healed a woman who had, in the words of the KJV, "an issue of blood." Of course this is a health issue, but also made here unclean to take part in any church activities, thus reducing her to outcast status. Jesus demonstrates that health was important to her by allowing her to be healed by her faith in Him. This healing, then was of body and of spirit. Shouldn't the same be important to us? What about our own health? Do we have a duty to take care of ourselves?

Wholeness Is Important (Matt. 9:27-31.)

Jesus healed two blind men. This not only healed a physical problem, but restored them to "wholeness" that was denied them because of their disability. In Jesus' day, people with disabilities, not unlike the woman above, were considered less than first class, thus they were socially disabled as well. How far have we come along as a society on this issue?

Involvement Is Important (Matt. 9:36-38.)

Jesus spent His life "getting involved." The implication for us is obvious. But, there is a hidden blessing in involvement. The more time we spend in our concern for others, the less time we have to be concerned about ourselves. Not worrying about yourself is a great blessing. The concept takes us back to last week's lesson wherein Jesus taught in Luke that the way we have the "life abundant" He promised us is to "seek first His kingdom." Involvement, doing something, demonstrates that "seeking

In conclusion, today's lesson takes us passed being concerned that we keep ourselves straight and moves us on to taking affirmative steps to addressing the issues in a societal or community sense. In other words, James would say, "don't just talk about these good things, do something about them."

Things That Matter

Good Day. I teach Sunday School. This quarter, we are studying "Things that matter." The basis for the lesson plan in from the Baptist's Lifeway lessons. But I work on it a bit. See what you think.

Things that Matter. What really matters in Life? I mean really? This series of lessons examine that question. There is nothing really new in it. It’s all stuff we know and it’s the stuff you’d expect to hear in Sunday school. What matters? Because it is familiar, does that make it any less true?January 1-29, 2006 Things that matter:



Work






Money










Life




Character

and Purity.


Jesus said that He came to give us [eternal] life and life more abundant. It is the abundant life that is our subject in these next few weeks. There is an underlying truth in all this. That truth is found in Luke 12: 31 and Matthew 6:33, when Jesus says, “seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven (God) and all [this other stuff] will be added unto you.” (KJV interpreted by the RWV.) The abundant life is found when we [relatively speaking] forget the world think about God and the things of God. This is not to say that the things of life are not important, they are, but it is in the priority that we place on them that we allow God to walk with us as Christ walked with His disciples and thus allow ourselves to be blessed and have the abundant life that Christ promised.
Today, we examine Money – wampum, dinero, mammon, bread, scratch, etc. taken from:Luke 12:13-48

· Material Wealth Doesn’t Last (Luke 12:16-21)

In Luke 12:13-48 we will see that Material Wealth Doesn’t Last graphically shown to us by the parable of the rich fool. He was truly and literally blessed with great wealth, but lost the priority. Thus, the Master had to say to him:
‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’


· Trust God to Meet Your Needs (Luke 12:27-28)

If there is now money, how will my real needs be met, not to mention my wants? In Luke 12:27-28, we will see futility of worry by looking at birds and poppies in the field. Jesus in this passage, which Matthew also records as a part of the “Sermon on the Mount, says:
“Consider how the wildflowers grow: they don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! 28If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will He do for you—you of little faith?

Barclay says that the flowers in the story are scarlet anemones. They grow wild in the field coming up rapidly in the spring. Since wood is at a premium in the Near East, it is typically not used to burn in the fire. The brush is, however. So it is with the scarlet anemones, the “wildflowers . . . which neither toil nor spin” yet are cared for by the Father.

· Pursue God’s Kingdom Above All Else (Luke 12:31-34)

So, we are advised to Pursue God’s Kingdom Above All Else wherein we find the key quote: 31“But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided for you.” The practical question is “how?”

· Be a Good Steward of All You Have (Luke 12:42-44,48b)

One way to begin to do this is to be a Good Steward of All You Have. That is challenging however, isn’t it. We need to do it, though because in the words of Alan Funt, “at some time when you last expect it . . .” the Master will return and ask us “what’s up?”
· Conclusion
The point of the lesson is the priority of money. To help us with that priority, the Master will return and hold us accountable. Will it be “well done . . .? I sure hope so.

Wisdom Comes

Good Day. For 25 years, I have written and sent out to over 300 people, a Christmas poem. Some have been better than others. Over the last few years, I discovered that I had somewhat of a forum to pass on ideas, so I began to take care not to waste the opportunity given me. The poem below is this years. In later postings, I'll print some previous years' poem. Hope this is meaningful to you.

