If
you have a sibling, you realize your relationship with them is unlike
any other. Like it or not, you are bound to them by genetics, DNA, and
blood. Chances are, your relationships with brothers/sisters have had
ups and downs. Perhaps, your sibling bond is similar to that of the
comic book brother and sister named Van Pelt. Known better around the
world as "Linus and Lucy"
You
may know the song better as the theme to Charlie Brown or Peanuts.
While not being composed as a Christmas classic, "Linus And Lucy" finds
its way onto radio stations and homes during the Christmas season more
than any other time. It serves as an introduction to Jazz trios to
millions of people each year as it is one of the principle themes for
the soundtrack of 1965's A Charlie Brown Christmas (hear the full album: A Charlie Brown Christmas full album). Chances
are, at the opening piano lick of "Linus And Lucy", you are transported
to a simpler time in your life. A time where cartoons bordered on
being reality and disbelief was suspended. You may have visions of a
sickly Christmas tree and a blanket carrying young man saying..."Lights
Please.."
Linus VanPelt's monologue from A Charlie Brown Christmas
For a more in depth look at the history of A Charlie Brown Christmas
and the impact of Linus' monologue check out the December 10, 2013
Tuesday's Musical Notes. It features another of the songs from A Charlie Brown Christmas, "Christmas Time Is Here" (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Christmas Time Is Here")
One
of the appeals of the Peanuts comic strip has been the constancy of its
relationships. You know that Lucy will inevitably pull the football
away from Charlie Brown. You know that the Red Baron is going to shoot
Snoopy out of the sky. You know that Linus will have his blanket close
by and that Pigpen will be...well...dirty. It seems the characters and
the way they interact with each other rarely changes. The associations
are familiar as we watch how the characters in the comic interact and we
know without a doubt what will happen next because it has been
happening for over 50 years. There is something reassuring about
characters acting in manner that is expected.
Reality
however, is not as reassuring. Rarely do people act the way we
expect. Even our closest comrades have a tendency to surprise us on
occasion. History is replete with leaders who when faced with an
obvious choice, did something completely out of character for them. The
results from such decisions are mixed. Sometimes it works out good,
others...not so much.
There is one relationship that we can have in our lives that we never have to worry about going against character. It is a relationship that once is entered into, will never change. It is constant. It is promised as part of the prophecy about the reason for the season...
“How do we tire him out?” you ask.
By saying, “God loves sinners and sin alike. God loves all.” And also by saying, “Judgment? God’s too nice to judge.”
He’ll be like white-hot fire from the smelter’s furnace. He’ll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry. He’ll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He’ll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they’re fit for God, fit to present offerings of righteousness. Then, and only then, will Judah and Jerusalem be fit and pleasing to God, as they used to be in the years long ago.
“Yes, I’m on my way to visit you with Judgment. I’ll present compelling evidence against sorcerers, adulterers, liars, those who exploit workers, those who take advantage of widows and orphans, those who are inhospitable to the homeless—anyone and everyone who doesn’t honor me.” A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
“I am God—yes, I Am. I haven’t changed. And because I haven’t changed, you, the descendants of Jacob, haven’t been destroyed. You have a long history of ignoring my commands. You haven’t done a thing I’ve told you. Return to me so I can return to you,” says God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
There is one relationship that we can have in our lives that we never have to worry about going against character. It is a relationship that once is entered into, will never change. It is constant. It is promised as part of the prophecy about the reason for the season...
Malachi 2:17-3:7The Message (MSG)
You make God tired with all your talk.“How do we tire him out?” you ask.
By saying, “God loves sinners and sin alike. God loves all.” And also by saying, “Judgment? God’s too nice to judge.”
“Look! I’m sending my messenger on ahead to clear the way for me. Suddenly, out of the blue, the Leader you’ve been looking for will enter his Temple—yes, the Messenger of the Covenant, the one you’ve been waiting for. Look! He’s on his way!” A Message from the mouth of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
But who will be able to stand up to that coming? Who can survive his appearance?
He’ll be like white-hot fire from the smelter’s furnace. He’ll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry. He’ll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He’ll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they’re fit for God, fit to present offerings of righteousness. Then, and only then, will Judah and Jerusalem be fit and pleasing to God, as they used to be in the years long ago.
“Yes, I’m on my way to visit you with Judgment. I’ll present compelling evidence against sorcerers, adulterers, liars, those who exploit workers, those who take advantage of widows and orphans, those who are inhospitable to the homeless—anyone and everyone who doesn’t honor me.” A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
“I am God—yes, I Am. I haven’t changed. And because I haven’t changed, you, the descendants of Jacob, haven’t been destroyed. You have a long history of ignoring my commands. You haven’t done a thing I’ve told you. Return to me so I can return to you,” says God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
From
this passage that tells of the coming "...Leader you've been looking
for...", we get an incredible piece of encouragement. "I am God-yes, I
Am. I haven't changed." Malachi was a prophet who served during the
time of Persian rule over Israel. The Israelites had been through much
as a nation at this point. They needed the reminder not only of the
coming "Messiah", but that God Himself was still a part of the plan for
their nation just as He always had been. This comforting statement of
consistency would propel Israel into the time where Biblical history has
a large gap.
As
we enter this season of peace, hope, joy and love, let us take a moment
of pause and reflect on the relationships to which we engage. Let's
take that a bit deeper...we need to take as much time as it takes to
begin, reignite, or reaffirm our relationship with God. The promise
that was made in Malachi comes from the creator of the universe. Maybe,
this Christmas, the gift you need and in fact is your heart's truest
desire, is a relationship with someone who has never changed. It would
be the best gift you could ever give yourself and be the gift that keeps
on giving...
And just in case you wanted to begin thinking about next Christmas...well maybe you didn't get enough Charlie Brown yet...
Peanuts Movie trailer
Peanuts Movie trailer
'Til Tuesday
Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy
No comments:
Post a Comment