I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.

‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭26‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The significance of the Israelites exodus from Egyptian slavery is one referenced over and over in the Old Testament.

Preceded by God’s many miracles, signs and wonders, the event marked a new covenant of faith and the elevation of Gods chosen people.

Today, those called by God who respond in faith to that call, are also to walk with heads held high for both whose we have chosen to become and whose we now are.

It’s a pride to possess without shame on a road less traveled without indetermination.

Heads held high are bought for a price by a God whose army is being assembled for the coming victory.

I never used to be like this.

I’d wake up anxious, ruled by the ‘what ifs’ of the day ahead and what to do to defend against consequences of the yet unknown.

It’s a miracle how things have changed.

For these many years since I first acquiesced to the fact I’m not in charge, my first waking thoughts are now less ‘what if?’ and a lot more ‘maybe today!’

What a hopeful difference it offers to my morning outlook.

I’m not sure exactly when I pivoted from viewing time and unfolding experience as the enemy instead of my comrade and frankly, I don’t wonder much about it anymore since the view is so much better looking at life as a heavenly menu of possibilities versus dodging the anxious unknowns.

But at some divine moment, anxiety turned away to reveal anticipation, its friendlier counterpart. And mornings haven’t been the same since.

Looking expectantly to the day’s unexpected revelations sure beats blind strategizing against them as foreboding enemies.

There’s an untapped power in ‘maybe today’ thinking and a good morning is what you make of it.

Try plugging into the power of expectancy and today might just be yours for the taking.

Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.

‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭19‬:‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A rare ‘do’ among the notorious ‘do nots’ chapter in the Old Testament commands us to care for and respect the elderly among us.

Since I was a young man I have held highest regard for the aged.

Literally hundreds of posts and stories about their care and welfare have made it on my pages.

Now as I pull into that same station in my own life, I watch for others who also carry their banners. They are my people.

If you want to know the civility and humanity of a people, you’ll find it in how they regard their elders.

They are our almost buried stories, historians of our culture, and bearers of moral codes that move us forward.

Pray particularly for the gifts of patience and empathy that recognize and acknowledge their contributions and worth.

Soon, you will also arrive at that depot and need to be met by a tribe that knows the value of your journey.

They don’t know when to stop.

They offer without an ask, buy before a need, don’t give or take no for an answer and expect nothing in return.

They don’t regard the world as their oyster, but rather their responsibility.

Their gifts give beyond the holidays and our lives are their only prize with every new morning a personal canvas to divinely practice the fine art of being human.

They create masterpieces for needy people they’ve never even met and surprise unsuspecting strangers from the benevolence of their bottomless hearts.

They neither demand nor expect the same for themselves, but survive on intuition, conscience, faith and opportunity.

Their deeds are often mistaken for angels and tiny pieces of heaven that have fallen to earth, which of course, they are.

They know no different and don’t know when to stop because indeed, this is what they were wonderfully made to do.

And someday. when you meet one, they will either change your life forever or inspire you to follow.

When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.

‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭19‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God provides for those who cannot provide for themselves until they can.

It doesn’t take much to meet the needs of others but those of us with much bear the responsibility to make it happen.

The most critical part of being thankful for what you’ve been given is to give back to those without.

Especially at this time of year, a hand up beats a hand out. A hand up is the choice to lift another from unfortunate circumstances by acknowledging the abilities they still possess to help themselves along the journey.

This is the very heart of charity.

Bear one another’s burdens but let each carry his own loads.—Galatians 6:2-5

If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible.

‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

See something, say something.

In an increasingly detached world, speaking up and speaking out is a risky option.

If it’s not about you, don’t get involved.

Truth is, all that’s needed for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing.

That’s not verbatim but close enough to get the message.

We are not called to the fear and timidity that renders us silent. We can all recount countless times in history that false doctrine advanced the cause of evil another small and insidious step.

With knowledge comes responsibility.

Jesus turned this world on its ear by speaking up and speaking out. Following him requires our loudest voice.

See something, say something.

It’s a new slogan for an ancient lesson lest we become an accomplice to evil.

It could have easily gone sideways.

But it was Christmas Eve at the market and I was getting a few last minute things. The checkout lines were long as a bobtail.

I chose Lynda’s line because she’s always been cheerful and helpful in many ways.

Fifth in the line of 10 or more, directly behind me, number 6 began complaining and her impatient rant was desperately looking for support among the ranks. But nobody was biting.

“I can’t believe they don’t…blah…blah” she continued.

And as if we’d rehearsed it, we all began talking among ourselves about the joys of our holidays, how Lynda was our favorite checker and we all made light of it when the receipt tape ran out on number 2, the gift cards didn’t validate on number 3 and number 4 could get two more 12 packs for free on the promotion though he didn’t speak enough English to understand her. Number 8 chimed in with a translation and we all laughed and waited for the box boy to return with his other two.

All except number 6. She stood there fuming.

No matter how busy this holiday season, keep your cool, keep your joy, wish Merry Christmas to all your numbers 1-10 but say a little prayer for the number sixes who just aren’t there yet. 

So every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭36‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Being skilled at a particular craft is an endowment from God with intent for you to use it for his glory.

I’ve been a writer all my life.

It wasn’t until the day I was saved from a 25 year prison sentence that I acknowledged the gift and began using it to tell stories of redemption on my website.

Your craft, your trade, your skills—none are your own. They may earn your livelihood, pay the rent, and put food on the table but not until you put them to work for a higher purpose and calling will they make the difference in this world for which they were so generously given.

It took all kinds of skilled workers to construct the intricacies of the Lord’s tabernacle, and hearts responding to the need, each with his or her specialized gift.

People may be capable of great things but miss the blessing of using them for the highest and best purposes.

It begins by knowing Jesus, from whom all blessings flow.

She was like a holiday seasoning.

She swore me to complete secrecy but she’s now gone, and not to be forgotten for her many generous acts of service.

Allison called me the December before she left us to say she wanted to share some kindness with a HopeLink client in great need. I shared one particularly sad case and after we both cried a little on the phone, she was off and running.

She shared her own Christmas Jar tradition with this family under the cover of night, placing it on the doorstep, ringing their bell, then running off. Apparently this has been her holiday habit for many years.

The next day, our client phoned us in tears saying someone had left her a $400 jar of coins on the porch which, coincidentally, was the past due amount on the family’s power bill.

Allison’s secret gesture that evening just before Christmas kept the power on for that family and started them all back to church once again with a renewed belief there is indeed a God who provides.

Allison Copening, the secret’s out.

You earned your angel wings well before you left this earth.

Those of us who knew you aren’t the least bit surprised.

Your years with us seasoned our holidays and everydays and will be remembered for a long, long time.

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭34‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Moses was lit.

Some people maintain such a close and personal relationship with God it’s evident even before they speak.

They just light up a room.

They don’t say much, but when they do, it’s gold. Humble but so helpful.

There’s a man I know like this. He spends the bulk of his time in study and prayer. Even a brief chat with him leaves me feeling enlightened, invigorated and challenged.

Seek out people who inspire you.

Be the radiant light for others, yourself like a brilliant gem reflecting the love and wisdom of God gained only by time in Word, prayer, and deed.

Others will see it on your face.