A Weekly Walk in the Word

1 Timothy 2:8  I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

Tomorrow we celebrate the life and achievements of the influential American civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. He shared his dream of equality and peace in America.

What is your dream?

Begin your Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on your knees in prayer. Lifting up your dreams for your life, your country and your world.

My dream is for peace and love.

Matthew 25:14-27  Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.” His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” The man with the two talents also came, “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.” His master replied, “Well, done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Then the man who had received the one talent came. “Master,” he said, ” I know that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See here is what belongs to you.” His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Our oldest son travels quite a bit for work, which allows him several hours of windshield time. He fills many of those hours listening to financial experts on talk radio. So, a year ago for Christmas he gifted each family member Dave Ramsey’s book The Total Money Makeover, a fifty dollar bill tucked in the cover, and a hand written challenge to invest the money wisely.

I failed. One year later, I found the crisp fifty dollar bill, untouched, tucked in the cover of my unread book. How could I have let such a thoughtful, generous gift go unused?

God has blessed us all with gifts and talents to be used. Don’t be like me or the third servant who tucked our blessings away for safe keeping. Use the gifts and talents God has given you. Don’t let another day pass without opening the book he has given you to learn how to wisely invest the gifts you have been given.

How will you answer when the master returns to settle accounts?

Luke 19:3-6  He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

Happy New Years Eve! What are your plans for the new year? Many of us will spend today reflecting on the past year as we welcome and plan for the new year, 2018.

Zacchaeus was in a tough spot. Because he was short and in a large crowd, he knew he would not be able to see Jesus when he came into town. Instead of sulking and complaining, Zacchaeus climbed high into a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus. And, because of Zacchaeus’ efforts, Jesus not only recognized the tax collector in the tree, they had dinner together at Zacchaeus’ house! What an incredible day for Zacchaeus.

As we begin a new year, how will you climb to new heights to catch a glimpse of Jesus? Step out of your comfort zone and remove all obsticals that stand in your way. I pray that your 2018 be filled with God sightings!

Matthew 1:18-2:12

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” – which means, “God with us.”  When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”  When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.  “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

” ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ “

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”  After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented  him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

I pray that on your journey,  you search and find life’s true treasure – Jesus.

Merry Christmas!

Luke 10:40-42  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”  “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

As we spend this next week preparing for Christmas celebrations, let’s not forget the reason we are celebrating. Slow down long enough not only to hear the Christmas music, but sing along with it. Share a sugar cookie and cup of coffee with the neighbor across the street. Purchase the extra gift for a child in need. Turn off the TV and read Luke 2 with your family.

How will you intentionally keep Christ in your Christmas preparations this year?

Matthew 2:9-11  After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were over joyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

How will you and your family celebrate the Jesus’ birth? Will you travel? What will you give Jesus this year?

Christmas is quickly approaching with so many things left to check off my “to do” list. If you are still searching for that perfect gift for under your tree, look no further. Help me to get young people excited about reading the Bible and taking the next step on their faith journey. I am offering my book Walking in the Word for just $14.99 per copy. Contact me today to get your signed copies as we walk through the New Testament together.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;

Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Malachi 4:2  But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.

The music played during advent may be my favorite part of preparing for Christ’s birth. On Thursday evening I had the privilege of attending the St. Olaf Christmas Festival with my family. To say it was amazing would be an understatement! The full orchestra played while 5 different conductors directed the over 400 student member choirs.  Everyone was on point. The concert began with an African American Spiritual Keep Your Lamps and ended with the choirs encircling the audience singing Beautiful Savior. The evening was truly a piece of heaven here on earth. If you are interested in hearing the concert, St. Olaf will present a live video stream on Sunday, December 3 at 3:00pm. Visit christmas.stolaf.edu for more information.

Do you have a favorite Christmas song? Is it a song you sang when you were young, or a new release from an artist you admire? Why is the song special to you?

Turn up the music this advent season while you prepare for Jesus to come!

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and Life to all, Christ brings!

Ris’n with healing in His wings!

2 Timothy 2:22  Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

I don’t know about you, but I found it difficult to relax with my family this year while  celebrating Thanksgiving because of all the Black Friday hype. It seemed to be everywhere. I am already so tired of the commercialism of Christmas….

It started with the breaking of the wishbone and making wishes for more things. Then moved to the shopping (which began at 11am on Thanksgiving this year). It all continued with bigger and better deals every hour. Black Friday rolled into Small Business Saturday into Cyber Monday.  When will enough be enough?

So, this year as the wishbone was broken in our home, I made a wish to make Christ the focus of Christmas as we pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.

Wishing you all peace this Christmas Season!

Ezekiel 35:26 – I will cause my people and their homes around my holy hill to be a blessing. And I will send showers, showers of blessings, which will come just when they are needed. 

How has God showered you with blessings this past year? Take time this Thanksgiving week to list them out. Name them one by one…… Which reminds me of the old hymn Count Your Blessings. The song was published in 1897, but is still relevant today.

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God has done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—money cannot buy
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
   Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
   Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
   Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Blessings from the Playter house to yours! When you surround yourself with those you love this holiday season, you are blessed.

Psalms 139:5-6  You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

I love the imagery found throughout the Psalms!

The quilt in the picture above is one that I was able to purchase this summer from a woman in her 80’s hand stitched by her great-grandmother. The fabrics date back to the 1860’s – 1890’s. Just think of the stories this quilt could tell….  After over 100 years of use, it is showing a little ware. The batting is coming out and the binding has let loose.

You hem me in – When my life starts unraveling and the ugly batting begins to come out, I find comfort knowing that God will hem me in. He lays his hand upon me and tells me it is going to be alright.

Now that the days are colder in Minnesota, I plan to use the period correct fabric I found to replace the binding on this quilt. With every stitch I make, I will be reminded of God’s hand at work in my life…. hemming me in!