Stray Thoughts

“Immanuel” by C. H. Spurgeon

Posted on December 19, 2006 by Barbara Harper

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23

Immanuel

Written by C. H. Spurgeon at the age of 18

When once I mourned a load of sin;
When conscience felt a wound within;
When all my works were thrown away;
When on my knees I knelt to pray,
Then, blissful hour, remembered well,
I learned Thy love, Immanuel.

When storms of sorrow toss my soul;
When waves of care around me roll;
When comforts sink, when joys shall flee;
When hopeless griefs shall gape for me,
One word the tempest’s rage shall quell–
That word, Thy name, Immanuel.

When for the truth I suffer shame;
When foes pour scandal on my name;
When cruel taunts and jeers abound;
When “Bulls of Bashan” gird me round,
Secure within Thy tower I’ll dwell–
That tower, Thy grace, Immanuel.

When hell enraged lifts up her roar;
When Satan stops my path before;
When fiends rejoice and wait my end;
When legioned hosts their arrows send,
Fear not, my soul, but hurl at hell
Thy battle-cry, Immanuel.

When down the hill of life I go;
When o’er my feet death’s waters flow;
When in the deep’ning flood I sink;
When friends stand weeping on the brink,
I’ll mingle with my last farewell
Thy lovely name, Immanuel.

When tears are banished from mine eye;
When fairer worlds than these are nigh;
When heaven shall fill my ravished sight;
When I shall bathe in sweet delight,
One joy all joys shall far excel,
To see Thy face, Immanuel.

More ramblings

Posted on December 19, 2006 by Barbara Harper

Well, yesterday I wrote a post full of praise and amazement at how the Lord helped me get so many necessary things done.

Then the rest of the day went downhill.

I mentioned that there was one present I wanted to make but had not started on. I thought I might go ahead and start on it and just see how far I got — I could still send the package in question out today and it would still get there in time. So I headed out for the needed supplies, couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for but settled on what I thought I needed, got home……and it was the opposite of the Midas touch — everything just seemed to go wrong (I have to be purposefully vague about the details because this is all still a surprise). After several hours I had to go back out again for supplies and start from scratch.

Part of me thought, “Lord, what’s wrong? I was just ‘bragging’ on you this morning about how much you helped me get done.” It felt like just after praising Him, then He removed His hand and let me fall flat. I don’t think that is really what was happening — that was just my first human reaction.

I don’t really know what was going on, though. I know Elisabeth Elliot has written several times that often just before or after she speaks on a particular subject, she’ll be tested on that very subject. I am not one to blame the devil for every little negative thing that happens (I don’t really think he would care about what I do for Christmas presents….though of course he cares about my actions and reactions). Maybe, probably, it was just “life in a fallen world.” Maybe I needed further reinforcement of the lesson about using time wisely.

But God is the same. He is still good, loving, and kind whether my day is going swimmingly or whether I am meeting with frustration at every turn.

Habakkuk, after just receiving some very bad news from the Lord about what was coming for Israel, concludes his prophecy by saying, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places” (Habbakuk 3:17-19).

Maybe that was the lesson — or at least one lesson.

The present is obviously not going to make it into today’s package, and I do have something else for the person for whom it was intended. Said person does have a birthday coming up, so I will aim for that event instead.

For God so loved the world that He gave –

Posted on December 18, 2006 by Barbara Harper

For God so loved the world that He gave –

HIS WORD so that we
might know the truth…

A GATE so that we
might enter His kingdom…

The LIGHT of the WORLD
so that we no longer walk
in darkness and despair…

The BREAD OF LIFE to
feed our hungry souls…

The LIVING WATER to
refresh and empower us…

The RESURRECTION
and the LIFE so that we
could live eternally with Him.

(Author Unknown)

See Also:

Ramblings

Posted on December 18, 2006 by Barbara Harper

Whew!

A little over a week ago, I had only one Christmas present purchased, Christmas cards purchased but not addressed, stamped, or signed, Christmas letter unwritten, and some ladies’ ministry responsibilities that needed to be taken care of before I could start in on my Christmas things. And when the realization of all that I needed to do and the shortness of the time hit me, I began to panic. True, Christmas isn’t all about the “stuff” that needs to be done — but stuff still needs to be done, especially when you consider most of it a way to minister to people.

And the bad part was….this was unequivocally my own fault. Some of these things had been on my mind to do for weeks. I would think, “Oh, yeah, I need to get to that….” and then use my time unwisely (too often on the computer 😳 ). The worst part was the ladies’ ministry responsibilities. (I don’t say much about that ministry here because I don’t want it to seem as if I am drawing attention to what “I” do — you know all those verses about letting what you do for the Lord be done in secret. I don’t feel that way when other people write about their ministry involvement, and I enjoy reading it, but as long as I have that little feeling that I should refrain, then I probably should.) Jeremiah 48:10a says, “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully,” and the NASB translates it, “Cursed be the one who does the LORD’S work negligently.” I felt I had been handling those responsibilities negligently.

I confessed that negligence, poor use of time, and selfishness to the Lord and asked for His help and grace to get the things done that needed to be done.

In the past I would often beat myself up with guilt for days and days, but, you know, once you confess a sin, repent of it, ask forgiveness, accept it by faith, and determine with God’s grace and help to rectify the situation and take steps to avoid it in the future, though you still feel bad when you think of the incident, it is really a waste of time to beat yourself up over something God has graciously forgiven you for.

He amazingly, graciously enabled me to get a load of stuff done this week: ladies’ ministry responsibilities taken care of, Christmas letter written, cards signed, addressed, stamped, picture of the boys taken and printed to include in cards, one Christmas package sent out of town and another just about ready, and some gifts ordered online and plans to get the rest this week. And all with a lot less panic and stress than I would have thought. There was one gift I wanted to make (something else that I knew about for a couple of months but just never did get started) that I haven’t done yet, but the recipient has a birthday soon so I may save it for that. I am still trying to decide — I think I may start on it today and just see how far I get. And I was even able to still do a bit of blogging, when I thought I was going to have to barely touch the computer this week.

Isn’t He wonderful?

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth (Psalm 86:15).

Loving others

Posted on December 16, 2006 by Barbara Harper

Last night’s reading from Joy and Strength by Mary Tileston was both convicting and encouraging:

These things I command you, that ye love one another.
JOHN 15:17

YET habits linger in the soul;
More grace, O Lord! more grace!
More sweetness from Thy loving heart,
More sunshine from Thy face!
–Frederick W. Faber

IF thy disturbance of mind proceeds from a person who is so disagreeable to thee, that every little action of his annoys or irritates thee, the remedy is to force thyself to love him, and to hold him dear; not only because he is a creature formed by the same sovereign hand as thou art, but also because he offers thee an opportunity (if thou wilt accept it) of becoming like unto thy Lord, who is kind and loving unto all men.
— Lorenzo Scupoli

The habit of letting every foolish or uncharitable thought, as it arises, find words, has a great deal to do with much evil in the world. Check the habit of uttering the words, and gradually you will find that you check the habit of thought too. A resolution always to turn to some distinctly good thought when a complaining or unkind one arises in the mind, is a great help–as it is to turn every thought condemnatory of our neighbor into a prayer for him. We never can long continue to dislike people for whom we pray.
— H. L. Sidney Lear

Mary’s virginity

Posted on December 15, 2006 by Barbara Harper

A few days ago I was reminded about a sermon my former pastor, Dr. Mark Minnick, preached some years ago from Matthew 1. There has been some controversy over the use of “young woman” rather than “virgin” in Matthew 1:22 in some versions, and I’m sorry I can’t remember exactly what Dr. Minnick said about that. But what I do remember is that there is evidence of Mary’s virginity all through that passage and the other gospels besides just that one word.

I am going by memory and a few notes in my Bible: Pastor Minnick’s message would have been much more eloquent! 🙂 Any mistakes here are mine, and I may have forgotten some of the points he made, and of course he would have elaborated all of these points.

Evidences of Mary’s virginity before the birth of Jesus:

1. In Matthew 1:16, “And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ,” the phrase “of whom” in Greek is feminine and refers back to Mary. That and the way this birth is worded differently from all the “begats” in the verses before it point to Mary’s virginity.

2. Mary’s reaction to the angel’s announcement that she was to bear the Christ child: “Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34)

3 and 4. Matthew 1:18: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”

5. Joseph’s reaction: he knew Mary’s child wasn’t his: “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily” (Matthew 1:19).

6. The angels pronouncement to Joseph: “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21).

7. Prophecy: “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:22-23).

8. Joseph did not “know” Mary in the Biblical sense as is wife until after Jesus was born: “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS” (Matthew 1:24-25).

Just to make it clear that I am not going to the other extreme, I do not believe Mary was a perpetual virgin forever. The last verse mentioned indicates that Joseph did “know” Mary as his wife some time after Jesus was delivered, and later passages refer to Jesus’ brothers.

See also:

The Perfect Christmas

Christmas Grief

Mary’s Dream

Posted on December 12, 2006 by Barbara Harper

(Author unknown)

I had a dream, Joseph.

I don’t understand it, not really, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our Son. I think that was what it was all about. The people had been preparing for it for about six weeks. They had decorated the house and bought new clothes. They’d gone shopping many times and bought elaborate gifts. It was peculiar, though, because the presents weren’t for our Son. They wrapped them in beautiful paper and tied them with lovely bows and stacked them under a tree. Yes, a tree, Joseph, right in their house. They’d decorated the tree also. The branches were full of glowing balls and sparkling ornaments. There was a figure on the top of the tree. It looked like an angel might look. Oh, it was beautiful. Everyone was laughing and happy. They were all excited about the gifts. They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, not our Son. I don’t think they even knew Him. They never mentioned His name. Doesn’t it seem odd for people to go through all that trouble to celebrate someone’s birthday if they don’t know Him? I had the strangest feeling that if our Son had gone to this celebration he would have been intruding. Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone so full of cheer, but it made me want to cry. How sad for Jesus – not to be wanted at His own birthday celebration. I’m glad it was only a dream.

How terrible, Joseph, if it had been real.

See also:

“If I were a goose”

Posted on December 10, 2006 by Barbara Harper

(Author Unknown)

There was once a man who didn’t believe in God, and he didn’t hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays, like Christmas. His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments.

One snowy Christmas Eve, his wife was taking their children to a Christmas Eve service in the farm community in which they lived. She asked him to come, but he refused. “That story is nonsense!” he said. “Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a man? That’s ridiculous!” So she and the children left, and he stayed home. A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening.

Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window. Then another thump. He looked out, but couldn’t see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn’t go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew aroundthe field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.

The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It’s warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn’t seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them and they moved further away. He went into the house and came with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread crumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn’t catch on. Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn.

Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe. “Why don’t they follow me?!” he exclaimed. “Can’t they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?” He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn’t follow a human. “If only I were a goose, then I could save them,” he said out loud. Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese. He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn–and one by one the other geese followed it to safety.

He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind: “If only I were a goose, then I could save them!” Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. “Why would God want to be like us? That’s ridiculous!” Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese–blind, lost, perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us. That was the meaning of Christmas, he realized.

As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood what Christmas was all about, why Christ had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished like the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer: “Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!”

Let the spirit of Christmas begin in your heart.

See also: