Remembering Christmas - repost

Remembering Christmas

Long ago in a stable

A simple child was born.

No ordinary child,

But a child unique,

Then…….and Now.

His name, JESUS.

From early childhood

I have heard this story.

A story of new beginnings, hope, love

Mercy, peace, grace and forgiveness.

Stories of a child come to save all the people.

Voices through centuries,

Have cried the name, JESUS.

Those with ears, could hear this story

And be comforted.

Those without ears remain deaf and uncomforted.

The story of Christ and that first Christmas day,

Grow fainter and fainter with each passing day.

Seems the ears of most these days, do not hear

Those words of comfort,

The words of Christmas, Merry Christmas,

…..Christ.

Signs of Christ and Christmas slowly fading away.

A centuries old story of saving grace, comfort and peace.

A child born for then, now and eternity.

Replaced by things and people of temporary comfort,

That does not bring their lasting inner peace.

Oh LORD, the one and only Christ,

Touch your peoples' ears,

To keep the age old story of the Child born long ago

Forever in their hearts and ears.

By Estelle Jocsak, 2005©

GodsGiftDeath

I wrote this as a post to Rene's Blog, ragamuffingirl376 ,  but wanted to place it here for other subscribers.

I can tell how close you are to your Dad.  We are very much alike in our feelings.  I'm just one step ahead of your journey though, as my Dad passed on July 28. I would like to "spare" you the pain, but I can't.  Just as you have been "walking the journey" with your Dad, I too, did so.  It is so true that the last part of that journey we must all, take alone.  I thank God that I was with him as he traveled on alone.  We held eye contact and I could tell he was saying "goodbye" to me.  I could even see he felt sad for me that he was leaving.  I know it didn't break his heart to say goodbye for himself.  He was waiting to go.  he knew the time was near.  He knew he would be with Mom again.  I couldn't hold back my tears.  Then his spirit was taken from his body.  I did feel angry at first.  I was angry b/c "I" lost him.  I would have liked to hold onto him forever.  I wasn't thinking about him at the time.  I know he was looking for rest and peace.  It had been a very hard 8 months since Mom passed for him.  I think he was looking forward to this day.  When he went, he went out like Elijah with a whirlwind to fuel his chariot of fire.  The Heavens broke open and the wind whirled round-n'-round.  A "real" storm outside when he left .  (I wonder what it is like to view the stars like a candlelight in Central Park?)

Even after 27 years as an x-ray tech, I have never been present when the spirit left the body.  He went where I couldn't go.  It was God's time.  Dad was so distressed in the beginning of the week and had a thought of "ending" it on his own.  Just a thought, but one he shared with me.  I gently told him that it was up to God to decide the time to leave and not ours.  He agreed.  he said, "I don't know what I was thinking".  I smiled gently b/c I "knew", he "knew".

Suffering is so hard to bare, but I've learned and am now experiencing more than ever, the refuge I have in Jesus.  The strength of God when all my strength is gone.  I wonder how I get up each day, then I realize that it it God who is giving me that strength to get up.

Rene' (and all others), know that you (we) are "not alone" in our suffering.  We are here to help you bare it, but most importantly God is here to help you bare it.

Love IN Christ, Estelle

Additional:  Many references are likened to "Elijah", a song written by Rich Mullins (Albumn, "Songs").  The insight Rich had into God is as astounding today as the first day he wrote it.  These are not cliche's, but a reality in knowing the one true God, His Son Jesus and His Holy Spirit.  The pic is Dad, John, "the Carpenter". 

Currently Watching Pursuit of a Legacy By Rich Mullins see related

GodsGiftRichMullins

Continuing the Legacy of Rich Mullins.

Wow!!  A "New Year's Resolution".

When was the last time you listened to the "words" of Rich?
Starting on New Year's Eve, quietly, alone, scared about another "new year" approaching, I decided I needed a "refresher course" in the teachings that Rich had left behind.
No you can't take it with you.  Therefore, it must have been left for us - you and me.

The quirky life of Rich Mullins as Billy Crocket described in his fax to "20' THE COUNTDOWN MAGAZINE" is but one source to refresh not only our memories of Rich, but of his unique view of God and our short lives here on earth.  What we need to pursue in life, what worship is "really" all about, putting hands and feet to the "words" of the Bible and maybe you can fill in the gaps I have forgot or am not yet aware of.

A list of material of that quirky life, a life I identify with, one that I pray will impact my life this coming year:

"20' THE COUNTDOWN MAGAZINE" - A Tribute To the Life of Rich Mullins. (CD)
"RICH MULLINS: Live at Lufkin, Texas" (VHS)
"HOMELESS MAN: The Restless Heart of Rich Mullins" (VHS)
"pursuit of a legacy: rich mullins" (VHS)
"Rich Mullins: here in america" (DVD + CD)
"the Jesus record: Rich Mullins and a ragamuffin band" (CD)
plus ALL the albumns Rich recorded. You know where to find albumns.

Our journey, Rich's journey, continues throughout our entire life.
Hanging on the "promises of God" as Rich did.

Check your journey, Raggity Ann's and Andy's. 
Don't forget the "joy" in the journey too.  Rich experienced some joy here, but it's not the joy so much as the journey with all the things, the sufferings, the saddness too.  Draw close to God and He will draw close to you. (Hebrews 10; Isaiah 51)

More Later, God Willing!!

GodsGiftSleep

  Can you imagine a good night's sleep?  On the left is Kristy, my daughter.  She could give lessons on how to have a good night's sleep.  She falls asleep on the drop of a dime, anywhere, under any conditions.  If she is tired, she doesn't "fight" it, she just goes to sleep.

Well, there is "sleep" and there is "sleep!
You want to know the difference?

Well, a "good night's sleep" is in our control.  Yes!  It's true!!  When we cast the care's, worries of each day into the hands of Jesus, our Lord, we can have a good night's sleep. 
How?
TRUST!!

He will take care of your every care and worry.  We just need to trust that He will do it.  We trust like we can not know trust from anyone here on Earth.  It is the "trust" that we all want and crave.  Unconditional trust, unfailing trust, uncompromised trust.  Believe with every fiber of your being.  At night, stop thinking about everything.  Think about sleep.  Think about love.  Think about the arms that cradle your weary soul.  That weary soul burdened by the cares and worries of the day.  His arms are sufficient to cradle us.  We, even though grown-up still needs to be cradled.  We can now fall asleep.

We need not "fight" sleep.  Sometimes, if you take notice, we can get "very tired".  We don't understand until we wake up and realize we are sick.  Our earthly bodies will tell us when we are sick before we realize it.  The body wants to "sleep" so it can work at getting better.  We can trust our earthly bodies to "let us know" and we can respond by "trusting" and give the body what it needs.  We all know that when we "fight", we can get much sicker. 

Mom is sleeping too!  This is the "sleep and there is sleep".  Her soul is "sleeping" in the rest and arms of the Lord. 
The miners from W. Virginia also knew the kind of "sleep" into which they were entering.  Some even wrote notes describing themselves as not in agony, but that they were going to "sleep".  They said, "We will see you on the other side".  This IS the TRUST, they could see coming towards them. 

In all cases of "sleep" there is PEACE.  When we "fight" going to sleep at night, "fight" pushing ourselves beyond the limits of our earthly body, "fight" death by trying to hang on to life, we don't have PEACE. 

Trust the Lord to know all things GOOD for your earthly body and your soul.  Accept the kind of "sleep" we all are called to whether we be alive, sick or dying.  Accept the trust and peace that only the Lord can give.

Cradle yourself always in the arms of the Lord and receive PEACE in this world and the next.

GodsGiftChristmas

Long ago in a stable

A simple child was born.

No ordinary child,

But a child unique,

Then…….and Now.

His name, JESUS.

From early childhood

I have heard this story.

A story of new beginnings, hope, love

Mercy, peace, grace and forgiveness.

Stories of a child come to save all the people.

Voices through centuries,

Have cried the name, JESUS.

Those with ears, could hear this story

And be comforted.

Those without ears remain deaf and uncomforted.

The story of Christ and that first Christmas day,

Grow fainter and fainter with each passing day.

Seems the ears of most these days, do not hear

Those words of comfort,

The words of Christmas, Merry Christmas,

…..Christ.

Signs of Christ and Christmas slowly fading away.

A centuries old story of saving grace, comfort and peace.

A child born for then, now and eternity.

Replaced by things and people of temporary comfort,

That does not bring their lasting inner peace.

Oh LORD, the one and only Christ,

Touch your peoples' ears,

To keep the age old story of the Child born long ago

Forever in their hearts and ears.

By Estelle Jocsak, 2005©