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And the angel said unto them, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news which will bring great joy to all people.” Luke 2:10

There are only eight days left before Christmas, and as we frantically rush around in an effort to buy the perfect gift, set the perfect table, or host the greatest party, my prayer is that we all take a little time to experience the joy of Christmas.

Joy is defined as a feeling of great pleasure and/or happiness, and it is a lasting emotion that comes from trusting God. Joy is found not in completing a project, but in actually doing it. It is the simplest form of gratitude. This year when I think of situations of joy, I have to go back to the end of September when Hurrican Herlene hit several states on the east coast. The storm actually devastated parts of Georgia and North Carolina. It doesn’t sound like a joyful sitution, but there was joy involved.

We have friends and relatives in both places who lost power, water, gas service, internet, phone, and there are some who have only recently gotten everything restored. The comforts of life were gone and in many cases, it took the joy out of everything for them. Our dear neighbors and friends have a daughter whose family was hit hard by the storm. She took a few days to come here, not so much for herself and her son, but to organize trucks to return to Asheville with food, clothing, water, and toys for those she knew while her husband stayed to help others. When I asked her how she was doing she said, “I was made for times like this. I get such joy out of organizing things and helping others.” That’s Christmas joy.

Things aren’t always easy in this life, but they weren’t easy for the Holy Family, the shepherds, or the wise men either. The Holy Family endured a dirty stable, swaddling clothes for the Christ child, and a feeding trough for His bed. The shepherds left their fields at night and followed a star. The Wise Men traveled hundreds of miles to worship the Christ child. I have to believe that the journey exhausted their joy, yet they came and worshipped Him. One would think that only the Kings, pious Priests, and high members of society would be invited to the birth of a King, but God chose the lowly to be part of the birth of His Son. What a joy to be there to worship the Christ child!

Life is full of difficulties over which we have no control, and we all face them in this life. We have stress, problems, disappointments, and sometimes things that happen can put us out of our comfort zone. If we aren’t careful, it’s easy to become negative, depressed, and dispiritied. In other words, we lose our joy.

We can’t control what happens on the outside, but we can control what happens on the inside. The joy that comes from Christ coming into this world doesn’t come and go from what happens around us. The joy comes from what is going on deep inside us.

In the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss, the small hearted Grinch tries to take the joy out of Whoville. He comes down the chimney and takes food and toys away from all the Who’s of Whosville in an effort to steal their Christmas joy. Yet on Christmas morning, the tall and the small sang without any presents at all. And the Grinch with his Grinch feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. And he puzzled three hours until his puzzler was sore. Then he thought of something he hadn’t before. “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas.. perhaps.. means a little bit more.” And what happend then? Well, in Whoville they say, The Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day. He hadn’t stopped Christmas from coming. It came.

Christmas Day is a remembrance of a promise of joy to be fulfilled by the coming of the Messiah. There is joy in celebrating His birth, but that joy is made complete in celebrating His life, His death and His resurrection.

Jesus is our Christmas Joy.

In the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3

The time for our preparation for Christmas this year is shorter, and it has really had an impact on the usual routine for the way I like to prepare. Instead of being able to enjoy the process, it has become a bit of an obsession. The stress of preparation has taken away much of my peace, and to top it all off, some of my favorite pieces are either lost or misplaced. All I can think about is where did I put them? Are they lost forever?

It made me think of one of our favorite Christmas movies, A Christmas Story. In the movie, Ralphie is obsessed with getting a Red Ryder BB gun from Santa. His imagination takes him to all the ways he could use it, from shooting bad guys and rescuing his family to other heroic acts. His mother bursts his bubble when she says, “You’ll shoot your eye out!”, but the gun is all Ralphie can think about.

Preparation is all I’ve dwelled on lately, but I think God has taught me a valuable lesson. The other day as I stressed over decorating, I had hurriedly placed my nativity sets in different places, but one of them I just put down without any order thinking I would get to it. When I walked by it, the message was clear. Joseph had his back turned to Mary and Jesus, Baby Jesus was turned upside down, and Mary was on her knees looking away from everything! Even the angel looked preplexed! Preparation without peace was robbing me of the joy of the season. I’ve been thinking about the wrong things, and I’ve learned that it takes more than a tree and decorations to find the peace and joy of Christmas.

