It's a New Day! It's a New Year!

Wondering where 2013 went was where I began with my annual Christmas Poem. How is it that the 365 days we are given in one year fly by so fast? Wasn't it only yesterday that we were looking ahead to 2013 with high hopes and visions of what we could accomplish? Yet, we come to it's end and feel a let down because we realize we let many opportunities slip and as a result, have not yet seen those hopes and visions come to fruition. Perhaps all is not as it seems... perhaps some of our problem is our perception. We seem to have extremely narrow vision; mostly, it's an inward, "me" focus. As the old saying goes, "We can't see the forest for the trees."

Gaining a broader, wider view forces us to step back, to step up to a higher level. When all is said and done, the only perspective that truly matters is God's. We will be judged according to His set of books; not ours, and not anyone else's. At this transition between what's past and what's to come, I have tried to utilize my own "present" realities as a stepping stone; to stand on them and rethink them as manifestations of how God has brought me to this point in life.

I suppose age has something to do with it, because length of days reveals the aging process not only works on you, it's also working on your children and grandchildren. Both of my daughters are now in their forties. My oldest grandson has just graduated from Marine Basic Training. My youngest grandchild will soon be eight years old. I see signs of wear and tear in my own body as recently as yesterday, when an update of my medical records notified me that I have no less than eleven health issues, most of which are not serious, (thankfully,) but three of them bear close attention and affect multiple areas of my life, including my mobility.

From strong and able to do just about anything I set my mind to just a few years ago, to a cane, a walker, and a wheelchair betimes is a rude awakening to the unrelenting process of aging. Thankfully, the Lord has been right here throughout. He awakens me in the morning with songs and verses of Scripture that bring comfort and joy. He gives me thoughts that turn into letters and articles; words of encouragement for others. He gives me His grace and the strength to be faithful in my responsibilities. My children and grandchildren are learning and growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - I see this and feel an overwhelming sense of peace and great joy, knowing He is able to complete the work He began - not only in me, but in them also. This realization has me looking forward with great hope to 2014.

Happy New Year!
Maranatha!

Christmas ~ 2013

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a more fleeting year,

Already it’s fading in our rear-view mirror;

Where the days went I cannot say,

They’ve flown by on wings of rapid decay.

It started out fresh, and clean, and new,

With promise, potential, and time in view;

Our hearts soared with hope as the year began,

Sure it would bring forth our very best plan.

But then ‘twixt the start and what we see now,

Came the gravel, the rough stuff, and the ornery plow.

It’s hard work, the details of birthing a dream,

Too often we falter and simply lose steam.

The “skin” that we live in is quick to relax,

To give up the fight, call off the attacks;

We yield when we ought to be standing our ground,

Doing it “our way” brings dreams crashing ‘round.

Then, December comes, year’s end is in sight,

And we, ever hoping, turn toward the Light;

Of that first Christmas morn, two millennia ago,

When Hope was born and its’ dawn brought the glow...

Of redemption... renewal... reviving His plan,

Life everlasting – His promise to man;

“I know the thoughts that I think toward you,

Peace... good will... and Salvation too.”

Our strength is too small, we need Him to survive,

For only in Him are we truly alive;

Yielded, submissive; that’s when we’re our best,

Trusting His Word, we can pass every test.

Willing obedience always touches His heart,

Freely giving ourselves, we make a fresh start;

Old things pass away, all things become new,

With Him in control, we can now follow through!

Marjorie J. Kinnee

December 2013

With an Eye on Jerusalem...

As many of you know, I've spent a number of years studying and observing what's happening among the Jews. Each Sunday and Wednesday as I travel to and from church, I pass a conservative Jewish synagogue and a Torah Studies facility located right across the street. I'm intrigued by those making their way on foot to and from various meetings. Fathers and sons, old men and young, young preteen girls, and mothers and fathers with baby strollers; they converge from all directions.

Some walk alone, seemingly deep in thought, others are deep in conversation with hands gesturing. None of them seem to notice that I'm noticing. By and large, the men are dressed in black suits, the women and girls are dressed modestly, many carry books and/or tablets. I've indulged in a lot of wondering as I've watched over time. The synagogue is not huge, but a steady stream of men and women, boys and girls make their way there each week. The Torah Studies building is a converted house, but the parking lot is full of cars as Jewish men actively pursue their studies.

I own a fair-sized number of Judaica-related books and have read the writings of many of their orthodox and conservative rabbis. In addition, I keep an eye on an internet site which relates to this portion of Judaism. I read articles and study material as I come across them, particularly as I find some link to Scriptural teaching. Here's the picture I see coming together...

