SWADDLED

SPARGANOO

Wednesday, December 25, 2019



Luke 2:1-12 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.



  “Sparganoo” is the Greek text word for swaddling. “Swaddling” being a foreign word in our USA culture; seldom used in common conversation, and lacking in contemporary physical practice. It describes the Oriental Middle Eastern practice of using strips of cloth (sparganon) to bundle a baby.

  Friends Mark and Lordina Welch introduced Ann and I to both the word and practice.

  Years ago they rejoiced in the birth of their now adult precious daughter, Aiko. With great joy they arrived home with her from the hospital, soon finding her a very noisy little lady. All night noisy!

  As all we such experienced parents know, rested or not, you still must go to work the next day(s).

  Finally, in desperation they phoned their pediatrician. The good doctor not being one to jump for his prescription pad, he explained how the frazzled parents and child could enjoy improved sleep. “Wrap the baby snugly in cloth.” Aiko slept like a baby!

  So it was in practice when Jesus began His life, swaddled in cloth, confined in the body of man. He whom formed and maintains all that was, is, and ever will be; bound and limited. To this He agreed.

  So it was that Jesus ended His life; confined, nailed to a cross with all its limitations. To this He agreed.

  So it was that he was entombed; confined, tightly swaddled in grave clothes in a tomb sealed, secured and guarded by Roman soldiers around the clock. To this He agreed.

  And yet He was, as ever, truly free; glorious example and model for our living free while temporarily swaddled this side of heaven. (Please note I said “heaven”, not “eternity”, for truly individuals always live life or death everlasting.)

  Life’s sparganoo is present, but can in no way restrict our God given freedom (Jn.8:36), unless of course we reject, allow, or even embrace otherwise.  

EBB4

CHRISTMAS IMPOSITION?

CHRISTMAS IS AN IMPOSITION?

Tuesday, December 24, 2019



  Christmas provides spiritual focus for some. For others it provides spiritual distraction. One way is the light-it-up-shop-til’-you-drop disorder. Then there’s the escapist condition; wrapping oneself cozily in Christmas’ sentiment.

  What set me to thinking about this disorder was an article excerpt: “Democratic spokeswoman Harrell Kirstien accused Republican State Rep. David Bates of attempting to impose a “Bible belt social agenda” after video surfaced of Bates saying “the only hope for America” is to “turn from our wicked ways and ask god to heal our land” and “the problem we have here in this country and in all of our states is that we no longer fear god” at New England Solemn Assembly in Plymouth Massachusetts.”   (To read all: http://visiontoamerica.org/story/dems-attack-republican-legislator-for-being-a-christian.html )

  Now, before you think I’m turning DTs into a political forum, please understand I am not and will not do so. For me to do so would seriously distract, so let’s forget Democrats and Republicans for awhile. Plus, though it is representative of USA rights contention, I’m not zeroing in on freedom of speech issues.

  What I see here is two significant questions:

1.     Is it important to celebrate Christ’s birth?

2.     Is it important to, as His professed people, who are called by His name, to humble ourselves and pray, and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, so He will hear from Heaven and will forgive our sin and will heal our land? (2Chron.7:14)

  Which is the greater Christ-mas? (i.e. Christ-worship)

  Beware the cheap tinsel trap. 

EBB4

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Monday, December 23, 2019



   Exodus [MKJV] 15:26 And he said, If you will carefully listen to the voice of Jehovah your God, and will do that which is right in His sight, and will give ear to His commandments, and keep all His Laws, I will put none of these diseases upon you, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am Jehovah who heals you.

  John 14:15, 21 If you love Me, keep My commandments. … He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.

  John 15:10-12 If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. I have spoken these things to you so that My joy might remain in you and your joy might be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

  Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

  James 1:12-17 Blessed is the man who endures temptation, because having been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one being tempted say, I am tempted from God. For God is not tempted by evils, and He tempts no one. But each one is tempted by his lusts, being drawn away and seduced by them. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is fully formed, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning.



  Who is it that doesn’t like to receive gifts? Not I!

