The Best of Times; the Worst of Times

It was the best of times……being with my family here in Austin over the last several weeks and having my oldest grandson, Braden and sweet wife, Ruth, here over the last several days made it even more special. There was laughter, reminiscing, big brother and little brothers rough-housing, sweet moments when our Bryson asked Ruth to help with his anatomy science work, and she did, building mousetrap cars, great dinners out and in, attending church together, along with serious conversations about the future. Though they plan on waiting for at least two years to start their family, Braden and Ruth talked a lot about the baby they will have one day, and Bryson, rather Uncle Bryson (our 10 year old), announcing that he will be the favorite uncle. LOL! Not one time in all the sweet times together did we talk about the worst of times, in our country, around the world or in any other situation.

I had to look up those words “the best of times and the worst of times” and found that Charles Dicken’s classic work, “A Tale of Two Cities” begins with those words….”It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness...." The French revolution had brought the worst of times and the best of times to both France and England. Dicken’s words were truly descriptive of the mood of the world. In many ways we know what it is to experience the best times in our lives and our world, and at the same time, and in other ways, the worst of times.

Here’s the best news EVER! God’s "Good News" is greater than the world’s bad news. John the Apostle described Christ’s coming as light coming into the darkness, and he said that the darkness could not extinguish it. It could not conquer it, or overpower it. Darkness is simply the absence of light. All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish a single candle. God’s light has come into the world to overcome the darkness, and the darkness is helpless against it. Light is greater than darkness and God’s "Good News" is always greater than the world’s bad news. No comparison!

If we only paid attention to the news or social media, we’d think there was only darkness in the world — only bad news. But if we would meditate on the "best of times" in our lives as well as start our day reading the Good News, our mind would be filled with good and the 6 pm evening bad news could not overcome it. We say with Paul, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57. Here's the promise we have from God: “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” 1 John 5:4)

We have to be talking about good news and looking for good news if we are going to find good news. We have to believe that God brings the best of times in the middle of the worst of times. We have to receive the good news into our heart and make it a part of our life.

It's easy to live in the darkness. We can live as though there is no good news — only bad. Like Darth Vader, we go over to the dark side. We can live with anger and negativism. We can give in to pessimism and despair. We can look for the worst, and fail to believe the best. The power of darkness can seem so strong at times. It appears to be all around us. Everyone seems to be giving into it, and we feel overwhelmed and alone. But these are the words of our "BEST OF TIMES" Lord: John 8:12 “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

Two teams are playing in this world. One is all about darkness, and the other is all about light. One is all about bad news, and the other is all about good news. We know which one will win, and that's the team I'm on. That is good news.....AND....the best of times!

Bah Humbug or Good News of Great Joy

"Bah Humbug" is an expression used to show disgust at the Christmas season, made famous by Ebenezer Scrooge in the Charles Dickens novel 'A Christmas Carol'. Ever had that "Bah Humbug" feeling? With all the "Joy to the World", "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and all the other songs of goodwill and glad tidings that describe this season, I would be remiss to think that we are all in that perky, celebratory mood. I know there are many that can hardly wait for this season to be in the "rear-view" mirror.

I get that. I know what it is for my Daddy to pass away on December 17th and witnessing my sweet Mama unwrapping his gifts that she had placed under the tree for him! Bah Humbug. I know what it is for my Sweetheart to graduate to heaven on November 16th and have the first Christmas without him in over 44 years. Bah Humbug. I have friends whose loved one just recently passed away, others who are facing a debilitating illness and still so many others who are experiencing tremendous financial stress -- particularly because they just can't afford to spend another dime, and they're broken-hearted that their little ones just may not get that "Santa gift" that they asked for. Bah Humbug.

Christmas isn't that happy-go-lucky, jingle bells, holly jolly time of the year for everyone. But who wants to be Ebenezer Scrooge any time of the year -- especially at Christmas? Remember the angel's words to the shepherds on that first Christmas night...."Do not be afraid -- I bring you good news and great joy!" There is good news. There is great joy. That news is for ALL people -- you and me -- no matter what we may be facing.

Whether we have family surrounding us, or we are one of our beloved service men and women who are away from their family this Christmas. Whether we live in a palace or a small one room apartment, we can experience that good news and great joy. What matters most is that we remember what matters most. The Christmas story makes our own stories make sense. It offers us comfort and joy. That is the message that all of Scripture offers. It’s the message, invitation, and reality of our God – throughout time, now, and forever.

Here’s a few of those scriptures that explain it:
From Psalm 63 "My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises You with joyful lips when I think of you on my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy."
COMFORT AND JOY.

From Psalm 34:8-10: "Taste and see that the Lord is good! How blessed is the one who trusts in Him! Fear the Lord, you holy ones of His; for those who fear Him lack nothing."
COMFORT AND JOY

From Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
COMFORT AND JOY

God-with-us. Emmanuel. Comfort and joy. May it be so. Whatever your circumstances are this year, focus on the face of God and be reminded of why we celebrate Christmas. It isn't really about all the things the world has made it to be. It is about the good news of great joy. Picture the God of the universe handing you his Son, wrapped in swaddling clothes. Hear him say, "Don't be afraid of anything….ever. I give you water that you'll drink and never thirst again. I give you peace that passes all understanding. I give you joy. I give you comfort. I give you goodness and mercy. I give you a future and a hope. I give you my Son, Jesus"

Great Expectations

The word, HOPE, means “the exciting expectation that something GOOD is about to happen”. Charles Dickens is well known for his book, “Great Expectations”.
With GREAT EXPECTATION I look forward to each day being one that is blessed and joy-filled. I'm experiencing that on this beautiful cruise I'm on. Believe me -- it took work and diligence to be here, but it was worth every minute. We do what we can do to be a success and then with GREAT EXPECTATION....we can count on the rewards. And in the same way, we do our part of giving....then we can EXPECT an abundance of receiving. We do our part of planting.....we can EXPECT a bumper crop. It's just God's law or reciprocity.

Do you have your hope up and do you have great expectations for your life? Those of us who have experienced “expecting” a baby – well know that it is a process. We don’t get half way through our pregnancy and say – “I’m through with this – I’m done with ‘expecting’!” No, we know it’s a process, and if we patiently wait for “the appointed time” of delivery, we’ll be blessed with a precious bundle of love and joy.

Living a life of great expectation is a part of the BLESSED LIFE of being a fully devoted follower of Christ. That means we can live life in a radical way – the way of trusting, believing, and expecting that all He’s promised us will be ours if we patiently wait for His perfect plan for our lives...with GREAT EXPECTATION. Don’t give up! Keep your hope up! Get your EXPECTOR expecting! Remember ….. it’s a process! Your “baby” (your hopes, your dreams) will get here….and you’ll soon be blessed with God’s bundles of love, peace, beauty and joy.