This year Ready for the Road Ahead is taking on a new direction.  It is one that follows the grand theme of sight in all aspects which runs throughout Scripture.  My weekly writings will be excerpts from a book of the same name which should be published (Lord willing) later this year.
 
            Hearing, seeing, touching, smelling, tasting.  If I was asked to surrender all but one of my senses, I’d be hard-pressed to choose.  Each has its own distinct contribution to my life and all seem quite necessary to enjoy life to its fullest.  However I can think of remarkable people who have made a name for themselves in spite of lacking one or more of these vital components which we use on a daily basis.  But since we are exploring the connection between faith and sight the obvious choice would be that of seeing.
            From Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 sight plays an important role in matters of faith and it involves all facets of our eyes from making something known (that is revealing something so it can be seen) to the act of seeing- both in the physical and spiritual sense.  This facet of faith is driven home by the fact that the word “see” is used 1409 times in the Bible (as counted in the New American Standard Version; other versions are probably similar in count).  The number increases dramatically when you add in derivations such as “seeing, saw, seen, look, watch, and observe”. 
            Why is sight so important?  In the physical sense the answer is obvious.  How many times have you walked into something because you were not watching where you were going?  As for me, I have terrible night vision.  That’s why there are a number of little night lights placed strategically throughout my house!  Spiritual sight is even more critical because in the Biblical sense it often contains more truth then what we see (or don’t see) in the physical realm.  This point is driven home in the story of Elisha’s hapless servant who is convinced he and Elisha are about to come to a disastrous end at the hands of an army which surrounds his camp.  Fearsome warriors are all he can see.  Their weapons glisten in the sun ready to cut, slice and kill.  The servant cannot believe Elisha is viewing the situation with such calm until the prophet prays for his eyes to be opened and the truth of the situation is revealed.  The enemy army may be large, but the heavenly army God has sent to protect them is even larger (2 Kin. 6:8-17).
            The eye is a remarkable organ.  Spiritual eyes even more so.  We have a tendency to rely solely on our physical eyes as we go through life with all its ups and downs.  In the practical sense this is a necessity.  We see danger and avoid it.  We see sights which make us happy and enjoy them.  We see rain and grab an umbrella as we head out the door.  As we grow the connection between our sight and common sense develops and (hopefully) grows.  It’s all the more reason to admire those who have learned to compensate for the lack of it.  But in matters of faith it is important to develop the spiritual sight which enables us to look beyond the immediate situation and see what is going on “behind the scenes”.  Like Gehazi, Elisha’s sight-challenged servant, our eyes must be opened to see beyond what we perceive as reality to the realm of God’s activity which is often far more than what we think or expect (Eph. 3:14-20).
            Photography as become a surprising teacher for me in these matters.  But as I’ve delved more into the art and craft of it, photography has underscored a number of spiritual truths throughout the pages of Scripture.  My journey as a photographer has become a metaphor for my walk of faith; my pictures object lessons of principles the God-head has taught me along the way.  As my photographic sight has developed and matured I’ve come to see parallels in the way my spiritual sight has developed and matured.  I am about to share with you some of those lessons (and dare I say insights) with you in hopes that you too will see the Lord working in a similar way with you (2 Cor. 4:16-18).
 
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            My house is full of little things.  Some are useful; some not so useful.  Some are meaningful and some not so meaningful. Some are tied to traditions I “inherited” from my family.  There is no season where this is more apparent than the Christmas season.  Like my mother before me, it is probably my favorite time of the year.  And just like her, I enjoy the wonder of the Christmas story, the carols and all the decorations that go along with them.  Red Pillar Candles were abundant in our home at Christmas.  Encircled by garlands and greens they decorated the mantle and every table top.  Once my mother lit all the candles, put Handel’s Messiah on the stereo (the ancient days!), and along with my dad and their good friends the Gildersleeves sang all the choruses along with the record into the night.  I remember falling asleep thinking I was listening to a heavenly choir.  It is no surprise that my sisters and I love candles at Christmas too- although my “collection” has lessened through the years for practicality’s sake.  This year another special candle made by one of my sisters has center stage on the dining room table.  It too is a reminder of a Christmas memory past, but unlike most of my pillar candles it hasn’t been lit.  The memory makes it too special for me to use it up.  But it is surrounded by little (battery operated) tea lights which are often twinkling away while we eat dinner.
