Our Annual Christmas Guest

“If the meaning could be put into a sentence, there would be no need of telling the story.” H.V. Dyke

As I watched the scene unfold, no gift under the tree could have brought greater pleasure. The lights were dim, and the tree sparkled; soft music played in the background. With little ones clad in Christmas pajamas and snuggling in our laps, the seven of us sat in a semicircle, waiting with anticipation. The ambience offered all that one could want on Christmas Eve, and I tried to absorb every blissful second.

At this moment, our son took out a book to read at home with his family, just as we had so many Christmases past: The Other Wise Man.

Our Annual Tradition

A tradition is an intangible we carry with us wherever we go, giving shape and meaning to seasons and situations. And, a tradition helps make a house a home. As I moved my family from nation to nation and across unique cultures, traditions provided this pilgrim a much-needed thread of continuity.

While some traditions naturally run their course and fade, there are those traditions that become classics. Like antiques, they grow more precious with time and are treasured and passed down from generation to generation. For our family, The Other Wise Man is such a classic.

Our Annual Guest

As David opened the cover, I thought back over the life of Artaban the Fourth Magi, who also saw the star and declared, “The King is coming, and I will go to meet Him.”

In this fictional account, Artaban’s three gems form the thread of the narrative: a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl. With urgency, he sets out to follow the guidance of heaven’s light. However, repeatedly, he is deterred and thus denied (so it seems) the completion of his journey.

Beyond being a beautiful literary work, this story offers inspiration. In Artaban’s humanness, we see holiness.

Understandably, you may ask, “What does it mean?” And the author himself answered that question: “If the meaning could be put into a sentence, there would be no need of telling the story.”

Now with Christmas near, may our Lord Jesus Himself thoroughly bless you and yours as you make memories, honor traditions, and celebrate the wonder of His birth.

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21)

Perhaps 2025 is the perfect time to treat yourself and those you love to a new tradition and read The Other Wise Man. If your audience is young, the shortened and edited version retold by Pamela Kennedy is outstanding.

When God Calls an Audible

“Good morning! I must have a procedure, and I need a driver. Can you take me?”

What?! The usual delivery of a hot, steaming cup of rich black coffee and a tender kiss still accompanied my husband’s wake-up routine. However, unbeknownst to me, Larry had already been on the phone with the nurse at the data center in his cardiologist’s office. Indeed, his Loop Linc readings that he was in a-fibrillation and—even more alarmingly—his heartbeat raced to dangerous levels.

All at once, the morning’s soft hue went from dreamy to alarm. Mental triage kicked in: get dressed, grab coffee, and get out the door. Forget turning out the lights and lowering the thermostat. There is no time to calculate dollars and cents.

Then, the phone rang. “Mom, I need your help in getting ready for my 50th birthday party tonight. What do you think I should do for hostess gifts?”

Oh my! How do I break the news to my precious firstborn that now her dad and I are headed to the hospital downtown and not to her 50th birthday party in her hometown three hours away? But the situation — When God Calls an Audible — left me no choice. I spoke the truth, and she quickly grasped the gravity of our situation.

Amidst the swirl of activity, realization emerged. Not only was mental triage essential, but spiritual triage was crucial as well. The two needed to work in tandem.

But how? How can one find the equilibrium when life goes upside down? Here is what I learned.

Steps in a Spiritual Triage

1. Remember that God is the blessed controller of all things. (… the blessed Controller of all things, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.” (1 Timothy 6:15 NLT 1996)

2. Respond with a life-giving choice. “In everything give thanks,” with emphasis on in. Don’t delay. Give thanks in, not when it is all over and the event is in the rearview mirror. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

3. Refuse to be bitter as we release the grip holding our personal plans. “Disappointment is inevitable; discouragement is a choice.” (C. Stanley)

4. Recognize that you and I have the resources needed to face the situation at hand. [“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3) And, “God is able to make all grace abound to you that you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things will have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)]

5. Rest knowing that His supernatural Presence encompasses us. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2)

When God Calls an Audible, God Shows Up!

Thankfully, Larry responded successfully to the electrical cardioversion, where skilled medical personnel stopped and restarted his heart. At day’s end, we found ourselves sitting on a couch at home rather than standing around a cake illuminated with candles. Yes, sadly, we missed the party to celebrate a life, but we engaged in the urgent priority to save a life. And throughout the ordeal, God’s tender provision punctuated each challenge. Indeed, “My times are in Thy Hand.” (Psalm 31:15)

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21)

Intimacy with Jesus

Authenticity with others

A passion for your calling

A purpose for your influence

Which spiritual triage step do you find helpful? Why?

