Faith, Folklore, and Friends

. . . so also the Messiah,  having been offered once  to  bear the sins of many,  will appear a second time,  not to bear sin, but to  bring  salvation to those  who  are waiting for him. ~Hebrews 9:28

In the presence of God and the Messiah Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly appeal to you    to proclaim the message. Be ready to do this whether or not the time is convenient. Refute, warn, and encourage with the utmost patience when you teach.    For the time will come when people will not tolerate healthy doctrine, but with itching ears will surround themselves with teachers who cater to their people’s own desires.  They will refuse to listen to the truth and will turn to myths.  But you must be clear-headed about everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of an evangelist. Devote yourself completely to your ministry. ~2 Timothy 4:1-5

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus  the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing  counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through  hard times, and before you know it, he brings us  alongside someone else who is going through hard  times so that we can be there for that person just as  God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times  that come from following the Messiah, but no more  so than the good times of his healing comfort—we  get a full measure of that, too. ~2 Corinthians 1:3-5 The Message

We wait in lines, at work, at school, in traffic. Always waiting, our vaporous time on this earth dictated by clocks, buzzers, lights, ringing. Life around us constantly flowing, everyone about their business, everyone running and waiting, hurry up and wait. Isaiah waited for a Savior while preaching of His majesty, His healing. David waited as he sang psalms and adored the one he had not seen with fleshly eyes. They knew the promise.  The Messiah was coming. We celebrate the Advent, this season of anticipation, and we imagine as we are tending sheep in cold silence, wondering about the star in the east, wondering when this promise will walk among us. The Word, which always was, took on flesh, flesh that laughed and cried, flesh that needed food and water, flesh that felt cold and heat. Flesh that awoke, worked, rested, slept. Flesh that walked among us. Divine flesh that died for our redemption.                 ...