THE HOLY PORTAL

“What did you get for Christmas?” That question is heard everywhere. Did you ever hear the response, “I received the gifts of Hope and Peace!?”

The first precious Christmas gift, given by God to all His children, was the Flame of Love who first stepped through the Holy Portal that leads to the Kingdom of God. Each follower can then place their feet in the prints of the Master, the Holy Guide. Before Jesus was born, there was no way to find the portal or to enter through the Heavenly gate. There had to be a “first traveler,” one who had the key to the kingdom beyond. The Son of God was He and He left the portal open for all of us to follow.

Why would anyone choose a gift of gold over a gift of peace, or power over grace? The gates of Heaven have been unlocked and we can enter when we follow the Lord. This is the day after Christmas. Did yesterday mean anything to us? Let today be the beginning of our new life in Christ, for now we have Hope and Peace! Let us pray:

“Dear Lord of my life, your name is more precious than anything we can ever imagine, because the things of Earth are not the place of your blessings. When you gave your name to your people, you said you are Yahweh, “I am who I am.” You are the Creator of everything that has life. Holy and amazing is your name! We pray for the courage to follow the Master, Jesus, the Christ Child. We ask Him to lead us through the veil that separates life from Life. We will walk in the footsteps of Jesus and come out on the other side, in the Kingdom of Heaven. Forgive us when we near the golden door and then turn away to follow lesser paths that lead nowhere. Lead us once more. Only you deserve our worship, Lord, not shinny things that glitter before us, but He who shines like stars in the darkness. We pray for your clearly marked path, in the name of Jesus, your son. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

RING THOSE CHRISTMAS BELLS!

LUKE 2: 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (NIV)

Today, all the bells in Heaven and in Christendom ring out the news, it is the birthday of the King, our Savior Jesus, the Messiah! What was written by the Apostles tells it all. It is ours to receive or to reject. My dear friends in Christ, please accept the marvelous gift of Salvation God has offered you through His son, Jesus. Glory be to God! Let us pray:

“Father God, it is your Holy day of joy and love! We kneel beside the humble manger of your son, the tiny baby, Jesus. He did not live in the palace we seek, or drive in luxury as we do, or store money in stone buildings rather than in the stomachs and hearts of those in need. All he ever did was show us your face and heart, God, and in so doing, he gave us life eternal! All he ever did . . . and what do we do? . . . very little. Forgive us Father when we so blindly see Christmas through the world’s eyes. May the candles of Advent and the Christ candle of today, shine your truth into our hearts that we may finally know the Christ of Christmas. May that awakened flame ignite the glowing love that never dies and only glows brighter when it is passed on to others. In the name of Jesus, your son, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

FAITH AND OBEDIENCE ON CHRISTMAS EVE (Advent 28)

LUKE 2: 4 So 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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (NIV)

Did you watch History Channel’s special on where and when Jesus was probably born? Those discussions are interesting to the left side of the brain’s logic centers. But, faith is not about logic; it’s about belief. Even the Queen’s Official Birthday does not fall on the actual date of her birth but we know she lives. Whether Jesus lived in Nazareth or Bethlehem and whether the shepherd’s were in the fields in one month or another is irrelevant to our belief in Christ Jesus. We know he was born into a family that was obedient to God. Joseph obeyed the law and took his espoused wife to the town of his heritage to be registered for tax. Mary obeyed the Lord God and conceived a child. The passage in Luke 2 is about obedience to God. But, there is no doubt about the birth of Jesus the Christ Child. The evidence is all around us. Two-thousand-years ago baby Jesus was born and the entire world changed! Let us be true to God (obedient) and see how our lives, our world, will change with faith and belief in Him. Let us pray:

“Father God, you sent your son Jesus Christ to earth so we might be freed from our human nature. Holy is He whose earthly father prepared a place for Mary to rest and give birth on this blessed Christmas Eve. The silent night was transformed into angel song and the sky burst forth with the light of a single star. We thank you for Christ, our savior, dear God. May this Holy Christmas Eve be the time we pause to hear the animals breathe, smell the freshness of manger hay, and see the miracle of Christ’s birth all around us. He brought forgiveness over revenge, benevolence over selfishness, and peace of soul over restless seeking. We bow before the Christmas Child who brought hope and redemption to the world. May we be an instrument of His peace and carrier of your infectious love, oh God. In the name of Jesus, the Christmas Child, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

HE LIVED IN HISTORY! (Advent 27)

LUKE 2: 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. (NIV)

Did you ever research your ancestry? My husband and I have. I think his great-great-grandfather must have dropped from a passing spaceship since we haven’t found a record of him. A man who attended a Professional C.E. Seminar I taught said, “I don’t know why people spend time tracing their genealogy. I’m Jewish. I know who my ancestors were. He knows because the People of Israel have a written history. Jesus, the Christ Child of Christmas, is part of that family genealogy, part of that history.

The birth of Christ is not a myth or a fable borrowed from an ancient religion. Jesus lived in a specific time, in a specific place, and was born of a family who had a covenant with the Living God—that they would be his people and he would be their God. If you can begin, in these last few days of Advent, to have a new understanding—Jesus was-what a Christmas blessing that will be! That may seem obvious to many, but to those who struggle with faith, that acceptance will be a miracle that will sooth and heal their soul. If you can find that faith, then you are on your way to believing—Jesus is and will continue to be. Step one in believing the miracles of Christ, is to believe—HE LIVED IN HISTORY! Let us pray:

“God of the ages and Lord of our life, we praise your holy name. Let this be the Christmas Season when many begin to open their eyes and their heart to know the simple fact—It is true! The miracle began with a baby in a lowly manger and has never ceased since that time when angles sang and the sky was brightened by a single star. We ask, during this day as we go about making preparations to celebrate the birth of your son, that your truth may shine through our eyes and touch the heart of one in doubt. Hallelujah the angels sang—“Praise Yah” (YHWH—which is your Holy Name). Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah—praise ye the Lord! It is true! It is true! We pray that we may be a blessing to others in the name of Jesus, your son, who was born, was crucified, rose again and lives! Amen.”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

STRONG IN SPIRIT (Advent 26)

LUKE 1: 80 And the child (John) grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel. (NIV)

Wouldn’t we like to say we’re becoming strong in spirit? Wouldn’t it be a blessing to say our children are becoming strong in the heart of the Lord? We need to look inside our own life and carve away everything that is not of the Spirit and what we have left is the strong spirit we long for.

“Easy for you to say, Doris,” some will mock.

Yes, it is much easier to say than to do. We cannot do it on our own. Let this Advent Season, this Holy Christmas, be the blessed time when we realize that only God within us, the Holy Spirit, can mold us around itself. The more we step out of the way and allow the Spirit to fill us and surround us, the fuller we will be. It isn’t a matter of doing, it is all about allowing. Let us pray:

“God in Heaven and Lord of our soul, we bow before you. This is the Christmas when we want the love of the Christ Child to fill our heart so that your kingdom may live within. Today, we willing let go of the fear that prevents us from giving in to you. We fear we will no longer be in control, or we fear you will not bless us with your indwelling spirit. Yet, that message has been told for thousands of years and still we ask if it is meant for us. Forgive us when we doubt—when we doubt you and ourselves. We don’t have to be attractive, of a certain age, a particular race, height, weight, or intellect. You have called to every one of us down through the ages. May your sweet voice be heard this Christmas Season, not only by us, but by the stranger and the enemy who dwells among us. Even the most hate-filled soul can turn to love-stuffed when Love is shared. In the name of your son Jesus, the Christ Child of the world, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

GUIDE OUR FEET (Advent 25)

LUKE 1: 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (NIV)

Zechariah was blessed by the very presence of the Lord God. All those many years ago, he told us, by the mercy of God, the sun will shine even on those who live in darkness and those who are gravely ill. Why?—in order to guide our feet along the path of peace. Peace in our time is what we all seek. Let God guide our steps this Advent Season and we will find the path that leads to peace. Let us pray:

“Father, Holy God, we recognize you as the only one who deserves praise and glory. May your kingdom come to live in our hearts so that you may guide us along paths that lead to peace. We thank you that your healing sun shines on all of us, even those who live in darkness away from you, and those who are so ill they are near death. If you did not shine your sun on those unfortunate ones, it would not shine on us either. The darkness of night is experienced by everyone. Forgive us when we think we need no leading—we are perfectly capably of navigating our own way through life. How foolish we are, that we would choose the lowlands over the lofty places of your dwelling. May we see the sun and let it guide us into the healing light that leads us home. In the name of your son Jesus, the Christ child, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

YOU, MY CHILD (Advent 24)

LUKE 1: 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins, (NIV)

Zechariah knew whom his son would become, a prophet and the one to prepare the people for the coming of the promised Messiah. Can you imagine—that you might know the future of your child? In Zechariah’s case, his son was to be a servant of The Most High.