What should we think about when we think of Christmas? Of course we all think of Christmas trees and beautiful decorations and there’s nothing wrong with that. We think of what we can give our family and friends, and that’s good too. We even think of what we want for Christmas, but the problem comes when we dwell more on the materialistic things of Christmas rather than the Christ of Christmas.

The Christ of Christmas would have us tell others that the baby born in Bethlehem came to change our lives. He came to give us peace with God and peace with one another. He came to give us purpose in life and hope after death. Our job is to help others see past the materialistic world and lead them to the Light of the World. We have to show others the peace in preparation for his coming rather than the hustle and bustle of our busy lives.

The story is told of two ten year old girls who were walking in the snow one day discussing what each was getting for Christmas. They stopped to talk to an old man named Harry who was on his knees in the snow weeding around a large oak tree. Harry’s jacket was frayed and his fingers were blue from digging in the snow. He told the girls that his mother was all he had in this world, and because she loved the trees and her yard so much, he cleans the yard as his gift to her. The girls were so touched that they began to help Harry, and the three of them spent the rest of the day weeding. When they finished, Harry pressed a quarter into each of their hands with the words, “I wish I could pay you more, but this is all I have right now.”

The girls remembered that they had passed this house before. It was the shabby one with no wreath, no Christmas tree or other decorations just the figure of Harry sitting by the window. The next day, the girls talked and agreed to put their quarters into a jar marked “Harry’s Christmas Present.” They sought out odd jobs in the neighborhood, and every nickel, dime, and quarter went into that jar.

Two days before Christmas, the girls had enough to buy Harry a pair of gloves and a Christmas card. On Christmas Eve, the girls went to Harry’s door and began to sing Christmas carols. When he opened the door, they presented him with the gloves wrapped in pretty paper, the card, and a pumpkin pie straight from the oven. Harry tore open the gift, and to their astonishment, he held the gloves to his eyes as he cried.

This Christmas we can just survive the season, gripe and complain about the inconveniences of it, yawn when we hear the Christmas story, and be glad when it’s over, or we can prepare for Christmas just like these girls. Peace this Christmas comes not in the material things like the pieces which I found lost or misplaced and let that control my emotions, but rather by rediscovering the blessings of Christmas in those all around us.

My prayer is that we can all celebrate the peace that comes in the preparation for the birth of our Savior.

Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5

It is hard to believe it, but the family and friends have gathered, the Thanksgiving turkey and fixings have been consumned, the pumpkins are history, and it’s time to turn our attention to Christmas and the hope of the Advent season. Advent is defined as the arrival of a notable thing, event, or person. For Christians, we celebrate all three. The thing is the joyous adventure of this season. The event is Christmas Day and the birthday of Jesus. The person we celebrate is Jesus Christ.

Hopefully in this season our hearts will be a little lighter, and we will be just more joyous, but we have to guard against the hustle and bustle of the world’s race to find the perfect gift. If we step back and remember the reason for the season our hearts will be happier, we will smile more, and hopefully, we will get a little bit closer to those we love.

Hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. It is both an emotion and a way of thinking, and it is crucial for us to possess in times of uncertainty or adversity. The world in which we live today and the world as it was when Jesus was born can best described n the words of Charles Dickins. In A Tale of Two Cities, he wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the season of Light, it was the season of darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” There are many situations that we face each day that can cause us to lose hope.

God sent Jesus to be our Christmas Hope, but He didn’t have the luxury of sending his only Son to be born in a hospital, a palace, or somewhere an author might have placed the birth. The Hope of Christmas was born in a smelly, dirty stable where animals were witnesses to His birth. This mere fact should remind us all that there is no place too common for Jesus, and there is no circumstance beneath Him.