            Light is a central element in the Christmas story.  The shepherds are overwhelmed by the light of the heavenly angel announcing the Savior’s birth (Lk. 2:8-14), the Wisemen are guided to the Christ child by the light of the star (Mt. 2:1-12) and Simeon proclaims that the baby Jesus is a fulfillment of God’s promise that His Servant would be “a light to the nations” (Is. 42:1-7; Lk. 2:25-35).  In the Old Testament the Hebrew word for light is “or”.  In the literal sense it is light from heavenly bodies (Jer. 31:35; Ezek. 32:7) but it can also mean light itself (Gen. 1:3; Ecc. 12:2).  The pillar of fire was a light for Israel in the wilderness (Ex. 13:21).  In the Old Testament (as well as the New) light is always used as a positive symbol, such as for good fortune (Job 30:26); victory (Mic. 7:8-9); justice and righteousness (Is. 59:9); and of one who brings deliverance (Is. 49:6).  There are some prominent expressions that also involve light: the light of one’s face means someone’s favor (Ps. 44:35); to see the light means to live (Ps. 49:19); and to walk in the light means to live by the standards God has made known to us (Is. 2:5). 
            The New Testament word, “phos” (pronounced foe-ss), also carries similar meanings.  It is used for light in itself (Mt. 17:2; 2 Cor. 4:6); light emitted from a luminous body such as a lamp, a candle, a fire (Mt. 14:54; Lk. 8:16; 22:56; Acts. 16: 29;  Js. 1:17; Rev. 18:23), or the sun (Rev. 22:5); of daylight (Jn. 11:9-10) and the opposite of darkness (Mt. 10:27; Lk. 12:3; Eph. 5:13); of the dazzling light which is God’s glory surrounding His throne (1 Tim. 6:16; Rev. 21:24) and Christ’s physical appearance after the Resurrection (Acts 9:3, 5; 22:6, 9, 11; 26:13).  And like its Old Testament counterpart, phos can be used in a figurative fashion as well.  It can mean spiritual understanding (Jn. 3:19; 8:12; Acts 26:18; Rom. 13:2; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:8; 1 Jn. 2:8); how that understanding is exhibited in the way one lives (Mt. 5:14-16), and the conscience, i.e. the “inner light” (Mt. 6:23; Lk. 11:35).  But perhaps the most significant use of the word phos in the New Testament is its connection to the fulfillment of Is. 9:2 in Mt. 4:12-17.  Jesus as the Great Teacher and Savior of the World is The Light who brings life and immortality to its fullest in His Gospel (Lk. 2:32; Jn. 1:4-5, 7-9; 3:19; 9:5; 12:35-36, 46) so it is no surprise that He makes the claim “I am the Light of the World” in Jn. 8:12.  But would one expect such a significant Light to make its entrance into the world as a baby?  Probably not!
            There was a time when our boys were growing up that we spent Christmas Eve with some very dear friends.  On that night they turned off all the lights and lit everything by candle light.  The ambiance was quite beautiful!  The church I grew up in also had a wonderful tradition with candles.  As the final minutes of Christmas Eve came to their conclusion the carol “Silent Night” would be sung.  Each person had a small candle in their hands and one by one they would all be lit around the sanctuary.  Precisely at midnight the organ would burst into “Joy to the World” and we’d lift up the candles and we sang about Christ’s birth.  The light of a candle is the epitome of Christmas symbols and a perfect reflection of “those who walked in darkness” coming to “see a great light” even as a babe in a manger (Is. 9:1-7).  It is my hope and prayer that The Candle of Christmas Jesus Christ, would burn brightly in your celebration of His birth this year and that you in turn, will shine His light on those around you.
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre
 

My house is full of little things.  Some are useful; some not so useful.  Some are meaningful and some not so meaningful. Some are tied to traditions I “inherited” from my family.  There is no season where this is more apparent than the Christmas season.  Like my mother before me, it is probably my favorite time of the year.  And just like her, I enjoy the wonder of the Christmas story, the carols and all the decorations that go along with them.  Red Pillar Candles were abundant in our home at Christmas.  Encircled by garlands and greens they decorated the mantle and every table top.  Once my mother lit all the candles, put Handel’s Messiah on the stereo (the ancient days!), and along with my dad and their good friends the Gildersleeves sang all the choruses along with the record into the night.  I remember falling asleep thinking I was listening to a heavenly choir.  It is no surprise that my sisters and I love candles at Christmas too- although my “collection” has lessened through the years for practicality’s sake.  This year another special candle made by one of my sisters has center stage on the dining room table.  It too is a reminder of a Christmas memory past, but unlike most of my pillar candles it hasn’t been lit.  The memory makes it too special for me to use it up.  But it is surrounded by little (battery operated) tea lights which are often twinkling away while we eat dinner.