  The gifts we cherish the most of all is a tell-all about who and where we really are in this brief life sojourn ours. Jesus made this principle quite clear: “No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (MKJV Mt.6:24)

  Among God’s numerous perfect gifts are His commandments, all of them. Allowing our contrary feelings to influence us in opposition to His Word is to seriously err from truly lovingly worshipping Him. (Rom.12:1-3)

  This love-life scenario may even include affectionate gift(s) that He alone can and has given us if we are above and beyond cherished material blessings. For example, consider the Ephesians as recorded in Revelation 2:1-5. They, as is so with all of God’s children received gifts of ministry and service. (1Cor.12:1-31) As is so easy for us to do once we begin enjoying true eternal meaning in life, they slipped into loving ministry more than God.

  Knowing this truth, let us take care not to love His gift(s) more than The Giver. 

EBB4

CHRISTMAS DRUTHERS

CHRISTMAS DRUTHERS

Sunday, December 22, 2019



1Thessalonians 5:18-19 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Do not quench the Spirit.



  Being from a different country, Maryland, and cultural era, the GI Generation, folks don’t always understand my parlance. Consequently, after arriving in Nebraska I soon stopped using certain expressions lest I be thought to have webs between my toes.

  One such turn of phrase is “Now if I had my druthers …” meaning “If I had my preference …” (And it isn’t just some Southern idiom. It’s a real word. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/druthers )

  Bogged down in The Christmas Druthers Syndrome some folks will swamp 1Thessalonians gratitude.

  My Dad and Mom were hard workers. Married, starting a family and purchasing a home during the Great Depression era was no easy feat. Dad worked fulltime, and on the side drove cab, cut meat (self-taught) for local Jewish family corner grocery stores, delivered daily newspapers, ran a side business, and was on call to *pickup the deceased for a mortician. Mom worked on military plane radios at Bendix until WWII ended, waitressed banquets and painted and wallpapered (very popular then) then and after, and kept house.

  We lived carefully. Brother Jim and I each had a single pair of shoes at a time, sometimes worn with cereal box inner soles to cover a hole in leather sole and keep our socks from wearing out. (Worked fine except when it rained.)

  According to present day government agency standards we’d be considered living in poverty.

  We were not poor. Not because we were too dumb to know the difference or that many around lived just like us, but because we had everything that mattered, knew so, and were thankful for it!

  Did I have druthers then? Sure did. I would have liked second pair of shoes, hi-top sneakers like a very few of the other kids wore. I wished I did not to have to wear durable-wearing itchy wool trousers. But there were no druthers that overrode gratitude for extended family love and security.

  I’m thankful we were impressed in that long ago time to live gratefully instead of with attitude that throws a wet blanket on one’s spirit.

  I’m thankful that such Proverbs 22:6 childhood training prepared me for later financial times. (When Ann and I married we had neither electricity, plumbing, or central heat or AC.)

  Didn’t know the difference at the time, but oh my what a wonderful Christmas gift!

  Which would you druther have, the latest consumer items or a thankful heart?

EBB4



*This often involved downtown tenement buildings sans elevators. They would place the deceased in a large wicker basket with handles and carry down the narrow stairways to the hearse.

TO SERVE HIM ALL OUR DAYS

TO SERVE HIM ALL OUR DAYS

Friday, December 20, 2019



  Today’s title is the summation of commitment that Ann and I made together decades ago. Ann did so in many ways. I strive to continue. Central for both of us has been Romans 12:1-3 and 2Timothy 2:2, 15; to discern the truth of authentic worship, faith and practice pleasing our Lord; then passing the lessons on to others, doing so without jaundiced eye subjective to success or commendation, failure or denigration.

Admittedly Ann was my leader and, though departed 8+ years ago, still is example in these latter contrasts.

  I am not dying any more than any person, but now completely my 84^th year this side of heaven I am nearer departure than ever before. This awareness is not onus, but increasingly lightens me. In this I say, to serve Him all my days.

