WHY IS OUR KING IN RAGS

The throne was empty in heaven
Legions of angels attend
As Gabriel announces His birthday
The questioning Seraphs exclaim:

(refrain)
Why is our King in rags
What is this covering of flesh
Coming from heaven to man?
Its Jesus, God's free Gift of love.

Prophets foretold of His coming
Wondrous miracle birth
Bringing man hope and salvation
Loudly this message proclaim:
(refrain)

Hushed were the voices around them
Shepherds kept vigil by night
Suddenly angels re-echoed
"Emanuel, Savior is born!"
(refrain)

Mary and Joseph in wonder
Look at the Word made in flesh
Glory and honor and blessing
Flooding their spirits with praise.

(refrain)
Why is our King in rags
What is this covering of flesh
Coming from heaven to man?
Its Jesus, God's free Gift of love.
--B. Pent

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!

Some of the Christmas story is wrapped in mystery and some in tradition. While I try to stick to the facts of Scripture, I am intrigued by some details left unwritten or left to the imagination. Some questions actually plague my mind:
* Did the Magi follow the star for almost 2 years? or did it take that long to figure it out?
* If they started out from Persia, were they influenced by the Book of Daniel or Ezekiel?
* How did their encounter with Jesus impact their lives after they returned home?
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!

But then, the appearing of angels to a group of rag-tag shepherds torments me:
* The testimony of shepherds was totally inadmissible in a court of law
* There must have been other, more reliable witnesses, longing and looking for the
Messiah He could have chosen, rather than these shepherds
* So who stayed to care for all those frightened sheep after the angels left? I sure wouldn't
have volunteered, would you? I would want to be the first to see Jesus!
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!

However, the story of Joseph and Mary completely blows me away!
* If a young teen told you her pregnancy was not by a man, wouldn't you give
some thought to her possible insanity?
* How long do you think Joseph struggled when she told him this seeming impossible
ferry tale?
* How did Mary's parents or future in-laws think or react to Mary's explanation?
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!

One thing is NOT left to the imagination:
* Mary's virgin birth was God's supernatural, miraculous plan
* God chose to use the most uncommon witnesses to proclaim the birth of Jesus
* The Star did appear in the East and the Magi followed it until they met Jesus
* Jesus was born in Bethlehem in fulfillment to biblical prophecy
* "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life."
And that is one fact that will change your life! He is the Way, the Truth and the Life! And, the future He is preparing for us is out of this world too. His plan for us is mind-boggling:
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!

GIVING THANKS

I see the starving throng
Who have no food to eat.
I leave the grocery store
With lots of fruit and meat.
And yet, as night gives way to sleep
The question I repeat:
"Shouldn't I give thanks?"

The broken shacks appear
Where huddled families live
While I in comfort view
And very little give,
And still, as night gives way to sleep
The question I repeat:
"Why don't I give thanks?"

The sick lie in despair
There seems so little hope
With medication rare
The suffering cannot cope.
And then, as night gives way to sleep
The question I repeat:
"When will I give thanks?"

Thanksgiving's here again
As family members share
The blessings we receive
For those we love and care.
And so, as night gives way to sleep
This time I will repeat:
"Dear Lord! I give you thanks!"
--B. Pent

LET ME CRY ON YOUR SHOULDER

Loneliness met me this morning
Life seemed so empty and gray
Time came along to torment me
Leaving me helpless all day.

I was afraid to go further
Walking this valley alone
Fear and despair, my companions
Seeking for grace to atone.

Then I called out in my anguish
Out of the depth of despair:
"Is there a hand that can rescue
Will you come answer my prayer?"

Please let me cry on your shoulder
Help drive this darkness away
Then I shall stand in the sunlight
Knowing real joy for the day.
--B. Pent

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT - Matthew 5:14-16

Christ describes the proper function of His disciples by using two metaphors. The first is salt! Salt is used as a preservative and to give flavor. It can also make one thirsty. The second metaphor is light! Jesus begins verse 14 by stating, "you are the light of the world!" We need light because we are born in sin's darkness, blinded by sin and choose sin. John 3:19 makes that clear, "this is the verdict, light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." John 12:35 also states, "the man who walks in the dark doesn't know where he is going." The Scribes and Pharisees thought they had the true light but Jesus said they were "blind leaders of the blind." Today religion tries to produce light through human effort but to know avail.
While in the Temple area during the Feast of Lights (October-November) Jesus stood by the four large seven-teared candelabras in the Court of Women. These lights were seen all over Jerusalem as everyone celebrated God's deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt through a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The celebration would end as the lighted lamps began to die down late in the evening. Sometime during this celebration, Jesus stood up and cried out, "I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). Jesus thus pointed to man's futile effort to find light in the midst of darkness. He is the "only way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6). When man turns from his sin to the Savior, he finds the true light. He then becomes a bearer of Christ's Light!

But a warning and a command is then given in verses 15-16. It is easy to excuse ourselves by hiding our testimony, "people don't light a lamp and put it under a bowl." What good would that do? Yet, how many times we are silenced when we should articulate our faith. Daniel stands out because he "purposed in his heart not to defile himself." Later, he faced a stronger opposition and even though he was put in a lion's den, he stood his ground, and his "light" has shown through history as an example we can follow.
The command is verse 16 is not an option: "let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven." As Christians, we have an opportunity to live productively and consistently so that the "Light" we have will shine as brightly as possible. Are you shinning brightly for Jesus Christ or are you hiding under a bushel? "Let your light shine!"

LIFE'S STORMS

Does the cross that you carry
Seem too heavy to bear
Is the road far too narrow
You are called on to share?

Is there sickness or sorrow
That has knocked at your door
Or have friends disappointed
And are caring no more?

Life has its moments of pain
Robbing the heart of its rest
Storm clouds may threaten the calm
Keeping from doing your best.

Jesus walks into life's storm
He will not turn you away.
Reach for the peace that He gives.
You will find calm for the day!
--B. Pent

LIGHT BREAKS THROUGH!

We feel the darkness all around
No gleam of light can there be found.
We grope like those who have no sight
And fail to reach the God of Light.

All that we ever hoped to gain
Are blown like chaff amidst the grain.
For all the hopes that this world gave
Are empty dirges at the grave.

So how can blind men find today
A path through this dark narrow way?
A Voice cries from an empty tomb
"I am the Way through sin's dark gloom."

Then suddenly a burst of light
Is offered those in need of sight.
And all who reach by faith to Him
Find life in Jesus Christ within.
--B. Pent