Hallelu Yah!

I recently received a link to this video of a "Random Act of Culture," as they called it, that happened at Macy's in Pennsylvania. 

Besides the many voices joining spontaneously in song (a small glimpse of heaven), I love the frame where the people stood as the Hallelujah chorus began. 

History states that at the first performance of Handel's Messiah in London (1743), King George II rose to his feet when the Hallelujah chorus was sung and, of course, the whole audience joined him. Since then, it is tradition for an audience to stand during this chorus. 

Scholars speculate as to why the King stood. Regardless of his motivation, his act is a illustration of Truth—Yeshua (Jesus) is King of kings and Lord of lords. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Yeshua  as Lord. Those who choose to do so now are filled with joy. Those unwilling to submit now will one day do so trembling with fear at the wonder of His presence and the judgment they have earned.

Hallelujah literally means "Praise Yah" or "Praise Yahweh." The song is a quote from Revelation 11:15, 19:6 and 19:16. 

Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Hallelujah!

This Christmas remember—although His birth was humble, He is great and His return will be fearful for those who reject Him. 

Religion is useless. Only a relationship with God our Creator, through Yeshua our Saviour, will mean anything when this world passes away.

Praise Yeshua with your words, with your life, in your relationships, and in the small details of the mundane day or the busy holiday. Share Him with your family and friends. He is the only gift worth giving.

Counterfeit Goods

We live in a world of counterfeits and generics. Sometimes these are as good (or better, if you consider price) than the original. Sometimes you pay more in the long run by cutting corners.


In the spiritual realm, a good counterfeit does not exist.

James, in chapter one verse twelve, encourages the Christians, to whom he is writing, to perserve and endure the trials they face because of the reward God has promised...a crown of life.

The very next paragraph, James warns them against accusing God of tempting them to sin. He states emphatically that God neither tempts nor is tempted by sin. But we, as humans, are tempted and dragged away by our desires.

The next paragraph again James seems to change topics as he reminds them that good gifts come down from an unchanging God.

These paragraphs may seem unrelated until you pick up the common thread: what is the gift we should desire?

In a world where believers could lose everything for their faith, it must have seemed especially tempting to take the easy road sometimes, to give in. Grief and trouble greeted them; discouragement whispered in their ear. If they could reach for something to give them relief, maybe they should take it as a sign that it is what God wanted for them.

James said, no. They should endure the pain, the hardships, the loss because the gift ahead of them would be far better than anything they could imagine. He reminds them that the counterfeit good, that shines so brightly before tired eyes, is not from God and, therefore, will reap pain without reward.

The same is true for us. So often impatience makes us attempt to find our own good for our life. If God hasn't brought us a spouse, maybe dating an unbeliever or giving in before marriage seems acceptable. If God doesn't provide an abundance of money, maybe we need to find a way to provide it for ourselves. If God doesn't give us a home, a car, nice things that we think will make us happy, we just put it on credit.

The result? Baggage, heart ache, debit, regret...

Every good and perfect gift comes from above. If God does not provide it, we need blind trust to wait on Him. Either He will or, for reasons our 3 lbs of brain can't comprehend, it is not good and perfect for us.

If you've blown it, He can use and will forgive you when you turn back to Him. But when it comes to following God, cutting corners can kill you...or at least destroy the good and perfect plan He has for your life.

Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:16-17)

Wait for His good and perfect gift. Don't settle for counterfeit goods.

Magical: Mysteriously Enchanting

What is it about childhood that makes this time of year so magical?

While I was growing up, from '77 to '84 we lived in Minnesota. For me, those are my favourite memories of Christmas. We have a large family. In MN, all the family was together. This spelled lots of laughter, as my older siblings are some of the funniest people I know.

Around this time, we'd assemble our fake Christmas tree. It may not seem magical to you, but as a family activity, it was one of the best.

Christmas morning, my parents made a rule that Kevin would get up first and make the fire (that kept us from waking my parents too early). When it was going, he'd come up to get me (I remember laying awake listening for his footsteps coming up the stairs), and we'd sit before our stockings (me peeking, but Kevin much more disciplined). At a set time, 7:00, I believe, we'd wake Mom and Dad and, eventually, the rest of the family.

Mom always made fresh sticky buns for Christmas morning, and, later in the day, Dad made the egg nog. We'd open our presents. And an aunt, uncle, and cousins would come for dinner. There was snow, Christmas carols, and lighted services at church. The atmosphere smiled around you.

There was a suspense building up to Christmas day that went far beyond the gifts.

Jesus understood the ingrained mystery that children accept about Him, but we, who have to have all the answers, often miss.

"But when Jesus saw [His disciples turning the children away], he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.' And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them." (Mark 10:14-16)

Jesus- mystery in the flesh, God made man; Immanuel, God with us!

Scholars in ancient times understood many things about the prophecies of Jesus coming, but they also confused details of the Messiah's coming, so much so that they missed it. Even the disciples, with Him everyday, misunderstood numerous teaching of Jesus until after His resurrection.

Scripture clearly teaches essential truths that we can know about our Messiah. However, much mystery still enshrouds our Saviour; mystery which excites expectation of things yet unseen. Our hope!

My wish for all of us this Christmas is that we may return to the joy of God sending the long-promised Messiah, and that we may also embrace the mystery of our Lord and return to the magic of Christmas.