Our goal during this Advent season should be to keep hope alive. In order to make it easier to start each day with hope, try using each letter of hope as an acroymn.

“H” is for humbling yourself. We often lose hope because we put faith in ourselves rather than the Christmas Hope. Hope in Jesus always results in renewed faith.

“O” is for opening our hearts to the hope Jesus’ birth can bring. Jesus says he stands at the door and knocks, and He is waiting for us to open it to him.

“P” is for the purpose that directs each of our lives. Our purpose is to spread the news of the birth of Jesus so that others will learn of Him.

“E” is for embracing the future God has for us. Jesus came to give us life and give it more abundantly.

God sent Jesus in human form with no guarantee that others would put their hope in Him. Yet, He came and lived among us, He laughed, He cried, He lived in towns, He listened to stories, He ate with others, He got to know the people, He discovered their fear of death, He cried with others as they buried their loved ones, He felt pain, and He experienced suffering. In the end, people did put their hope in Him.

The kind of Christmas we need this year is one filled with hope. Into this world full of hopelessness and despair, God sent a baby. When God really wants to get a message through, a message that will penetrate the hopelessness and gloom of humanity, He wraps it up in a person. That person is Jesus, and he is our Christmas Hope.

Jesus asked, “Were there not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give thanks to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go, your faith has made you well. Luke 17:17-19

The great American humorist, novelist, and travel writer, Mark Twain, once told a story about a note he had received. The note said, “Dear Mr. Twain, please send me your “best” word. Thank you. A $5.00 bill is enclosed.” Mark Twain sent back a one word response, “Thanks!”

This week as we celebrate Thanksgiving, that simple word, Thanks, will be the focus of the day, but isn’t it sad that it isn’t the focus of each day? There are so many things for which to give thanks, but three things stand out this year for me. First, we should give thanks because God is at work in our lives whether we realize it or not. Things happen which we can’t explain at the time, but later the reason is made clear, and we realize how thankful we are!

We are all familiar with the Pilgrims, the Mayflower, Plymouth Rock, and the Indians; however, few of us know the history of a young Indian boy named Squanto and the way God used him to help the Englishmen.

In 1608, a group of Indian traders took the young Squanto and other Indians from the Wampangoag tribe prisioners, transported them to Spain, and sold them into slavery. Squanto was bought by a well meaning monk who treated him well and taught him the Christian faith. Ten years later, Squanto made his way back to Massachusetts only to find that an epidemic had wiped out his entire village. He couldn’t understand why God had allowed him to come home only to find his loved ones dead. A year later, he got his answer. A shipload of Englishmen arrived and settled on the very land where Squanto’s people had once lived!

The young man taught them how to fish, how to plant corn, how to trade for things they needed, and how to exist in this foreign land. The Pilgrims referred to him as a “special instrument sent from God for our good.” He stayed with them until he died. God’s work in Squanto’s life is remarkable and desrves thanks.

Next, we should give thanks for where we have been. Our past holds both good and bad, but every part of it deserves our thanks. During World War II, American soldiers consumned over 150 million pounds of Spam. They ate it for three meals a day, and began calling it “Ham that didn’t pass its physical.” I am sure, it was hard to say thanks for the Spam every day, but most chose to be grateful for something to eat. We can choose to look back on hard and bitter times with hard and bitter words, or we can choose to give thanks.

In our scripture, Jesus was walking on his way to Jerusalem when ten men who had leprosy met him. They called out for Him to have pity on them. Jesus did and cleansed them. Only one of them came back, threw himself at Jesus’ feet and gave Him thanks. Where were the other nine? Jesus could have been tempted to use hard or bitter words to describe them, but he avoided that temptaion, forgave them, and chose to bless the one who gave thanks.

Finally, we should give thanks for the battles along life’s way. Each of us fight battles whether it be physical, emotional, psychological, or so many others. I never will forget a young lady who battled cancer. When her hair began to fall out, she confessed that she could identify with the lepers in the Bible. After she went into remission and was healed, she said that she had begun to identify more with the leper who returned to offer his thanks to Jesus.

