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Yet You, O Lord God, have said to me, “Buy the field for money and get witnesses”—though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans.  Jeremiah 32:25

To start the new year, this episode may seem a bit off in terms of a vision-casting, call-us-to-action sort of message.  After all, the backdrop is Jeremiah 32 and it involves Jeremiah's purchase of a field; a field he would buy that he would have no use for directly.  But it was his willingness to purchase the field in advance of what God was going to do.  What God promised He would do.  As we start a new year, we may not see the direct result of what we invest into.  It may come months or even years down the road.  Or it may not even happen in our lifetime at all.  But what I hear God saying in this passage is "Buy the field anyway!"  We are to be obedient even when we don't completely understand.  His will is perfect and His timing is for the best.  

Have your Bible handy as we go through this passage today!  Jeremiah 32 is an amazing passage and has much to say to us as we enter 2023.  

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For this last episode of 2022, Derek takes a moment to reflect and ask some questions that help us look at where we have been this year.  In that reflection, are we able to see how God has led us and been faithful to us?   Looking back and pointing to those landmarks throughout the past weeks and months brings us into a place of worship and adoration of our Lord.  And that is a fitting place to end the year,  knowing that all we do and all we are is for His glory!  God bless as you close out 2022 and look towards 2023!

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.  Proverbs 28:1 

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When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”  Luke 2:15

In regards to the Christmas story, there are many characters to study and examine.  2000 years later, we still ask why angels appeared to lowly shepherds and why were they the first ones given an audience with the Messiah, the King of Kings.  There are implications for us even today as we study the shepherds -- both in their choice as heralds of the newborn king and their example as ones who simply gave glory to God.  Their story and inclusion is important; they heard it first.  We can follow their steps as well by hearing and responding and spreading the Gospel story.  

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This episode is a "Christmas Edition" bonus episode to the Hymns That I Love series which debuted this past summer 2022.   Join me as we again dive into the background, context, and timeless truths of a beloved hymn.   
 
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH (HYMNS THAT I LOVE)
 
Angels We Have Heard On High
Music:  to the tune of “Gloria” (traditional French song of unknown origin)
Words:  James Chadwick (paraphrased the English arrangement of original French carol)

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

 Gloria
In excelsis Deo
Gloria
In excelsis Deo

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

 Gloria
In excelsis Deo
Gloria
In excelsis Deo

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King

 Gloria
In excelsis Deo
Gloria
In excelsis Deo

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Christmas is a time in which we can be distracted by many things.  The trimmings around us, the presents, the lights, even the busyness...it can all distract us from what this day means.  Beyond that, we can move away from the significance in Christ's advent by not connecting it to the cross and to the free gift of salvation.  Christmas does point us to the cross.  It helps us remember our God is a Promise Keeping God.  And it reminds us that He uses imperfect, flawed people like you and I to carry out His will.  This episode urges us to consider all of these truths and carry them with us throughout this season.  May we always understand why Christmas truly matters.  

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And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.  I kept my heart from no pleasure for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil.  Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.  Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

The title of this podcast is a play off of Solomon’s theme in Ecclesiastes.  If I’m honest, it’s probably one of my least favorite books to read because it has a lot of “downer” stuff in it.  It’s not all sunshine and roses (not that the rest of the Bible is).  But it is real.  Sometimes that real-ness is a tough pill to swallow.  But there is truth and there is a redeeming message in the book if we are willing to discover it.  With this groundwork laid, we're diving into some themes from Ecclesiastes and some takeaways that we can use to encourage our walk in the Lord.  

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In the concluding episode of this series, I (Derek) share my own testimony and salvation experience in Christ.  Along with this, the journey of faith and ups and downs along the way are discussed.  A lot of personal insights and lessons learned are shared in the hopes that someone else will be strengthened and encouraged in their own walk with Christ.  Jesus is the reason for the turns my life has taken.  I'm grateful and thankful to know Christ and pray that you have (or will have) taken that step of faith to make Him Lord and Savior of your life.  

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The Lord will fulfull His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.  Do not forsake the work of Your hands.  Psalm 138:8

One of the things I find myself thankful for is my own meaning and purpose that have come through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  If you had asked me even a few years ago, I may have said I'm not thankful...really I was looking for identity in the wrong places and finding I came up empty.  I can still waste time looking for my purpose apart from Christ.  But I find (and we find) wholeness and meaning when we look at who we are in Christ and the work He has already completed.  

Today's episode draws us to understand our purpose and meaning are derived from Him.  We are meant to display His glory.  And if we feel aimless and are looking for true purpose, we can go back and rediscover our first love.  That journey helps to reestablish our hearts in Christ.  It propels us forward knowing no matter what we do, it all comes from Him and should reflect Him.  

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Starting out a new series for the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.  For myself (Derek) I find it good to ponder what it is I am truly grateful for in this season.  One thing that quickly comes to mind is my family.  My wife and kids are a blessing from the Lord and a component of my life that I have to express praise and thankfulness over.  

This episode looks at the fact that families are a gift to us from God.  They are also a means to display His goodness.  Finally, even if your family is messed up or broken, it can be redeemed and restored.  Seeing God mend a broken family is one of the most beautiful things we can bear witness to.  

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As it can be somewhat of a "deep dive" to examine the Psalms in just one 40 minute episode, Derek looks at an overview of what the book has taught him.  In recent weeks, studying the 150 different chapters included in Psalms have been eye-opening and revealing.  This episode attempts to pull together some of the main themes (at least from recent study) and put them into a teaching that encourages us all to dig deeper into these chapters.  Ending with a challenge ("read a Psalm a day"), Derek invites the listener to discover what changes might take place if a believer would start reading this book everyday.  Will you take the challenge?  We'd love to hear from you if you do:  [email protected]