Christmas = Joy, From A Pastor's Perspective

From "The Boy Who Is Lord" YouVersion Christmas Devotional by Mark Driscoll:

"Jesus’ visit to the temple represented a new epoch in human history. When Jesus and the temple come together, we see the fulfillment of the Old Covenant and the inauguration of the New Covenant taking place. Let me explain to you some of the theological significance of the temple, and that moment when Jesus arrived.

• The temple was the connecting place between heaven and earth.

The temple, particularly the Holy of Holies in the center of the temple, was the connection place between heaven and earth. God is in heaven as Creator, we are on earth as created, and God’s very presence dwelt in the temple, in the Holy of Holies, making it the most sacred place on earth.

• The temple was where God’s people would come to meet with him.

If you wanted to meet with God during the temple era, you had to visit the temple. God didn’t need a house; he created the heavens and the earth. But he did establish a place where people could come and meet with him. And people came from long distances to visit Jerusalem and set eyes on the place containing God’s very presence.

• The temple was the place where sin was atoned for.

All of the ritual purifications and sacrifices done in and around the temple were performed to symbolize the remission of sin. At the temple, before a holy and righteous God, people would acknowledge their guilt and sin.

One day every year, on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the high priest was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies to make a sacrifice on behalf of the people. On that day, two goats would be brought, a substitute goat and a scapegoat. The priest would pray over the substitute goat, confess the sins of the people, and then slaughter the animal to atone for their sins. The priest would then pray over the scapegoat, confess the sins of the people, and then send it away to represent how God not only forgives sin but removes it completely.

• The temple was the center of life and faith and worship.

God’s people were surrounded by enemies on every side who frequently threatened and attacked. The temple was a place where God’s people could unite and care for each other.

Four hundred years before Jesus’ birth, the prophet Malachi prophesied that the Messiah would come to the temple. When Mary holds Jesus tenderly in her arms, ascending the steps of the temple wearing white, she is fulfilling Malachi’s words. She is holding in her hands the fulfillment of the entire sacrificial system, the entire point of the Day of Atonement, the entire purpose of the nation of Israel, the consideration of the priests, and the existence of the temple itself.

The temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., just like Jesus said it would be (Matthew 26:61; Mark 14:58; John 2:19). The temple has been destroyed for almost 2,000 years. Why? We have no need of it any longer. It has served its purpose. For hundreds of years, the temple prepared people for the coming of Jesus. And then he came.

I have good news for you. We don’t need ritual baths anymore; Jesus cleanses our hearts through repentance and faith. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

We don’t need to go to the temple anymore. Where do we go to meet with God? Jesus. “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5). Where is sin atoned for? Jesus. Where is the center of our life and our faith and our worship and our community? Jesus. No temple is required.

We do not have to bring a sacrifice to God any longer. Jesus has atoned for our sins. John the Baptizer said it well: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Unlike the Day of Atonement, which took place year after year, Jesus’ sacrifice was once and for all. “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14).

There’s no longer any high priest, because we don’t need one. The high priest was the intercessor and the advocate for the people. He would go between the people and God. He would bring the people’s sin to God and he would mediate and intercede. And the priesthood came to an end with Jesus. Why? Because he’s our great high priest (Hebrews 4:15) who alone is our mediator between us and God.

If you have Jesus, you have everything that everyone in the Old Covenant longed for, hoped for, and prayed for!"

No Reason To Be Sad At Christmas Time

Last week, after a horrendous new tax proposal, the US president started "honoring his promises to lobbyists" in rolling out cutbacks on many of the environmental safeguards Obama had put in place. While some of them, like the Bears Ears Native American National Monument in Utah are being protested in court (thank you Earthjustice!), others like the banning of oil drilling in the arctic and pesticide bans were lessened or annihilated all together, without room for discussion (though technically the vote isn't for another week, but still). Most Americans don't want this - I don't want this! My own backyard, the Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument is being shrunk - so as you can imagine it pissed me off! One tweet I saw online brought me to tears: "Why can’t daddy stop Congress from hurting caribou/polar bears?" asked the son of the CEO of Northwest Wildlife Foundation... I can only imagine how Collin O'Mara, the CEO, was feeling when he heard his son say it... But me, I was upset. I don't have kids yet, and I want them to be able to experience the greenery and natural beauty of this world, yet I fear that hope is getting farther and farther away. Feeling helpless to be able to do anything about it all days later, I cried to my mom, and another friend later in the week. I hadn't written a blog post in a while, and so my friend suggested that I write one about this, just to put my feelings out there in the world.

Driving home from my friend's office that day, a Christmas song came on the radio that shifted my perspective a tad. I don't remember which song it was, but basically the message was 'because Christ intervened, we have hope.' For some reason the image of the angel chorus that appeared to the shepherds came into my head. And the word that stuck was JOY.