This Thanksgiving never forget to offer thanks to Jesus in all circumstances, and never lose sight of the gift Jesus gives us every day. Offer thanks to God for working in our lives, thanks for where we have been, and thanks for the battles along the way. The language of faith is thanks.

How can I say thanks for all the thiings You have done for me? Things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove Your love for me! The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee. My Tribute by Andrae Crouch

Have a blessed and happy Thanks giving!

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 Romans 5:5

In 1959, Frank Sinatra made the song High Hopes written by Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen a big success. The song became popular because it had such a catchy tune and encouraging words. It was first seen and heard in the movie, A Hole In The Head with the child actor, Eddie Rodgers. The song illustrated the idea that with high hopes anything can be done. The first verse (and most of us know it) of the song goes like this: Next time you are found with your chin on the ground, There’s a lot to be learned, so look around. Just what makes that little old ant, think he can move a rubber tree plant; Anyone knows an ant, can’t, Move a rubber tree plant. But he had high hopes, he had high hopes, he had high apple pie in the sky hopes. So anytime you’re feelin’ low, stead of letting go, just remember that ant. Oops there goes another rubber tree plant.

Webster defines high hopes as a strong feeling that something good is going to happen or be true. Many of us know what it’s like to start out with high hopes in our lives. High Hopes for things such as our years in college, our quest for a successful career, our choice of a life mate, and the list goes on. Sometimes life, however; has other plans and we can be faced with discouragement, disappointment, frustration, and failure. This is the time when we need to focus on the possibilities rather than the problems.

I read a sad story lately about a honeymoon disaster. The newly weds arrived at the hotel in the wee hours of the morning with high hopes. They had reserved a large room with romantic amenities, but that is not what they found. Instead of a large room with a beautiful view and appointments, they found a tiny room with no view, no flowers, no champagne. The bathroom was tiny and cramped, and worst of all, there was no bed! The couple ended up opening up the sofa bed and sleeping on the lumpy mattress for sagging bed springs. It was not what they had hoped for.

The next morning a sore necked groom stormed downstairs and into the manager’s office where he vented his anger. After listening patiently for a few minutes, the clerk asked, “Did you open the door inside your room?” The groom admitted that he had not because he thought that door was a closet. He returned to their room, and opened the door. Inside was a huge room with a huge bed, a beautiful view, chocolates, champagne, fruit baskets, and amenitities which far exceeded his high hopes. He had overlooked the obvious, given up his high hopes, and missed the blessings.

The question must be asked, “Why did he give up on his high hopes? Why didn’t he try to find some good by opening all the doors and checking all the possibiities?” Sometimes this life is not what we had hoped, but instead of looking at the possibilities before us, we miss the great things because we give up on our high hopes.

Many of us have high hopes now that the election is over. We want to see all the things we have been promised brought to fruition, but we may or may not have all our hopes realized. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is being sure of what we hope for because faith is the foundation that keeps our hope alive, and without it, our hope can not stand. Our problem as humans is not the absence or lack of hope, it is what we chose to put our hope in. Our hope to have the promises of the election or other things in life does not lie solely in people, but rather in our faith in God.

There is good news for Christians in that hope is not “high apple pie in the sky” because it is based not on fantasty, but on the Bible whose hope is based on reality and possibility. Real hope is what gives us the strength to persevere, to hang on, to keep moving forward even when people tell us that something can’t be done because we have the truth and the hope that Jesus offers.

Just like that little old ant, we as Christians have high hopes because Christ has never failed to keep His promises to anyone who trusts in Him.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God whose name I praise, in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:3-4

There are very few times in my life where something happened that was so gut wrenching that I literally thought, “You could hear a pin drop.” The first remembrance of an event of this nature was the day John Kenedy was shot in Dallas on November 22, 1963. I was sitting in 4th period English class when our principal came over the PA system in our school and announced the news. The usually talkative class became deathly silent as we tried to process the assasination. One could hear a pin drop.