What would your child’s life be like today if you were to rear them as cherished children of God who had important tasks to perform for our Heavenly Father? Did you know—they are chosen to complete a unique job for God? They are to be the one and only them that God intended for them to be. May this season of Hope and Promise be a time when we begin to cherish our children, our grandchildren and all little ones in our midst. Like the Christ Child, let Christmas come to each child this year—the Christmas of joy and hope and salvation. Let us pray:

“True and only Father Christmas, we bow before your holy name. May this be the year when everyone comes to know you as Daddy, Abba, whom Jesus revealed you to be. We ask you for eyes to see children in need, ears to hear their cries, and tongues to teach them the real meaning of Christmas, when Love and Forgiveness came to earth. Forgive us when we place our own agenda ahead of your plan. You must cry when we let your chosen sons or daughters slip through the ages because we did not tell them they were cherished and were called to be your servants in whatever way you design. May we fulfill our calling to be a conductor on the heavenly train that will carry all your dearly beloved along on their journey for you and to you. In the name of Jesus, your son, the Holy child the wise men sought, and whom wise men still seek, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

BELIEVE AND REMEMBER (Advent 23)

LUKE 1: 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—72 to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. (NIV)

Zechariah remembered. He remembered all the blessings and promises the Lord God had bestowed upon the Jewish people and those promises that were yet to come. He remembered. Yes, it was his “job” as a priest to rehearse and repeat the scriptures to the people. But, it seemed to be more than a job. There was reverence in his words and understanding and belief. Do you believe? Do you remember?

God had promised a messiah. He had promised salvation. Had he only promised it to those who lived thousands of years ago? What do you believe? What do you remember? The infant Jesus is not a myth. He is Life and Love that came to earth. He is the very Word of God made manifest. Do you believe? Do you remember? Christmas has nothing to do with presents, except those the Wise Men brought, and has everything to do with the songs the angels sang. Do those word ring in your heart as you go about your day? Do you believe? Do you remember?

For this season of Christmas joy, let us truly believe that God lives and that Jesus was that wee baby in Bethlehem just as the prophets foretold, and that salvation is really ours by the grace of God the Father. Do you believe? Do you remember? Let us pray:

“Holy Father, truth divine, dawn up this heart of mine. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I may learn of thee. I ask this day that I may remember all of your promises and that I believe them as a true believer in you and your son. Forgive me when I have forgotten any part of your truth. Let me remember to remember as I take your heart into a hurting and injured world. Holy Father, Love of mine, I choose to remember your promises. In the name of Jesus Christ, your holy son and our savior, I pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

BELIEVE AND REMEMBER (Advent 23)

LUKE 1: 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us—72 to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. (NIV)

Zechariah remembered. He remembered all the blessings and promises the Lord God had bestowed upon the Jewish people and those promises that were yet to come. He remembered. Yes, it was his “job” as a priest to rehearse and repeat the scriptures to the people. But, it seemed to be more than a job. There was reverence in his words and understanding and belief. Do you believe? Do you remember?

God had promised a messiah. He had promised salvation. Had he only promised it to those who lived thousands of years ago? What do you believe? What do you remember? The infant Jesus is not a myth. He is Life and Love that came to earth. He is the very Word of God made manifest. Do you believe? Do you remember? Christmas has nothing to do with presents, except those the Wise Men brought, and has everything to do with the songs the angels sang. Do those word ring in your heart as you go about your day? Do you believe? Do you remember?

For this season of Christmas joy, let us truly believe that God lives and that Jesus was that wee baby in Bethlehem just as the prophets foretold, and that salvation is really ours by the grace of God the Father. Do you believe? Do you remember? Let us pray:

“Holy Father, truth divine, dawn up this heart of mine. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I may learn of thee. I ask this day that I may remember all of your promises and that I believe them as a true believer in you and your son. Forgive me when I have forgotten any part of your truth. Let me remember to remember as I take your heart into a hurting and injured world. Holy Father, Love of mine, I choose to remember your promises. In the name of Jesus Christ, your holy son and our savior, I pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

PRAISE THE LORD (Advent 22)

LUKE 1: 67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. (NIV)

“You are the luckiest person in the world!” “Oh wow, am I ever glad I followed my hunch.” “I found a lucky penny today. Life should be great!” “I really worked hard. I deserve it.”