"Wisdom Comes" By John R. Wible December 25, 2005 Twenty-Fifth Annual Christmas Poem

[Enter Chorus:] Turns the world again, and East becomes West, Night becomes Day, the waters still and all is well.

"All is well." So it was in Sophie's world that faithful Christmas until the winds of change began to whisper just now perceptibly, "Wisdom comes." A Christmas party perfect - perfect like Sophie's world. Sophie, the Woman of Substance, well liked, well served, and well placed. Her husband, owner of the mill ruled by her son. "Her," as in, "good things adhere to her," and a dozen other synonyms and their relatives - "adhered," like chalk adheres to a blackboard." But blackboards have erasers, and her board was about to be wiped clean, clean and black.

All opened perfect presents, Sophie's the most so. One, two. No, three. Three presents given to Sophie: from her friends, an onyx peacock broach whose tail feathers were topaz and sapphires alternating like winking eyes - a truly wonderful piece; from her loving husband, and trusted son, a gold ring - a ring without end - or so it would seem; and from her mother and father, a ruby-circled hand mirror in which she could see herself - circled by rubies - and rightfully so for she was lovely. Rightly so - or so it would seem. A perfect Christmas party - and then.

[Enter Chorus:] Turns the world again, and East becomes West, Night becomes Day, the waters still and all is well.

Bell's messenger called, "turn the switch on now, take a look." There was concerned compliance from Sophie as the "eye on the world" saw a fire at the mill, live and in colour. It's lost, it's all lost. But, who paid the premiums and why not? The trusted son was not so trustworthy as all thought. It's lost as well. All - is - lost.

"Can I trust no one, anguished Sophie?" "No one," confirmed her husband. "No one and no thing can be trusted again. Give him up to the men-at-arms and the broach and the ring to the creditors." [No thing can be kept long, either.] "But I still have the mirror." But does she? Does it still reflect perfection circled with rubies - or does it show the real Sophie?

[Nursing notes:] Sophie does not eat or sleep. She stares. Hours become days - days become weeks. And the ruby-circled cheeks lose their hue. Ruby becomes pallid . . . pallid becomes jaundice. Fifteen ips become seven and a half . . . to three and a quarter and the wheels ... slow ... down. Others care for her at State expense.

"Give up and die," is all her husband can now offer. "All the piety is wasted, empty, hollow. "But I'll never give up," says Sophie. "I know some savior will come. This is not my destiny. I will once again rise from this bed." - A noble thought, but will it persist? Again her husband offers, "give up and die." And this time, Sophie wonders, should I really live? Should I have even been born?" And she utters for the n-teenth time, "why me?"

[Enter Sophie's sorority sisters: Olive, Beth and Jimmie Nell. Companions, compatriots, comforters. Comforters? Yes, comforters - wise women of the world, come to bring wisdom. Shock saddens them. Words fail. They can bring no comfort - they bring only a pot of bronze mums.]

After a time, Sister Olive, the Old One, offers a helpful platitude: "Perhaps God is judging you because of some errant way, some time when you failed Him - in a small way, of course, Sister Sophie." ("However, it must have been a great thing," she thought to herself.) "In a small way - really," mocked Sophie. "And have you seen such a thing in me? You've known me since we were girls. Is my destiny really dependent upon my conduct? I find no fault in me. Yet, why are there small circles under my eyes and a large one on my back?"

Ever the Critical One, Sister Beth adds, that son of yours, there's the bringer of the blame that now lies at the foot of this sick-bed. How far did that apple fall from its tree? This points to you, Sister Sophie. Agree with me and God will be pleased.

"Sister, if you are right, then I - we - are all bound to fail. Is there fairness in that? Who will answer? Will you, Beth - will you, God? Lastly, the Cheerie One, Sister Jimmie Nell weighs in. "We all know your innate goodness, appeal to that, you can overcome if you desire it enough."

[And having delivered the bronze mums to the bedside table, the Three "Little Sisters of Charity" go back to their lives - sad. Sad for Sister Sophie - but glad it wasn't them.]

The room does not speak. The mums have said quite enough. In the quiet, Sophie thought, "God, yes, He's come up a lot in this. God - WHERE ARE YOU, GOD? Is it true all the "talking mums" said? Did I fail You, God? Am I to blame for another? Can I will my way out of this calamity? Tell me, God." - But God was silent. He wasn't on-call that night.

[Enter Chorus:] Turns the world again, and East becomes West, Night becomes Day, the waters still and all is well.

Rev. Jim, the Chaplain, has seen this repeat itself a hundred times before - maybe a thousand. He's heard the question, it's always the same question - why me, Lord? He's not the real comforter - but he knows Him. And he replaces the bronze mums with an Easter Lily. "Let's talk, Rev. Jim. I think it's time for some answers. Don't I deserve some answers - straight answers?