The next remembrance was in the fall of 1968. I was working with my Grandmother at her shop in downtown Donalsonville when a black car pulled up outside. Two soldiers emerged and solemnly walked to the business next to ours. When they emerged they were supporting a friend of mine who was weeping uncontrollably. They had come to tell her that her young husband had been killed in Viet Nam. All activity ceased as we all bowed our heads in prayer. One could hear a pin drop.

On September 11, as I was walking the hall of Tritt Elementary to gather my class from lunch, a crowd was gathered around a television watching as a plane flew into the World Trade Center tower. Absolute horror was on everyone’s face. One could hear a pin drop.

Probably the most surreal pin drop moment was on December 1,1969 when college friends at UGA gathered together in front of the television to nervously listen as the draft lottery numbers were called by birth dates. The reactions when the numbers were called went from relief to absolute disbelief, fear, and horror. These guys were about to enter a war for their country for which they had no part in starting, yet they felt the allegiance to their country. Many of our friends went, and many of them gave their lives for this country. You could hear a pin drop that evening.

Today we honor our veterans of all wars. These men and women deserve not only honor and recognition, but also our heartfelt appreciation and thanks for the sacrifices that they made for this country and its people. Randy and I have been honored to know veterans of many of the wars, and it is always an honor to listen to their testament of the bravery and sacrifice of their respective units and friends. One could hear a pin drop as they speak.

It’s sad that many today probably have little or no idea of the courage and dedication that the veterans of these wars have displayed. We don’t know the trauma they endured and perhaps still do. We forget to thank them on a daily basis, and many of the younger generation is oblivious to what their service to this country cost them personally. We forget to remember. One can hear a pin drop.

The following story illustrates this lapse of thankfulness. Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French cusoms, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on luggage. “You have been to France before, monsieur?” the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. “Then you should know enough to have your passport ready.” The American said,, “The last time I was here, I didn’t have to show it.” “Impossible…Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France!” the customs officer replied. The American senior gave the Frenchman a hard look. Then, he quietly explained, “Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn’t find a single Frenchman to show a passport to.” I can only imagine that you could have heard a pin drop.

Today we thank God for all of our veterans, and thank you for your service to this United States of America. As I think of our veterans, I recall the many military functions where Taps was played. Brigadere General David Alan Butterfield is credited for creating the melody for Taps in 1862. Butterfield then asked his brigade bugler, Oliver W. Norton to play the notes. It became a custom for the lone bugler to play Taps at the end of the military day to signal “lights out,” during patriotic memorial services, and for military funerals. The words are a fitting tribute for this Veteran’s Day.

Day is done. Gone the sun. From the hillls, From the lake, From the skies. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh. Go to sleep, Peaceful sleep. May the soldier Or sailor, God keep. On the land, Or the deep, Safe in sleep. Love, good night, Must thou go, When the day and the night, Need you so? All is well. Speedeth all to their rest. Fades the light; And from afar; Goeth day, And the stars Shineth bright. Fare Thee well, Day is gone, Night is on. Thanks and praise, For our days. ‘Neath the sun, Neath the stars, Neath the sky. As we go, This we know, God is nigh.

God bless our veterans!

You are blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom; when you make friends with Madame Insight. She is worth far more than money in the bank; her friendship is better than a big salary. Proverbs 3:13 The Message

Our parents married during World War II when the country was doing everything humanly possible to keep morale positive. During this time, our Mama sang in USO shows locally and developed a love for the music written during the 1940’s. She used countless songs written during this time to help impart some wisdom during our younger years.

One of the most effective was the song written by Johnny Mercer and sung by Bing Crosby entitled Accentuate the Positive. The first verse says: You’ve got to acent-tu-ate the postive, eli-lime-inate the negative, Latch on to the affirmative, Don’t mess with Mr. In Between. The song encouraged folks to learn from their mistakes instead of dwelling on them, leave negative thoughts behind, and charge into the future to achieve their goals.