Is God the first one you thank for your blessings? Or, is luck the magical particle that makes things happen? Zechariah praised the Lord when his son John was named because he knew that it was the Lord who had bless him and Elizabeth. What do you know? What do you wish? What do people see when they observe your life: a thankful servant, or a self-serving, self-centered me-person? Let us give true thanks during this Christmas Season, for the great gifts of the Lord and the ultimate gift of his son. Let us pray:

“We love you Lord and we lift up your Holy name, for only you are worthy of praise. May your kingdom come to earth this Christmas so that your joy may finally be received by everyone. We live in a time when hate is trying to blot out the Love you sent to earth. We know that hate cannot win if true believers pass on the Love you shared with us. Sometimes we have tried to decide who deserves your Love. None of us do, so all of us do. We are not to choose, for if we do, the keeper at the gate to Heaven may begin to choose who can get in there too. Thank you for the wonderful gift of Love, embodied in the form of the tiny baby of Bethlehem. In the name of the Christ Child we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

A FEELING OF AWE (Advent 21)

LUKE 1: 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. (NIV)

Are you filled with awe at the works of God in your own life or have you learned to discount them? “Miracle? No . . . I’m sure science can explain it. Don’t tell anyone that God told you to do this or that. People will think you’re crazy.”

The list of reasons to dismiss the Lord could be longer, but it would never be greater than an enumeration of the blessings of God! God touches us every second of every day, but we choose to ignore His marvelous gifts. Like John the Baptist, what would we be if we accepted the glory of God in His whispers, His acts, and His works in our lives? For, if the Lord’s hand is with us, He can do marvelous things in our lives and in the lives of those we touch. Let us pray:

“Father God, you bent low to touch our lives more than two-thousand years ago. And, still you not only draw near to us, your Holy Spirit lives within us when we make our heart receptive to your visitation. We are filled with awe each day when we take the time to see your footsteps walking beside us and feel your love and grace within us. We ask that this Advent season be the year when we no longer plead for your coming but rejoice in your having come. For you are here, Father, you are here! Forgive us when we have not had the faith to recognize you in our lives. Sometimes we feel your miracle is not for us because we are unworthy of your smile, your whisper, your grace. Of course we are. Holiness cannot live in an imperfect life without destroying that life. Father, we willingly ask that all that we were, may be replaced by all that is you, so that we may become a piece of your plan for the world. In the name of Jesus, the infant of whom angels sang, your son and our redeemer, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

TRADITION AND INSPIRATION (Advent 20)

LUKE 1: 59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”
61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”
62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. (NIV)

“It’s never been done that way before.” Anyone who has been in the Church for very long has heard that pronouncement. Tradition rules over inspiration. Will we be ready to take the turn in the road that leads to the cause we were intended to serve? Or, will we plod along doing the same old thing, in the same old way, for the same old reason, and miss the glorious life you have for us as a part of your plan? Even Zechariah, a devout priest who followed the letter of the Jewish law down to the naming of his own long awaited son, turned his face toward the light of the living God, and he was set free from him affliction. Let us pray:

“Almighty God, holy is your name. We pray that we may make our home under the wing of your angels and that you make your home deep within our soul. We sometimes must choose between what has been expected of us and what you have inspired us to do. We usually want to please everyone. But, when we please others rather than you, we too are not fulfilled by the blessing you had intended us to receive. May we have the courage to follow along unfamiliar paths and be led by you through the dark valleys and up the bright mountains. Too often, we shuffle along, staring at the dirt beneath our feet. Forgive us when we fail to listen for the coo of the new baby under the star, or hear the songs of angels on the night air. Your music is all around us if we will step out of the mundane, the traditional, and into your inspiring glory. In the name of Jesus, whose birthday we honor, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

TRADITION AND INSPIRATION (Advent 20)

LUKE 1: 59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”
61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”
62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. (NIV)

“It’s never been done that way before.” Anyone who has been in the Church for very long has heard that pronouncement. Tradition rules over inspiration. Will we be ready to take the turn in the road that leads to the cause we were intended to serve? Or, will we plod along doing the same old thing, in the same old way, for the same old reason, and miss the glorious life you have for us as a part of your plan? Even Zechariah, a devout priest who followed the letter of the Jewish law down to the naming of his own long awaited son, turned his face toward the light of the living God, and he was set free from him affliction. Let us pray:

“Almighty God, holy is your name. We pray that we may make our home under the wing of your angels and that you make your home deep within our soul. We sometimes must choose between what has been expected of us and what you have inspired us to do. We usually want to please everyone. But, when we please others rather than you, we too are not fulfilled by the blessing you had intended us to receive. May we have the courage to follow along unfamiliar paths and be led by you through the dark valleys and up the bright mountains. Too often, we shuffle along, staring at the dirt beneath our feet. Forgive us when we fail to listen for the coo of the new baby under the star, or hear the songs of angels on the night air. Your music is all around us if we will step out of the mundane, the traditional, and into your inspiring glory. In the name of Jesus, whose birthday we honor, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

SHARE THE JOY (Advent 19)

LUKE 1: 57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. (NIV)

“I am so happy for you!” Do we say that often enough? Do we even think it? Are we truly excited when another is blessed, or do we try to one-up them with our own accomplishment?

