Monday, December 26, 2011

Through My Kitchen Window


I write passionately about Nigeria – the country of my birth. I write to memorialize a world of tropical bliss, filled with friends, family, adventure, and God’s presence. But like so many or our childhoods, the world I knew is gone.

For Nigeria, many things contributed to the nation it has become today. The discovery of oil in the Niger delta is one contributor. The current world strife between the Moslems and Christians is another. This clash is especially pronounced in northern Nigeria, a predominately Moslem area with some Christian enclaves within its borders. One of those enclaves is the city of Jos. This city was established by Christians and in fact the name, Jos is an acronym for the words “Jesus Our Savior”.

Today – one day after Christmas. While many of us are enjoying a relaxing post-Christmas time with our tummies full and our hearts warmed, northern Nigerian Christians are reeling from Christmas Day attacks. A story about these cruel attacks can be found at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/25/nigerian-church-bombed-christmas-prayers

Please pray for our Nigerian brothers and sisters in Christ as they struggle to remain faithful even while under persecution!

“Lord, there is no one besides Thee to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us O Lord, for we trust in Thee.” 2 Chronicles 14:11

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Merry Christmas


Then Came Love

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NASB)

What does love look like? If someone asked you to draw a picture of love what would you draw? Ask a child that question and he might draw a heart, but does that really convey the essence of love? The Bible tells us love looks like a baby in a manger - like approximately seven pounds of helpless flesh sleeping contentedly or perhaps crying in hunger just like any other baby. But this baby was not in a warm, clean crib in a brightly painted room; no this baby was in a stable full of dirty animals because there was no bed for Him among humans.

Love also looks like a young man in the prime of life bleeding and dying on a cross. It looks like this man willingly giving up His life so that others might gain theirs. Love looks like the everlasting God in all His glory……wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Sing sweet and low your lullaby till angels say “Amen.”
A mother tonight is rocking
a cradle in Bethlehem.
As wisemen follow in the dark, a star that beckons them.
A mother tonight is rocking
a cradle in Bethlehem.
(Lyrics from a song on the late Nat King Cole’s Christmas album.)