by Eric von Atzigen

For the old man’s daughter, it would be a life without options.  She had not chosen which household she would be born into.  She had not chosen how her father would live his life.  She had not chosen slavery, nor prostitution, but it was the life that awaited her.  Hers’ was a life without options.

“Oh God,” she would cry in the still hours of the night, “is there anyone who can save me?”

On the other side of the village, beside the warm glow of a crackling fire, a young man lay face down on the hard stone floor.  His was a life without options.  Born into a family of wealth and extravagance beyond the imagination of most, he was accustomed to privilege.  He had lost his parents to the plague at an early age and had been required to mature quickly in order to manage the vast estate and resources of his family.  Though he was now alone, the legacy of faith and righteousness his mother and father had instilled in him was a constant companion.

“Oh God,” the young man whispered into the cold, dark night, “All that I am is Yours.  How can I serve the Christ child, the One who has saved me?”

It had been a brief three hundred years since the King of Glory had conquered death and brought hope to mankind, and the message of his gospel was alive, even in Patara, Lycia, at the Southern tip of Turkey.  The message was living and it burned in the heart of this wealthy orphan.

And in the crisp air of this Turkish night, two prayers mingled together.  Voices, like wisps of smoke, made their way to Heaven in a strange melody.  Desperation and discontent danced.  The need of each would be the answer to the other.  Poverty would be met by provision, and both would discover the power of purpose.

Young Nicholas arose from his fireside prayer.  Heaven had answered, and he knew what to do.  A quick visit to the storehouse, and then to the stable, and he was off — mounted on his white steed he blazed through the village under a canopy of starlight, a sack draped across his back.  The sting of the cold night air was countered by the rush of blood that intoxicated him.  His face was hot, his breath was short, his eyes watered as his horse rode on.  Panic and joy formed two storm fronts in his heart and erupted in thunderclaps of laughter as he continued his ride.

She had no options, therefore he had no options.  He nudged his stallion though the twist and turns of the muddy village streets as the weaver’s house came into view.  The weaver was a good man, but not a wise man.  He had raised his three daughters alone after the loss of his wife, and the fire four winters ago had left them with nothing and no opportunity to rebuild.  He wept each night, not so much from the hunger as from having to watch his children wither from the effects of his poverty.  And so he felt he had no option, he must sell his oldest in hopes of providing for the younger two.

He wept.

She wept.

And Nicholas rode, weeping and laughing.

The faint smoke of a smoldering fire could be seen rising through a tattered hole in the roof.  Nicholas spurred on his mount, faster and faster.  He could not help being heard, but he must not be seen.  He was galloping now, feet planted in the stirrups, his back bent as he whispered praises to God in his horse’s listening ear.

They blazed past the fire-charred weaver’s home, and in one motion Nicholas heaved the bag over his shoulder and toward the hole in the roof where a chimney once stood.  With a shout of “Christkindl,” or “Christ child” as we would understand it, he was off, still laughing, still crying, so much more alive than he had ever dreamed possible.

And the bag — that bag filled with gold coins — that bag would offer hope of a new life for a young woman hours away from the auction block.  That bag must have sprouted wings, or been met by a winged messenger, for its path was too perfect.  Its landing was too soft as it flew through the hole in the roof and settled quietly in the stocking of the young woman, the very stocking she had hung to dry by the fire that night.

Prayers of desperation changed the course of history that night, as they danced their way to heaven and brought life to the giver and the receiver. 

For the young woman, the stocking of gold became her dowry.  She became eligible to marry and marry she did, to a good and kind noble man, and the legacy of her descendents was changed forever.

The young woman had younger sisters, each of whom would cry out to the Lord and each of whom would receive a gift from Nicholas that would save their lives and alter their history.

And the weaver, he wept no more, for his daughters did not go to bed hungry.

As for Nicholas, he continued to live a life with out options.  A life of radical obedience and unhindered generosity.  And the heart pounding rush of giving a gift would continue to erupt in thunderous laughter.  He laughed not only in giving, but in suffering, as he was tortured for his faith.  His captors desired to see him renounce Jesus, but all they heard was the sound of laughter.  He laughed as he confronted heresy in the leaders of his church.  Some sought to deny the glorious divinity of King Jesus, but all they heard from him was the sound of laughter.

He learned to laugh from giving, and laughter became his gift and his strength for living.  He would laugh in the face of friends or in the face of enemies, with shouts of “Christkindl,’ or “for the Christ child!”

And thus, through the course of history, some came to know him as Chris Kringle.  Some came to know him as Saint Nicholas.  Children in our lands have heard him called Santa Claus.

An orphan boy, whose heart found warmth in the fire of God.  He had nowhere else to go — he had no options.

by Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

Have I not told you? Be strong and have strength of heart! Do not be afraid or lose faith. For the Lord your God is with you anywhere you go. Joshua 1:9 (New Life Version)

We enjoy our yard birds. Quail, dove, and a sort of sparrow are our regulars. On occasion we have woodpeckers and cardinals, and on very rare occasions, a hummingbird or two. In addition, there are owls and hawks of different varieties that sweep across our place and stay in our pine trees or on the telephone poles just outside the boundaries of our six acres.