When we share in the joy of another’s blessing, we enter into that blessing and are touched as well. I’m afraid I don’t understand selfishness. Add it up: If you share your joy with another and they pass that blessing along, in no time, you are surrounded by love and happiness, increasing your own experience several-fold. It’s a bless/bless situation! Let us pray:

“God of Heaven and Earth, we recognize your sovereignty over our lives. May your royal kingdom come and made us your humble residents. Father, during this blessed season, let us overflow with your abundant joy and love. Show us those who need encouragement and a healing touch. Increase our hearts by the measure of the love we lavish on others, so that we might bring You to those we meet. Forgive us when we have been stingy with the joy you bring us. It is not ours to hold onto. If we try to grasp it in our clutches, our pride of acquisition would only burn a hole in our generous nature. It must be shared. Lead us away from selfishness and toward the great and marvelous joy of giving. In the name of Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

CHRISTMAS LESSONS LEARNED (Advent 18)

Mary’s song continued . . .
LUKE 1: 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble. 53. He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.” 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. (NIV)

“Why do I never seem to have enough?” Enough time, enough money, enough appreciation, enough acceptance, enough love, enough Christmas presents under the tree. Some lessons are eternal. Why then does it take an eternity to learn them?

Over two-thousand years ago, Mary told of the glorious works of God. Those stories had been handed down over the ages through the scriptures and stories of the ancestors that went before her. And still, we do not learn the lessons so vital to our life. Let this be the first Christmas we read the great song of Mary, the Magnificat, and let the words change us. Let us believe the consequences for our behavior and our attitude. Let the Christmas lessons be learned. Let us pray:

“Mighty and great and Holy God, may this be the Christmas that you whisper through the sweet music and sparkle brighter than the shiniest tree, so that we might finally take in the lessons of Christmas. Let us not just hear of love and redemption and grace and hope, but let us learn lessons of pride, power, radical generosity, and your awesome steadfastness from generation to generation. Thank you Father for continuing to call to your people down through eons of time. This Christmas, may your message be heard, and not from far off, but heard with the ears of our heart and seen with the eyes of our soul. ‘Hallelujah,’ your angels sang, ‘Praise ye the Lord!’ For you found favor in your servant Mary and trusted her with the life and rearing of your son, our Lord. Hallelujah! May we be trustworthy with the things of Heaven that you give us. In the name of the dear baby who was and is, the Christ, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

OUR OWN MAGNIFICAT (Advent 17)

Mary’s Song
LUKE 1: 46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.

“Oh Elizabeth, stop talking such nonsense.” Is that how Mary responded to her cousin’s experience when she first came into Elizabeth’s home? No, Mary believed all the amazing, nearly impossible things she was told. She was going to be the mother of the long awaited Messiah and rather than scoff, she lifted up praises to God.

How well do we praise the Lord for his abundant blessings during this Advent season? Do we soar to meet God in the heavenly places or do we moan and whine about our circumstances? What is the sound of our Magnificat? Does our soul magnify, show even more clearly, the Lord God of the Universe?
Let us pray:

“Lord of all, Mighty One, holy is your name. We praise you Father for the jewels of joy you heap upon us. It would be impossible for there to be any small blessings when they all come from you. We ask nothing from you today, except the privilege of serving you. We are surrounded by those who cry, who grieve, who are lonely, who need you. Let us be your hands and feet and voice this Advent season. Let us Magnify you among your people and love them into wholeness. Forgive us when we want to focus on ourselves. We know there is no joy in that. Lead us into paths of service. Let every child we see be the Christ Child; let ever woman be Mary, let every dedicated husband and father be Joseph. In the name of Jesus, your son and our redeemer we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

NOT FOR SELF - BUT FOR THEE (Advent 16)

LUKE 1: 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (NIV)

“I am unworthy!” Can’t you hear Elizabeth say something like this? Today, the questions would more likely be, “Why wasn’t I chosen?” Or, “What do I get out of it?”

Can’t we lay “the me particle” aside this Season? Let us be more like Elizabeth during this Holy time. Take abundant joy in the blessing of others and what their shared touch by God will mean to all people. Let this Advent Season be a selfless time. Bury in your heart the sweet message, “It’s not about me.” In place of “me” put Love, for the first Christmas is the day Love came to earth. Rather than “solo,” remember that Christmas is the time when carols first began. Instead of “self” fill your heart with the thought that Christmas is when Life was reborn and a new hope began. Think not of “mine” but know that the birth of Christ is when salvation was made possible for everyone.