Describe the last time God Called an Audible in your life.

What gave you help and hope in what you faced?

Hallmarks of Convictions Declared at 75, Part 2

With the approach of my 75th birthday, God gave me the desire to reflect and record 75 convictions from my 27,394 days. A lovely floral notebook with its blank pages invited me to embark on my journey.

Hallmarks of Convictions Declared at 75, Part 1, contains the first portion, convictions 1-38. As requested, I now open my journal and share the culmination of these personal entries. Please join me as we continue.  

39. Receive feedback from your adult children humbly and openly. They likely have much to offer you.

40. Apply consistently Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding.”

41. Realize that true freedom only comes from a life released into the Hand of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

42. Learn the distinct difference between rest and relief. “My soul finds rest in God alone.” (Psalm 62:1,5)

43. Choose life. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)

44. Prepare thyself to be surprised by the goodness of God.

45. Spend time alone with God every day. “These holy habits we started decades ago are the anchor of our lives.” -Todd

46. Lord, cause me to want what You want me to want. God is always right. “His way is good, acceptable, perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

47. Ask God to take care of it. Whatever it may be, “Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.” (1Peter 5:7) “Hand over to Him all that breaks the stillness of thy spirit-and take from Him His own deep, sweet rest.” (The Shepherd Psalm)

48. In your oikos, make room for those outside of the faith.

49. Let this verse define your philosophy of life, “For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21)

50. Bring God into everything. In everything give thanks. Do not wait for the matter to be worked out, figured out, settled, or solved. The Bible says, “In everything give thanks.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

51. Have impeccable manners. (Life’s Little Instruction Book)

52. “Every day can be an exciting adventure for the Christian who knows the reality of being filled, controlled, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.” -Bright

53. Three words transform relationships: “I am sorry.”

54. Four additional words further transform relationships: “Will you please forgive me?”

55. Err in the right.

56. “Place faith to stand between you and problems, pain, fear, unwanted circumstances.” -Meyer

57. Keep company with godly people.

58. Use your home as a haven for hospitality.

59. Be a reader, have a voracious appetite for learning.

60. Do the work! Discipline and hard work are nonnegotiable for a life of meaning.

61. Suffering accompanies life; learn to accept its companionship. To live is to suffer.

62. Be a global citizen. Demonstrate respect for other nationalities, languages, and cultures.

63. Life is made up of choices, and choices make all the difference. You possess the power of choice. Attitudes, outlooks, perspectives, actions, conduct, and behaviors rest within your own personal will to choose.

64. Allow worship to capture your heart when God assigns you to the classroom of waiting.

65. Grow your marriage, relationally and romantically.

66. Be enriched by others from various stations in life — those older, younger, richer, poorer.

67. Jesus is so sweet, and pain is an incredible teacher.

68. Do the right thing, even when the right thing is the hard thing.

69. Love your grandchildren; let your children raise them.

70. “Inspire me with the knowledge that the issues of life are nor from without but from within.” -Matheson

71. So often, God does not want us to do more; He wants us to release more.

72. Don’t expect others to make life work for you. It is up to you, by the grace of God and in the power of the Holy Spirit, to live the quality of life you yearn to have.

73. 90% of life is attitude, the other 10% is perspective. -Thompson

74. Listen to James. “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to [become angry] react.”

75. Brokenness can be beautiful, sorrow can sanctify, and suffering can be sweet.

76. Always ask, “What does the Bible have to say about this?”

77. Treat peasant, pauper, politician, and prince with equal dignity.

78. Upgrade your quality of life and refuse to complain. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)

79. Supernatural resources exist for those who love God and long for His will to be lived out in our lives. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8) And, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3) WOW!

80. Determine to celebrate birthdays, remembering that life is a gift and a birthday is a privilege.

“But Father, our whole life until now has been one great proof of Thy care.” -Anonymous

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21)

As you noticed, my list includes more than 75 Hallmarks of Convictions. Somehow, the additional five convictions offer a pathway for me as I move toward 80.

Please take a moment and participate in your own amazing celebration. Consider the life God has given you and let the Words of Psalm 36 reverberate in your soul. “How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.”

What further Hallmarks of Declaration do you want to record?