            Light is a central element in the Christmas story.  The shepherds are overwhelmed by the light of the heavenly angel announcing the Savior’s birth (Lk. 2:8-14), the Wisemen are guided to the Christ child by the light of the star (Mt. 2:1-12) and Simeon proclaims that the baby Jesus is a fulfillment of God’s promise that His Servant would be “a light to the nations” (Is. 42:1-7; Lk. 2:25-35).  In the Old Testament the Hebrew word for light is “or”.  In the literal sense it is light from heavenly bodies (Jer. 31:35; Ezek. 32:7) but it can also mean light itself (Gen. 1:3; Ecc. 12:2).  The pillar of fire was a light for Israel in the wilderness (Ex. 13:21).  In the Old Testament (as well as the New) light is always used as a positive symbol, such as for good fortune (Job 30:26); victory (Mic. 7:8-9); justice and righteousness (Is. 59:9); and of one who brings deliverance (Is. 49:6).  There are some prominent expressions that also involve light: the light of one’s face means someone’s favor (Ps. 44:35); to see the light means to live (Ps. 49:19); and to walk in the light means to live by the standards God has made known to us (Is. 2:5). 
            The New Testament word, “phos” (pronounced foe-ss), also carries similar meanings.  It is used for light in itself (Mt. 17:2; 2 Cor. 4:6); light emitted from a luminous body such as a lamp, a candle, a fire (Mt. 14:54; Lk. 8:16; 22:56; Acts. 16: 29;  Js. 1:17; Rev. 18:23), or the sun (Rev. 22:5); of daylight (Jn. 11:9-10) and the opposite of darkness (Mt. 10:27; Lk. 12:3; Eph. 5:13); of the dazzling light which is God’s glory surrounding His throne (1 Tim. 6:16; Rev. 21:24) and Christ’s physical appearance after the Resurrection (Acts 9:3, 5; 22:6, 9, 11; 26:13).  And like its Old Testament counterpart, phos can be used in a figurative fashion as well.  It can mean spiritual understanding (Jn. 3:19; 8:12; Acts 26:18; Rom. 13:2; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:8; 1 Jn. 2:8); how that understanding is exhibited in the way one lives (Mt. 5:14-16), and the conscience, i.e. the “inner light” (Mt. 6:23; Lk. 11:35).  But perhaps the most significant use of the word phos in the New Testament is its connection to the fulfillment of Is. 9:2 in Mt. 4:12-17.  Jesus as the Great Teacher and Savior of the World is The Light who brings life and immortality to its fullest in His Gospel (Lk. 2:32; Jn. 1:4-5, 7-9; 3:19; 9:5; 12:35-36, 46) so it is no surprise that He makes the claim “I am the Light of the World” in Jn. 8:12.  But would one expect such a significant Light to make its entrance into the world as a baby?  Probably not!
            There was a time when our boys were growing up that we spent Christmas Eve with some very dear friends.  On that night they turned off all the lights and lit everything by candle light.  The ambiance was quite beautiful!  The church I grew up in also had a wonderful tradition with candles.  As the final minutes of Christmas Eve came to their conclusion the carol “Silent Night” would be sung.  Each person had a small candle in their hands and one by one they would all be lit around the sanctuary.  Precisely at midnight the organ would burst into “Joy to the World” and we’d lift up the candles and we sang about Christ’s birth.  The light of a candle is the epitome of Christmas symbols and a perfect reflection of “those who walked in darkness” coming to “see a great light” even as a babe in a manger (Is. 9:1-7).  It is my hope and prayer that The Candle of Christmas Jesus Christ, would burn brightly in your celebration of His birth this year and that you in turn, will shine His light on those around you.
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre
 

            For many years the little yellow pig with the funky orange and green flowers on her side, a tiny sticker that read, “Who me?” stuck on her nose, and a slot on the top of her back sat on my book shelves holding a small treasure trove of coins in her belly.  I’d purchased her in the mall at a store called “The Smuggler’s Attic” which was somewhat like the cross between a psychedelic Pier 1 Imports home décor shop and an underground bizarre selling questionably legal merchandise.  Every now and then I’d put money in her and every now and then I’d take it out.  For a while she landed on the shelf above the washing machine and collected whatever coins didn’t make it out of pockets before jeans were washed.  Nowadays she sits temporarily on top of my dresser in the bedroom glaringly out of place amongst hairbrushes, pictures and perfume bottles, but still doing the job of holding a few special coins and one old Monopoly dollar bill.  Piggy banks have been around for a long time as a means to teach children the importance of saving but I’m not sure if they’re as widely used today as they were when I bought mine because I thought she was cute back in the day.
