Wisdom from the Christmas Story

 “…Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, because he was of the house and family of David; in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with Child…” (Luke 2:1-5)

                                                                                                                November 27,2012

    Too often, I’ve skimmed through this, the beginning of the Luke’s Christmas story, without giving much thought to what this section meant.  I’ve been thinking about it this week, however:

“In those days” a census meant that the people had to be counted and registered---in order for them to be taxed by the government.  To do this, they were required to return to the land of their tribal inheritance to register.  Remember that ‘In those days’ there were no convenient or comfortable means of transportation, so it was a hardship for everyone to have to do this. The roads were rocky, and probably crowded and noisy.  Businesses and agriculture were being disrupted, schools probably had to be shut down —and life simply could not go on as usual until the decree from the governmental authority was obeyed. Caesar ruled supreme, and he simply had to be obeyed; however his authority was deeply resented by the Jewish people.  In this passage then, we realize that though Jesus was not yet even born—yet, because Joseph and Mary were engaged, Joseph already had to pay taxes on Him…. Jesus’ family was oppressed by the government ---while He was still in the womb…

   In our own country, we have just experienced another contentious election, and there is much discontent and anger over the results throughout our land. Many are grumbling about who now rules, and holds authority over their lives. There is talk of our taxes probably going up and other inconveniences having to be endured due to the decree of the ones in power. Yet, if we look at the example of the Holy Family in this passage, we see that they merely went about their lives, obeying the authority that God had allowed to be over them.  To be obedient, Joseph probably lost many days at his job without renumeration, and was forced to take his pregnant fiancée on a dangerous and inconvenient journey-- just when she was due to give birth. He had to pay taxes on a Child he hadn’t even fathered, as well as be forced to come back into the midst of his tribal relations at a time when the child’s birth would surely cause a scandal for him.  And yet, Scripture records that they simply obeyed. They didn’t rise up and call for Caesar’s head on a platter, or offer disrespect to him, in any way. Was it convenient for them? No. Did they have a lot of spare money? --Probably not. Then why did they obey? Here they were; the ones God the Father had entrusted with the Holy Messiah of the world—the One we had waited for, since Adam & Eve’s expulsion from Eden; surely they had a right to rebel  if anyone did. And yet---they did not. What kept them silent and obedient?

They knew who really ruled the world. And it wasn’t Caesar.

They knew and were in covenant with the God of Israel and knew that all Authority is ultimately given to and taken from men by His decree alone.  No mere man could decree anything at all on earth, unless God had first allowed it for some good purpose of His own. (John 19:11) It was in this great Truth that they rested, found their peace, and ultimately their strength.  To what ‘good purpose’ then, was Caesar’s decree issued; for his own glory? No, not for his glory--but for God’s. The Scriptures declared that God’s Son would come from Bethlehem. God was  willing, therefore, that ‘all the inhabited world’ should be inconvenienced—including the Holy family--  in order that the Scripture (His revealed Plan) be fulfilled… “…But as for you Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity…” (Micah 5:2) God keeps His Word..

    Be at peace this Christmas…..No one and nothing can or ever will thwart the Will and Plan of God.  Not Caesar, not Obama, not the Republicans, not the Democrats, and not new taxes or inconveniences of any kind…... God’s Will shall “be done in earth as it is in heaven” ---though our limited understandings may not comprehend in this life why such painful inconveniences  are allowed to come upon us as they do.  No, we needn’t fear anything at all, except our own hearts’ rebellion against the ONE who Truely Does rule the world.  In the light of that thought, here then, is a warning for all our hearts this Christmas, from Psalm 2:

“But as for me, (says the Lord), I have installed MY King--upon Zion, my Holy Mountain. I will surely tell of the DECREE of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘Thou art My Son…’…Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the LORD with reverence… Do homage to the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way. For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him…” (Psalm 2: 6-7a,10-12)

                                   Merry Christmas----“Let earth, receive her KING…”

                                                                   Joann Longton

 

Out of the Saltshaker....

       (Originally written a few years ago, but never sent out, I am posting this now, having rediscovered it this am)

     It's been quite awhile since I last blogged. I have been getting ready for a medical mission trip to Haiti and have mainly been communicating on facebook of late. Some of you may notice that, from time to time on facebook, my comments may run counter to what the prevailing majority of the commentators are saying. I have been 'scolded' for this at times, as some people do not understand why I don't simply remain silent rather than say something that might upset others.....I have been thinking about this the last few days, and asking the Lord to reveal to me if He is of the opinion that I should be quiet during such times as well. I surely do not wish to be argumentative just for the sake of argument. I want to be liked, as much as the next person. But I am a Christian. I am not perfect, and do not always live up to even my own expectations, let alone God's expectations of me. However, I am called to strive towards the goal of being one whom the world can come to know God through. Alot of the time, therefore, when I comment online, it is to insert into the conversation what God has to say on a given subject--because frankly few read their Bibles today, and honestly do not know what He says. So, when I asked the Lord yesterday to show me what He thought about my comments, you know what happened? I had the word "Salt" run across my mind......and I remembered that Jesus had said to His disciples, "You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men..." Now, what is THAT supposed to mean???

     Salt is a substance that is used to stop the progress of decay. If we want to preserve our fish so that they do not spoil, we salt them, etc. Jesus said His disciples were to be ones in society who he would insert into the midst of the world to stop the decay around them. That happens all the time. When a Christian enters a room where just a few minutes ago a dirty joke was being told, usually, upon his entering, the conversation becomes more hushed, or stops altogether. Sometimes I have even had people apologize to me under such circumstances. I used to reply, "don't apologize to me, I am a sinner too"---but I gradually came to realize I shouldn't do that; I should just allow the Holy Spirit to convict them of their sin by my presence--and be grateful they recognize me as one who bears the Lord's Name....

