From Strength to Strength...Opening the Most Precious Christmas Letters

Dear Friends, 

I still enjoy opening Christmas cards from dear friends, and reading their “enclosures”… those special updates on the past year’s highlights and happenings.  They often bring a smile… sometimes a tinge of sadness…always a flood of warmth to my heart. 

 

Pondering this I realized…I look forward to reading other precious letters at this time of year also. 

Those letters are the thoughts, prayers, and heart cries, that have filled my spiritual journals most of the past 365 days; and often, the faithful responses from Him, the Lover of my soul. 

Reopening those journals has become a yearly ritual for me. 

• What treasures are re-discovered as I walk through the past twelve months with Him again!  
• What fresh insights are gained from the vantage point of significant time having passed!   
• What opportunities are presented to discern His perspective!
• What treasures can be gleaned through those windows of remembrance!
• And perhaps best of all, what nuggets of fresh awareness can be carried into the new year!
• Take some special moments with Him, dear friends, even if you’re not a “journal-er.” 

You won’t regret it.

See you in 2018. 

“I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower.  I will watch to see what He will say to me and what I should reply about my complaint.”  Habakkuk 2:1

From Strength to Strength...Migdal Eder

 Periodically the Lord brings a powerful insight from His Word that remains etched…chiseled as it were…in my heart forever.  Such was the case with Migdal Eder, “the tower of the flock” and the podcast my daughter and I listened to last Christmas while I was in Kentucky. 

 
The site, Migdal Eder, is first encountered in Scripture as the place near Rachel’s death after she gave birth to Benjamin: 

“So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).  And Jacob set a pillar on her grave which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day.  Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.”   Genesis 35:19-21.   

Hebrew tradition also speaks of this site:
“There was a place just outside of Bethlehem city, but still within the region commonly known as Bethlehem, where Passover lambs (as well as those born at other times), were kept by specially trained and purified shepherds. The lambs were born in this ‘tower of the flock’ known as Migdal Eder under the watchful eye of the shepherds who would then lay them in the manger for inspection.  Either they would certify them for use as sacrifices in the temple or designate them to be released for common use. The newly chosen lambs would, according to some sources, even be wrapped in special swaddling clothes, as the shepherd would direct:  “wrap this one up.”

Then, somewhere around 4 BC:
“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.”  Luke 2:4-8

Was Migdal Eder the actual location of Jesus’ birth?  Was this the ceremonially clean manger where Jesus was laid, wrapped in swaddling clothes? Were these specially purified shepherds the ones who received the angelic host that night?  Only God knows for sure, but isn’t it wonderful to ponder as we approach this holy day again?

“…So the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on even forever.  And you, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, even the former dominion shall come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.”  Micah 4:7-8

God bless you all!

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To fully embrace and appreciate Migdal Eder, click to be directed to Christy Nockel’s website, “The Glorious In The Mundane”, podcast # 18.  Enjoy!

From Strength to Strength...What's in Your Closet

Well, there’s no denying it now!  The seasons have changed, daylight savings time has kicked in, and… the shortened daylight hours are a reality. 

While most of us will probably admit to a vague internal battle with sadness, it is kind of nice having this pause between lawn mowing and snow shoveling.   It also is nice to have long cozy evenings to perhaps enjoy fireplaces or wood-burners…and having that “extra” time to dig into a good book.

Ahhh and isn’t it neat to replace the wafting grill aromas with soups and chili and perhaps homemade bread or rolls (at least on the weekends)?   I think it’s safe to say that most of us are ready to pull out our fleeces and sweaters as well. 

However, this all means one thing.  It’s that time again.  It’s time to tackle that dastardly deed…changing out the closets and drawers!   For moms of larger households, it is a daunting task that pretty much requires setting aside a whole morning or afternoon.  I smile as I think about years gone by. 

For me now, life is much simpler.  As I finally faced the job last week, my mind really wasn’t on the clothing.  It was focused instead on the choices.  Do I need this?  Could someone else benefit from this “still really nice, only gently worn” jacket?  In my new season of life is this suit, or dressy banquet dress or long velvet skirt still relevant?  And speaking of relevance, what joy that jeans are in!  Aside from a pair of basic black slacks, all I now need are clean, well-kept jeans that can be beautifully dressed up or down.  I’m free!!  I am free!!!

In the last blog I challenged you to stop and ask yourself some questions…..and then decide, what is the greater good?

  

Thinking about your responses, this week’s question is: what are you wearing in the midst of what you are doing?

Scripture has much to say about this.  Here are only a few verses: 

“The Lord reigns.  He is clothed with majesty; The Lord is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength…”  Psalm 93:1.

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,…”  Isaiah 61:10.

“Therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” Colossians 3:12-13.

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“The royal daughter is all glorious within, her clothing is woven with gold.  She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors;..” Psalm 45:13-14. 

 

As you think about what’s in your closet, ask yourself:  What choices am I making?  What is my soul wearing today?