the uncharted terrain
How do you feel when the odds are against you, when you feel that everyone around you, who should celebrate you is out to get you? How do you respond when you feel defeated before you even step out to do something good with your life? Jesus’ survival was at stake from the get-go. The…
Read MoreDoves and Pigeons! They are cute stout-bodied members of the Columbidae family with short necks and bills that have a large distribution in most places in the world. Jesus Christ’s birth and life sure had its share of birds — turtle doves and pigeons were utilized on the day of his dedication, a dove often…
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In Jesus’ time, the temple was a place of fortification. It was a sacred place, the seat of spiritual authority, and to the people, a place to detox, to congregate, to fellowship, to learn and be empowered. It was a symbol of hope in the perilous times in the history of the Jews. It was…
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A compass makes me think of a journey. Joseph and Mary were directed to Egypt, so they would avoid Herod’s murderous campaign. It was no doubt, an arduous journey. It was an uncharted terrain in their lives – giving birth to their first son and escaping from the sword of the most powerful person in…
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Crowns represent authority, royalty and kingship. Good things ehn? But the ‘crown’ of Jesus’ day was after his life. “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;” Matthew 2:3 Herod felt threatened by the little baby that was called the King of the Jews. In the process of hunting…
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The sword is a historical weapon of war. The soldiers king Herod sent to find and kill Jesus most likely took swords. They went in the power of the king, ready to wreak havoc on countless lives. With swords, we remember shields. Herod’s sword could not take off Jesus’ crown. That is because God’s shield…
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Gifts! At this time, checkout lines in many stores are longer than usual — filled with parents shopping for kids, spouses and friends shopping for each other. Stores are sending out last minute emails so online shoppers can order gifts that would come in time for Christmas. Millions of secret Santa gifts, year-end bonuses are…
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My fourth toys is a shepherd’s crook. The shepherds who visited baby Jesus must have had a crook with them — a long and sturdy staff with a hook at one end that comes in handy to manage their sheep as they forage. They use it to catch and pull back a wandering sheep, it…
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Man·ger /ˈmānjər/ a long open box or trough for horses or cattle to eat from. Unfamiliar voices, the bleating of sheep, the braying of donkeys — these sounds quickly let us know that the stable is no place for a baby to be born. Yet, you can almost palpate the air of love and warmth…
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Do you wonder why there’s carols and so much singing associated with Christmas? Around this time, and for pretty much the rest of the year, you will hear many wonderful Christmas songs playing in stores, homes, gatherings, on TV or from any of the forms of music boxes (phones, computers, home audio systems). I believe…
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