To firmly tether the meaning of Christmas to your heart, take a few minutes and write two or three statements about how the coming of the promised Messiah changed the whole world. Redefine the birth of Jesus; rethink what the world gained and lay aside your own personal expectations. Let Christmas come to everyone this year and let it begin with those whom we touch with a smile and a loving heart. Let us pray:

“Holy Father, you are more loving and pure than our finite minds can understand. You set the stars in place and still found it right that we should be gathered unto yourself. Holy is your name. We ask during this Advent Season that you touch our heart so clearly that the meaning of Christmas becomes truth for us. Forgive us when we think of ourselves first and put “me” in Merry rather than the Joy that Christ brought. Let a new thought overtake us, the new understanding that, for the joy that would lie before us, your son Jesus took the form of man and was born to bless the whole world. May we find joy in the realization that you blessed the whole world, and by your grace, you have even included us. In the name of Jesus, your son, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

A VISITATION (Advent 15)

LUKE: 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

Have you ever sang in Sunday services and felt a choir of angels joining you in song from the balcony? What a thrill to feel the brush of angel wings and hear the sweet tones of the celestial choir. Now, think how Elizabeth must have felt when her baby moved inside her at the sound of Mary’s voice. The experience was so profound she was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Don’t let the business of the Christmas season drown out the melodies, the music that you hear from the carolers and the choir that sings from above. The infant Jesus is the only reason for the music, the only source of the exquisite songs. You will be blessed when you stop and listen. Let us pray:

“Holy father of our Lord Jesus Christ, glorious is your name and the sound of your voice as it breathes through the wind and dances on the jingle of Christmas bells. We ask that Christmas may come to everyone this year, Father, not presents and Christmas cookies, but the hope and the promise of salvation. May we hear the song of angels as we walk through each day this Advent Season. Their song is all around us but it will only heal when it is listened for and reverberates in our heart. Forgive us when we put the world’s interpretation of Christmas before the awesome truth of your plan for your children, made possible by the birth of your son. We are so sorry that we forget to remember the glories of Christmas, when we choose the tinsel rather than the gold. We love you Lord and we want to hear your songs this Christmas season. In the name of your son, the Christmas Child, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

SIMPLY BELIEVE (Advent 14)

LUKE 1: 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (NIV)

Why do we make things so hard? Gabriel had spoken to Mary. Mary wondered about her part in God’s plan—not doubted it. So, it was settled. God said it; it was fact. How sure are you of the promises of God? What part do you play in God’s plan? Will you doubt your role, or accept it willingly? Will you believe, or will you choose to turn your back on God and His plan of salvation? Advent Season precedes Christmas. John the Baptist preceded the Messiah. Just think whom you might precede if you stand along the lighted path to heaven, each person passing on the blessed flame to light the heart of another! Let us pray”

“Awesome God, we bow in your presence, for where your spirit is, there you are also. We pray that your Holy Spirit may hover over us and make its home within us, so that we might bring your healing light to someone else. We know that we are not going to illuminate the whole world. That is Christ’s job. We simply hold a candle to light the space on the path that we are called to occupy. Thank you for trusting us with your flame. May we never let it blow out. In the name of the Christmas Child, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

WORDS OF GOD NEVER FAIL (Advent 13

Luke 1: 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” (NIV)

“Well, I don’t know God, that all sounds really preposterous. In my experience . . .”

We would live for eternity on the blessing of God speaking to us. Yet, when it happens, most of us apply logic to explain that which is Holy. When we accept the Lord and walk in His paths, we are like Him. But, my friends, God is not like us! He is Other and only by faith, and not by logic, can we accept the promises of God. You will not be able to sit down in your comfortable chair beside the beautiful Christmas tree with its glowing twinkle lights, and figure out, with logic, the words of God. We try to figure it out, so we are not disappointed by placing our belief in our own understanding of Him. Remember, as Luke said, “For no word from God will ever fail.”