            We are always looking for ways to save.  We buy things on sale.  We watch for discounts and compare prices.  We use coupons.  We know we need to save but the Bible is concerned that we know we need to be saved.  More than two hundred centuries ago some shepherds in fields just outside of Bethlehem received an astonishing announcement from an amazing messenger (Lk. 2:8-20).  Luke tells us that as they watched their flocks an angel of the Lord appeared to them and said, “Today, in the city of David, a Savior has been born” (Lk. 2:10).  This was such good news to the shepherds they immediately sought out an audience with this special child (Lk. 2:15-16).  Because we’ve become quite self-sufficient these days, we’ve lost sight of the concept that humankind needs to be saved.  We may catch a glimpse of this when we go through a personal crisis that seems insurmountable.  But we forget that our plight is not limited to the physical realm.  The Bible tells us that in the spiritual realm we are desperately in need of a Savior (Rom. 3:21-26).
            Our need for a Savior is perhaps best illustrated in the grandest stories about salvation- the Exodus (Ex. 7-12).  Bound to a lifetime of slavery by their Egyptian taskmasters, the Israelites groaned under the weight of their labor.  They knew there was no way out of this situation.  They knew they did not have the physical or financial means to free themselves from their circumstances.  Enter Moses, an unlikely representative for the God who could save them, and after repeated resistance from Pharaoh “delivers” as promised.  We may not have a physical “slave owner” in our lives, but we are bound to one (Jn. 8:34; Rom. 6:6, 16-17. 20) and only a Savior can set us free from its grasp.  Hence the angel announces to those fear stricken shepherds that the Savior who is born is not solely for the shepherds alone; He is for all people (Lk. 2:10).
            Advent is often promoted as a time of waiting for the birth of Christ.  It was a wait that began in Eden (Gen. 3:15) whose fulfillment was promised through the prophets (Mic. 5:2-4) and was announced as fulfilled to a field full of sheep and shepherds.  The terms the angel uses to describe this child are significant.  He is a “soter” meaning savior, deliverer, preserver and specifically one who saves another from danger or destruction and brings them to a state of prosperity and happiness.  When spoken of Jesus as the Messiah it refers to Him as the Savior who delivers people from the power of sin, eternal death, the punishment and misery which is the consequence of that sin, and gives them eternal life and blessedness in His kingdom (Lk. 2:11; Acts 5:31;13:23; Phil. 3:20; 2 Pet. 1:1, 11; 2:20; 3:2, 18).  Jesus is also called “christos”, the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew term messiah, meaning an anointed one.  The term in the Old Testament referred to everyone who was anointed with the holy oil- primarily the priesthood and kings- but it was also applied to others who acted as redeemers or deliverers.  In the Gospels the word is applied chiefly to Jesus as He is anointed to be the Savior of the World (Mt. 1:17; 2:4; 16:16; Mk. 12:35; 13:21; Lk. 2:11, 26; Acts 2:36; 9:22; 18:28).  The first Advent, and the titles given to Jesus when it took place, addresses our need to be saved.
            Have you ever wondered why our little coin collectors came to be shaped like a pig?  Apparently in the Middle Ages the type of clay used to make them was called pygg and the pots became known as pig pots.  Even though other materials eventually replaced clay as the material of choice the name stuck.  When we were children our piggy banks reminded us that we needed to save money.  As adults Advent reminds us that we needed a Savior.  The Good News is we have one! (Lk. 2:10)
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

             Christmas is fast approaching and I’m glad to say that this year, I’m doing pretty well in the gift department.  I only have 2 more presents to get and send.  All the gift buying and wrapping often causes me to appreciate many of the gifts I’ve received through the years.  Some of those gifts have come from faraway places.  The friends and loved ones who bought these treasures for me knew the kinds of things I like and their gifts reflect that: a little copper pyramid from Egypt, Brussels lace from Wales, a lovely decorated bird from the Ukraine, and a “widow’s mite” from Israel.  None of them seem unusual and all of them have a personal meaning to me.
            Holiday souvenirs are not the only gifts that people give and receive.  When a baby is born the same usually happens.  Those gifts can range from the practical (diapers, bottles, baby clothes) to the more elaborate (monitoring systems, strollers that convert to car seats and baby rockers and numerous toys!) but in the end they are all useful in one way or another even if it’s just to entertain baby while you make dinner.  Not many people would think of bringing the kinds of gifts to a baby that the Wise Men brought to Jesus but Scripture tells us they brought 3 very costly gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.  It is obvious to most of us that gold is a gift you’d bring to a king and Matthew’s Gospel tells us that Wise Men did believe the star which led them to Jesus was an indication that royalty had been born (Mt. 2:1-2).  So we read of this gift and naturally pass by the other two without much thought.  But here is where the “baby gifts” get interesting!
            The use of essential oils has become quite popular recently but they are nothing new.  They were used widely in the ancient world for much of the same reasons we use them today, most notably in perfumes and medicinal treatments.  The Ebers Papyrus, a 16th c. B. C. list of medicines and recipes, includes both of the oils brought by the Wise Men to Jesus in Matthew 2- frankincense and myrrh.  Frankincense was extracted from the trunk of the Boswelia tree.  When the bark was cut resin would ooze out and harden into whitish beads.  These were collected and processed to make the oil.  Myrrh was also a plant based gum resin which was reddish in color.  Its name is derived from the Semetic root word mor which means “to be bitter” because of its taste.  Both of these oils were used perfumes and for incense (Ps. 45:8; Prov. 7:17; Est. 2:12; Rut. 3:3; SOS 3:6; 4:6; 2 Sam. 12:20; Ex. 30:7-8, 23, 34; Lev. 2:1-12; 6:14-18; 24:7).  Once processed the oils were transported throughout the ancient world via camel caravans (Gen. 37:25; 43:11; Is. 60:6; Rev. 18:13).
            Although oils were used by both rich and poor, male or female to cover over offensive odors and protect the skin from the ravages of the climate and age, frankincense and myrrh did not fall in that common use category.  The regions where their sources grew (Arabia, Ethiopia, Somalia and India) made them more costly, so they along with several other oils were considered luxury items.  In fact because of their value and cost, frankincense and myrrh were on equal par with gold and silver as commodities for trade and a sign of wealth (Is. 20:12-15).  So it is not surprising that the Wise Men brought them along with their gold as a gift for the newborn royal the star had led them to.  What is surprising in the context of this “baby gift” is that both of these oils were used to prepare bodies for burial as well (Mk. 15:23; Jn. 19:39-40).  Can you imagine receiving a gift like that for your baby or even yourself?  They don’t seem to be as loving and personal as the collection of gifts I have in my home.  However, like the gift of gold the Wise Men brought which truly was fitting for a king (even though He was only a baby at the time) the frankincense and myrrh by both their value and purpose were fitting too in that they reflect the reason why this King was born in the first place.
            In the much-cherished Christmas hymn In the Bleak Mid-winter Christina Rosetti’s poignant lyrics ask an important question, “What can I give Him?”  The poetess considers the shepherds’ and Wise Men’s gifts as significant offerings but laments that she is not in a similar situation, so what can she give?  The conclusion is that she can give her heart.  In a commercial culture where Christmas has become a give-and-take holiday we check off a list of gifts we have to give and look forward to the ones we will get.  The Wise Men remind us that the One most deserving of gifts at Christmas (and especially those of value) is the Child whose gifts signified His death.  Rosetti’s poem reminds us that the best gift we can give Him in response to the gift He gave to us is our heart (Dt. 6:5; Mt. 22:37; Mk. 12:30; Lk. 10:27).
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            My house is full of little things; some are useful, some not so useful.  Some of those things are meaningful and some not so meaningful but this year I’ve discovered they all hold a lesson from the Lord if I’m willing to think about it for a while.  I must say that thankfully I think my home holds more meaningful “things” than meaningless things.  That would most certainly be true of a plaque that hangs in my bedroom.  It was a wedding gift from a good friend who decoupaged our wedding announcement on to a small wooden block with a hook on top.  (Yes, we were married in much simpler times!)  The announcement eloquently asks the recipient to join my parents in celebrating the upcoming marriage of their daughter (that’s me!) and my soon-to-be husband at the church I grew up in on June 17, 1978.  It was an announcement that I’m sure those who received it were pleased to get.
            The Bible is full of announcements.  Beginning in Genesis 1 where God announces that what He has created is “good”, and all the way to Revelation 22 where Christ’s return is promised as “coming quickly”, a variety of messages are announced to anyone “who has ears to hear”.  It is announced to Noah that there will be a great flood (Gen. 6:13-14) and how he should prepare for it.  Abraham is warned that destruction is coming upon Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18:16-21).  Moses is told to go to Pharaoh and announce God’s message, “Let My people go” (Ex. 3:1-11).  It is announced to Joshua that his battle plan is to march around the walls of Jericho (Jos. 6:1-5).   Gideon is told that he will become a deliverer of Israel (Jud. 6:11-18).  Elijah announces to Ahab that it will not rain for 3 years (1 Kin. 17:1).  It is announced to Jonah that he is to go and preach to the Ninevites (Jon. 1:1-2).  An angel comes to Daniel and announces the time frame of God’s plan for salvation (Dan. 9:1-27).  While each one of these announcements carry their own distinct amount of surprise and often garner a strong reaction of protest, wonder or disbelief from those who receive them, they pale in comparison to the numerous times someone, usually a woman, received the good news that they would be having a baby.
