Author Archives: Bill Dalgetty

Light, Salvation and Peace

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candleLight, salvation and peace were to accompany the coming of Jesus, according to Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, Simeon, and the angels appearing to the shepherds.

Light

Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, after proclaiming that John would be called “prophet of the most high,” said “the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death.”  Simeon, who was in the temple at the presentation of Jesus by Mary and Joseph, declared that Jesus would be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles,” echoing the words of Isaiah.

Salvation

Zechariah said that John, in preparing the way for Jesus, would give people “the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.”   Simeon said, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation.” Centuries earlier Jeremiah predicted that God would make a new covenant involving the forgiveness of sins, “For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.”   On the evening of Jesus’ birth, the angels declared to the shepherds, “Today in the City of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.”  And, the very name of Jesus means, “The Lord saves.”  

Peace

The angels also declared, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  Isaiah called him the “Prince of Peace.”

In the cosmic battle of good versus evil, and God versus Satan, God moves in an entirely unexpected way in becoming one of his created in the person of Jesus, to lead his human creation back from destruction and death, to life and God’s presence.  

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day never expected God to act in this way.  A king would never be born in a cave in the presence of animals with a feeding trough for a crib.  The innkeeper who turned Joseph away certainly did not recognize that he was denying a room to the “King of Kings” and the “Lord of Lords.”

The coming of Jesus brings us the light of his revelation and truth to overcome the darkness and errant ways of the world.  He brings us salvation through the forgiveness of sins.  He brings us the peace that passes all understanding if we trust in his care and provision.

On the eve of the celebration of his birth, the world slows down, his peace descends, “all is calm; all is bright.”  The Holy Spirit brings quiet; the night is silent.  Goodness (God) prevails.  

 

 

 

An Important Announcement

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If you had an important announcement, how would you go about it? 

In today’s world we would likely hold a press conference at a noteworthy location such as the nation’s capitol, with various news reporters and TV networks beaming the message across the land, coupled with postings on all of the internet social media.

God took an entirely different approach in announcing that he would become one of us in the person of his son, Jesus.  First, he speaks through the prophets in sometimes obscure ways hundreds of years in advance to people who could not possibly be alive when the event takes place.  Next he takes a more direct, but very private approach, by sending angels to speak personally to Mary, Zechariah and Joseph. 

On the day of the grand event – the birth of his son, Jesus – he sends a group of angels not to the temple in Jerusalem to speak with the leaders of the Jewish faith, but to a group of obscure shepherds in the remote hills outside of the small village of Bethlehem.   The angels announce that today a savior who is the Messiah and Lord has been born in Bethlehem for all people.  While Luke reports that the shepherds made known the message they were given by the angels and “all who heard it were amazed,” the number of people who heard this news from these unlikely heralds had to be minimal.

Any reputable public relations firm in our day would consider all of this a complete communications failure. 

But God was not done.  He still had John the Baptist.  Still, John’s initial effort was not so much involved with announcing the coming of Jesus as it was in preparing people’s hearts for the coming of Jesus.  He was calling people to repent of their sin.  Instead of John going to where the people were, he went out to the desert along the Jordan River and the people came to him.  Mark reports, “People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.” (Mark 1:5)

Think of how powerful the Spirit of God must have been working in John to cause people to make the strenuous journey, walking for a day or more over rugged roads from Jerusalem and other parts of Judea to the Jordan River! Then, after they got there, he asked them to confess their sins and be immersed in the river.  Even the Pharisees and Sadducees made the trip.  What a revival it must have been!

God tells us, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” (Is.55:8)  We see a foretaste of the power of Holy Spirit working in John which he says Jesus will pass on to us.  “I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Mt. 3:11)

Come Lord Jesus!  Come Holy Spirit!  

“Your Prayer Has Been Heard”

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zechariahImagine praying for something for many years and then being visited by an angel telling you that God has heard your prayer!   

That is what happened to a Jewish priest by the name of Zechariah, as he went into the temple sanctuary to burn incense.  Why did God send an angel to tell Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, that they were going to have a son in their old age?  Why not just let events unfold?