“God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, you are too awesome to understand. How very foolish we are. How could our minds possibly wrap around the entire knowledge of God? We want control everything, even of you. For this folly, oh God, we ask your forgiveness. We ask that you give us faith that does not require understanding, only eager acceptance. Some would say that the events of Christmas never happened as reported. What believers do know, is that Jesus was born, he lived to teach, to heal, and to show the way to you. We know Jesus died and rose again to show us all that we can be released from our sins and be reconciled with you, God. Details are the arguing points of the world, not the testimony of believers. We can never thank you enough for your son, Jesus, who left the throne of Heaven to be born in humble circumstance, so that we might receive the Holy Spirit to increase our faith and council us from within. Today, we accept that your word will never fail. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

DO NOT BE AFRAID (Advent 12)

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

When Heaven touches earth from time to time and angels speak, they often assure the people by saying, “Do not be afraid.” Can you imagine how you would feel if Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, were to appear and start talking to you? Mary doesn’t question what Gabriel said to her, that she is favored by God, but she is troubled by why the angel would come to such a humble servant as herself. Would you deny the validity of Gabriel’s words, as Zechariah did, or would you, like Mary, be in fear and awe of the power and presence of the emissary of God? Let us pray:

“God of Heaven and earth, we stand in awe of your love, your power, and your grace. We have heard your name spit out and thrown to the ground like hail stones, until the holiness has been beaten out of it. For this grave disrespect we humbly ask your forgiveness. We cannot change the heart of another, but for ourselves, we will try to monitor the words that come from our own mouth. May we always be aware that our words can offend you as well as others. May we have the faith to recognize the angels in our midst and take to heart the message from you that they bring. We pray to have our fear removed and our reverence for you restored. In the name of Jesus, your sweet son, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

GABRIEL TOLD OF THE MESSIAH'S BIRTH (Advent 11)

LUKE 1: 26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

“Gabriel, fly off to Never-Never Land. It’s the first star to the right and straight on ‘til morning.” Today, people would more likely believe this pronouncement, than the account in Luke 1. We would rather believe in magic than the work of God in our everyday life!

“What would you do or think if the angel Gabriel came to you and said, “You are chosen by God and he will be with you? Would you immediately believe him or would you rationalize that you heard wrong or you weren’t well and therefore delusional? Perhaps you would say, “Okay guys, the joke is over.”

Do take note of the difference between the response of Zachariah to the conversation with Gabriel we read in verse 18, and the one between the angel and Mary. Do you believe God as he reveals himself along your way, or do you say, “Knock if off Harold?!” Let us pray:

“Father God, who chose the son of an old priest and the son of a young virgin to change the whole world, we bow in your precious presence. May you kingdom come so your will may come to reign in our lives, just as it is in Heaven. We ask for the courage to believe, the strength to sustain that belief when others challenge us, and the discernment to see your work in our lives and answer positively to your call when we waiver between belief and doubt. Forgive us when we have laughed at your calling, assuming you could not have meant us, because we doubt ourselves even more than we doubt you. Give us the faith of Mary to ask questions, but never doubt your presence. In the name of Jesus, the Holy Child of Bethlehem, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

SEEK THE SOURCE IN GOD (Advent 10)

LUKE 1: 23 When his (Zechariah’s) time of service was completed, he returned home.
24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

“I know the source of my great joy,” Elizabeth might have said. She certainly knew she was blessed and, if blessed, whom she would acknowledge and thank.

Funny, when things go wrong in our life we often blame God. “Why did God do this?” Or, “Why did he let that happen?” But, when our joy is fulfilled, we think it is luck, our own hard work, or whatever earthly cause we can imagine. Seek the true source of your blessings and call Him “Amazing . . . Wonderful Counselor . . . Almighty God.” Why would someone deny that God, the creator of the Universe, was working in their own life, making it awesome beyond words to express? Why would they prefer to say, “My life, oh it’s uneventful, the same old everyday stuff?” What if they could say, “My life? I walk each day with God and He blesses my every step? Let me tell you about the time . . . ” Let us pray:

“Almighty God, I lift up your name in praise. Please, let me walk with you as you lead the way forward. Let me begin today to see your hand working in my life so clearly that I find the soft, white feathers of angels’ wings along my path. Forgive me when I forget, or neglect, to give you the credit for all the blessings you lavish on me, from the perfect sunrise, to the radiant glow at the end of the day. Thank you for every precious moment of my life, Father God. In the name of Jesus, the Christ the shepherds sought, I pray. Amen.”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

SIGNS OF GLORY (ADVENT 9)

December 5, 2011
LUKE 1: 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

“I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” my husband, Bill, said as he poured a little water on our granddaughter’s head. Since she is only just shy of fifteen months old, she didn’t say much. While she wasn’t sure about her wet head, she loved her PapPap and liked it when he walked around the church and introduced her to the congregation. Then he took her up toward the altar where she pointed up at the large cross hanging on the wall. Her innocent face beamed as she looked up, then took her little finger and pointed from the cross to her heart as her PapPap had shown her a few months past. She was not able to speak, but the signs she made were her testimony of the presence of God in her young life.

“Oh come on, Doris,” some might say, “she’s just a baby.”