Because of Jesus Christ, all of our sins and fears and burdens are washed away when we accept him as our Lord and Savior. Because of Jesus Christ, we will "not perish, but have everlasting life." We know this. But imagine you and everyone you know haven't heard from God in centuries, and you don't know what he's going to do or when. Put yourself in the shoes of the faithful Jews, shepherds or the wise man. Their hope was in an unanswered question. Will they see God fulfill his promise in their life? Their kids' or grand-kids' lives? What happens if not? And then boom! A star appears, and the answer is there! So close you can literally walk up an touch Him! How would you feel?

All of us are in no way perfect just because Christ is already in our lives. We often wallow in our earthly woes and miseries, forgetting that He can solve not just the big problems, but the itty bitty ones too. Sometimes we even take Jesus for granted because we know he's always there. Or like me this last week, we get mad when change is just beyond our fingertips, and yet we cannot grasp it, and the consequences are ugly. But what if Jesus hadn't come at all yet, or ever?

Christmas is the time of year in which we celebrate Jesus' physical entry into our world. The angels rejoiced, the shepherds were amazed, the wise men were in awe! John the baptist even 'lept for joy' in his mothers womb. Jesus has already intervened, already fulfilled God's promise, and paradise is tangibly within our future! If you really think about it, what reason do we have not to be joyful? The above still makes me sad, and people destroying God's creation always will, but it's Christmas time. The fact that we get to celebrate Jesus' birthday at all is a miracle. Truly keep 'Christ' in your holiday celebrations, and there will be no reason to be sad at Christmas time.

My Trip To Denver For Shinju's Wedding

The first time I've flown in over 15 years! But I wasn't going to miss Shinju's wedding! Click on this Google Photos link to see my photo album, and read about my 2-day adventure!

The Canterbury Renaissance Faire

Coming to you from the Canterbury Renaissance Faire in Silverton, Oregon! They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so enjoy this photographic journey! It was super, super fun!! Blogger doesn't upload albums, so click on the link to the google photos album I made.

Trophy Hunting is Just Not Good

In 2015 a lion named Cecil died. He was killed and and cut up by a hunter who wanted his head on his wall as a trophy. But this wasn't a wild lion. He was a protected, collared lion in Hwange National Park in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe. With a rare black mane, he was easily recognizable, and was a symbol of pride for the country. Naturally, when the world found out how he died, we reacted with outrage.

All sorts of things were set up after that to help lion conservation. One of my favorite campaigns was through the 1928 jewelry company. They set up a line of jewelry in Cecil's honor that when purchased, part of the money went to lion conservation groups in Africa (see left photo).

Now tragically Cecil's Son, Xanda, another protected & collared lion at this same national park in Zimbabwe, has also been killed by a trophy hunter. Apparently the steps taken back in 2015 were not enough. You can read the full article by The Washington Post HERE

After my anger at this news died down, the question running through my head was simply, "Why?" I think part of the problem is that to many, the nostalgia of the culture of trophy hunting makes it appealing. We all fantasize about the past, but things change for a reason. (Plus I don't think God ever intended that any of his creations be slaughtered and displayed for sport.) As the above article mentions, some people just don't realize that now, most hunted species throughout the world are endangered, and that the more species die off, the more humans are at risk. They don't get that by killing the king of the pride, their actions will likely kill all of its offsprings. They don't understand that their one exotic adventure will fuel a black market of those just looking to make a buck, taking advantage of wildlife and humans alike. Or they simply don't care.

We need to somehow get rid of the nostalgia of this culture. Now I have no idea how that's going to happen, but I think if we all take a moment to tell someone why trophy hunting is just not good - if we send an email, make a phone call, show our children pictures - we'll be on the right track. Oh and by the way, you can still buy 1928's full line of "Justice for Cecil" jewelry :D Maybe now more people will do so in memory of his son.

God's Purposeful Creation

I recently watched the movie Secretariat, based on the true story of one of the greatest racing horses that's ever lived. While it wasn't quite the amazing comeback story of Seabiscuit, one thing stood out very clear. This horse was created with the intention to do the impossible by God, and he knew it. He loved to run, and blew everyone away with win after win when he started racing at only two years old. Only months later as a 3-year-old, he won the triple crown, breaking all three track records. The Belmont Stakes in particular he trampled by winning 31 lengths ahead of the next horse. Upon analysis, it was found that he sped up at every marker, finishing faster than he had started at a whopping 49 mph, a feat considered impossible on the league's longest track.

Of course the story attributes Secretariat's success to his trainer and owners' guidance, his pedigree, etc. We often do the same thing, crediting good things in our life to our own work or others influences. But the reality is that we would be nothing without God. If we achieve our dreams it is because God instilled things in us that we acknowledge are his, and trust that he will bring us to victory. While a horse, I believe Secretariat did this. 

