Show me the Glory!

Christmas time can be a endless charge (literally) to the shopping centers. We will hustle between friends open houses and perhaps past a few manger scenes. So often we look at Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus with sentimental feelings never pondering the incredible reality. What does it mean that Jesus dwelled among us? Deep down people want an experience with God, that is why so many professed atheists (statisticians have estimated at least 1 million will show up during the holidays) attend church during Christmas and Easter. I hope that more Christians show up ready to meet God this year as well. But sometimes we lose sight of the excitement of it all.
When Moses first encountered God, he covered his face out of awe and perhaps fear (Exodus 3). Then during the course of time as he met with and talked with God, he became bold and said, "Show me your glory." Which the Lord said he could not. Even the seraphim cover their eyes in God's presence (Isa. 6). God hid Moses in a cleft and this time God covered Moses' eyes, no room for mistakes here. Moses simply got to see the after effects of God's glory. And, he was excited about that.
Then we come to that passage in John's gospel, John 1:18... we beheld his glory. What did John mean? Well in the other 3 gospels we find that Peter, James and John did see Christ's glory. As white as the human mind could comprehend. There is so much more to the manger scene than cuddling and cooing. The glory of God was veiled but later revealed to His disciples.
Peter wanted to camp out there on the Mount of Transfiguration. Who wouldn't? What on earth could compare to seeing God in His fullness? We would no longer rush past that manger scene on our way to the stores or the next party. We would stop and say, "Lord, show me your glory!"
What a different life we would lead. What a direction we would take. This Christmas why don't you pray, "Lord to show me Your glory!" I believe he will. James 4:8

Affluenza

AFFLUENZA n. 1. a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more. (de Graaf, 2002). 2. The bloated, sluggish and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to keep up with the Joneses. 3. An epidemic of stress, overwork, waste and indebtedness caused by dogged pursuit of the American Dream. 4. An unsustainable addiction to economic growth.

I came across this word in my sermon research concerning coveting. It is interesting that we do not see ourselves as coveting any longer. I had to think about that for some time. Why do we not see that? Well, back in the days most homes, furniture, luxuries, etc... were hand made. Thus if we wanted what our neighbor had, it would be unique a one of a kind. But today we have box stores and mass produced homes. So, if we like something someone else has, we do not think of trying to get if from them. We tend to think about what store has the item and we then take our piece of plastic and charge it. Whether or not we have the money for it or not. But, because we did not steal it and our desire is satisfied, we think we are free from this sin.

Our culture of consumerism has only masked this problem and we all now suffer from Affluenza to some degree or another. I need to take preventative measures so I do not keep on developing a case of Affluenza. It is difficult right now with all those sales posted on the Internet, TV, and Newspaper! I need a little shot of contentment to keep my credit card free from guilt!

Philippians 4:11-13 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. (NLT)