By Cyndi

When I was reading through the story of the Last Supper recently and saw where John the disciple was reclining on Jesus’ bosum (Jn. 13:23), I was reminded of how God designed us to live with tangible, affectionate touch. In fact, hugs in a family express love and are a sign of emotional and spiritual health.

Years ago when I was a school teacher, we occasionally were required to take classes having to do with childcare.

One such childcare class was directed towards those who handled smaller children. Now, I don’t remember much from this class, however, one thing was reiterated throughout the entire lecture — children need safe, affectionate touch to stay healthy and learn.

Over the years there have been experiments on babies who were not allowed to be touched or nurtured in any way, and in one experiment, here in the US in 1944, it permitted the little ones to be fed, bathed, and have all their physical needs met, but nothing else. No talking, cooing, smiling, or communicating with them was allowed beyond that which was only necessary. The results? At least half of the babies had died within four months. The study determined they died from a lack of affection.

As teachers we were instructed that affection was necessary for growth and learning. Every child—and in reality, every person—needs to be hugged at least 8-13 times a day, depending on which studies you review. And if you do a quick search on the internet, it is quite easy to find numerous reports that show how vital touch is to our health.

Just a month or two ago my mother went to a new doctor and what do you think was the first thing she noticed most from her appointment? The doctor made proper physical contact. He gently touched her hand or arm when speaking to her, using it as a sign of tenderness and caring. She was so used to many physicians being too “clinical” and not expressing a personal genuineness about them, it made a deep positive impression upon her, especially as a widow who lives by herself without much day-to-day physical contact. She viewed him as very kind and considerate.

I remember as a teenager, while doing homework on the dining room table (pre-computer days), my father would lean over my shoulder, gently touching my back as he would ask me if I needed any help. This was an meaningful way he communicated affection to me.

Our sense of touch is extremely important. Jesus knew this too. We see examples of Him healing through touch, touching little children. He even touched a leper and allowed a prostitute to touch Him!

So with your spouse, children, family, and friends whom you care about and know really well — touch them! Touch their shoulders, touch their arms, hold their hands, pat them on the back, play footsie! Try to give and get at least 8 hugs a day. God knows it will keep both you and them healthy and strong.

By Cyndi

This is the title to a famous sermon Jonathan Edwards preached in 1741 that has been observed to define much of the Great Awakening revivals in the early American Colonies. Fortunately, revelation is progressive, because just from looking at the title alone, I have to agree with the sinners part, but not the angry God part. I hope I don’t ruffle your feathers, dear reader, but here’s why.

First of all, the sinners part. Yes, it’s true, we’re all sinners saved by grace. With the recent passing of Billy Graham, those that spoke of him always mention his humility and how he constantly reiterated his need for Jesus. I agree — we need Jesus. In my thoughts, my words, my spending, my driving…. I need Jesus. I’m not perfect. Be that as it may, I’d like to share a verse with you.

Genesis 1:27 & 31—So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.

I think we would all agree that we’re created in His image. And after He created us, what did He say we were? Not only good, but very good. Did you ever notice that little word “very” in verse 31? I only did so recently. So it’s like we have God’s DNA in us. Our very essence is good.

Now, of course, that got blown out of the water when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden. Their lack of trusting in a good, good Father brought sin into our linage. (thanks guys) So when we look in the mirror we can say, yes, we absolutely need Jesus to restore us back to the Father and wipe away our sins. But we can also say we’re made in the image of Almighty God Himself, Who is perfect. We are His perfectly designed masterpieces.

Now let’s get to the second part of this sermon title—the angry God part. Where did this come from?

Most of us look to the Old Testament to find His anger and I’m not looking to get into a full-fledged theological debate, but taken in context, don’t all parents get upset with their kids sometimes? Especially with the free will He so generously bestowed upon us. He didn’t create robots; He created kids (in His image). Notwithstanding, as many of us know, our kids don’t always make the best choices.

But even more than this, let’s look at the New Testament. Many say Jesus came as our brother to protect us from this angry Father. Yet, when you search the scriptures, we see that Jesus was the exact representation of His Father (Col. 1:15—“the image of the invisible God”). He even said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

Matthew 11:29 tells us that Jesus was meek and lowly of heart. So if He’s the same as the Father, then the Father is meek and lowly of heart, right? When we see Jesus allowing the children to come to Him, or healing all the sick, this is exactly what Father would be doing—they’re the same. (John 5:19-20)

Jesus weeps over Lazarus (Jn. 11:35) and has such compassion for Jerusalem, His people (Luke 13:34). Where did He learn this from? His Father. He is the expressed image of God. Father wanted to reveal Who He genuinely was to His kids on earth.

John 14:6—“ I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father but by me.”

Jesus came to restore back our relationship with the Father. He came to show us God’s not some big angry judge in the sky looking to bonk us on the head for every single thing we do wrong. No. Father wants to hold us in His arms and touch us, even as Jesus allowed a woman of dishonor to wash His feet with her perfume and hair (John 12:3). Father God, just like Jesus, is gentle, loving, and compassionate.