We live in a world that seems to either be struck by one disaster after another, burdened by political unrest, or experiencing the horrors of war. It is enough to make even the most positive among us give in to negative thoughts and fears. So, how do we remind ourselves to accentuate the positive?

I love the story of the little boy who went outside with a baseball and a bat, and said to himself, “I am the best hitter in the world.” He threw the ball up, swung at it, and missed. He picked the ball up again, straightened his hat, and said again, “I am the best hitter in the world.” He threw the ball up a second time, swung, and missed. The third time He became more determined than ever as he repeated, “I am the best hitter in the world” with even more assurance. He threw the ball up a third time, swung, and missed again. He laid the bat down, smiled real big and said, “What do you know? I’m the best pitcher in the world.” If we accentuate the postive, we can change a negative situation into a positive one.

This coming week our country will be divided on how we look at the results of the Presidential election. Some will be accentuating the positive while others will be dwelling on the “woe is me” negative thoughts. It is going to require an attitude adjustment for our country to emerge from this election and try to accentuate the positive no matter the outcome. If we make a conscious decision to be positive and meditate on that during the good times, then we will be prepared.

The reality is that we, as human beings, are fallible. Even the disciples had moments of negativity and lack of trust as they followed Jesus through His ministry. In Colossians Chapter 3, we learn to Set your mind on higher things and keep it set. The question is, “How do we set our minds on the higher things? I would suggest three ways to deal with the times in life when we feel a lack of positivity. First, realize our attitude has to undergo an adjustment. The stronger we lean toward doubt and negativity, the more we have to work on it. Prayer and trust are the ways we reach our goal.

Next, look for the positive, and we will find it. Mother Teresa required two things from people who worked with her in the Calcutta slums: a desire to work for others, and a positive attitude. Finally, look for positive people of faith and spend time with them. Once you pick them out, “draft” behind them like the racers do and let them help strengthen our faith and accentuate the positive things in this life.

Remember this week to strive for a conversation with others rather than a monologue. Mean things said nicely are still mean things. Put on a fresh new attitude every morning and remember, with a positive mind set nothing can pull us into the negative. The time we take to accentuate the positive will help us all to eliminate the negative.

Above all, clothe yourself with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14

Charles Schultz, the creator of the classic Peanuts comic strip, has a classic moment in on of his stories. Linus has just told Lucy that he plans to become a doctor. Lucy stops skipping rope to offer her usual criticism: “That’s a big laugh! You could never be a doctor. You know why?” Then, as she returns to skipping rope again, she offers her acidic analysis of Linus: “Because you don’t love mankind, that’s why!” Linus with a straight back and obviously disturbed appearnce, comes back with his defense: “I love mankind – it’s people I can’t stand.”

All of us at one time or another have probably been guilty of uttering something similar to the feelings of Linus. The world that God has created is such a marvel, but on the other hand, it also seems to be a bit of a mess at this point in time.

Right now, we are all dealing with the political climate that is consuming us on a daily basis. People feel uneasy even mentioning politics, let alone having a conversation about the candidates and each of their strengths and weaknesses. We are all Americans, but we all have differing hopes, dreams, and requirements about the person who will get our vote.

This situation is rather like the members of a family. While they are all in the same family, the make up of it can be extremely different. For example, one child might be shy, while another is a live wire. One may be gifted in music, while another pursues sports. In some cases, they look nothing like each other, or even their parents, yet, the family members share a bond with each other that is stronger than their differences.

Our Founding Fathers took a vast risk when they gathered to draft and sign the Declaration of Indepence. These Fathers enshrined the promises of freedom, limited government, and individual responsibility in the Declaration and the Constitution. Jefferson and the Founders pledged to each other to honor these documents with their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. They knew that these values would guide future generations to prosperity and happiness. Today, these promises are more in jeopardy than ever before.

The America of today has taken the principles upon which the Founding Fathers pledged and changed them around to be self serving. The expression the tie that binds is commonly used to describe a common idea or belief that links people together. Our Founding Fathers united Thirteen colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, established the United States of America, and crafted laws, beliefs, and freedoms guaranteed to all.