            Why were birth announcements so amazing?  Because in most cases the prospect of having a child was deemed impossible!  Abraham and Sarah had lived well beyond the years when children were biologically possible (Gen. 17:15-19; 18:1-15).  Manoah and his wife had accepted a childless state when they received their special announcement (Jud. 13:2-3).  Hannah was also childless (1 Sam. 1:13-18) as was the Shunammite woman (2 Kin. 4:8-17).  In each of these stories there was a stigma attached to the woman for being unable to produce an heir.  But in each of these stories, God demonstrated that He was not only the One who brought forth the fruit of the earth for physical sustenance but the fruit of the womb as well.  Birth announcements are not limited to the Old Testament, but the two we have recorded in the New Testament are perhaps the most outstanding of them all.  The announcement the Elizabeth and Zacharias receive in Lk. 1:5-20 resonates with similar elements to that of Abraham and Sarah and each child was the fulfillment of a great promise made by God (Gen. 12:1-3; 21:1-8; Mal. 3:1-2; 4:5-6; Lk. 1:16-17).
            But perhaps the most spectacular and amazing birth announcement in all the pages of Scripture occurs in Lk. 1:26-38 when one of God’s most magnificent and impressive messengers visits a young but devout Galilean teen to tell her that she will become the mother of the promised Messiah.  Unlike all her predecessors who had earthly husbands to assist in the baby-making process, Mary “has not known a man” (Lk. 1:34) and her betrothal period has not been consummated.  But Gabriel explains, “Nothing is impossible with God” (v. 37).  After all He is the God who created the world out of nothing!  Mary’s response exhibits her extraordinary faith.  She refers to herself as a doulos, a servant whose will is bent on doing only the will of the master and affirms that this event (as we would say) is as good as done.
            During the final weeks of every year churches around the world celebrate the season of Advent which begins with reflections on the world’s greatest birth announcement which was continued in the grazing fields outside of Bethlehem 9 months later (Lk. 2: 8-14).  It is the perfect time to think about the special announcements you have received throughout your lifetime- a promotion, an award, an engagement, a wedding, a graduation, a child- all have carried some special significance.  But the greatest announcement that you and I will ever receive is embedded in the one Mary received from Gabriel.  “You will bear a son and you shall name him Jesus (Yahweh saves)” for that Child has made the greatest announcement of all (Lk. 4:16-21; 24:44-48; Jn. 11:25; 14:6 and more!).
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

          Health care professionals from a wide variety of disciplines readily agree on the benefits of drinking water every day.  Therefore my water bottle is often within eyesight reminding me I need to keep hydrated.  It was given to me as a gift a couple years ago and I particularly like its wider mouth and the handy-dandy flip top and handle.  Our home is blessed with its own well, so we have great tasting water.  Others prefer the bottled kind over their tap water and there are plenty of brands to choose from.  Recently the world of bottled water was all abuzz when a class action suit filed against one of its most prominent companies claimed that its “pure 100% natural spring water” did not actually come from a spring hidden somewhere in the Maine woods.  The claim went on to say that Nestle, the parent company of Poland Springs, was actually using common ground water which didn’t meet USDA standards in their product.  This is not the first time Poland Springs and Nestle have been sued in this fashion.  A complaint filed in 2003 claimed Poland Springs was not sourced from deep in the Maine woods as their advertising claimed.  That lawsuit was settled leading the industry to wonder what will happen with this latest litigation.
            We tend to think of water as a daily commodity.  The only time we really recognize it for the necessity that it is comes when we are encountered with a storm that takes out the electricity and our ability to get it.  But in the world of the Bible that understanding of water was constantly on peoples’ minds.  In the northern regions of Israel water was more available.  The mountains of Upper Galilee had springs which fed into several rivers; the Jordan River being the most prominent of them.  The Sea of Galilee was also (and still is) a major source of fresh water and the geography allowed a significant enough amount of rainfall for agriculture.  But in the southern portion of the land, water was (and still is!) harder to come by.  The Dead Sea offered no help here so water was collected in cisterns and those who lived in the wilderness learned how to “read the rocks” that had porous capacities which could cause pockets of water to form just under their surface.  Wadiis, deep gouges on the earth’s surface could also be water source if they had a spring within them like En Gedi.
