Let's Be Saints!

What is the new name that He calls me? Witnesses to hope know the name He speaks; they invite Him, humble themselves before Him, and follow Him to the Cross.

Stephen was martyred by “free men” who “knew all the things.” Knowledge and self-proclaimed freedom do not make saints. The person of Wisdom and mercy does!

Hope you find your dad! Christmas altered the course of history. Has it changed your story?

Fear is not of God but “fear of the LORD” is. Does my fear lead me into isolation or communion? Do I have a holy reverence for the One Who is soon to come?

God is not passive! Am I? The little listen to Him and receive Him. They believe that “what is spoken to them by the LORD” will be fulfilled. Do I?

O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!

God loves to “up the ante” before He reveals His hand and wins. He did it in history, and now wants to do it in us.

Ite ad Joseph; Go to Joseph! Joseph cares for the family of God in exile. Mary and Jesus trusted him, and they trust you.

The genealogy of Jesus Christ! God aligns Himself with broken, sinful, and scandalous people. This is His family whom He comes to dwell with and bring to divine completion.

“Teach me your ways, O Lord.” His way is the way of being mocked and ridiculed by the world. Do I really want to be taught this way?

Gaudete! Rose, John the Baptist, Cindy Lou-Who, and the Grinch. Rejoice!

Mary came, and Mary continues to come, to cultures which look past her Son. She comes to help pagans become saints. She stands with us, and brings us God.

He came to stand in the places in our life that are hidden, uncomfortable, and messy. He invites us to meet Him there; to learn from Him; to rest in Him.

God fought hard to preserve the place where His Son dwelt, and He still fights to preserve the places in which His Son dwells.

Today, God has begun to sing a new song in creation. Mary is the new song, and she desires to teach us to sing. “Sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous deeds.”

John the Baptist, football, and active preparation. Prepare the way!

“As a young man marries a virgin, so does your God desire to marry you.” Christmas and the Eucharist embody the 3 movements of spousal love: PRESENCE, SACRIFICE, COMMUNION

“A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace for its trust in you.” Trust is not spoken; it is lived. “Everyone who listens and acts will make their house on rock…but not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom.”

Anxious and lonely America worships the unholy trinity of me, myself, and I. The shepherds and kings did not go to the Inn with the rest of the world. They went to Him. Where do I spend my time?

Isaiah is utterly convinced of the goodness and greatness of God, yet He never knew Jesus. I do know Jesus…am I as convinced as Isaiah the prophet?

“Stand erect and raise your heads, for your redemption is at hand.” Do I live at the Inn or the manger? Do I want the lights of the world, or the LIGHT of the world?

“The Spirit of the LORD will rest upon him…Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit.” Do I rejoice in the Spirit and let the Spirit of the LORD rest upon me? Where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is FREEDOM.

“From the place where He dwells He gazes on all the dwellers of the earth. He who shapes the hearts of them all.” He just wants to be with us! Will we let Him fight for us?

“In no one in Israel have I found such faith.” Do I live like the centurion or an Israelite in the presence of Jesus. Be bamboo!

Worry makes me Weird; Jesus makes me Free. “I through the greatness of your love, have access to your house.”