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By Chuck Monan, Preaching Minister And girls in slacks remember Dad, And oafish louts remember Mum, And sleepless children’s hearts are glad, And Christmas-morning bells say ‘Come!’ Even to shining ones who dwell Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.
And is it true? And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue,
A Baby in an ox’s stall?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me?
~ Sir John Betjeman
What much of the world reflects upon during December is that it is true that “the maker of the stars and sea became a child on earth for me.” But too often such reflection fails to translate into action.As we think about what the Incarnation means, consider the thoughts of an anonymous author who presumed to pen a letter from the Lord’s perspective. It has some points worth considering. Dear Children, It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you’ve forgotten that I wasn’t actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival; although, I do appreciate being remembered anytime. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don’t care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that, there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town. Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish. I actually spoke of that one in a teaching that explains who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks are. If you have forgotten that one, look at John 15:1-8. If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is my wish list. Choose something from it. 1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know; they tell Me all the time. 2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them. 3. Instead of writing George W. complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you’ll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again. 4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can’t afford and they don’t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them. 5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her. 6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It could make a difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line. They talk to people like that every day. 7. Instead of nit-picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn’t make so much money on that day, they’d close and let their employees spend the day at church and at home with their families. 8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that. 9. Here’s a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don’t know them (and I suspect you don’t), buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you. 10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in my presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine. P.S. Don’t forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I’ll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all of those you love and, remember, I LOVE YOU. |
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All Creatures Great and Small |
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11/30/2008 - By Chuck Monan, Preaching Minister
I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.
~ Psalm 50: 11
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.
~ Psalm 145: 13
One of the most frequently asked questions, especially by children, is “Will animals/pets be in heaven? There are some compelling reasons to answer “Yes” to this question. Randy Alcorn’s Heaven makes an excellent case for this, including this insight:
On November 30, 1781, John Wesley, who spent a large part of his life on horseback, preached a remarkable message. He began by addressing the many passages that speak of God’s provision for cattle and birds, and not muzzling the ox that treads the corn. Wesley asked, “If the Creator and Father of every living thing is rich in mercy towards all ... how is it that misery of all kinds overspreads the face of the earth? ... All the beasts of the field, and all the fowls of the air, were with Adam in paradise. And there is no question but their state was suited to their place: It was paradisiacal; perfectly happy.”
Wesley explained mankind’s appointed role on Earth and how the animals benefited from mankind’s faithfulness to God and suffered in human rebellion: “Man was God’s vicegerent upon earth, the prince and governor of this lower world; and all the blessings of God flowed through him to the inferior creatures. Man was the channel of conveyance between his Creator and the whole brute creation ... so when man made himself incapable of transmitting those blessings, that communication was necessarily cut off.”
Wesley argued that animals originally had greater understanding, wills, passions, liberty, and choice. He said, “How beautiful many of them were, we may conjecture from that which still remains ... It is probable they sustained much loss ... their vigour, strength, and swiftness. But undoubtedly they suffered far more in their understanding ... As man is deprived of his perfection, his loving obedience to God; so brutes are deprived of their perfection, their loving obedience to man.”
Wesley envisioned a magnificent restoration of the animal kingdom on the New Earth: “And with their beauty their happiness will return ... In the new earth, as well as in the new heavens, there will be nothing to give pain, but everything that the wisdom and goodness of God can create to give happiness. As a recompense for what they [animals] once suffered ... they shall enjoy happiness suited to their state, without alloy, without interruption, and without end.”
Wesley then made an extraordinary speculation: “What, if it should then please the all-wise, the all-gracious Creator to raise them higher in the scale of beings? What, if it should please him ... to make them ... capable of knowing and loving and enjoying the Author of their being?”
Dr. Peter Kreeft, Catholic apologist, professor and author of over 45 books, is also convinced that animals will exist thoughout eternity. He writes,
Are there animals in Heaven? The simplest answer is: Why not? How irrational is the prejudice that would allow plants but not animals into Heaven! Animals belong in the new earth as much as trees ... Would (pets) be in Heaven as on Earth? “Is my dead cat in Heaven?” Again, why not? God can raise up the very grass; why not cats? Though the blessed have better things to do than play with pets, the better does not exclude the lesser. We were meant from the beginning to have stewardship over the animals; we have not fulfilled that divine plan yet on Earth; therefore, it seems likely that the right relationship with animals will be part of Heaven: proper “petship.” And what better place to begin than with already petted pets?
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Prayer Requests
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