“We gotta get outta this place” — The Animals

“I thought happiness was Lubbock Texas in my rearview mirror.” — Mac Davis

“Let us press on to know the Lord!” — Hosea 6:3

Greetings, hikers! We’re at the trailhead of our long journey, so let’s open our guidebook and read the brief description of our first ascent. Take a moment to get acquainted with Psalm 120.

An ancient Chinese proverb says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

We’ve all heard some form of that adage. Books begin with the first words banged out on a keyboard. Paintings begin with the first brush stroke. My version from my landscaping days reads, “The toughest part of digging a ditch is turning the first shovelful of dirt.” It’s true. The hardest part of any job is just getting started.

In one sense, that “first step” principle is accurate, but the truth is, whether we’re talking about ditches or journeys, there’s a critical step before that first step. We’ll just call it motivation. Every movement is preceded by a reason to move.

To paraphrase, Newton’s third law of physics, “Objects at rest remain at rest, until something makes them move.”

So here we are, greeted at the beginning of our long hike with the most common motivator known to man. Our songwriter tells us what inspired him to hit the road. It was distress and woe. In other words, trouble.

He writes, “In my distress I cried to the Lord. Woe is me!” (Psalm 120:1, 5)

One of the most effective instigators of progress and change is that old, unwelcome, uninvited companion of trouble, in any of its troublesome forms––hardship, sickness, relational breakdown, famine, financial crisis, oppression, pain and war. The perpetual movement of refugees from ancestral homelands to strange, yet open, promising nations is motivated by painful upheaval.

I don’t know why Mac Davis found Lubbock, Texas so unpleasant, but the author of Psalm 120 describes an environment anyone would rather see in their rearview mirror than out their front door.

Obviously his home, sweet home of Meshech and Kedar were towns full of liars, haters and warmongers. Of course, he didn’t actually live in those cities since they were about 1,000 miles apart. Meshech is modern Moscow. Kedar was deep in Arabia. Yet apparently his place of residence was just as dangerous and unpleasant as those sin cities, which were definitely not on the “Best Places to Raise Your Family” index.

The clear tone of Psalm 120 is “We gotta get out of this place. Too long here. Enough is enough.”

And who hasn’t said something like that?

“It’s time to fix this relationship.”

“It’s time to lose this unhealthy weight.”

“It’s time to quit playing religion and get to know God in a deeper, personal and more intimate way.”

But I wonder how many of us, prodded by pain to finally make the move, that will make the difference, have gripped the soft arms of our comfortable Lazy Boy, pulled ourselves forward a bit, then surrendering to the gravity of apathy, sank back into our cozy, familiar nest and promised ourselves, Tomorrow.

Let’s make today that tomorrow. It’s time to make a move. Of course life always has elements of conflict, but if you’re tired of living like a victim in a war zone, you can make some basic changes now that will put you on to the trail to higher ground. Lot had good reason to leave Sodom, and you and I have reason enough to vacate our Meshechs and Kedars.

Or we can choose to adapt to a life of compromise, convincing ourselves and our loved ones, “It’s not really so bad after all!” As the farmboy Wesley and Princess Buttercup walked into the deadly fire swamp in the film Princess Bride, Wesley said, “Well, I’m not saying I’d like to build a summer home here, but the trees are actually quite lovely.” If we decide to settle in and claim our half-acre of some battlefield, we’d better prepare to count and be counted among the casualties of war.

Or maybe it’s time to relocate. Hosea called his nation to “press on to know the Lord.” That’s good advice for us too. So allow me to make a suggestion. GET UP! And if you own a Lazy Boy, chop it up and carve yourself a hiking stick for this journey. Then follow this songwriter’s lead. If you are longing for peace, cry out to God who gives perfect peace to those who keep their eyes on Him.

Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in God.” I often pray for friends who have yet to begin this journey with Jesus to be “blessed” with an appropriate level of discontent, or unrest, and for a soul-hunger to gnaw at their heart, until they seek rest in Jesus.

Do words like restless, troubled and woe define your life? Then know this, you can only find your resting place, your refuge, in God. You were designed by God to know Him intimately and He’s the only “place” your life will ever make sense.

