Miracles on 34th Street

Yes, I know that Christmas has passed. But you've seen it haven't you? It's a classic movie called "Miracle on 34th Street". Of course it has a happy ending as a gentleman who works in Macy's with the name Kris Kringle proves to be none other than Santa.

Last month, I happened to actually be on 34th street with a couple of co-workers and went with them to Macy's. The Christmas window decorations were fascinating. The crowd was captivated by the moving figures, the glamor, and the wonder of it all, and so was I.

However, the memories that are etched in my mind from that day spark emotions that rain upon holiday cheer. We saw an elderly woman sitting on the sidewalk layered in winter gear. Her tattered cardboard sign said "mother & son homeless." There was no son in sight. Touched by the scene, we gave her money.

As we walked that short distance of only a few blocks, we saw homeless people here, and another there. It had been a while since I visited the city. I was not prepared. I should have had more dollars ready to distribute. I was not prepared to see people lying on the street on top of flattened cardboard boxes in the winter.

While waiting for the train to leave the city, a woman neatly dressed, perhaps in her sixties said hello and smiled. Her makeup was excessive, almost clownish. "Do you have money or food" she asked through her painted lips. "I'm pregnant", she said. I gave her the unopened snacks I had taken with me that day.

I prayed, knowing I had not done enough, nor could I do enough for the people that needed help that day. But what would the world be like if each of us did what we could to help at least one person each day? There would surely be more miracles on 34th Street! Maybe even the people on your street are waiting for a miracle! How will you respond?.

““Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:37-40‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Resolution Revolution

For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." [Jeremiah 29:11]

Although many years ago I was actually an event planner, I have always found myself planning and organizing - at work, at church, at home, helping friends plan their events. So naturally, come New Year's, I'm excited to make resolutions. After all, a resolution is merely a "plan" by another name.

Enter 2018. A new beginning. The old has gone, the new has come [2 Corinthians 5:17]. A fresh start. No doubt you made a list of how much weight you want to lose, how much money you plan on saving. If you're like me, you've probably created a very well thought out, comprehensive outline - bullets, numbers, and all - of projects for the year, places to explore, books to read, which organizations I will volunteer my time to, how many verses I will commit to memory, credit accounts to pay off, save money, get more sleep, eat better, exercise, lose weight. Resolutions I aim to keep this year no matter what! 

Ahhh...but I forgot the most important point: It doesn't matter how carefully I plan out the year if I don't first consult with my Father. How many times in life didn't I stay up thinking about what I'd say if so and so says this, what I would do if so and so says that?

Woe to the obstinate...those who carry out plans that are not mine...[Isaiah 30:1]. Not once did it go as I planned because In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps [Proverbs 26:9

Besides, "Father knows best" and He will always have my best interests at heart. I know and believe that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him [Romans 8:28].  Even when things didn't go my way or they didn't go well at all, God always brought me out of it shining and better than before.  Another important point I mustn't overlook when making and trying to keep resolutions is that God is all-knowing. So even before the light bulb goes off in my head, He knows, because all the days ordained for me were written in the book before one of them came to be [Psalm 139:16]. 

In fact, the more I think about it, the less I need to make resolutions. After all, I'm already certain that by leaving it up to the Lord, and acknowledging Him in all ways, He will make my paths straight [Proverbs 3:6]. The Lord actually tells me in Proverbs 4:11, "I will guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths" - therefore, how can I go wrong?

So I've decided that this year I will not be keeping any resolutions. I will simply commit to the Lord whatever I do, and my plans will succeed. [Proverbs 16:3].

Won't you do the same? Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. [Job 22:21] Written by Louisa Guzman

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GET A GRIP

Year after Year, or should I say, “New Year’s after New Year’s”, people are filled with wonder and the anticipation a “New” year will bring. We get out that bucket list and we plan to do wonderful and new things. We plan to do things differently and those unattainable goals are again within reach. We start the clock hoping this year will be our best year yet! But if I may be honest, it continually brings a false hope.

This false hope goes hand in hand with those New Year’s Resolutions. Who really keeps those? They are long forgotten by February. The Lord says apart from him we can do nothing (John 15:5), that’s the truth.

This year, I took a step back from the whole New Year’s facade and I asked God why do we get wrapped up in the hype? I seriously asked God what is it about the New Year that makes people so eager for? Now God didn’t answer me in the form of a burning bush, or send a messenger angel with the answer, but I am confident He did answer me, His Word says in Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

After I asked, I instantly remembered learning about the Palmar Reflex, also known as the Grasp Reflex. At about 11 weeks after conception, a developing baby in the womb develops this reflex. The unborn has the reflex to hold on tight. It grasps its umbilical cord, its other hand and ears. Identical twins will grasp onto each other in utero! After birth, a newborn will grasp your finger and hold on so tight his entire body can be raised up with his grip. The more you pull away, the tighter that little one will hold.

After this recollection, I had a light bulb moment, or rather a Holy Spirit moment. I put two and two together. We are born grasping, physically and spiritually. And until we grasp onto the Spirit of Life, we are continually grasping. I heard that still small voice whisper John 3:6-9 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, You must be born again."

That’s it! We were grasping at birth and we are grasping in the new year. Until we are born again, we are grasping a false hope and a false life. Until we grasp onto the Spirit of Life, we will continue the New Year’s cycle.

Grasp on to the Lord in 2018, Be Born Again and allow God to prosper you, to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). When you grasp onto God, God grasps onto you. John 10:28-29. "I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."

Oh, how tight His grip is!

Written by Christina Calvache