Today, we are not so much interested in the tie that binds us as we are in the differences that separate us. Rather than being interested in a nation with unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we seen to be more interested in denying those rights to others who don’t agree with us.

As Christians, the tie that binds us is Jesus. He is what unites and holds us together. We share a love of Christ and of all mankind. On the cross and in His subsequent resurrection, Jesus united us all in a bond that includes love, fellowship, forgiveness, grace, and service. Just like Americans are committed to this country and its laws and privileges, we, as Christians, are committed to serving others in the name of Jesus.

As we strive as a nation, a people, a world to revisit the ties that bind, it would be beneficial to us all to remember the ties that bind in each of our lives.

In 1773, the young pastor of a poor church in Wainsgate, England was called to serve a large and influential church in London. As the pastor, John Fawcett, and his wife, Mary, were helping to load up the wagons with their few belongings, the people in his congregation came to say a tearful goodbye. As Mary looked at the faces of those people she loved, she said, “John, I cannot bear to leave.” To which John replied, “Nor can I. We shall remain here with our people.” The couple stayed and ended up serving 54 years among the people of Wainsgate. Out of that experience, Fawcett wrote the beautiful hymn Blest Be The Tie That Binds.

Blest be the tie that binds, Our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Before our Father’s throne, we pour our ardent prayers. Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.

Our prayer is for a united country, and a tie that binds us all.

The sheep hear His voice, and He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. John 10:3

One of our favorite television comedy series was “Cheers” which aired for eleven years. It was the highest rated comedy on television from 1982 until 1993. The series, which was set in a bar, had an interesting mesh of characters who stopped by the bar every day after work. The owner, Sam, was an ex-pro baseball relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, a recovering alcoholic, and the bartender. The rest of the cast included: Norm, a beer loving accountant, Carla, the sarcastic waitress, Cliff, the “know it all” letter carrier, Diane, the beautiful, intelligent, but snobby waitress, and Frasier, the psychologist.

This comedy series showed people who cared about each other, and who accepted each other in spite of their failings, frailties, and idiosyncracies. They shared an emotional bond, were committed to one another, and everybody knows each other’s name. Norm would always open the door and say “Good afternoon or evening everyone”, and the crowd would reply in unison, “Norm”! Everyone knew his name.

It’s a good feeling when people know your name. Growing up in a small town, there were very few people who didn’t know each other’s name, and it was comforting to know that no matter what, we could call on each other. After I married Randy, it became apparent that Mickler can be pronounced many different ways, and only those who know us really know our name.

The right name is essential, and it is comforting that Jesus knew all his sheep by name and He led them. Jesus was called everything from Rabbi, to the Good Samaritan, to sinner, but he was also called the Good Shepherd. Just like He knows our name, it’s essential that we know His name and can call Him by His name because He gives us life.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and he gives to us, his sheep, if we will listen and obey. The first thing I think the shepherd gives us is direction. Just like sheep without direction, we will lose our way. Edward Markham, a poet laureate, who was close to retirement discovered that the banker who had been taking care of his financial affairs had stolen his money. He was so angry and bitter that he found he couldn’t write. God says you must forgive or it will destroy you. The Good Shepherd doesn’t lead us down an easy path, but rather a path for His name sake and His glory.

The Good Shepherd gives us courage to face life’s devastating situations. The story is told of Jerry, a restaurant manager was always had a good attitude and was always doing good. One morning as he was opening up, three armed men confronted him and forced him to open the safe. While opening the safe, Jerry’s hand slipped, the men took that move as aggression, shot him, and left him for dead. Fortunately, the alarm was triggered and when the EMT’s arrived, they asked Jerry if he was allergic to anything. He replied, “Yes, bullets. Ask the surgeon to operate on me like I am alive not dead.” Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. The Good Shepherd knows my name.

