Encouragement for people tempted to quit

sonnyholmes

Dec 18, 20203 min read

Finally...

Is the great conjunction predicted to happen December 21, 2020, actually The Christmas Star that guided the wise men to Jesus? Whether it is or not I'm going to do my best to see this celestial alignment of Jupiter and Saturn. They have not appeared at this degree of alignment since 1226, nearly eight hundred years ago. Still, answering the question is actually a matter of conjecture. The scientific community has explored historical records about the great conjunction and have offered opinion about it being The Bethlehem Star. It's been written about, projected on screens, depicted in the world of the media elite, examined in classrooms, and pondered in pulpits around the nation. The stark truth remains. There are no eyewitnesses or verbatim records of what happened that night near Bethlehem. Well, there is one.

My Christian worldview affirms the authority and infallibility of the Bible. Disciple and Gospel author Matthew was inspired to write a very detailed account of that night. Please take a few minutes to read these words----

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Matthew 2: 1-12, ESV

This Christian worldview also affirms the Sovereignty and omnipotence of Yahweh. Our God could have arranged the planets, stars, and the entire universe to give direction to the wise men seeking Jesus. That bright heavenly light led those wise men to him. And, after all the exploration that's where The Christmas Star leads us in 2020.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you" (Philippians 3: 1, ESV). So, finally, let The Christmas Star lead you to Jesus.

Have a safe and blessed Christmas!

sonnyholmes

Dec 17, 20202 min read

Some linger longer

Some memories are more precious than others. Weaving the good and bad of life into the tapestry of our memories also reminds us that some memories linger longer than others. It's a funny thing, the way our synapses cling to some of them, even ones that we would probably not rank on our top ten list. Still, there they are, these precious memories that somehow linger longer than others.

Today we're remembering the birth of our son, Brian Eliot, born this day forty-three years ago. His life is remembered in a special way because a murderer's bullet took it from us on July 18, 2011. And, we have catalogs of memories. Today they bring a tear, and yes, a smile. Right now I'm a little overwhelmed by the little memories that linger in our lives daily, sometime imperceptibly. Harriet and I grin about them---

eyebrowns

As a child Brian always commented on his eyebrowns, the hair above the eyes. He never got the distinction of "brows". The other evening Harriet was grooming me and asked if I wanted my "eyebrowns" trimmed. We paused and remembered. A slight but precious memory that lingers.

2. Holdee

When he was a toddler he would often approach one of us, lift his hands and arms, and say "holdee mommie", or "holdee daddy". He wanted to be held. It happens often when we're driving around North Charleston, we'll see a car on a side street about to enter our lane of traffic. Both of us will say "holdee", wanting the car to stay put till we're past. Tiny things that stay with us!

3. Teaf.

How often toddler Brian would approach Harriet and ask for "teaf". It sounded like he was speaking in some foreign tongue and we couldn't figure out what he was asking for. Later we learned he wanted iced tea. One day recently we were in a local eating establishment and when they got to the drink order I asked for "iced teaf". Automatic, etched in my memory.

4. Undertoad.

It only happens when we're on the beach, but it may be our favorite lingering language memory of our young son. We were in the Myrtle Beach area many years ago, I was preparing Brian for his first day on the beach and in the ocean. I warned him to be careful dealing with the Atlantic Ocean "undertow", that tidal force that draws us into the depths. From that day forward Brian thought there was an "undertoad", a mystical ocean creature that explored the shallows looking for some young legs to tackle and wrestle into the sea. Today, the whole family laughs and warns of the "undertoad". How it lingers.

And, there are many, many more. Right now I'm thankful for these few that bring a smile and remind us of the special child that blessed our lives in so many ways. And, I'm reciting the Apostle Paul's words to the Philippian believers---

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you...

Philippians 1: 3, ESV

And, I'm thanking our gracious God for our strong, beautiful, and accomplished daughter Elizabeth Hope Holmes Carpenter for giving us strength, hope, and encouragement as we reflect on these precious memories.

How they linger.

sonnyholmes

Dec 16, 20203 min read

Star talk: it's true, believe it!

Matthew's account of the wise men, The Christmas Star, and the birth of Jesus moves us in several directions. The realization that Christ's birth was part of God's redemptive work in history certainly broadens the event in my eyes. God's eternal plan should give us peace and hope as we grapple with the exigencies of life. Today, let's note two other directional realities this star navigates for us. One is that the message of Christ's birth was troubling to Herod and the nation. And, two, Herod's religious leaders shaped the message of the Savior's birth to play to his ego. The Bethlehem Star reminds us that everyone will not receive the news of the Savior with joy. At the same time, the star points us to the truth God revealed, and not to an alteration of it.

Matthew's purpose was to convince the Jewish nation that Jesus was their long promised Messiah. His many quotations of Old Testament prophecy were attempts to prove such fulfillment. When King Herod and the people of Jerusalem heard about the wise men and their quest to locate Jesus, Matthew wrote that ",,,he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him" (Matthew 2: 3, ESV). He and the city inhabitants had heard their initial request: "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews" (Matthew 2: 2, ESV).

As the Roman appointed king of the Judea, he and the people he ruled obviously assumed threat. It's never specifically said in Matthew's account, but his comment about going to Bethlehem to worship Jesus (see Matthew 2: 8, ESV) most likely shielded his intent to kill Jesus. For Herod and his followers the Christmas Star would lead them destroy the king of kings and Lord of Lords. In anger because the wise men had not returned to them, Herod had all the male children under age 2 killed. You see, every human does not believe the good news.

Another twist was the translation of Micah 5: 2 that his appointed chief priests and scribes offered in explanation of the star. They said---

And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of

Judah; for from you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.

Matthew 2: 6, ESV

The text actually reads---

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is

from of old, from ancient days.

Micah 5: 2, ESV

Since King Herod had appointed the chief priests and scribes, it is obvious that they were playing to his ego as approval of his position as King of Judea.

This is a recurring theme of history, the rejection of the Gospel and the altering of Christian truth to play to the crowd. And, that's somewhat of a warning signaled by The Christmas Star. Right now, in 2020, there are false teachers who will bend the truth of Scripture to validate their seeming Christian beliefs in order to maintain their following. Jesus said, "For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24, 24, ESV). Earlier he had said---

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are

ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from

thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the

diseased tree bears bad fruit.A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased

tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown

into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Matthew 7: 15-20, ESV

The glorious Christmas Star and king Herod's response to it are also a warning. It reminds me that in 2020, and in every generation there are those who will distort the message for their own good. We must remember that The Christmas Star announced the birth of Jesus Christ, Immanuel, who will save the human race from their sins.

It's true. We must believe it and give witness to the truth.