The quail usually come in one first and then in a single-file line to the feeder. Others hang back as if to see if it is safe, but there is always one who goes first. My husband says this is the one with courage.

When I was young, I felt safe in the pack. We were respected, and our values were honored. However, in today’s world, Christians are under attack on many fronts.

Depending on where you live, you may find yourself standing alone at school, in the workplace, in our court system, and even in your family. Will you be like the first quail to make it to the feeding ground, or will you hang back waiting for someone else to go first to test the safety of the area?

Take comfort-you are not alone. God himself resides in you. Stand Up! Get Ready! Have Courage!

by Mindy von Atzigen

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 (KJV)

My children love Veggie Tales videos, and “Bob and Larry” have taught them many a Bible story. Once, as two of my sons were watching a vegetable rendition of the Samson story, Bob the Tomato was instructing his cucumber friend that the Bible tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who hurt us.

My four year old turned to his seven-year-old brother and asked, “Is that true? Does the Bible really say that?” His voice was filled with confusion. For a guy who usually carries at least two swords (they may be plastic, but in his mind, he’s dangerous), that didn’t seem like quality advice.

His older brother simply nodded and said, “Sure, it is. That’s what God said.”

My little one considered this a moment and then said, “Oh, OK.”

No wonder Jesus wants us to have the faith of a child. They are somehow able to believe that if God said it, He must have a reason, and therefore our job is simply to obey. How that must truly bless the Father’s heart. There are often times in my own life when I come to a crossroads of faith. Do I choose to listen and obey the voice of my Lord when it doesn’t make sense to my own mind, or do I decide He didn’t really mean it, and it’ll be alright if I trust my own reasoning for awhile?

Are you at a similar crossroads? Are there areas of your life where you need to exercise child-like faith? Place your hand in your Father’s today and agree to do things His way. He won’t let you down.

by Ron Smith

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 18:4 (KJV)

Coming in from a job I had been working on, I sat down to eat. I had washed my hands, but I was still wearing my dirty work clothes. My 15-month-old granddaughter was sitting in her highchair with her bib on, already munching down with a fork in her right hand and a handful of spaghetti in the other.

Although I was obviously a little late, I quickly asked, “Are you ready to pray?”  Without hesitation Tiannah slapped her hands together in a sort of prayerful position-the best you could expect from one so young.

I quickly prayed, “Thank You for this food, Jesus. Amen.”

As was her custom, she instantly threw her hands straight up in the praise position. With an excited voice, I again said, “Thank You, Jesus!”

I couldn’t help but grin at the little hands and happily innocent face, both covered in spaghetti. I thought, Surely, God is supremely happy with the obedience of every one of His children as they perform their acts of piety in childlike innocence.

When we pray, when we worship, and when we witness, perhaps we seem to God as innocent to Him as our toddlers do to us.

I pray that we may always be like little Tiannah-ignorant of our messes as we joyfully submit ourselves to the Father of All.

Despite the messes in your life, is there an area in which you just need to come as you are in childlike faith and innocent submission?

by Peter M. Lopez

My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.  Psalms 89:34 (KJV)

Before my wife and I were married, she said, “If you want children, don’t marry me.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t want children; she loves children.  She was merely repeating what she had been told years earlier by doctors-that she might never have children. 

About two years into our marriage, we realized we did want kids.  We did the only thing we knew to do, we prayed.  A few baby-less months passed. We waited patiently, and we prayed.  For nearly two years, men and women of God unbeknownst to one another prophesied repeatedly we would have children.  A few more baby-less months passed.

Eventually we became frustrated.  Then, one night, as clearly as I have ever heard anything else from God, He said, “You will have a child by this time next year.”  It was June of 2007.  July, August and September came and went.  No pregnancy.  Had we been wrong?

Finally, on November 13, we learned we were pregnant.  The doctor declared July 13, 2008 to be the due date.  It was close enough for us.  God had said June, but we could live with July. 

One afternoon, after a long day in court, I was driving home and decided I wanted to buy our coming baby girl her first Bible.  I stopped at a bookstore and found the perfect little pink children’s Bible.  I bought it.  Naturally, I had to buy a matching gift bag and tissue.  I was so proud.  As I got on the road, I realized I had not turned my phone on after court, so I checked it.  I had a voice message, “…my water broke and we’re at the hospital….”  The baby was on the way!

Libby Grace was born the next morning at 5:19.  It was June 27.  She was three weeks early, but God was right on time. 

Is there an area of your life where you have been waiting for God to move?  Thank Him today that His timing is always perfect!

by Denise Boynton

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6b (NIV)

We have recently been teaching our children the Lord’s Prayer.  Every night when we put them to bed, we say each sentence and they repeat it.  The other night I said, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.”  It was quickly followed by our two-year-old’s version, “Our Father, who art in heaven, how could that be your name?”

After we stopped laughing, I got to thinking that he might have a point.  No matter what the circumstance, our Heavenly Father has a name to match it.  If you are dealing with a difficult situation today, make an appointment with the Wonderful Counselor.  Are you missing your daddy?  He wants to step in and be your Everlasting Father.  If your month is lasting longer than your money, call Him Jehovah-Jireh, your Provider.  Is someone you love sick today?  Remember that you know the Great Physician, Jehovah-Ropha, the Lord our Healer. 

Whatever your situation may be today, look for the name that fits.  Then you, too, can say in amazement, “How could that be your name?”

by Richard Ferguson

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJV)

It’s Wednesday morning. Cindy and I awake with the excitement that our seventeen-month journey to adopt a child is over!

Just two short weeks ago, we were informed by the adoption agency that we had been matched with a “birthmother.” The call came yesterday saying, “Your baby is here, and he’s healthy. Be here tomorrow to finalize the adoption.”

We load our son’s car seat in the minivan, and off to the hospital we go! We are taking it all in, enjoying every moment of the morning. After arriving at the hospital, our case worker informs us, “The birthmother is keeping her baby.”

This can not be happening! What about all the prayer? What about the many ways God has blessed us up to this point? Devastated, we come home with an empty car seat and full of questions and anger over what just happened.

This is our story of disappointment, but I am sure you can think of an event in your life when it has been difficult to believe in God’s promises. Trust in the fact that we serve a big God who can handle our questions and our anger.

One thing we noticed is that on Thursday the sun came up. It came up again on Friday! Eventually, we stood up with the rising sun and realized that God does not almost bless His children. He blesses us completely, and if we’ll stand strong and let Him do His work, our day of joy will come.

Today is a new day; so stand up and let God take care of you.

by Richard Ferguson

I waited patiently for the Lord; And he inclined to me and heard my cry.  Psalm 40:1 (NASB)

I shared with you the heartbreak of our experience with the adoption that fell apart. It was a pain that Cindy and I will never forget, but it was also a time that we saw God’s love for us through family and friends. As I have said, our loved ones helped us see that God is in charge and His blessings for us were coming!

Cindy and I had submitted a descriptive profile to the adoption agency for mothers to review.  We started praying for something about us to jump out at a birthmother who would be selecting a couple to raise her baby.

A month to the day after our failed adoption, we got a call from the agency that we had been selected again! A young lady had seen a picture of Cindy wearing a Dallas Cowboy’s t-shirt and decided to read our profile. The lesson here is no detail is too small for God to use!

We met our new friend (birthmother) on a Monday and brought our son Brandon Reese Ferguson home on a Friday afternoon. When it’s a “God thing” and you know He is calling you to follow His will, sit down and let him take the lead. His blessings come to us on His terms, so try to enjoy the ride.

by Suzan Hughes-Kennedy

The Lord is good, a safe place in times of trouble. And he knows those who come to Him to be safe. Nahum 1:7 (New Life Version)

One of the paintings I have completed is a bird’s-eye view of the inside of a wave with a storm in the distance. I showed it to my aunt, and she told me that it reminded her of “the pipeline, the place surfers want to be – the safest part of the wave.” I named the painting “God’s Pipeline.” Wanting to write about the painting, I decided to double check my terminology. It turns out that “The Pipeline” refers to Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu, a very dangerous surfing location surfers flock to. Because of the coral reef just below the surf, many have died there. This is not what my painting was about.

I researched and learned that surfers seek a rideable wave on the horizon and paddle out to it, attempting to match its speed. The standing surfer, having caught the wave, rides down the face of it trying to stay just ahead of the breaking wave in “the pocket” or “the curl.” Beginning surfers have problems just catching the wave, and experienced surfers strive to ride difficult waves. It seems to me that the joy of surfing must be in that ride in “the pocket.”  Maybe I should rename the painting “In God’s Pocket.”

The joy of my walk with Jesus is that I don’t have to worry about crashing in the world’s pipeline. I am protected from the reef of sin and unbelief through Jesus’ sacrifice. He makes sure I am riding on the front of the wave in “the pocket.”

Are you riding in God’s Pocket?

by Peter M. Lopez

Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalms 51:11 (NKJV)

We have a dog named Oliver.  Oliver wants nothing more than to be with us and, of course, a morning treat.

When we leave town for extended periods of time, Oliver usually stays with his grandma. When we return, she always reports that he moped around the house and wouldn’t eat. He cannot stand to be away from us.

If Oliver knows we are leaving, he sticks to us like glue. When we head for the door, he usually beats us to it. When we return, he anxiously waits for us to settle on the couch so he can climb on one of our laps. He then snuggles up tightly with us, and all is right in his world.

When I think about Oliver, I’m reminded of King David, who needed only to be in God’s presence. Whether King David was on the battlefield, on his throne, or hiding from would-be murderers, when he snuggled up tightly with God, all was right in his world.

Like Oliver longs to be with us, David could not stand to be away from God’s presence.  God said David was a man after His own heart, and I want a heart like David’s and Oliver’s.

Do you need things to be made right in your world? Spend time in the presence of God today.