Edwin Bennett Bullock 4^th (EBB4)

THE ENDURING POWER OF MARY'S LAMB

The enduring power of Mary’s Lamb

POSTED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2015     (James P. Eckman is president emeritus of Grace University.)

  At Christmas, many in American culture still welcome manger scenes.

  We see them in churches, on front lawns and on Christmas cards. But in our increasingly secular, commercial and sexually liberated society, we keep the horizontal message of the manger but often eliminate the vertical message entirely. We like the shepherds and their lambs, but are uncomfortable with God, miracles and the incarnation.

  In short, the biblical world view about Christmas is rapidly losing market share to a more secular, materialistic one that is horizontally comfortable but vertically challenged.

So, just for a moment, let’s think biblically about the manger, about the shepherds’ lambs, and about the Lamb born that morning. Because the shepherds in the hills around Bethlehem obeyed the angelic directive (Luke 2:12), Jesus was no doubt born among lambs, which in the ancient world figuratively represented the virtues of gentleness, innocence and dependence.

But the biblical imagery surrounding the lamb goes far beyond these virtues. The lamb was also central to Jewish worship. Every day two lambs were sacrificed on the Temple altar in Jerusalem for the sins of the nation.

  The lamb was also central to the Passover, which symbolized both God’s protection and the redemption of His people from slavery in Egypt.

And it was central to Isaiah’s Suffering Servant (53:7), a Lamb who would die for His people.

To the Jewish people, the biblical image of the lamb was a reminder both of redemption and of freedom.

In the New Testament, when John the Baptist declared of Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), the lamb imagery took on a deeper redemptive significance.

Indeed, the New Testament further applies this redemptive theme to Jesus when Peter refers to Him as “a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19) and when Paul identifies Him as “our Passover Lamb” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

  However, of the 32 times “lamb” appears in the New Testament, 27 are in the book of Revelation, where “Lamb” is the primary title applied to Jesus. Here Jesus is the sovereign ruler, seated on the throne as the victorious warrior-lamb who deserves praise, worship and adoration. Hence Handel, in his majestic oratorio, “Messiah,” put Revelation 5:11-12 to music: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.”

  Jesus Christ, as the Lamb of God, not only provides redemption and freedom for sinful humanity; He also establishes God’s Kingdom on earth.

  For historic, biblical Christianity, then, the birth of Mary’s Little Lamb on Christmas morning marked a colossal watershed in human history.

  Rome ruled the Mediterranean world during a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. As they read Virgil and Ovid, Rome’s citizens knew their Caesar through his ubiquitous statues that permeated the Empire. But that arrogant, powerful empire exists today only in ruins — important only to archaeologists and historians.

But the Lamb of God, born in that backwater town of Bethlehem, is today embraced by nearly 2 billion people as their Lord and Savior — and He continues to offer hope and reconciliation to a broken world.

Because her Lamb was both fully human and fully God, He can sympathize, identify and empathize with those who suffer. Because her Lamb became the victim of monstrous evil at His crucifixion, He will one day vanquish evil from this planet when He returns.

  This is the biblical narrative of Mary’s Lamb, who was also the Lamb of God. For that reason, Christians associate her Lamb with vicarious suffering and victorious power. Jesus is the Lamb who changed the world!

I NEED HELP WITH ___________

I NEED HELP WITH __________

Wednesday, December 18, 2019



Luke 11:1-13; Romans 12:1-3



  The __________ in the title request is there because we individually have different areas of need. Areas that over time change, and so it was with the followers of Christ. We as followers of Christ are no different than those who traveled with Him those many centuries ago, they after several years of His instruction asking Him to teach them to pray.

  Please note that they did not ask Jesus to teach them how to pray, but to pray. However, as always with our Lord, in His response He taught them both and more. Jesus provided the who, what, where, when, why, and how with a number of important doctrines included.

  This morning as you review the disciples’ model prayer I suggest you look at and consider closely His therein provision:



Who?



What?



Where?



When?



Why?



How?



Doctrines referred to?



  Merry Christmas!

EBB4