            The cycle of seasons in the ancient world truly forced those living in it to recognize their dependence on the God who set it all in motion.  In ancient Israel, there were two crucial “rainy seasons” which contributed to a bountiful harvest and a continued growing season.  Rainfall was critical to collecting water for basic needs.  It filled cisterns and wells from above but it also had an effect on natural water sources raising the water level of rivers, the Sea of Galilee and springs.  Water thus became “labeled”.  The water collected and stored in a cistern for example was called “common”.  But water from a spring or river was considered “living”.  When Jesus walked upon the earth the source of one’s water was very important.  It was taken just as seriously as the advertising claims of modern bottled water companies.  In fact the oral tradition of the rabbis (the Mishnah) even graded water on its religious value!  Most importantly “living water” was considered to be water whose direct source was God Himself unlike the water of a cistern that was transported by human hands.  With all this in mind one can easily see why Jesus’ claim in Jn. 7:37-38 was so shocking to those who’d come to the Temple to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles or why His discussion with the woman at the well in Samaria was a bit confusing to her at first (Jn. 4:1-30).  In each instance water is at the center of the event.  The worshippers at the Temple were recognizing God as their source of the life giving entity; the woman focused on the tradition of Jacob establishing a well there for the preservation of future generations.  In each case Jesus claimed He was a better source of water.  Jesus declared He was better because He was both the “living water” and its source.
            I confess that when I go to my water faucet each day and pour its cold and refreshing liquid into my handy-dandy water bottle that I do not think about where that water is coming from.  I don’t thank God for the water table 1500 feet below my house that supplies me with some of the best water I’ve ever had.  And while it is good to thank God for these daily provisions my thoughts this week have made me examine where I’m getting the water for my spiritual nourishment.  Am I tapping into the “Living Water” or drawing it from a cistern produced by someone else’s hands?  One of those sources is going to eventually leave me high and dry so I’m reminded to drink wisely.  How about you?  Does your water source live up to its advertising?
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            My house is full of little things; some are meaningful, some not so meaningful.  Some are useful and some more useful than others… which brings me to the subject of scissors- one of the more useful items in my home.  However in the inexperienced hands of a child scissors can be a precarious tool.  I have one beloved doll from my childhood who was victim to a “trim” I gave her.  Thankfully my mother discovered me in the act before I cut off too much hair.  My granddaughter Lucy thought she could be just like Grandma (the other one who was a professional hairdresser at one time, not me) and cut her own hair with the kitchen scissors.  Thankfully real-life hair grows back and Grandma was able to fix it so that Lucy’s haircut didn’t look too strange!
            The Bible has its own scissor story.  I’m sure you know which one I’m referring to!  We are introduced to the story in Judges 13:1-3 with the appearance of “The Angel of the Lord” visiting the “wife of Manoah” a woman who is barren.  The angel brings surprising news.  Mrs. Manoah is about to conceive a son and he will be dedicated to the service of the Lord.  The Bible briefly mentions Samson’s birth and his upbringing (v. 24) and heads right into his adulthood where one would expect then to see a young man seeking after God’s will and leading the people in a righteous manner.  But Samson is anything but that!
            We learn in 13:5 that Samson was to be a “Nazirite” to God.  Nazarites are first mentioned in Num. 6:1-21 as a person who undertook a special vow to be “separated for the Lord”.  During the timeframe of the vow that person was not to cut their hair, touch a dead body, drink any fermented beverages or consume any product from the grapevine.  Most vows of this nature were for a limited time but the angel tells Mrs. Manoah to abstain from these as well because Samson was to be a Nazirite “from birth” (Jud. 13:4).  However it seems that Samson never took his dedication seriously.  We see this in the impulsive and over the top way he lives (Jud. 14:8-14; 15:4-5, 14-16; 16:1-3).  But Samson’s greatest mistake and downfall was his relationship with Delilah (Jud. 16:1-22) which resulted in the world’s most infamous scissor story.
            While Samson’s choices and behavior were highly questionable, Scripture makes it clear that many times his behavior became a catalyst for God’s judgment on the Philistines who were oppressing the Israelites (Jud. 13:4, 6, 19; 15: 14-20; 16:28-31).   God did not condone Samson’s behavior nor tell him to do these actions.  Things like mixed marriage were forbidden (Dt. 7:3) because sooner or later one value system and faith will override the other (Solomon is another great example of this principle- 1Ki. 11:4) and Samson’s first marriage certainly was the beginning of his undoing .  God did not force Samson into his ill-conceived decisions but even though they were not right, God was still able to accomplish His will in spite of the lack of wisdom in Samson.  Thankfully God can work through even our worst mistakes!
            But why compromise?  Why do we insist on following a path we know is wrong when there is a better choice?  One author wrote, “Even with the blessings of God in his life, Samson gave in to his own physical desires.  His life was ultimately ruined because of his insistence upon having whatever he wanted”.  Ironically what Samson wanted was often due to what he SAW at the time (mostly women!) and the first thing the Philistines did to him was gouge out his eyes.  But Samson’s blindness finally got him to see what the Lord wanted for him and in the end he repented and literally gave his life to vindicate God before his pagan captors.  This act earned him recognition as a man of faith in Heb. 11:32 in spite of the reckless life he lived beforehand.  Thankfully when we suffer the consequences of our ill-conceived choices, God can use them to shape and mold us into a better witness for Him (Heb. 12:9-11).