Perhaps to prepare their hearts and minds for something extraordinary – that a woman, long past child bearing age would give birth to a son, and that this son would be John the Baptist, destined to prepare the way for the coming of God’s son on earth.

I have always related to this story in a small way ever since the birth of our son following an eleven year gap from the birth of three daughters earlier on in our marriage.  It was by no means a miracle birth since we were still in our early 40’s, but it was a huge blessing to my wife and me, along with our three daughters.

We took on Gabriel’s words to Zechariah as our own, “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice in his birth.” (Luke 1:14)  This was certainly true for our family and close friends.  We named him Stephen after Stephen in Acts 7.  Our joy in Stephen’s birth did not diminish our joy and love for our three daughters, but in fact enhanced our overall joy for our family as a whole and what God was doing in our lives – even adding a fourth daughter a couple of years later with special needs but lots of blessings.

For Zechariah and Elizabeth, God was indeed answering a long term prayer request for a son, but it was also to accomplish a purpose much larger than their initial request may have intended.  

Who can know the mind of God?  He often has a purpose in response to our prayers that reaches far beyond our intended request.  Today, our first three daughters and son are all raising families of their own – bringing life to thirteen children created in the image and likeness of God, being raised in Christian traditions and ways.  Who can imagine how God will use these parents and their children to further his will and purpose in the years to come?  

“For it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose.”  (Phil. 2:13)

Oh, the wonder of falling into the will of the living God!  

“Love Remains”

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e05a5527e0b416c53c47620c731f931cDo our actions have lasting effect?

Our daily lives are filled with many actions.  Most of them affect the current moment, some may affect the future for a certain period of time, but few remain long term or have an eternal effect.

We get up each morning, shower, brush our teeth, comb our hair, eat breakfast, go to work, break for lunch, come home in the evening, have dinner, read the paper, watch the news, help our kids with their homework, attend an evening meeting for some civic or church related purpose, watch some television and go to bed with the expectation of restarting a similar cycle the next morning.   On the weekend, our actions may vary to include some household chores, taking children to sporting or school activities, going to church and engaging in some relaxing entertainment.

In the course of all of these many actions which are here today and gone tomorrow, we will have the opportunity to love and serve others. 

St. Paul has a glorious insight in his first letter to the Corinthians when talking about proper worship and use of the spiritual gifts in chapters 11-13.  After describing the various spiritual gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophesy and tongues, and how they build up the church, he declares that none of them are as important as love.  He then proceeds to give a beautiful definition of love and concludes that all of these other actions will at some point pass away, but love will remain.

He says, “Love never fails.”  Acts of love never die.  They have a lasting quality.  They are remembered and extend into eternity.  

The committed love of a married man and woman that result in children being born in the image and likeness of God with eternal souls; the loving care of those children into faith-filled adults; the encouraging word to a work colleague being harassed by a boss; assisting a disabled person in crossing the street; showing generosity to a homeless person or friend in need; forgiving a loved one who has wronged you – all of these acts of love have a life beyond their occurrence.  They have a ripple effect that just keep moving outward in infinite 360 degree rings, often having impact and begetting acts of love by others that we will never know about.  

How ironic that God in his love and mercy forgets repented sin, but remembers acts of love forever! 

We strive for meaning and purpose in our lives.  We seek achievement and recognition in our work and professions.  All of these actions may be worthwhile for they further God’s assignment that we “work and take care of the garden” of his creation. (Genesis 2:15) Yet, in time the fruit of that work will eventually pass.

However, the acts of love taking place in the course of those achievements and in the context of all the other actions that make up our daily lives will not pass, but will remain in the annuls of God’s kingdom.

These actions of love and our souls will last beyond the current season.

Mysteries Revealed

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Is God a mystery to you?    the-creation-of-adam

At the last supper, Phillip asked Jesus to “show us the Father.  Jesus answered, ‘Don’t you know me Phillip, even after I have been among you such a long time.  Anyone who as seen me has seen the Father.  Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” (John 14:9, 11)

St. Paul says that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”  He goes on to say that God was pleased to have his fullness dwell in Jesus, and through Jesus to reconcile to himself all things on earth and in heaven through Jesus’ blood shed on the cross. (Col. 1: 15-20)

John confirms this in his gospel when he says, “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side [Jesus] has made him known.” (John 1:18)

God is not this obscure, remote presence, hanging out in the clouds.  He is a person, made known to us in the human person of Jesus at a given time and place in history.  He is God’s presence in both the physical and in the spirit.  We therefore can see God in Jesus — in Jesus’ words and actions and through the Holy Spirit. 

Paul reveals one additional mystery that he says has been hidden for ages and generations. He says this mystery “is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:26-27)

So, we can see God in the person of Jesus.  When we accept this as fact and love him, acknowledge him, and obey his commands, Jesus and the Father come and make their home in us. (John 14:23)

The result: Christ is in us!  We can be and bring his presence to the people and circumstances in our lives! 

When we take time to listen to a loved one or a work colleague and offer encouragement or assistance, we are being Christ to that person.  When we refuse to shade the truth for economic advantage or career advancement, we are being Christ by bringing truth and integrity to the situation.  When we are generous with our time, talents and resources with the less fortunate, we are being Christ in our communities. When we are doing our best in our work, we are being Christ in the workplace.  Let me share an actual example from Hope for the Workplace – Christ in You. (p. 80)

The office manager of Jack’s insurance brokerage firm, Ginny, was no longer able to speak clearly after having surgery for cancer of the tongue.  She asked Jack if she would be let go because of her inability to talk with customers, which was one of the most important parts of her job.  She only had a year until her retirement.  Jack took the time to personally call over eighty of his customers to let them know of Ginny’s condition and ask if they could work with her under the circumstances and pray for her as well.  Cards, letters, flowers and gifts started pouring into Jack’s office.  As a result of Jack’s love and extraordinary efforts, Ginny was able to work until her retirement.  

When we follow Jesus’ example of love and sacrifice, we are revealing the mystery of who God is and his plan for us to bring his presence to bear on a world in desperate need of his grace.

“Do Not Be Afraid”

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How much does fear drive your decisions? a7d73ba0293be4532f8852ba9f84b465

When God called Jeremiah as a prophet, Jeremiah resisted saying that he did not know how to speak and that he was too young.  The Lord responded, “Do not be afraid…for I am with you.” (Jer. 1:8)

Throughout scripture God tells people not to be afraid.  In Genesis, he tells Isaac not to be afraid of King Abimelech and the Philistines.  (Gen. 26:24)  Moses tells Joshua and the people to be e strong and courageous and not to be afraid of the people they will encounter when they cross the Jordan River.  (Deut. 31:6)  As Jesus sends out his disciples to heal, cast out demons and proclaim the kingdom of God, he tells them not to be afraid. (Mt. 10:26) When angels appear to Zachariah, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds in connection with Jesus’ birth, their first words are, “Do not to be afraid.” (Luke 1 and 2) Among Jesus’ last words to the disciples were, “Do let your hearts be troubled, do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

For God to place this much emphasis on overcoming our fears suggests that fear plays a significant role in whether we live by faith and make daily decisions in accordance with God’s will and purpose.

While fear is an emotion that is part of our human nature to protect us against threats to our safety, it can negatively impact us in many ways when carried to excess.  Examples include fear of rejection and what others may think; fear of being humiliated and corrected; fear of failure and defeat; fear of change and the future; and fear of physical harm and death, to name a few.

Fear can keep us from doing the things we should be doing, cause us to worry unnecessarily about outcomes, and even get us off track in fulfilling God’s will in various areas of our lives.

A couple of years ago, I felt a nudge from the Lord to volunteer with the Chaplain’s office at the local county jail.  After completing the training, I must confess that I was somewhat fearful and intimidated by the structure, discipline and strict procedures of the jail environment.  Even the sound of the heavy steel doors clanging behind me was intimidating.

After encountering the inmates, however, I came to realize that there was not that much difference between them and me.  We are each created by God in his image and likeness, and loved by him in the same way.  God has given me a love for these men.   

I hurt for them.  I desire for them to come into relationship with Jesus and be blessed by his presence in their lives.  This love for them has overcome my fear.  “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love casts out fear.”  (1 John 4:18)

Trusting in God and his love for us is the antidote to fear.  “The Lord is my light and salvation – whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1)

Paradise for a Thief and Us

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“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise,” declared Jesus to the good thief. 68caea1a15b163e16f69b9402150ae03(Luke 23: 43)  Quite a remarkable promise to the thief, and quite an extraordinary implied promise to us!   

While nearly all who stood by and watched the crucifixion of Jesus were ridiculing, mocking and challenging him, only the good thief acknowledged who Jesus was, came to his defense and asked to be remembered in his kingdom.  Church tradition tells us his name was Dismas.

The passers-by hurled abuse at Jesus.  The rulers and soldiers sneered at him saying, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one.”  Even the other thief said, “Are you not the Messiah?  Save yourself and us.” (vs. 35, 39)

Out of this harangue and overcoming the difficulty of speaking while hanging from a cross, Dismas chastises the other thief, “Have you no fear of God?  We have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” (vs. 40-41) Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen in his book, Life of Christ, observes that this was the only word spoken to the cross that was not a reproach.  “The conduct of everyone around the Cross was the negation of the very faith the good thief manifested; yet he believed when others disbelieved.” 

If a thief, who right before he dies repents of his sins, acknowledges Jesus as Lord, comes to his defense and asks to be remembered in Jesus’ kingdom, is promised paradise that very day, how much more should we rejoice in this same promise if we are daily repenting of our sins and acknowledging Jesus as Lord in our words and actions! 

Jesus’ promise is that we will be with him when we die.  This is our destiny.  

As a child, I always remembered a story shared by my mother who was in serious auto accident when she was 24.  Her skull was fractured in several places.  She said that while she laid unconscious on the gurney in the emergency room, she had an out-of-body experience.  She was looking down on her body as the doctors were discussing her condition.  She heard them say that they did not expect her to live, and if she did, she would be blind.  She then saw herself walking up a stairway to a very bright light.  As she proceeded up the stairway, she realized that she was alone and that my dad was not with her.  She said, “Where is Larry (my dad)?  I can’t go without him.”  Days later she regained consciousness and later recovered from her injuries.  While she didn’t become blind, her vision was impaired for the rest of her life.

Like many near death experiences that have been written about in recent years, she was approaching the light of Christ.  Fifty-three years later she reached her destination.

“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise!”

 

Humility Trumps Good Works

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Did Jesus have a heart for tax collectors?

You might think so.  He called Levi (Matthew) from his tax collector’s booth to be one of his disciples.  Later he had dinner with a number of Matthew’s tax collector friends to the consternation of the Jewish religious leaders.  As he was entering Jericho, he saw Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector for the area, and invited himself to stay at Zacchaeus’ house that day, which led to Zacchaeus finding salvation and giving half his wealth to the poor.

The Jews despised tax collectors for they were considered traitors, serving as agents for the Romans in collecting their taxes.  Jesus used this antipathy by the Jews to drive home a point in a parable with message that humility was more important than sacrifice.

It’s a great parable – about prayer, self-righteousness, humility, and justification.  Two men go up to the temple to pray: a Pharisee and a tax collector.  The Pharisee talks about himself, thanking God that he is not like other sinful men and the tax collector.  The tax collector simply bows his head, beats his breast and says, “God have mercy on me a sinner.” 

Jesus said that in contrast to the Pharisee, the tax collector went home justified before God.  “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

This parable challenges we Christians who attend church every Sunday, generally follow the rules, don’t regularly commit significant sins and lead a fairly decent life.  Like the Pharisee, it is so easy to let our pride sneak in and become self-righteous, justifying ourselves by comparing our actions to the apparent sinful ways of others.  