1. 2007 marks 40 years since the Jews took possession of Jerusalem in 1967's 6-day war. This "posession" of Jerusalem initiated a notable surge in interest in the Torah and the God of their fathers and in what He has to say about all these things.
2. A general move among the Jews to return to their roots emerged. Study centers like the one I've described have sprung up in many metropolitan areas. With a sense of urgency, Jewish men in particular, who have in the past been at best, secular, and at worst, outright non-believers, are coming together and studying the Torah. Often, when I travel back home after church on Wednesdays, there are still cars in the parking lot as Jewish men from my area dig into these things.
3. I'm seeing a greater awareness of spiritual matters. Previously agnostic or athieistic Jews are coming to a sense of God's presence in the world in general and in their lives in particular. Even observant Jews are deepening their commitments and seeking to understand in a greater way.
4. Many Jews are more willing to openly discuss these matters among themselves and with others. This leads to teaching opportunities; rabbi to congregation, father to son, mother to daughter, and one on one.
5. Not only are they discussing them in conversation - but there is a corresponding rise in written material as former doubters express wonder at how God is making Himself known, "though He be not far from every one of us."
6. As the Jews investigate their heritage and wrestle with the thorny issues surrounding the nation of Israel, the city of Jerusalem, the Temple, and so forth - they become intrigued by a sense of what they feel God is doing in their midst. With that intrigue comes a hunger to know more. Even secular Jews consider this rising tide of spirituality a force to be reckoned with and tread lightly where their road and this tide converge.
7. Archeological digs and excavations under the Wailing Wall and it's environs breathe a sense of excitement and anticipation as they discover new routes leading them ever closer to the truth we all know awaits when their "blindness in part" is lifted.

For some, that "blindness in part" has already lifted and they have embraced a life of fulfillment like none they ever before imagined. For many others the journey is just beginning. In all these things we see that we are living in wondrous' times. That God is at work is evident, that His plan and purpose, which was foreordained before the world began, is on time and on target.

2008 is fast upon us and with it more and greater evidence of the kindness and forebearance of the Lord - Who "is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance!"

Sources: www.aish.com This website is full of information. Investigate and enjoy. Links to specific articles are listed below. Note - Be sure to follow the complete tunnel tour for a wonderful surprise as you come to the exit!
http://www.aish.com/seminars/tunneltours/
http://www.aish.com/spirituality/prayer/A_Relationship_with_God.asp
http://www.aish.com/spirituality/growth/The_Good_Bed.asp

A New Year...

A New Year has begun and with it, new and updated hopes and plans, and the desire to improve, upgrade, and just do better. What makes that sentence anything other than the sentiments of millions, yea, billions of people around the world is what one does with it...

When I was a child, they used to sing a chorus that went like this...
"Nothing between my soul and my Savior,
So that His blessed face may be seen;
Nothing preventing the least of His favor,
Keep the way clear, let nothing between."

The desire to serve God with a clean heart and clean hands needs to be honed and cultivated. When our hearts and hands are clean and free from wrath and doubting, (I Timothy 2:8) we can approach God with confidence, (I John 2:28; 3:21) with a mind that is at peace, knowing that He hears our prayer and will attend to our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. (I John 3:22) Here are seven "F's" that will free you and bring you victory in the New Year...

1.) Faith - confidence, belief, trust. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not [yet] seen." (Hebrews 11:1) Something there is about the ability to believe, about placing your confidence in someone or something, in trusting without reservation. Faith's power lies in the One in whom it's placed and its degree of commitment. Yes, there is an element of risk - big risk. Yes, quantum leaps into the unknown are involved. Yes, there is always the chance of loss, particularly where humans are involved. But the glorious exception is found in placing all your confidence in the One who created you, who sustains you, and who has made perfect provision for all your needs - past, present and future. Victorious faith rests in Him. His Word, and His faithfulness! "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (I John 5:4)

2.) Favor - friendly or kind regard, approval. "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52) While we have no business currying favor, there are a number of godly principles and attitudes that bring the peace of a good conscience within and the respect of others without. No amount of money can buy this kind of favor, for it is first attained through right relationship with God. Once that is established - "When a man's ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7)

3.) Fear - respectful dread, awe, reverence. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments..." (Psalm 111:10) "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10) It is a healthy thing to have the proper respect for the One in whose hand your very life rests. There is a kind of fear that is debilitating and demoralizing - that kind of fear is not of God - it makes grown men weak as kittens and demolishes the best of intentions. Jesus said, "...fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell." (Matthew 10:28)

4.) Follow - to come or to go after. "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord." (Hosea 6:3) If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, then it stands to reason that following on to know the Lord can not be anything but beneficial. Jesus called His disciples saying, "Follow Me" and spoke of the taking up of a cross in order to do so. Following requires a sacrifice - a sacrifice of self and selfishness. The Apostle told us to "...follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (II Timothy 2:22) and, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God." (Hebrews 12: 14)

5.) Fruit - enjoyment, means of enjoyment. "I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without Me ye can do nothing... Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. ...I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit shall remain..." (John 15:5,8,16) "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) "The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth." (Ephesians 5:9) "The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." (James 3:18) (In a fruitful field, righteousness remains and produces great dividends - see Isaiah 32:16-17.)

6.) Forgiving - to give up resentment against or the desire to punish; stop being angry with, pardon. "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32) "Forbearing [to keep oneself in check; control oneself under provocation,] one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." (Colossians 3:13) "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (Matthew 6:14) Forgiveness is love's illustrated sermon. It is how all men will know whether you are truly His disciple - "...Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)

7,) Finally - coming at the end; last; concluding. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8) After you've contemplated and pondered over this entire list, you won't have much time left to dwell on anything negative. "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:2) Our focus must be upward - on His Kingdom, His will, and His priorities. "Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:2)

These seven "F's" will help ensure a year full of growth in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord.