FLAWED GIFT

I’m basically a pretty easy guy to buy for. Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Walmart, K-mart….it’s all good. No caviar or lobster taste on McDonald’s budget here. Unless, of course, I were to get a red & green plaid tie with pink polka dots… I then might reconsider.

While I appreciate most every gift given, I also want to give something that is a blessing to others. I resort to the gift card, occasionally, when others are extremely difficult to buy for, or for the person ‘who has everything.’ Then they can buy themselves something to put ‘everything’ in!

I’ve been given some wonderful gifts through the years, but hopefully I’ve shared some special gifts with others. Every year I ask God to show me a fresh take or look at the timeless story of Christmas. I’ve heard it 40+ years now! These were real people in a very real difficult situation.

This year it was about the stable & the first ones to look on the Christ-Child. In reading a wonderful devotion the other day from writer Max Lucado, I was reminded of the harsh setting where Jesus was thrust into the world. Forget about leaving the halls of heaven & omniscience, just think about a baby, ANY baby, being born in a barn. (I suppose the only up-side would have been this: when Jesus was growing up & left the door open & His mother said, “were You born in a barn?” He could have honestly said, “Why, yes, don’t you remember?!”) I digress.

While never having been to Bethlehem Ephrata, I’m told that the ‘stable’ was most likely a small cave, rather than our experience or view of a barn or stable. Max reminded me that there is a small church on the site where Jesus was born (isn’t there a church on every site He even placed His foot?!). Directly behind the altar is the small opening to the stable. You HAVE to stoop to get inside. The Creator of the universe stooped to become one of us & those who came to see Him had to stoop to come into His presence!

Now zip over in your mind to hillside & a band of smelly shepherds. Not exactly the crème de la crème of society. Don’t get me wrong, these men were the ones who raised the special sheep used in sacrifice. Very valuable, but looked down upon, nonetheless. That’s who God chose first to hear the great announcement. Their response? They left their precious sheep to see the Lamb of God!

“They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.” Luke 2:16-20

They didn’t stop off to get a ‘shower gift’ for this new family. No checking were Mary was registered for baby gifts. They brought nothing but their praise & adoration. Honestly, what do you bring the Son of God anyway? Talk about Someone Who has EVERYTHING! He left it all to become a poor Jewish baby.

The shepherds’ gift reminds me of the little boy in Brazil a friend told me about. They receive offering differently in Brazil. People come forward & place their gift in a basket at the altar, rather than ‘passing the plate.’ The missionary looked up to see a ragged little boy in line to bring his offering. The missionary was nervous & concerned as to what the little boy might sacrifice & the impact on his little life & family. As he got to the front he simply stepped into the basket. He looked up with tears in his eyes & said, “Jesus, all I have to give you is me.”

There it is. That’s really all any of us has to give Him. That’s all He really wants. So, I’m afraid I’ll have to give Him a flawed gift this year. I’m not much, but all I really have to give Him is me. My prayer is, I’ll go away changed for life just as they were. I hope all who hear as I share His story will also be ‘astonished.”

www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.

Also Dave Jackson on facebook

Dave’s Desk –blogspot- http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com/

ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org

Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org

cell 870-217-9376

Home for Christmas

Most folks have heard of the song “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” unless they’ve lived under a rock. The song was release in the early 40’s when our country was in the midst of WWII. It struck a chord then, as it has through the years with anyone longing to be home for the holidays, “if only in my dreams.” It’s been recorded by ‘forty-eleven’ artists & is still popular.

I’ve been blessed to be able to be with my family most every holiday. My mother had a particularly difficult childhood, as her mother left the family when Mom was a young girl. It forced Mom to help raise her little sister & take care of the household. Needless to say, family is now VERY important to my mother & she wants her chicks around the roost on these special days. So, we bust our cans in getting home to be with family!

I only remember one Christmas when I had to be away any. Christmas day fell on Sunday & I had to lead in service that morning. I spent most of that holiday on the road, but still got to be with my family. It really reminded me of the FIRST ‘Christmas.’ You know, where Mary had baby Jesus!

As you remember the account, they were away from their family at a most inopportune time. Mary was about to deliver the Christ Child. Of course, it was no accident. Over 300 prophecies came into play as God fulfilled each one of these.

“Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a Child. While they were there, the time came for the Baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:4-7 NIV

Space won’t permit, but trust me that all prophecies HAD to be fulfilled for truth to play out, as the Truth was born into our world. Still, you have to think of the human side of the story. Put yourself in this family’s shoes (or sandals as it were). The Savior of the world was born in a cattle trough because no one had room or place for this little family. The most exciting news of all creation came & no one had a clue or a care.

Heaven wouldn’t stand for that. All Heaven broke loose. The angelic hosts went to a band of shepherds there in Bethlehem Ephrata. (That’s where they raised the lambs for sacrifice. No accident there.) The lowest members of society there got to see the King first. Later wise men from the east would make the trek to pay homage, as again the heavens led the way in the star. The news went full circle from the lowest to the elite. All men must know the Light of heaven.

Where am I going with all this? Well, the Creator of time stepped out of Heaven into a tiny Babe. He left His home to come to ours. In turn, through Him, we can go to His home for eternity! That’s what Christmas is all about: God making a way for us to truly have a home.

This past year I’ve shared with several families in the home-going of loved ones. Please remember those around you who may not have all their family here at Christmas. Pray for, encourage & make room for those who have no place this Christmas.

One of our own, Otillia was in an accident the other day. Her neck was fractured & she is now in the hospital. Thankfully, there is no paralysis at this point. Pray for God’s direction as she sees a neurosurgeon & a speedy recovery to be home with her family. While separated from family a bit now, thankfully she is here to share with them!

I’ll take some down time with my family over the holidays, but rest assured I’ll have you in thoughts & prayers. My practice is to lift you up as God brings you to mind. If you want an eternal ‘home for Christmas’ drop me a line, call or email.

www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.

Also Dave Jackson on facebook

Dave’s Desk –blogspot- http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com/

ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org

Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org

Cell 870-217-9376

Save Me!

You know, I’ve been in a church most of my life. I had a stint as a teenager when I attempted to ‘run from God.’ Funny thing about God, He’s everywhere so it’s kind of hard to run from Him. Jonah kind of found that out the hard way, but I digress. When folks are in a church or any organization or profession they learn the ‘language’ of the people. (I.E: folks in education know what it means to ‘monitor and adjust,’ just like I learned certain euphemisms in construction work like ‘square with the world.’)

Truth is church is no different. We have ‘the language of Zion.’ Church talk that folks who are in the ‘initiated’ know the jargon. Some of it’s good & some not so good. Case in point: early in ministry we were visiting a nursing home & a gentleman cried out, “I’m lost!” I clarified, “You’re lost?” He responded, “I’m lost!” I ran & grabbed my 97 pound Scoffield bible & proceeded to explain to him how he could trust Christ as Savior. His response was, “I’m lost! Where am I?” Chalk it up to an my being an ‘eager beaver’ lost in translation.

Later on (I should have known better then) I was sharing with another gentlemen & asked, “Have you ever been saved?” His response was, “Yes, I have. I was sailing on the Adriatic Sea with my wife when our boat sank. We were adrift a day & someone came along & saved us.” Now, while I was happy to hear of his rescue, I had something a little more eternal in mind.

I minister to people about every day who are floundering in life. We all are trapped in a hurting sinful world. Just like them, I need to be saved, if from nothing more than myself! I’m truly thankful God doesn’t wait around for me to simply try & ‘straighten up’ or get my ‘religious act together’. He reaches down to me where I am.

As I shared, my family & church family are going through an ‘evangelical’ Advent. The scriptures this week are a wonderful reminder of why Jesus came in the first place. The bible says it this way,“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5: 6-8 NIV.

Again, bear in mind that I’ve been studying the bible for a bazillion years it seems, but God sometimes still has to tap me up side the head & point out the obvious. It says, “God demonstrates”. That’s ongoing! He’s still showing & reaching out to us!! Jesus came down & died long ago but He STILL reaches into our death & depravity to clean us up & make us usable.

An angel spoke to an unsure young man named Joseph to help him see the picture that God was about to make sense out of an unbelievable, hopeless situation & change the entire world! He said, “She (Mary) will give birth to a Son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 NIV.

Well, there you have it. Jesus came to save us. I surely need saving. Begs the question, “have you ever been saved?” I’m not talking about from the Adriatic Sea either!

www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.

Also Dave Jackson on facebook

Dave’s Desk –blogspot- http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com/

ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org

Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org

cell 870-217-9376

-Prince of Peace -

Folks in monarchies know what a prince is. Our culture, not so much. A Prince is the son of a King (you know that from fairy tales, right?). Webster defines a prince as “a son of the sovereign.” A prince has all the rights, authority, & privilege that royalty brings. He may often be sent as a messenger or ambassador representing the King. He would bring the word or message of the King.

Why the tedious definition of monarchy? Well, at Christmas, particularly, we talk of Jesus being the “Prince of Peace.” Look around. See much peace? Would appear a hollow title except for this: Jesus came to bring peace of the heart! There will not be a total peace in this life. He came to bring a peace of the heart even in the midst of crisis. There’s the other rub. Our definition of peace is usually ‘freedom from problems or disturbances.’ A more divine definition is ‘a tranquil heart or calm even in adversity’.

Across the globe is endless fighting. Fights in homes & families make up much of communication in our society. Gone are the days when we left our houses & cars unlocked with little fear of vandals or thieves.

So, where in all this chaos is this “Prince of Peace?” Is it just a pipe dream or mushy talk for Christmas time & seasonal sentimentality? Your life may be a war zone right now. Where is peace in all that?

Again, we have to revisit the whole idea of why God sent His Son to us. Jesus was the King coming to earth: Royalty among us. We are doing ‘Advent” now in our family devotions, as well as in our church worship. Now, Baptist don’t typically do ‘liturgy’ of prayers & candle-lighting. I felt we needed a reminder of how the world anticipated the coming of the “Prince of Peace.” He came! We now anticipate His bringing peace to our hearts. We look forward in anticipation to His return with lasting peace.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

I have no idea of the events of your life today, but please take a moment to remember why Jesus came. He came not to simply bring a temporary cease fire, but rather a peace of the heart even in adversity. Love to tell you more about the greatest gift to man.


www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Cell: 870-217-9376 Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com