So at the beginning of this hike, let’s call on the name of Jesus, the Peace Giver, crucified and risen to lift the crushing burden of guilt and remorse over all your past failure. Ask Him to forgive your sin. Allow Him to make you a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

God didn’t intend life to be full of violence and deceit. You and I were made for something better and higher. There really is “a better place for me and you.” That place is found in Christ.

We may move through badlands, but we dare not settle there. To repeat Hosea’s call, “C’mon, hikers, let’s press on to know the Lord.”

Isn’t it time to make the move?

Welcome to episode 2 of the Cultivate Church Planting podcast. We believe that the gospel is the hope of the world and that the world needs more gospel-centered churches. I’m your host Brian Kelly, and in today’s episode Shannon Quintana and I are talking with Pastor Bill Welsh about some of the difficulties of planting in another culture.

Shannon has over 20 years experience in ministry and is currently the worship leader of our new church plant in Bradenton, Florida. Pastor Bill just so happens to be her dad, and Shannon was gracious enough to help co-host this episode.

Bill Welsh is a church planter and pastor of Refuge Calvary Chapel in Huntington Beach. He planted in the eighties with his young family in Australia and has a lot of wisdom and insight into ministry and planting overseas.

“The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:9-12).

Through this “Advent Adventure,” we’ve looked at the long-awaited, promised and anticipated birth of Jesus Christ the Messiah, from multiple angles, zooming in on all the “characters of Christmas.” Now, let’s make it personal. John’s gospel says plainly that Jesus gives light to every person born. John observed that many who should’ve received Jesus, didn’t, including both Jews and Gentiles. But others welcomed the newborn King. And to them, He gave new life.

Our last step, then, is to simply receive Jesus, moving from the heart-warming, sentimental view of Christmas, to the soul-saving reality that we all need His rescue. We must abandon the fruitless attempt to save ourselves by good works, identify our sin, turn from it, calling upon Jesus and receive Him as Lord and Savior. That’s where life in God’s family begins.

Have you done that? If not, why not take that step now? How? Pray! All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. So pray something like this: “Father God, thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sin and then to rise from the dead. Please forgive me now as I open my heart to confess Him as my Lord and Savior. The rest of my life is Yours, in Jesus’ Strong Name. Amen.”

And now, welcome to the family of God…And have a Happy New Year!

“After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and His mother,’ the angel said. ‘Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill Him.’ That night, Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, His mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: ‘I called My Son out of Egypt’” (Matthew 2:13-5).

The journey continued for Joseph, Mary and Jesus. The Magi’s gold would’ve come in handy for this poor family as they traveled south to Egypt, the same Egypt that gave birth to the nation of Israel nearly 1,500 years earlier. The words from Zacharias about Jesus’ rejection must’ve been ringing in their ears as they wondered to themselves, “Why would Herod want to kill our little boy? How will we survive in this strange land? Why Egypt, with it’s painful memories for our people? Why can’t we quietly slip back up to Nazareth where we have connections?”

With many good reasons to head north, Joseph quickly packed up his tiny family and fled south to Egypt. This was no time to question an angel who had been right so far. Joseph’s quick obedience saved the life of the Son of God. Yahweh could’ve accomplished redemption with or without human involvement but chose instead to work in the midst of the current confusion and violence, and prove that it only took a couple of obedient and courageous souls, listening to God, to thwart the schemes of a madman.

Jesus is our Savior, but Joseph has earned hero status in my book.

How long did the family live in Egypt? Some scholars believe it was a rather brief stay. It appears that Herod the Great’s number was up after ordering the massacre of all those little boys. He died shortly after that terrible event.

“Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense and Myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).

Perhaps each of these gifts from the Magi were simply their way of honoring this new “King of the Jews” by giving Him what was precious to them. After all, gifts were commonly exchanged when visiting from distant lands. So perhaps gold was just gold, and the sweet resins were just intended to make Mary’s house smell nice. But there’s one interesting claim in the ancient world of Jesus’ time regarding myrrh. It was apparently applied to ease pain. This substance from the thorny “Commiphora” tree might have been a prophetic hint. There was indeed pain in Jesus’ future.

But there is application for us, because we also carry pain, sorrow, brokenness and regrets. Remember, Jesus Himself says, “Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I’ll give you rest.” And He defined His mission that day He stood up in His hometown synagogue and said the Spirit of the Lord had anointed Him, “to bring Good News to the poor, proclaim that captives would be released, the blind would see, the oppressed would be set free” (Luke 4:18-19). He was saying, “bring me all that pain, suffering and the doubts it brings.”

