Take heart!

...With 2008 in it's waning moments, many will be glad to bid it farewell. For many--- it's been a trying year.


Looking toward 2009, questions abound. Our ability to see what's coming or even understand how we got here, is limited at best. But I believe there are answers to be had...

Despite the tolls wrought through financial collapse, terror, or natural disasters, there are reasons for hope.



I have just added a link to some excellent radio feeds into my blog ------On Focus on the Family's -----the best, most requested programs of 2008. Several of these are from a speech and following interview with Ravi Zacharius, a brilliant and most compelling Indian-born Christian apologist, who for the past thirty-five years, has spoken all around the world, to various groups holding to every imaginable worldview.

He has addressed forums ranging from The Lenin Military Academy in Russia, to a University in Jakarta, to the United Nations annual prayer breakfast. He has the ear of Hindus, Muslims, atheists, and communists the world over.

I say all of this because I strongly recommend to you these links.

Yes, listening to such demands some of your precious time, but being able to tap a man of such experience can be of untold value.
If you are game, I highly recommend to you, "Why We Must Remember pt. 3". ---There, Dr. Dobson interviews Ravi Zacharius on their final and most requested program for 2008, one full of encouragement, insight, and reason for hope, from a woman in Bahrain, and a Pakistani taxi driver! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/FocusOnTheFamilyDailyBroadcast/~3/499289954/ffd_20081231.mp3
**If your time is limited, you can simply slide the bar to about the seven minute mark and listen to the remaining ten minutes.

Take heart!----and Happy New Year in 2009!
Jay
----finally, Ravi's website is rzim.org There, you can find much of his archived material available.

This Christmas...

---Words fall short in trying to express the wonder of what Christmas is ---but these words to a song, below, may afford a glimpse---


"Son of God, purest light

Lord on high --is here tonight

Stepping through --this sacred sky

Suddenly, our eyes behold...

Son of God, Love Divine

Timeless One --steps into time

Who could dream of such a thing?

Men and angels bow and sing"
---Michael W Smith, from the song "Son of God"

---In a year when we have seen dramatic changes to our economy, where many have lost much of their retirement, where numbers of people find themselves without work, Christmas Day approaches ---just as it has for the past two thousand years.

In a time when terrorist' bombs destroy the lives of innocent victims in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and in India, and when Christians around the world are beaten, jailed, and even killed in unprecedented numbers, we mark the day that the Prince of Peace stepped into our world. The true peace, that passes understanding --is found in Him.

In our world today, where there are now more people subjected to slavery than at any other time in human history, we celebrate the coming of the *Redeemer to the world. Against this backdrop of human depravity, the Light of the World was born. *** "A redeemer is one who purchases freedom for another" ---He came to purchase freedom and salvation for all who would believe.

The good news is that the circumstances of our day do not, nor can not, thwart or lessen the impact of His arrival that night 2008 years ago. Christ's entrance into our world transcends time, culture, and circumstances.

God's gift of His Son at Christmas is inextricably tied to revelation ---It was revealed to shepherds that night, as an angel appeared, initially a fearsome sight, but went on to announce the birth of the Savior of the World, the "Timeless One, stepping into time"---
---And as that announcement was made, an army of God's angels filled the night sky singing His praises.
I remember years ago, on a night the Northern Lights were out, staring into the sky, transfixed and almost giddy with joy, at that wondrous sight. ----Imagine how it might feel to see what those shepherds saw! You or I would never forget it!

This gift was revealed not only to the shepherds---

• Months before, an angel had revealed this to Mary
• In a dream, an angel revealed it to Joseph as well
• A great star over Bethlehem revealed news of "a King being born", to the wise and learned men of that day, believed to have travelled from present day Iraq
• A dream from God later warned them to return home another way
• An angel revealed to Joseph, again in a dream, to escape to Egypt, avoiding the slaughter of male babies, about to take place in Bethlehem, because... ---a King had been born

...A King was born ---and the day is coming when He will return as the King of kings.

In 2008 God continues to reveal His truths to people around the world. On any given day tens-of-thousands see that truth and experience His revelation. His promise to us is that He will be found by those who truly seek Him.

May your hearts and your eyes be open to "see" His gift to you this Christmas.

WISE MEN do STILL SEEK HIM

Jay