"Why you," interrupted Rev. Jim, "that's what you wanted to ask, wasn't it? Did you fail God, directly or indirectly, so He's mad at you? Did He set you up to fail? Does He do this with every woman under the sun? Where is the fairness in this? Can you will yourself out of this? Can you succeed by the ‘power of positive thinking?'- So many questions - not novel ones - but so many."Rev. Jim took a breath.

"Look under the Easter lily and tell me what you see." Sophie pondered a minute, this was an odd way for a chaplain to bring comfort. But she looked and saw - "nothing." "Nothing," replied Rev. Jim, "look again, this time with you mind's eye." Still nothing. "Then one more time, look through the windows of you spirit," urged Rev. Jim in a voice as calm as Lake Genesseret at noonday after the storm - yet, as powerful.

"I see three presents wrapped as though under the Christmas tree at that perfect party so long ago," marveled Sophie, wondering where they had come from and why she had not seen them before. "And, for whom are they destined ," asked Rev. Jim in the voice that knew the answer but asked any way. Sophie replied, "there is no name or label, are they for me?" "Are they," repeated Rev. Jim? "Who owns the wild hare in the wood?" "She who takes him," answered back Sophie." "Then they are for she who takes them?" Rev. Jim nodded. And she took them.

[Enter Chorus:] Turns the world again, and East becomes West, Night becomes Day, the waters still and all is well.

Sophie reached to open the first present, in elegant gold wrapping and ribbon fit for a King. But, it was already opened. "I don't understand," she said. And Rev. Jim replied, "it is the gift of life and the gift of ‘why?' You are alive - still alive, and you have already asked ‘why.'" So open another.

The second present was a pot-bellied clay jar with a long neck and crocked handle. It looked as though it could have come from Iran a long time ago. As Sophie touched the jar, it began to glow with an iridescence that seemed almost white-hot. Nevertheless, it was pleasantly cool to the touch. Sophie grasped the bottle and billows of blue smoke began to erupt as though from a volcano – only blue – blue like the fringe on the rabbi's prayer shawl. And the smoke began to fill the room with itself wrapped in a fragrance that reminded Sophie of sandalwood.

Soon, Sophie felt within the smoke a presence unlike any she had ever felt before. She thought herself the High Priest on the Day of Atonement in Solomon's Temple and she knew that she was in the very presence of God.

"What do you feel, Sophie," asked Rev. Jim after he let her revel in this presence a moment – a moment taken out of time? "I feel as though I have reached out and touched the Face of God," she replied in a voice of calm amazement. "And what do you want to ask God now," pressed Rev. Jim? "I ... I must have had some question," stammered Sophie, "but it seems that I have forgotten it. It must not have been important." "That's right," reassured Rev. Jim, "it wasn't important. In the presence of God, ‘why me' is lost in the ‘who art thou, Lord.'"

"Sophie," began Rev. Jim, all your life, you have lived in the presence of Sophie and even amid all that which seemed ‘perfect,' you've been filled with wondering and doubt…" "But, picked up Sophie," in the white-hot presence of God all those doubts vanish into the blue smoke yielding the smell of sandalwood, until all that's left is the ‘peace, be still.'"

One last present – one more for Sophie, a new Sophie with a new perspective - a Heavenly one. One more present that seemed almost anticlimactic. After all, when you've been in the presence of God and seen things through His eyes, what else is really that important? Even so, though she now saw things differently, she knew that she must go on and live out that perspective in her life. In fact, she wanted to.

The last present was an inviting-looking amber-coloured liquid in a translucent box with no perceptible way to open it. "Break it open and dip your fingers in it and rub them together," coaxed Rev. Jim. "It is the Balm of Gilead that ‘makes the wounded whole." She did – and it did. Her finger tips began to glow and as they glowed, every ounce of pain and hurt began to be absorbed by the healing oil. Gone was the sadness that had held her prisoner. Gone, too the were feelings of loss and guilt, soothed away in the amber ooze.

And so it was on Christmas, that Sophie was healed and restored – healed in body, mind and spirit and restored in perspective and restored in the longings of her heart. Wisdom came to Sophie that Christmas – wisdom in viewing life through the eyes of God and then living out lifer in the new perspective. Sophie realized that she no longer had to ask "why," just "Who."

[Enter Chorus:] Turns the world again, and East becomes West, Night becomes Day, the waters still and all is well. [Exeunt all.]

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This is 25 years of Christmas poems. May you have the happiest of Christmases this year and may wisdom come to you. Contact me at . John R. Wible

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First Entry.