No one could guess then that this horse's record at Belmont Stakes would still be the record now, 44 years later. But an autopsy on the horse after he died and newer photography science show what the horse knew all along. His heart was three times the size of a normal horse's heart, allowing his running stride to be 10-20% longer than any other racing horse in history at 110-115°. (To put this into perspective, a cheetah runs it's max with a 125° stride.) Secretariat knew he was born to win races, and he trusted that his God-made body would get him there. His colts didn't inherit his talent by the way, while he sired over 600 of them. It took another generation of horses in his lineage to start winning stakes again. Secretariat was truly unique.

In such a simple yet powerful way this reminded me that we are all truly just as unique, that we are all created with such a specific, amazing purpose. We may not know what that is yet or currently, I myself struggle with this from time to time. But we are God's, that's the most important thing! He designed us for untold victories, and we only need to acknowledge HIM in all we accomplish, and let him drive our dreams to win. One thing I loved about this movie and Secretariat's story was how closely it related to a chapter in the biblical book of Job. Here God is replying to Job's complaints saying, “Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane? Do you make it leap like a locust, striking terror with its proud snorting? It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength, and charges into the fray. It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; it does not shy away from the sword. The quiver rattles against its side, along with the flashing spear and lance. In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground; it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds." -Job 39:19‭-‬24 NIV. Man does this describe Secretariat to a T! But it has a more important point: it's all God's power, not our own.

Secretariat knew where his strength and stamina came from, and it allowed him to do the impossible. And he was only a horse! Imagine where life would take us if we trusted head-on in God's purposeful plan for his most loved creation.

Summer Costume Party

Anne Shirley (Heather)

Here are some of the 

pictures from 

Saturday's historical 

literature characters 

Mary Poppins (Amanda)

costume mystery party,

   taken by "news reporter"  
  
   Captain Nemo (Miles)! Too

   bad we don't have a picture

   of him in his wool pea coat, 

Anne Shirley (Ciara)

   cap and pipe ...


    Thanks to everyone who    

   attended, it was a blast!

The Pirate (Kevin)

For Our Children's Future

Today the US President made a pathetic executive decision, against the majority of Americans' wishes, to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Completely sickened by this action, I began thinking, "how can we, as citizens, combat and fix this?"After all when every person joins together for a cause, the power shifts to the hands of the people. And preserving the Earth for our children is a good cause!

First we need to stand up to this RIGHT NOW! The proceedings are not final, it will take months to actually set this in motion. Therefore we need to rise up NOW. This Monday is World Environment Day, we need to peacefully hit the streets and march. Not just for oceans and tigers and polar bears, but for clean food, healthy air, and a safe future for everyone!! March!! And contact your state representatives, they want our input! Calling them is the most effective (call 1-202-730-9008 to be directed to your Senator's office), but we can email them, write them letters, and message them on social media! I urge you all to do so right now!

But when the protesting has left the media, what can we do in the long run?

*ONLY supporting business that strive to be greener, whether that be greener production, manufacturing, products, or all of the above. is key! By only buying products which have government approved seals of environmental regulation sends a clear message to those watching the numbers. And it's not just things you buy at the grocery store. Supporting sustainable companies like IKEA or H&M make just as much of a difference.

*Changing our energy practices can also make a big dent! Take public transit, or ride a bike. If you drive, drive a car with 0 emissions. Support gas alternatives, and switch to an electric car if you can. Ask every utility company you pay bills to about a green energy plan. In Oregon, you can get all your electricity from solar, wind, and geothermal through Portland General Electric. NW Natural has a cow pie program where methane is captured and recycled. And the costs are the same, if not cheaper as green energy has now surpassed fossil fuels in many places.

*Support those who for whatever reason cannot partake in the above practices due to lack of job skills or finances. Provide financial aid, pay for training, take it upon yourself to empower and educate! We cannot stand up as a community if we don't assist in our neighbor's obstacles.

And finally we simply cannot let our current motivations & passions die out. We cannot be silent in a month or two. The longer we press, the longer our so called leader will need to pay attention, and act.

Rainy Day Favs

Rainy Spring days call for fun things to do indoors! Here's what I am into right now!!

While the noted San Diego band released their 10th album last summer, I only recently got it so I'm still in 😍 mode!

For a thrilling, high fantasy read with biblical allegory, try Jill Williamson's Kinsman Chronicles! I'm just now finishing the 2nd book, King's Blood! The 3rd won't be out for a while sadly...

But the next Medieval Fairy Tale by Melanie Dickerson, The Noble Servant (which hits book stores this May) should fill in the void quite nicely!

And recently the creative juices have been flowing with my own novel! If you can't find a book that you really want to read, write one yourself! 😃

On TV NBC's The Voice is back in full swing, and so is my favorite show Blindspot! 

🐝 And since it's Spring, might as well do some cleaning! 😉 What are your favorite things to do on a rainy day?