Jesus is King of Kings. Jesus is truly God. And Jesus is our burden-bearer, and sorrow-lifter. Jesus heals what is broken in us, if we’ll just bring it to Him. When we worship Him, even when pain, doubt or sorrow remains, we’re offering the most precious worship of all.

Give Jesus what He asks for. Come with the thorns, the wounds, the questions and lift up your praise to your King, God and Healer. He will lift you with His own wounded hands.

“Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense…” (Matthew 2:11).

With gold, the magi recognized the “young child” as king. But their worship had only begun. The remaining precious substances presented to Jesus were gathered in resin from short, desert trees, native to the Arabian peninsula.

Frankincense makes a profound statement. This fragrant resin “Boswellia sacra” tree was one of four ingredients blended to make sacred incense used in the Tabernacle, a portable tent version of the future temple in Jerusalem. Think of it as God’s “tiny house.”

Every morning priests would ignite enough incense on a small, three-foot tall altar to allow it smolder for more than 12 hours. In the evening, the process was repeated. Do the simple math. This pleasant fragrance would fill God’s house 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Here’s where this gets personal. The sweet aroma of that incense rising from the altar represented the prayers of God’s people, including yours. King David said, “Let my prayer be set before you as incense, my lifted hands as the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2).

This wonderful fragrance of frankincense was a visible message to God’s people that He is always ready 24/7 to listen to our prayers, and that He loves to hear our voices.

Frankincense speaks of honoring Jesus, not just with the worship of surrender and allegiance due to Him as our king, but also with the worship of prayer and praise offered to Him as the One True God.

May our lives be filled with the sweet aroma of our frankincense, rising to God in song, and the open conversation of prayer, praise and adoration. May our sacrifice of praise never cease.

“Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold…” (Matthew 2:11).

As the mysterious Eastern visitors arose from the floor, they dusted themselves off, straightened their robes and began presenting tokens or “treasures” of their adoration.

First came the gold, known as “the metal of kings.” Nearly every culture sees gold as the most precious of treasures. Economies and currencies are based on gold held on deposit by the king and his administration. There is no doubt this gift of gold was meant to acknowledge Jesus as king. Since these men saw Jesus as king, He needed to be honored with the treasure of a king.

The tender Christmas song asks, “What can I bring Him, poor as I am?” The truth is, no matter how poor we are, we must still honor Him as king, and the core commodity every humble subject must present to their king is their allegiance or loyalty.

We hear voices today insisting that we “Bow to no one; be true only to yourself.” That is a recipe for a diminished life. You were not made to be your own king.

Answer these questions: Did you create yourself? Did you assemble the environment in which you live, that provides the elements that keep you alive: air, water, food? Did you place the planet you live on in a precise orbit around the sun that provides warmth and nutrient for you? No? Then there is one to whom you and I owe allegiance…one to whom we must give our “gold” of honor and surrender. That would be Jesus, “through whom all things that were made” (John 1:1-3). That is your king. Crown Him with gold.

“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother and fell down and worshiped Him” (Matthew 2:11).

The Magi did what they told Herod they’d come to do. They had not come to worship him, the old king. They had come to worship the “New King.” So when they saw Jesus, they fell down before Him in adoration. They worshiped Him as God and King.

Everyone knows about the gifts they brought, but before they presented gold, frankincense and myrrh, they gave something more meaningful, costly and significant. Honestly, any gift, offering or sacrifice which comes without this, is, to say the least, incomplete and perhaps unacceptable. What did they give first? THEMSELVES!

Perhaps you’ve heard someone say “Christianity isn’t about religion; it’s about relationship.” What’s the difference? Religion can be defined in terms of ritual, ceremony, schedules, symbols and liturgies filled with memorized prayers. But our hearts long for far more. We were created to truly know God as Father, Savior and Friend, and all of that begins with relationship the moment we present ourselves to God.

Oh, easier to toss a coin in an offering box, recite “Our Father” and kneel-sit-stand at just the right time. Too many settle for that ritual. But others won’t be satisfied with anything short of the personal surrender of themselves as a “living sacrifice” to God (Romans 12:1). It’s far more costly than a bag of gold, but that’s where life with God begins.