            Jesus warned against succumbing to compromise (Mt. 5:27-30) saying that even if one body part causes even the slightest hint of sin one should destroy it.  Was He really advocating mutilation?  No, of course not, but His use of hyperbole shows us that compromise sneaks up so quietly and stealthly that drastic measures have to be taken to get rid of it and it’s not surprising He uses the two senses which were Samson’s downfall.  If you and I think we are above that, we should think again!   Do we compromise in the area of entertainment?  I think we do.  Do we take care of our needs first and then give what’s left of our time to the Lord?  I think we do.  It’s easy to compromise.  It’s not easy to “clean house” after the effects of that compromise have taken their toll.  So when you’re tempted to compromise this week, ask yourself if you’re about to pick up a pair of scissors for “just a little trim”.
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            My house is full of little things.  Some are useful, some sentimental and some surprising.  If you took one glance around my living room you’d probably never expect to find a lava lamp in my home, but I have one!  Lava lamps were invented by Edward Craven Walker, a British accountant, in 1963.  The glass lamps contain a special colored wax mixture floating inside a translucent liquid which is heated from below by an incandescent light bulb.  The heat from the bulb causes the wax to rise, but once away from the heat source it cools and floats back down to the bottom of the lamp.  The bulb then heats the wax again and it floats back to the top.  The process repeats over and over as long as the lamp is on.  When they are off, lava lamps are not much to look at, but when the heat is on you can watch those floating shapes for hours!  Without the heat, the beauty of the lava lamp is unperceivable, but when the heat is on, its beauty is noticeable to all.
            Beauty produced by heat is not exclusive to lava lamps.  Most precious gems are produced by massive amounts of heat below the earth’s surface.  Sand is turned into glass by the heat of a furnace and glass-blowers will heat and reheat it until they’ve created a piece of beauty.  Steel and other forged metals are shaped into decorative items in the same way.  Ceramic glazes look down-right ugly until the fire of a kiln brings out the hidden colors from the minerals and elements that were mixed in order to produce it.  But according to the Bible the most beautiful thing produced by “heat” is our faith. 
            There is a mind-set among some believers that once you accept Christ as your Savior nothing bad will ever happen to you again.  Apparently Peter knew some folks who felt the same way for in 1 Pet. 4:12-14 he admonishes them, “Don’t be surprised when you encounter trials” echoing the very words He heard Jesus say (Mt. 5:10-12).  Not all trials have to be catastrophic or monumental, but we shouldn’t be surprised by them.  According to Jesus they are a natural part of faith-based living.
            But why do they come?  What is their purpose?          James reveals the answer in his letter written to believers scattered across the Roman Empire in Js. 1:2-4.  There are several key words here.  First, the word “testing” (dokimion) refers to a criteria or process that demonstrates whether or not something is genuine.  In NT times it was used of metals that were without alloy.  In a similar fashion, it’s like the folks who “thump” a melon to see whether or not it’s ripe.  The second word is “produces” which is based on the verb “to work” and it carries the idea of something being carried out until a task is complete or finished.  The third word, endurance, can also be translated as perseverance and it is the same word Paul uses in Rom. 5:3-5 to describe the effect of tribulations we encounter while living out our faith.    Both James and Paul state that the “result” (a word that can also mean objective or purpose) of this testing is that our faith reaches its desired goal.  This word combined with “perfect” paints a picture of something which is finished and complete- that is the process has come to an end and the work is done much like a product which has reached the end of the production line in a factory.
            Faith under fire or faith which has encountered various struggles is faith which brings out the beauty of what we believe.  Or perhaps it is better to say WHO we believe.    If we have placed our faith in material possessions our faith will come under fire when they slip away (Mt. 6:19-21).  If we have placed our faith in human institutions or one particular person our faith will come under fire when they fail us.  But when we face a trial as a result of misplaced faith or any other reason and we understand that it is part of the process of refining our faith and bringing out its beauty then our struggles take on a whole new meaning.  It doesn’t mean we will look forward to going through them!  But it does mean we will appreciate their purpose because they will teach us more about Jesus and His suffering (1 Pet. 4:13) and help us to be more like Him (Rom. 8:16-18; 1 Pet. 2:21; 3:13-17).
            Like a lava lamp whose wax remains lifeless until the warmth of the incandescent bulb reaches the right temperature, our faith will remain unnoticeable until a struggle or trial causes us to stretch our faith muscles and rely on no one else but Jesus (Mt. 5:14-16).  But accepting a trial as a “proof-test” of our faith helps us to see that struggles are a thing of beauty and the end result of them brings glory and praise to Jesus (1 Pet. 1:6-8).
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre