January 4, 2009

                                      Luke 2: 40-52

Some Lost Years

Luke 

The child grew up healthy and strong.  He was filled with wisdom beyond his years, and God placed his special favor upon him. 

Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual.  After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.  His parents didn't miss him at first, because they assumed he was with friends among the other travelers.  But when he didn't show up that evening, they started to look for him among their relatives and friends.  When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.  Three days later they finally discovered him.  He was in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, discussing deep questions with them.  And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

His parents didn't know what to think.  "Son!" his mother said to him.  "Why have you done this to us?  Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere."

But why did you need to search?" he asked.  "You should have known that I would be in my Father's house."  But they didn't understand what he meant.

Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them, and his mother strored al these things in her heart.  So Jesus grew both in height and in wisdom, and he was loved by God and by all who knew him.

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Thoughts...

Some lost years.  Have you any lost years?  Have you gone astray?  Can you be found in THE Father's house?  Are you filled with wisdom beyond your years?  Can those who love you trust that you are safe in THE Father's house...in his arms?  Are they safe, if you are not?  If you feel lost, unwise, alone, afraid...go to THE Father's house...go to God's heart...go to his church...enter his arms and be embraced today.  Don't let there be another moment of lost years.  This is a new year.  This is a new moment in your life.  He's waiting...he wants you to go to him.  He says to enter his gates with thanksgiving.  "Give thanks with a grateful heart".  Give thanks that you have finally come home.  Give thanks that he offered you this redeeming moment. 

Whether you are entering God's house for the first time or returning as the prodigal son...or daughter..rejoice!  He is glad to have you home.  And I am glad to call you sister, or brother.  Welcome Home!  

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Let Us Pray

Dear God, times have been hard.  Help me.  Life has been hard.  Help me.  My pain is deep.  Help me.  My sorrow has no measure.  Help me.  I want to come home to you, but I am afraid.  Help me to not be afraid, Lord God.  Please help me.  I need your wisdom.  Beyond that born of pain.  Help me.  Help me to grow into that person you, and I, and my family need me to be.  Help me be wise, and grateful, and knowing.  Help me make right choices day after day, so others can see you in me and can feel safe, trust again, and know that you are in me and I am in you.  Help me to give thanks with a grateful heart.  Help me love you and myself again.  Help me live...and live abundantly in and with you.  "Be blessed"...what does it mean?  Are my sights too high to recognize that I am already blessed.  I am guessing this is true.  Help me see the blessings in everyday...every moment.. .every breath.  Let me breathe you in, Jesus, and breathe out stress.  Let me cast the cares of the day upon you, knowing that you will take care of what I cannot WITH you.  And I will be with you and you with me, right, Lord?  All I have to do is say, I'm sorry.  "I'm sorry, Lord."  "Forgive me, Lord."  "Come into my life.  Accept me into your life, Lord. Heal me and make me whole."  And I can know that you are with me.  But I know I cannot keep on sinning and expect you to always be there.  I know there is a limit to your forgiveness.  Help me not ever go beyond your forgiveness.  Help me hear you say and embrace the meaning of, "Go, and sin no more."  Help me to make time to put you first in my life.  To read the Bible..the New Testament...to learn more about how you want me to live now.  Help me to know that the Old Testament is just history now and a prophecy of your new way of living, Jesus.  That the New Testament is how we are NOW supposed to live and to read it as if I am drowning....because I am essentially....drowning in life and all it presents without you.  I want your presents, Lord.  Your presence in my life.  All that you have to give...to me.  I want to know the fullness of you.  "Baptize me with the fullness of your Holy Spirit, so that I will understand your Holy Scriptures, as they are intended for me and others."  Help me to spread your love and joy as others have done here for me.  Help me share the gifts and fruits you give me to raise up others to a new life in and with you.  And thank you always with praise for everything...in everything.  Thank you for helping me, Lord.  I feel better already because I am able to pray now, so I know you are helping me.  I am blessed.  I understand now.  Well, not everything, but a little more.  Help me understand a lot more from here on out....til forever...when you take me in your arms and I'll be home in heaven.  For now, I am grateful to be at home in your heart.  Very grateful.  Help me not lose another moment.  Help me not lose another year.  Help me just not ever be lost again.  Unless I am in MY Father's house....your house, God.  God's house...from whom all blessings flow.  Let me get lost only in you.  I love you, Lord.  Thank you...thank you so much.  Thank you again for loving me and giving me this opportunity to love you.  To love others again the way you intended for them to be loved.  For me to be loved rightly by you and others...because you first loved me.  Amen.      

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Wise men...and women...still seek him.

  Give him your finest gift....your self.   

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"What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a Shepherd, I'd give him a lamb.

If I were a Wise Man, I'd do my part.

But what I can, I give...my heart."

Christina Rosetti   

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Give him your heart today.

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"Do you hear what I hear?

Said the king to the people everywhere,

"Listen to what I say!

Pray for peace, people, everywhere,

Listen to what I say!

The Child, the Child sleeping in the night

He will bring us goodness and light,

  He will bring us goodness and light." 

 

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation.  

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