King David refused to present an offering to God that costed him nothing (2 Samuel 24:24).

God receives the surrender of our will, heart, hopes, like the true treasure it is. It is the very treasure Jesus came searching for.

What will you give Jesus? Start by giving Him YOU.

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him” (Matthew 2:1-3).

This part of Advent is R-rated. Read on to see the tragedy brought on in Bethlehem and her surrounding villages by the jealous, insecure, dangerous Herod. Once he determined where and when this new (and true) King of the Jews had been born, he set out to destroy Him. History confirms this was the way Herod dealt with threats to his throne, even from within his own family.

So when these Magi entered Israel, they assumed they’d find the next King in the house of the current king, Herod, in Jerusalem, of course. Their assumption proved disastrous.

Verses 17-18 tell us the massacre actually fulfilled what the prophet said in Jeremiah 31:15 regarding Rachel weeping over lost children.

The only redemptive reason I see for this tragedy is to provide realistic insight into the brutality of the world Jesus came to save. A world where the most vulnerable were victims to the evil works of Satan, whom Jesus had come to defeat as well.

God foretold this sad scene, because God foresaw it. But God didn’t manipulate this tragic crime against babies and little boys. NEVER blame God for the evil that men do. If only the Magi had waited! Because this star wasn’t done. It appeared again, leading the Wise Men directly to the place where the Child was. O, may we learn to wait on the Lord!

“Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple…and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem” (Luke 2:36-38).

Anna was the right woman, at the right place, at the right time. As Simeon delivered sad words about Jesus’ future and Mary’s pain, God plugged-in a megaphone of hope, to remind us all of the Great News that Messiah was here. That megaphone was an 84-year-old widow who literally lived at the temple. With no husband but God (see Isaiah 54:5) she decided to move into God’s house and was there day & night praying and fasting.

Anna was a temple fixture, like an eighth branch of the beautiful Menorah, which she had never seen. It was in the inner temple rooms a woman could not enter. But Anna was indeed a bright light to those she met, especially this day.

The sound of Anna’s praises would’ve especially comforted Mary with a touch of heaven at that heavy moment. Yes, Simeon spoke for God, but Anna provided that next chorus of “hallelujah” so needed at that moment. Then Anna’s praises turned to preaching, as “she talked about Jesus to everyone,” who’d been looking, hoping and waiting for God to rescue, save, restore and forgive. May our voices lift the same praises and speak the same truth to those who are hungry for heaven’s greatest gift…Jesus. Preach on, Anna, preach on.

“Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, ‘This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul’” (Luke 2:33-35).

Why this sad news in the middle of such great joy? Simeon has just praised God over the presence of Jesus. Then the same Spirit who led him to the Temple now leads him to speak heart-breaking truth. First Simeon blessed Joseph and Mary, then spoke only to Mary, possibly leaning in close to whisper these hard words: “many will fall, others rise, many will oppose.” Then the razor’s edge, “A sword will pierce your very soul, Mary.”

Next to Jesus, Mary’s calling was the heaviest of all. Carrying a child you know to be the answer to the hope of salvation for the whole world, including yourself, is heavy enough. But imagine also being told that you, His mother, will witness this opposition and feel the pain of the sword piercing your soul? How do you carry that weight? Only by the grace of God who called you to this journey. Remember? Gabriel told Mary on day one, “Greetings, favored woman. The Lord is with you!” That promise didn’t expire after the day of the “immaculate conception.” God kept that promise to Mary, as He does to all who trust Him, EVERY DAY. Even on days when bad news breaks. Jesus said it: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

“That day the Spirit led [Simeon] to the temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as You have promised. I have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of Your people Israel’” (Luke 2:27-32).

The day had come. Perhaps Simeon waited for decades or just a few days, but the “promise given” was now the “promise fulfilled.” He came “by the Spirit” that day, ascending the Temple Mount at just the right time. He saw all the typical, daily activity there: conversations and theological debates, prayers, songs and ceremonies, and sacrificial animals being led to the place of their execution to make things right between God and the worshiper. Then he saw them. A young Galilean couple carrying their first baby to be dedicated as God’s Word commanded. Perhaps God handed down that mandate knowing that THIS day, THIS couple would bring THIS Son who was being prepared for “all the people” as a future sacrifice.

