Jimmy talks about his hat

For the next half an hour Jimmy talked about his brother. How they used to go fishing together. They would stay up all night catching worms and then be at the river when the sun came up. They would fish for hours and then go back to their apartment. After the stories Jimmy said, “My brother was almost ten years older than me. My mom and dad were killed in a bad car crash. My brother took care of me until I graduated. Later he joined the marines; he got killed in the war. His cap is the only thing I got.”

Gracie walked into the back room and said, “Sorry to interrupt.” Al said, “That’s fine, Jimmy, and I were just getting done back here, been talking a while. What’s up?” Gracie said, “I was writing down some information when you came in. We had another message on the answering machine. Kind of like the one back a while ago. Remember, somebody saw a person escorted down by the water. It seems like it happened again. This one is different, in a way.”

Al looked puzzled as Gracie continued. “The message was from a man, said he was a fisherman. Seems like he was on one side of the river, and he watched an outdoorsy type guy escort an old lady down to the water. He swears they got into a western style float boat and headed across the river. He said they were floating past him, about a hundred yards out.  Said his view was blocked by some cedars, and he swears it was only for a moment, and the boat disappeared. He thought he might have lost them in the trees, but he’s pretty sure he didn’t.”

Jimmy sat quietly listening to Gracie. When she was finished, he seemed nervous. Al picked up on it, and asked Jimmy, “What’s the matter Jimmy?” In a nervous voice, Jimmy responded, “Been strange things goin on around that river for as long as I can remember. You know the talk, goes way back, even to the times of the native folks. There is something strange bout that river.” Gracie walked over to Jimmy and put her hand on his shoulder, saying, “You don’t believe all that do you?” 

The Unseen of Christmas

Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. What pleasure he took in planning this! He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. Eph.1:4-5

Absolute stillness, Silence, for nothing is, nothing that can disturb, no forms, no matter, no microscopic particles, no atoms, nothing can disturb because nothing is, except the Triune Creative God.

Before Light Years began their recording of creation God already was. He brought forth, through the voice of His Son, the Christ, everything that is, and can be. Yes, even before the birth of the galaxies holding their planets and stars, the Father and His Eternal Son, knew the fate of all who were not yet, but still to come. And, in that knowing decided on a plan that would offer Eternal Transformation to their creation.

Now, eons after their plan was made the time is drawing near. The soul of mankind is empty, a vacuum that sucks in anything that would feign to give purpose and meaning. Man has searched for hundreds of years for answers to the questions that arise in his heart. He is lost and blind, unable to perceive and grasp the truth of God set before him.

HUSH, the only word to describe what is taking place in the realms of Glory. The voices given to created servants, to announce and sing of, the Holiness of God, fall silent. From one end of the Heavens to the other, the only sound is the movement of wings. Like the fanning of hot embers, the rhythm of angelic wings seem to brighten the stars, in perfect matching time, a twinkling of sorts.

The Seraphim Moves

The air brushed past my cheek like a feather, ever so slightly touching my skin.

No noise, just movement.

Again it moved across my face, my senses heightened, ready to discern the presence.

Now stillness, nothing.

Stillness for such a long time, still nothing.

Perhaps it never was, my wish, my dream, my hope.

Closed eyes, closed out world, listen, sense.

Lids shut, the air moves again past my face.

A glow, faint, then growing brighter.

Eyes still closed, every cell, every sense in tune and anticipation.

The glow, now as bright as the sun fills me.

The air moves, growing stronger as it begins to push against me.

A Noise, like the movement of wings comes near.

Now with each sound of movement comes the rush of air.

And then the Voice, a voice like thunder in the mountains.

The words, " Behold the dwelling place of God is with men."

The Seraphim speaks and I tremble.

The Breath of God Descends Upon a Single Soul

The servants of God, messengers as of a flaming fire, watch as Father and Son move together.The servants, suspended in celestial glory, their wings are moved by the rush of the Father's breath. As in times past, His breath descends upon the earth and then upon the soul of a solitary man.

Overpowered by the Supreme Presence, he begins writing. The words seem to flow in effortless streams. Hours of writing seem as moments as the priest of Jehovah stops and ponders the incredible words he has put down. He scans the words and marvels at the ways of his God. This writing of his is not new, he has sensed the power before.

His eyes come upon words that are impossible to believe. He knows it was his quill that put them down, yet, at the time he had no idea of their truth. In is mind he questions: How can a virgin conceive and give birth? Call him Emmanuel, God comes to us, how can this be? The man of God hangs his head and confesses his sin of disbelief.

Advent Contemplation

Absolute silence- planets spin within solar systems and solar systems are engulfed in the endless miles of the universe. Not a sound can be detected. Far beyond the first light, the first twinkle of the first star, the movement of wings is felt as celestial air is stirred. Heavenly beings keep their place as wings perform their ordained dance. They sing in a language unknown and unheard, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts". Their song brings even greater brilliance to stars and the endless expanse of space.

In a dimension only visible to Cherubim, Seraphim, and their Creator, a holy and mysterious convocation is taking place. Absolute majesty, power and authority surround the only begotten, the Creator of all that is and can be, the Christ of God. The conversation is not understood by the created hosts that surround them. They speak for eons, yet is over in an instant. Eternity is not touched by time or space.

In an instant the movements of powerful and majestic wings give sign that Gabriel is on the move. The untold numbers of ministering spirits follow every command the angel gives. For they know he speaks and moves for the Father. In an instant he has traveled from the far end of the universe to the holy city, the City of David.

As the smoke of incense rises from the temple Gabriel finds the one to receive his message. He is an old man, well advanced in years and experience. Yet, one experience has escaped his heart, the joy of a man-child. The messenger from God speaks and the old man is struck dumb. In an instant Gabriel is back in the presence of his Creator. As he bows and covers his face with his wings he announces that his task is done.

In the timing of man weeks pass, in the heavenly realms it is but fleeting seconds. Again the powerful Gabriel moves without effort to the planet of his prior visit. He moves silently into the presence of a young maid, a virgin favored by the Father. His presence and his message are startling and the holy messenger reminds the virgin that nothing is impossible with God.

His bowed head announces to the Father and Son that the message has been delivered. The powerful angel is not sure that any other being understood the message that just moved from the heart of the Father to His Son. As if signaled from the deepest ends of the universe a vast array of Cherubim and Seraphim gather around Gabriel. In perfect rhythm of wing and voice the servants of the Most High sing, “Holy is the Lord of Hosts, Holy is the Father and Holy is the Christ.”

In the midst of fluttering wing and song, a message was passing from Father to Son.  In a burst of light, blinding even to the hosts of God, the Christ was gone. Gabriel, moved by the blinding light knew instantly the message he was to give. In a voice unknown to the world he announced to the gathering, “The Christ of God is Emmanuel, He will become the Overcoming Lamb.”

Once more Gabriel moves from timelessness to earth. This time he appears to men working on the hillsides tending sheep. His appearance brings the men to near death. He speaks and his words bring news of hope and peace. As his words end the gathering around him join in chorus, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men, with whom He is well pleased.” As the singing hosts of heaven depart with Gabriel, the men of the earth and caretakers of sheep walk to Bethlehem.Advent

Mayor Larry is a Hero

With the dishes done, they found Gracie back at the dinner table, a spiral bound pad in front of her. “Now,” she said, “If you want desert you have to answer a few questions for me.” The two men looked at each other with a puzzled look. “Al,” she said, “You can go and make some coffee. I want to talk to Jimmy.” For the next twenty minutes or so she asked Jimmy to retell the story of how the Mayor saved his life. Al was smiling as he listened to Jimmy.

It seemed to Al that Jimmy didn’t miss a detail. Gracie heard how cold the water was, how every time he tried to step on the log it went under the water and he went with it. When he came to the part of the Mayor going under the water to pull him free, the excitement and emotion in his voice was as if he was still in the water. Jimmy was a very compelling storyteller.

Blueberry pie, ice cream, and coffee were the perfect desert. With a bit of pie filling in the corner of his mouth, Jimmy asked Gracie, “Why did you want to know all about the Mayor?” “Why, that is simple,” Gracie said, “I’m writing an article on our Mayor and how he saved your life. It will be on the front page this week.” In an instant Jimmy was up and out of his chair. “Oh boy,” he said, “Mayor Larry is gonna’ be a real honest-to-goodness hero.”

Al and Gracie ran the story for Wednesday’s edition. Many of the people in town knew ahead of time about the article. It seemed as though every place Jimmy went he was telling people of his narrow escape, and how brave the Mayor was. When the townsfolk allowed, not wanting to be disrespectful, he would go over every detail of the rescue. And Jimmy ended the story the same, every time. ‘Why,” he’d say, “Our Mayor is a real live hero.” So when the weekly came out, the headline, Mayor Saves Local Man, was no surprise.