I say to myself that I don’t steal from others nor do them physical harm.  I don’t commit sexual sins. But yet, right below the surface is my tendency to be critical and judgmental of others, get angry over some personal slight, and seek recognition for my self-perceived accomplishments.

Jesus asks us, “Where is your heart?” When we lose sight of our dependence on God and grow proud of our accomplishments, we become like the Pharisee.  We stumble in our journey toward God and open ourselves to the very conduct we proudly claim we are avoiding. 

Even St. Paul had to acknowledge the sinful nature that hovers right outside our daily lives when he said, “For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” (Rom. 7:19)

Only by acknowledging our tendency toward our sinful nature, are we able to maintain a humility that recognizes our dependency on staying close to God and receiving his grace.

The Alpha and the Omega

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How do we come to know God? jesus-dsc_0461-2

In John 6:43 Jesus says, “No one comes to me unless the Father draws him.”  And then later he says, “No one comes to the Father except through me.”  (John 14:6)

It all sounds a bit circular, but Jesus is saying that our salvation begins and ends with the Father, and Jesus is but the means to assist us in completing the journey.  What a perfectly obedient son he is to the Father, showing us the way, the truth and the life in returning us to the one who created each of us in the first place.

Whether we return to God, our creator depends not only on God’s grace, but also on our choice to accept the means he has provided, mainly Jesus.   

The Father is the alpha and the omega.  Everything starts with him and everything ends with him.  He is the source of our creation.  He is the point from which we begin our journey of existence and life, and he is the intended destination of our journey.  He created our inner being before our physical being was born.  He gives us a life to live and a free will to choose whether our destination will involve returning to him for eternity or being separated from him for eternity.

Gospel singer Andre Crouch recorded a song many years ago with a chorus that reads:

“Jesus is the answer,

For the world today.

Above him there’s no other.

He’s the only way.”

Jesus says: “Learn from me.” (Mt. 11:29)  “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15)  “Don’t be afraid.” (Mt. 17:7)  “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Mt. 5:8)  “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  Mt.  4 :19)   “Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4, 5)  “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23)  “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Mt. 28: 20)

The Father is the source for all that exists, including we who are made in his image and likeness.  Jesus is the way to the source, which is our intended destiny.  So simple, but yet so profound!

 

Needed: Workers for the Harvest

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Are you a worker for the harvest?

After describing how Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness, Matthew quotes Jesus as saying, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

What happens to a crop that is not harvested?  It lies in the field to rot or be eaten by birds and animals.  Its intended purpose is not fulfilled.  If a grain of wheat, for example, is not gathered and ground into flour to make bread, its purpose and destiny are never realized.

The same thing can happen with people if their hearts and souls do not embrace their creator and his purpose and destiny for their lives.  God said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jer. 1:5)

Like Jeremiah, God has created each of us as a unique human being, distinct from one another, with unique gifts and talents designed for us to carry out his specific will.  His destiny for each of us is that we would come to know him as our creator and choose to embrace him and follow his will.  If our heart and soul are not harvested for him, we will likely stray from our purpose and destiny.

Fortunately, there have been many harvesters in my life including my parents, a priest who guided me in my Catholic faith when I was a teenager, my wife whose example and words prompted me to go deeper in my relationship with God, and various Christian friends who have called me on to be more faithful and fervent in my walk.

The more important question is whether I have served as a harvester for others.  Hopefully, I have had an impact on my wife as she has on me and on my children as well.  Hopefully, I have acted on opportunities to talk or pray with friends or work colleagues as they have occurred over the years.

I am reminded of one incident many years ago when my secretary suggested that a women in our legal department talk to me about her intention to have an abortion.   I listened at length to all of the difficult circumstances she was facing.  I didn’t tell her what she should do, but commented that the baby she was carrying was a real person with little arms and legs to whom God had already assigned a soul.  I offered to pray with her, and we prayed that God would give her wisdom and courage in making her decision.  A couple of weeks later she came by to say that she was going to have the baby, and later she decided to raise the baby as a single mother.

While I don’t know if she was or became Christian, I do know she chose life for her son, and perhaps two souls were harvested for God.