Simeon not only saw this face in the crowd, he understood that to see the face of Jesus, was to see Salvation. What was true for Simeon is true for us. To see Jesus for who He is, and to embrace Him and worship, as Simeon did, is to be truly ready to “die in peace.”

That face in the crowd had come to die for the crowd, the whole crowded world. See Him. Embrace Him. Find peace in Him.

“Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often” (Luke 2:19).

All mothers keep “baby books.” But Mary’s journal of Jesus’ early (and adult) life was different than that of any other mom. There were many angelic visits to different people. Joseph alone had four. Angels had gave explicit instructions for the naming of this promised child. Her relative, Elizabeth, had a supernatural pregnancy. A Roman decree forced their long journey to Bethlehem late in Mary’s pregnancy. And of course, her baby book would include the details about swaddling cloths, a feeding trough and the visit of shepherds and Eastern Magi with expensive gifts. Of course, one of the most treasured memories must have been how this amazing man, Joseph, chose to stay with her after she told him she was pregnant.

No wonder we read that she “kept all these things in her heart and thought about them” over and over again. Some translations of Luke say she “treasured” these details. Each one being a precious gem to this young mother. She was living in the “wonderland” of God’s redemptive activity.

Mary’s heart was captured by Christmas. Perhaps it comforted her in those years when Jesus seemed so much like any other Jewish boy, attending Beit Sepher (Jewish Elementary school), learning carpentry under Joseph’s guidance or playing games with His younger siblings.

Rehearsing the treasured memories of Christmas would have reminded and reassured her that God was with her and Joseph, and they raised His Son.

Let Christmas linger. Don’t toss the tree too soon. Treasure the apparent trivial details, and see how rich they are with meaning. Allow yourself to be captured by Christmas again and again as you pour over Jesus’ “baby book.” Let Advent live in your heart.

“When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished” (Luke 2:15-18, NLT).

Boxing Day, the day after Christmas is basically about giving some of what you have to those who have less. (We learned that while living in Australia). That’s the scene here. Follow me…

What do you do when angels appear in the middle of the night and say, “Your Savior’s here,” and then fill the formerly “silent night” with exuberant praise? You outrun Usain Bolt into town to search. And that’s what they did. They searched for and found the baby, as predicted, wrapped in rags, nestled into a feeding trough.

Perhaps the shepherds’ next move was predictable but still commendable. “They told everyone what had happened,” admitting they’d been directed by an angel. Understand this: They had to bridge an existing credibility gap. Shepherds weren’t held in high regard back then. They were often ceremonially “unclean” due to the death, blood and mess they lived around connected to shepherding. But they “told everyone” what they knew. It took courage, faith, humility, obedience and love for their neighbor. These shepherds were the first human evangelists for Christ.

These shepherds didn’t know much. Only that Jesus had arrived. Our theology is far more filled-out with information on the life, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. So let’s be “shepherdy.”

Don’t keep what you know to yourself. “Tell everyone what happened” in Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee and Jerusalem. Let’s share what we know. It’s such great news. It’s the Gospel. (And Happy Boxing Day, mates!)

“There were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!’” (Luke 2:8-11).

This was Mary’s first baby. Her others: Jude, James, Joses, Simon and their unnamed sisters, weren’t bedded down in feeding troughs. It’s also safe to assume angels weren’t delivering messages about their births. But with Jesus’ approach and arrival, the recurring message to all involved in the drama was this: “Don’t be afraid!”

Of course, the message was first intended to calm the senses of those who were terrified at the encounter of one of God’s heavenly soldiers, but “Don’t be afraid!” also addresses mankind’s natural response to the unknown, unwanted, unplanned, disorienting events of life we all face, “from the manger to the grave.” Fear moves us in the wrong direction. Fear convinces us to stay put, rather than to move forward. Fear robs us of our sleep and ignites panic where there should be peace. Fear keeps us from trusting God.

But Mary’s baby, God’s Son, came to replace fear with hope, love and perfect peace.

This Christmas, may your heart be drained of fear and filled with God’s love, His overflowing hope and His peace that surpasses understanding. How is that possible? Because, as the angel said, “I bring Good News. The Savior, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today.”

And so, I wish you, not a “Scary Christmas,” but a very Merry Christmas.