Into the Fire

(Originally posted in December of 2006.) 

As we approach our celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, I would like to encourage men today with this message from the Christmas account.

Men today have multiple challenges of all kinds. For example, their visual instincts are exploited by every medium known to the human race, enticing them into sexually sinful thoughts and/or ways. Books such as Everyman’s Battle break it all down for them in a working and understandable way, but many Christian men won’t read the book(s) which identifies the "problems" of their gender, some because they’re unwilling to face their weaknesses and be required to do something about them, some because they think their reactions are all just part of being a man, and some because they feel hopeless and just can’t take one more jab of criticism from the holier than thou set.

The requirements are stiff for a man in this world. Especially in Christianity. Because Christianity requires a guy to be a man about everything. To step up. To take responsibility for himself, his wife, his family, his place in the body of Christ. It’s a tall order, and it can be daunting.

The Bible tells us in more ways than one, and history bears it out as well, “There is nothing new under the sun.” The only new things are the advanced technological ways to present and exploit the same old problems.

Well, men, if you want to usher in the new year with some fresh resolve, take a look at the earthly father of Jesus Christ, a carpenter by trade, not wealthy, a man of faith, placed in the middle of a difficult dilemma with the young woman he was pledged to marry. (If you’re some wayward wanderer in the blog kingdom, landing upon my title of this entry and certainly not expecting to find anything biblical, of all things, I urge you to complete your reading anyway—you just might learn something.) As most of you know, you can find the account in the following places in the New Testament: Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-23; Luke 1:26-56; 2:1-51.

Joseph had dreams and visions of angels which both challenged and amplified his faith. In the process of receiving life changing instructions through these supernatural encounters, he became an amazing man who is only discussed in these few places in the Bible. When he anticipated having to divorce his pregnant (not by him) fiancée, he thought of her, not wanting to “expose her to public disgrace”. It was after his practical consideration that the impractical took place: specific instruction of the how and who of this anointed child to come. What did Joseph do? “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name of Jesus.”

Through the course of time, Joseph was required by the Roman government to leave his home with his very pregnant bride and travel a considerable distance to Bethlehem for a census where this unusual child was born nearly upon arrival there, started a new life in that town, sometime later was told to leave in the night for an immediate escape to Egypt, travel back to Israel and eventually settle in a not so desirable town known as Nazareth where the family started over once again.

Each decision that Joseph made had to be a difficult one: uprooting his family because of dreams and visions: the consummate man of faith with the family who trusted his ability to hear and obey God’s leading. This was the man God hand-picked to be the earthly father of the Lord Jesus Christ. No one has ever held a more difficult role in humanity. So much weighed upon each decision he had to make. Yet God sent messengers, dreams, and visions to guide him from his simple life as a man pledged to be married to the awesome task of being the husband to the woman who carried the Christ or Messiah.

Never again. Once for all. But, men, I urge you to consider the depth of faith of the man Joseph. Are you willing to listen, dream, endure visions to hear from the living God? And then are you willing to obey? Single, married, divorced—are you willing to make a new commitment to the supernatural God who desires to find men who are anxious to upgrade their spiritual lives instead of just their computers or sound systems or football channels? Are you a real man of God who knows there is so much more available to you, and you want it? Regardless of what’s required of you? Are you willing to hear and obey?

Look at Joseph, an ordinary man of faith, selected to be an extraordinary man because of that faith and willingness to obey the God who asked him to do what some would have considered out of the question, not in their house, huh-uh, no way. What kind of man are you?

Father, your love is endless, your desires often plainly expressed, but you also use unpredictable means to communicate at times. You are the one true God. You make ordinary things extraordinary when you enter into them and participate actively. I am so in awe of you. Help me to listen and always obey. I want all that you have for me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

     But after he had considered this, an angel of the lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

     All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet. "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means 'God with us.'" 

     When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. 

Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)

Continuing in the mystery and other genres, we'll be concluding our "shopping" for this week tomorrow. I've given you some great prospects for the readers on your lists. Double check to see what they like and definitely consider the books I've shown you in these soon-to-be seven posts. 

The Double Barrel Mysteries Series by Barbara Ellen Brink is a set of solid, entertaining mysteries to keep you engaged with her characters and searching for solutions. Truly enticing stories for outright mystery lovers. Highly recommended. 

Author Mark Dawson is the creator of the thrilling John Milton Series, but he is also the author of two Atticus Priest mysteries. The John Milton books are definitely habit-forming in their stories which take the reader all over the world with John. The Atticus Priest novels give the reader a totally different but brilliant character who combines his vast intuitive and people-reading skills with solving murders. Mark's a terrific writer who's able to take his readers on fascinating journeys. Both series and others of Mark's: Highly recommended.  

J.B. Turner has written a good series with a rebellious hero (Jon Reznick) who doesn't take kindly to orders that don't comply with his hardcore approach to problematic situations. Pictured above is Book 10 in the series. J.B. writes exciting stories with an interesting set of characters. Highly recommended. 

Father, please continue to bless these authors as only you can do. Provide all that they need to continue to do what you've called them to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

For your mellow listening pleasure at Christmastime. 

Father, thank you is never enough. You sent your Son to rescue us. Thank you, Jesus. Holy Spirit, lead us on in this sinful world and direct our steps to honor you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;

          He rises to show you compassion.

    For the Lord is a god of justice.

          Blessed are all who wait for Him!

Psalm 30:18 (NIV) 

Day Four of Christmas book shopping for the fiction readers on your list. There are a number of Cozy Mystery readers who appreciate them in series form. So here are my featured authors for two specific Cozy Mystery Series for those who love them. 

Pictured here is Book 1 of 12 in A Juniper Grove Mystery Series by the amazing Karin Kaufman who writes in multiple genres. The characters are fun, determined, and engage in all means of sleuthing, eventually establishing a kind of cooperation with the Sheriff in solving murders in their small-town community. Shocking murders and ingenious detective work comprise these well-written, humorous, but deadly serious stories. Cozy Mystery lovers on your list will thoroughly enjoy these books. A Juniper Grove Mystery Series: Highly recommended.

No Filter by Heather Day Gilbert introduces you to The Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery Series where coffee and pastries draw a crowd, and dogs hoping to be adopted have their own addition to the shop where customers can visit with them if they choose. What is least expected in this small town are the murders which occur. The brother and sister proprietors of this cafe get pulled into finding out the whodunnits and it's never easy. Heather is another talented author writing in multiple genres. Cozy Mystery readers – especially those who hold a special love for dogs – will enjoy these unique stories and will want to read all 7 of them. The Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery Series: Highly recommended. 

Father, you know all the needs and desires of Karin and Heather. Please meet those needs beyond what they might expect or hope to receive. Bless them in your abundance. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.