Finally, the Good Shepherd gives us peace. Every year James Moore, the treasurer of the NY Philharmonic would go to Andrew Carnegie to make up the shortfall of funds. One year Mr. Carnegie said, “Why don’t you go to others and give them a chance to help and I will match whatever funds you receive?” A few days later, Mr. Moore called Mr. Carnegie to report that they had received an individual check for $30,000! “Who gave that check?” asked Mr. Carnegie. The answer came back to him, “It was Mrs. Carnegie.” The Good Shepherd knows our name.

Everything doesn’t fall on our shoulders individually. We don’t need to wear anxiety, fear, worry, or anxiousness on our shoulders. Remember, Jesus put the sheep on His shoulders and carried it. Things that take away our peace are on his shoulders. He knows our name.

It is so comforting to know that when we arrive in our heavenly home and throw open the door, just like Norm, everybody will call out our name! Not only will Jesus know our name, but also, everybody there will know our name and welcome us home.

The theme song from “Cheers” says it best. Making our way in the world today takes everything you’ve got; Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn’t you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, And they’re always glad you came; You want to be where you can see, Our troubles are all the same; You want to be where everybody knows your name.

His master replied, “Well done thy good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:23

These days we are constantly receiving offers from different sources to collect rewards for being a part of their program. Businesses such as hotels, airlines, cable companies, restaurants, coffee houses, and many others offer enticing paybacks if we join their reward program.

The not so new, but extremely effective “gimmick” to draw more customers to a respective establishment has been around for a while now. These programs are designed to engage customers and ultimately generate loyalty among them. Some places give you a card that you present every time you purchase something, but the new method is to download the respective establishment’s app on your phone and your purchase is recorded for instant rewards. The rewards can then be exchanged or redeemed for something of our choosing,

That system has been working well for me until recently when one of my favorite places decided to upgrade and “improve” their app. I have no problem with that, but I do have an issue when all the rewards I had accumulated suddenly disappeared! None of my points transfered to this new app. Totally unbelieveable! How dare they take all my hard earned rewards away!

My reaction to losing my rewards is really absurd because in reality, I didn’t do anything to deserve them other than frequent the establishment, pay for my orders, and enjoy using the points I acquired. I have no reason at all to expect a reward!

A reward is defined as something given in recognition of one’s service, effort, or achievement. A synonyn for a reward is a prize or payment such as a bonus. If we are honest, we all look forward to rewards. It can be different for everyone, but basically we all appreciate it when it comes. Perhaps it’s a pay check for a job well done, a bonus, a kind word of appreciation, but no matter what it is, we all love the rewards.

Recently, I began chatting with a lady who comes to the pool area and sits “exactly” ten minutes in the hot tub to ease those sore muslces. During our conversation she said, completely honestly, “This is my reward for riding the bike for twenty minutes!” If we can use this kind of mindset as an incentive for something we need to accomplish, then we might consider we’ve earned it!

God also has a reward program, but His program is a little different. According to the Bible, God rewards believers for their faith and obedience through eternal rewards in heaven. These rewards are a way to encourage Christians to serve Christ and encourage them to put His will before their own. There is no need to announce your good deeds in public as the hypocrites do in order to be recognized by them, but the reward for service will come from God.

So, how do we go about earning God’s rewards? There are many ways, but I have some that stand out to me. First, God rewards our faithfulness. God is faithful to make a way even when there seems to be no way. Each step of faith we take brings us one step closer to the blessings and rewards God has in mind for us.

Next, God rewards our love for Him and our fellow man. In our world today, the word love means different things to different people. What causes us to stand out is that we, as Christians, don’t just say the words, but we show our love through our actions. God rewards those who have overcome differences and are able to truly love one another.

Finally, God rewards compassion. Compassion is one thing that Jesus exhibited, not because people deserved it, but because they needed it. He promised that we will be blessed in this life and rewarded in the life to come.

We follow God’s will not for the rewards here, but because He has given us great and precious promises of rewards in the life to come. God gives rewards to us in ways that we might never know until he reveals them.

“Lord, I am thankful that You reward us when we are faithful to fulfill the assignments You’ve given us to do.”