“ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’”  (Luke 18:13)

Lee Irons quotes on his blog (below) Jeff Iorg’s book that opens “In my 20s, I was determined to change the world. In my 30s, I tried to reform the church. In my early 40s, I discovered I was the problem.”  So common is our propensity to see the problem as something external— something out there.  If we could get those others to act right or at least believe right, then we will be on our way to the kingdom of God.  Jesus’ lesson on humility starts with me.  This is not to say that there should never be a movement of external social reform.  However, this reform should proceed only after much more effort has been expended to clean up my side of the street.

http://upper-register.typepad.com/blog/2012/05/building-character-for-godly-leadership.html

“Now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?” (Luke 18:7)

My first reaction was, “yes”.  A trial or injustice may last a very long time before it is resolved.  Evil may reign and do its dastardly work for an extended period.  But when the change happens – the trial is resolved, the injustice righted, the hurt relieved – it happens swiftly and the joy afterwards makes the times of trial diminish to a distant memory.  Waiting always feels like forever but in God’s economy it is a short time.  God’s response ushers in a time of lasting joy.  Therefore, keep crying to God.  It is not as long as we think.

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child” (Luke 2:27)

At times, like Charlie Brown, I would develop a little cynicism about Christmas.  After all, how many ways can one tell this story of the Christ child?  But the point isn’t creative writing to discover new facts or to explore a new sentimental angle.  Linus had it right – he got up and read the gospel of Luke and said, “This is what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown”.  It is a story that needs repeating and revisiting.  It is a story to be read in homes across the land.  It is a story that is to be cherished in our hearts.   It is a story that must never be forgotten.

“For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people.”  (Luke 1:68)

In today’s religious climate where the primary goal of spirituality is self-help (a sentiment I have been guilty of falling into) it is good to reorient myself to a culture where one waited expectantly to see how and when God was going to make the next step in His plan for the ages.  There was no guarantee that it would happen in Zacharias’ lifetime but it did and that was a cause of great joy and outburst.  When, Oh Lord, are you going redeem your people and make things right in our confused and conflicted world?  We look with joy at God’s footprints in human history in the past and wait expectantly for what will unfold some day in the future.

“While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:6)

Much is made of the frantic, unwelcomed couple and the poor accommodations they found themselves in. This view makes us guilty of looking at the story through modern eyes. In actuality, Joseph and Mary were not looking for a hospital or a Hampton Inn. The roof over their head was not such a step down from the common, communal inns of that day. The point is, that Jesus was born a common man – nothing special and without fanfare. He was not expected. No one, but a few, saw the entrance of God into human affairs. No one thought to celebrate or to make special preparations. They were another night’s rent for an inconvenienced inn keeper. When the world expected God to arrive with a great display of splendor, God came unawares.