“Yes she is.” She is a baby who is learning to be loved, to give love, and to accept the love of God . . . and she already wears signs of glory on her face.

What telling expressions do we wear? Do we carry the worry of the world, the anger that’s buried within, or the fear that comes with mistrust, on the face we present to others? Or, like Zechariah, who had been told by the angel Gabriel that his son will be the one to precede the Christ, do others see signs that indicate we have seen visions, that we have brushed the face of God? Let us pray:

“Creator God, who brought to life all there is with your loving, mighty words, Holy is your name. We pray that your kingdom may come in your own time and that it may burst into our lives like the dawn of the Beginning. We ask that your love may be so clear in our lives that only that love is seen shining from our face. Consume us with the brilliance of your love, so that all that is not You may be burned away. Forgive us when we doubt, but more important than our needs, shield others from seeing our uncertainty so that they might not lose hope in You. Shine through us, father God, in truth and love. In the name of Jesus, the Christ Child we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

SILENT TESTIMONY (Advent 8)

LUKE 1: 18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

“God, are you sure you want to use me?” How many times have we asked that question, in a variety of ways? Perhaps what we are really saying is, “You have got to be kidding” One, we don’t believe in ourselves. Two, we really don’t want to do the thing God has asked of us. Three, we may only believe in God when he is “up there” and not “in here” . . . in our heart where faith lives. If we do not follow God’s leading, faithfully do what He has asked of us, and then tell all those around us about His work in our lives—our testimony, we too have a silent testimony, just like Zechariah. Another opportunity has been lost to give a first-hand account of the presence of Holy God. Let us pray:

“God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we bow before your Holy name. Let this be the day when we say ‘yes’ to you, so that we become part of your marvelous plan and not a stumbling block for others. Forgive us when we have not had the faith to believe, or the courage to bear witness to what you have done in our life. Take our lives and let us be yours, now and during this Holy season of Christ’s birth. In the name of Jesus, whose birth caused stars to shine in the night sky, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

SECOND FIDDLE (Advent 7 - Saturday)

LUKE 1: 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

“But he ate bugs!” To some children that is all they remember of John the Baptist. To the mature believer, we know who John was. He prepared the way for his cousin, Jesus the Christ.

Sometimes, that’s a problem for us. We want to be the main act, not the warm-up band. But, oh my friends, to be”one-degree” from God is a blessing beyond anything the world has to offer, and more than we can ever imagine in our finite mind. Service to God has no ranking order. Service is service. Will you not serve the Lord today in whatever way He directs? Let us pray:

“God of the universe, Creator of all that is Life, Holy is your name. May your kingdom come in our life this day. We ask you to give us any job you would choose, for we would rather scrub the floors under your table than not be invited to the banquet. Forgive us when we think we deserve recognition. Let only you be seen wherever we go. Give us our own unique task to do for you and let us remember there is no rank in the army of God. We ask all these things in the name of your son Jesus, the Christ Child. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

GREAT IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD (Advent 6)

LUKE 1: 14 He (Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son) will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.

“Would ya rather be great in the sight of the Lord or in the sight of man?” Most blame God for not giving them the desires of their corrupted heart. “If God won’t answer my prayer for prosperity, then I won’t believe any more.” These words are spoken in secret and are not heard by the world. But, they are clearly heard by God.

“Red Rover, Red Rover, send God right over?” No, God is usually they last one chosen to play on our team, when it was his team all along.

LUKE is saying, for us to have great joy and the delight of our heart, we should thank God for all He has given us. The world can give no greater gifts than the gifts of the heart that come only from God. Let us pray:

“Father God, I choose you first in my life. Like Elizabeth and Zechariah, your presence and blessing will be my great joy! Forgive me when I have chosen the bully rather than the strength of my life. For this I am ashamed. May I be your servant in this world, spreading your love and salvation and peace wherever I have been led by you. In the name of Jesus, the Child of the Christmas Star I pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

ARE YOU AFRAID?

LUKE 1: 11 “Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.” (NIV)

“Do not be afraid,” the angel told Zechariah. Would we fear an emissary from God? Too often, we have told God what to do for us, and we fear nothing, except the dread that he might not “grant our wishes.” Who is the servant in your life today . . . you or God? Let us pray:

“Holy Father, God, you only are worthy of awe. May your presence be felt this day, so clearly that we fear the intensity of your loving presence. Refine us and define us as your people, Dear Lord. Forgive us when we arrogantly give you orders, telling you how you should shape your plan, rather than waiting for you to use us as you would desire. May we walk in your presence this day and bring your peace and love to all those we encounter. In the name Jesus, who came to earth in the form of the infant Christmas child, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2011 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.