I believe a newer version of this sermon could be entitled—“Sinners in the Hands of a Loving Father.”

By Cyndi

I love thinking about how God is Immanuel—God with us. The Word tells us He will never leave us or forsake us. (Heb. 13:5) Everything we have experienced so far in our lives, God has gone through it with us. And no matter what we are going through now, or will go through later, He will be there with us in the midst of that too. He loves us that much.

Sometimes when our circumstances are so difficult it’s hard to imagine He cares for us. Often we feel totally alone and abandoned by Him.

One of the most difficult times I have ever been through was the first year we lived on the mission field. We were in another country dealing with culture shock (not realizing it), without our friends or family, and no one who even spoke English to talk to. I remember one night we bumped into a Peace Corp worker at the ice cream shop and it was such a thrill to sit down with an American just to fellowship, although we had nothing else in common. Such was the scenario of this little city in the Dominican Republic.

During this year, one afternoon I was ironing clothes in our bedroom (because the electricity happened to be on then and that’s where the air-conditioner was). Feelings of loneliness and despair suddenly arose in my heart. Now understand, my father had passed away from colon cancer four years before we had moved here and I believed I had “dealt with” his death. However, in the pit of isolation, this fury of anger about his death welled up inside of me.

I stopped ironing and lashed out at God accusing Him of taking my dad from me and leaving me fatherless. I demanded to know why He took him, and told Him how unfair it was. I cried, I yelled, I pouted, I blamed. I released all my pent up anger, fear, and resentment I had at God and I let Him have it. I slammed Him hard—very unlike my normal well-kept calm Christian composure.

Then crumpled on my bed next to the ironing board whimpering and wiping tears from my face I heard a gentle still voice. He simply said, “I’m so glad you got that out of you. You’ve been carrying that for a long time.”

The One on whom I poured out all my wrath, lovingly wrapped His love around me like a big warm blanket. He took my pain. He took my anguish. He took my heartache. I let it go. All the “whys” went away. It didn’t matter anymore. I felt loved.

Immanuel showed up in that small Dominican bedroom. I didn’t make Him mad. I didn’t cause Him to be upset with me. He never left me. He stayed right there with me, in the middle of my pain, in all my fears and guilt. He was with me.

This is how much Father God loves us. There is nothing we can do to make Him love us any more than He already does. And there is nothing we can do to make Him love us any less than He already does. You see, He is love. (1 John 4:8)

This one event changed me more than most anything else in my Christian walk because, you see, I realized then that there really is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. (Rom. 8:39) He came into the midst of my mess just like He did 2,000 years ago. Jesus chose to come into the mess of humanity with all it’s evil, brokenness, and pain so He could reunite us with His Father. Oh, the lengths He takes to restore relationship with us.

I was restored that day. I know God is always with me. And He’s with you, too.

By Cyndi

Yes, it’s that time of year again—Christmas. The holidays bring forth lots of emotions, stress, and busyness. But there are 3 things the Father has been speaking to me about for the season this year—Family, Friends, and Faith.

Family

Some of us are blessed to have a good family, relatives we actually like to be around. Some of us have difficult family situations. Getting together with relatives can cause old hurts to resurface and painful childhood memories to be relived again. And no matter what kind of family we have, there can often be tension simply by getting that many people together at one time! All of us have changed since last year too: aged, married, divorced, had kids, had surgery, traveled, lost loved ones, gone through different life experiences, etc. None of us are in the same place we were the last time we got together. So I have a few suggestions that may help:

• Humble yourself and allow the grace of God to flow through you.
• Give grace to your elders, for we do not know how much longer we have with them.
• Make amends, forgive.
• Listen, laugh, love.

Our relationships with our family are important.

Friends

There’s a line in the song, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, that says, “Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more.” Be careful to not get caught up in presents or gift-giving. Be the gift yourself.

• Give of your time and heart to those around you.
• Reach out to someone who may not have many friends and welcome them into your circle.
• Befriend strangers, invite them to church, share a cup of coffee.
• Be kind to one another.
• Smile, hug, take time to visit.
• Call someone you haven’t seen in a while.
• Make memories.

Faith

This is one time of year when most of the world recognizes Jesus’ birth. Let us not forget to take the time to reflect on His coming to earth as Immanuel — God with us.

• Share your faith.
• Be kind, be nice, be generous.
• Reflect His love to everyone you come in contact with — yes, even in the holiday traffic.

Remember that He is always with you and will never forsake you. You are never alone no matter what you are going through. He loves you with an everlasting love.

Christmas is a time for peace on earth, good will toward men. Remember the end of the story of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas? Let your heart grow and explode with goodness, kindness, gentleness, and all the fruits of the Spirit just like his did. It’s not about the presents, it’s about His Presence.

Love came down. Let us spread it around.

Merry Christmas.