      Along those lines, therefore, I have felt obligated as a Christian, to speak up online, when I have smelled the decay of sin in things people say. It doesn't matter the topic. I merely have tried to ingest the truths of the gospel into such conversations. It has definitely NOT always been welcomed. Please do not feel I am judging you if I ever add something to the conversation that stings a little. I only mean to tell you what God's Word says about it----and preserve you from a decaying path......

Heavenly GPS

 Life's plans are all in the Lord's hands.; and He doesn't always turn things out the way we expect.

I am in Texas--only I have not moved here. I am here on a 12 week leave of absence from work, to help care for my elderly parents. I have not found success in my job search here--nor do the kinds of LVN jobs here pay anywhere near what I am used to, or need to make to  properly support myself.  So the plan for now is to return home to CT the last week of June and go back to work there starting July 2. My sister will retire July 1 and begin to care full- time for my parents. I will continue to work and save money, and see what happens from there. 

In the meantime, life as my mom's caregiver has been much busier than one would anticipate.  I have rarely had a chance to sit quietly long enough to collect my thoughts, so have not written much to friends or family up til now. It is after 11:00 pm as I write--as everyone else is finally asleep. The quiet solitude is healing; I have needed it.

I'd like to say that I know how this story ends--but I don't. Texas is not home to me--despite my love of my relatives here. However, CT is also lonely since the majority of my closest family have moved away. As I age, it is probably wisest for me to live nearer my relatives---but without a good job opening up--I can support myself better in CT than in TX. I have a home in CT among friends and co-workers--but will they be there for me as I age? Probably not. So much of life is maleable.  So I turn to the only One who knows how things are meant to turn out, and pray--"dear Lord, please steer me in the right direction, so I don't miss the road I am meant to travel." I am comforted by the lines of a poem by Margaret S. Fellows--

"He shall come to meet me
at each turning of the way
from there direct my footsteps
lest I falter, go astray.
Unto me it is not given
all the details now to know;
'tis enough that He has promised--
and my heart cries, 'even so' ....(Matt 11:26)

A Mid-Life Move

I'm moving to Texas.....

I can hardly believe it is true myself, but it is. Most of my family have gradually been moving there over the last 16 years, and been hankering me to join them. They have been very persistant--but I have kept my heels dug in as it has never been my desire to move there. "Too hot, too flat, too dry, too brown," has been my mantra.... I like green rolling hills and a cool breeze from the ocean....and I really love Connecticut. Besides, I'm 54 now, and it is late in life to be making a new start. Still, (and I can't believe I am writing this)-- I am moving to Texas. My parents are elderly and getting frail, and in greater need of assistance. Although I have siblings there who are caring for them, they also are getting on in years, and need others to share the load. These same siblings have cared for me my entire life and never asked for anything from me in return---now they need me to help them care for our parents; Our parents who never once took a vacation, because they needed the money more, to raise their 9 kids. As their lives showed us--sometimes convenience and personal desires need to be sacrificed on the altar of a greater love. So, though it is painful to burn the bridges to all one has known and move to a strange place late in life, it is a sacrifice worth making. Real love is known by the willingness to sacrifice. -----and I love my family.

At 54, most people are grandparents who are well settled into their communities and family lives and would never consider a move so late in life. I hear them----they are spouting the same arguments against such a move, as I have been rehearsing to myself and my siblings for the last 16 years. The truth however, is that I am still single and it is time for me to come up with a game plan for the later years of my life. How could I ever expect my family to help care for me later, if I am unwilling to upset my own apple cart and help them in their need now? I have to give if I ever expect to receive. Also, if I am ever going to make such a move it needs to be now while I am still in good enough health to do so, and young enough to still get out to make new friends. Thus, you see the wisdom in my making the move at this time.

I have completed the process and obtained my Texas Nursing license. Now I'm in pursuit of employment there. So far, it looks like it will be approximately a $12.00 an hour pay cut.... I know, I know--I can hardly believe it myself. I hope to be able to negotiate for a slightly better deal, but come what may, I will bite the bullet and go. I am just awaiting the firm offer from the company that is pursuing me. So it may be only a month or so before I leave. I am hoping for the end of March, to have less chance of having to move in a snowstorm. That wouldn't be good....but might help me be more willing to leave...

In some ways it is exciting to be making a new start. One never knows what could come of such a move. Friends I never would have known otherwise, a new language (Y'all), and a new gastronomical experience---(did anyone say hot sauce?) City life will be an eye-opener I am sure, as I have never even lived in a suburb before. The shopping will be phenomonal--if I am only offered a decent paycheck---and liked shopping. (Which I don't). Still, I look forward to the big sky sunsets, the sight of horses in the open, and the men in cowboy hats and pick-up trucks. I have been getting prepared by listening to more country music, and have a growing fondness for Keith Urban and Alan Jackson. I think I will adjust in time, just fine, thank you. Now, if only I could find a way to protect my fair Irish skin from the intense sun and heat, besides living indoors in air conditioning.....

It will take some time, to find my way, and feel confortable there, but I intend to explore this new world slowly, and find my place in it. Surely if the Lord is bringing me there, it is for His own good purposes, and I'll need to look to Him to show me what they are. I suspect my next series of blogs will be all about the actual move and the strange new world of Texas that I'll have discovered as well as my reactions to it. Should be interesting, to say the least. I'll keep you posted