Another Christmas Day Walk

• We hold these truths to be self-evident that...

• We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union...

• Fourscore and seven years ago...

• It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom...

• Call me Ishmael.

These opening lines and those of other documents, speeches, and books often bring to mind the monumental works from which they are taken. Some of those works changed the course of of a people or maybe of a country. Then there are these words: 

• And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

These words begin the narrative of the event that changed the history of the world, the history of all people in all places. Add to them the familiar words from John 3:16 that tell us why Jesus came to earth (God loved mankind) and we have the basis for the greatest story of love ever told. I choose to not call it a love story because God's love has been, for the most part, unrequited. And yet, our great, all-knowing God still chose to send His Son to this sin-cursed earth to be born, live, and to be killed that we might have the means of eternal life with Him. To think that God Himself came to earth to live among sinful men.... Even the love that His children have for Him pales in comparison to His love for us.

There is so much that could be said about Christmas (particularly that first Christmas) and all of the individuals that played a role, from Mary and Joseph to the shepherds to the wise men, and obviously Jesus Himself. Then there are those sort of in the background: Caesar Augustus, the innkeeper, and so many others. What role do I play in the continuing story of Christmas? Am I willing to see the baby in the manger as the one who desires to save us from our sin? Am I willing to accept Him as my personal savior, the one who forgives me of my sin that I might have a restored relationship with God the Father?

On this Christmas day, take time to reflect on the goodness and graciousness of God that He showed to us so vividly on that original Christmas day when He came to save us from the awful consequences of our sin. Enjoy time with family and friends, but spend time with the Heavenly Father and give Him the praise, glory, and worship that He demands and deserves. And so, I say to all, Have a wonderful, merry Christmas.

A Quick Walk Through 2018

And now for the 2018 Walker Christmas letter with a brief summary of each member of the Walker household.

Johnny continued working nights as a loader at a FedEx Ground hub. He loaded trailers for the FedEx Ground semi-trucks you see on the highway up through November, then he took an operations manager position overseeing a team of loaders and occasionally still helps loading. (Chewy.com is not on the favorite list.) Working for a shipping company can lead to a love-hate relationship with the holiday season, but he still loves Christmas. Leaving for work at “O-dark” hour at night while the rest of the family is getting ready for bed is not enjoyable. Becky and Johnny often pass each other on the highway in the mornings as he is headed home to go to bed and Becky and Josie are headed to Hershey for work and school.

Becky continues in her role as a Gift Processor for Penn State University, working in Hershey. She works to record and receipt donations to the PSU Medical Center, especially the Children’s Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network and Four Diamonds. Weekdays can be crazy with work and getting Josie to and from school.  Weekends are a welcomed sight along with housework, spending time with family and the occasional opportunity to quilt, crochet or tat.  

Justin continues working for Appalachia Technologies. In his spare time, he enjoys rock climbing and the occasional hike. In July he spent 11 days in CA visiting his girlfriend (Rachel) and her family. Rachel came to PA for a visit during Thanksgiving.

Brianna continued as a student studying Elementary Education at Bob Jones University. She finished her sophomore year in the spring and began her junior year in the fall. During the summer she worked as a recruiter for JFC, a local job placing company. During basketball season, one of her campus jobs is to work as the team manager for the BJU Lady Bruins -  which she really enjoys.

Josie finished her winter and spring at Hilltop Christian Nursery School and then in the fall began Kindergarten at Lancaster Mennonite School, Hershey Campus. She loves her school and does well as a student. There is never a dull moment when Josie is around.  She continues to keep us young.  😃

Through all of the events of the year, it has again been amazing to see how God meets needs. God has continued to show Himself to be trustworthy and faithful.  We continue to enjoy our Cedar Hill Baptist Church family. We also spent a long enjoyable weekend together as a family in DC.

If you are ever in the Harrisburg-Hershey-Carlisle area, or perhaps visiting Lancaster or Gettysburg, feel free to give us a call to see if we can get together. We are 1 hour from Baltimore and 1 1/2 hours from DC depending on traffic.  

May you have a wonderful Christmas season and a very blessed new year.

107 Cambridge Dr. Mechanicsburg, PA  17055     (717)-458-8281    jwjbjwalker.blogspot.com    jwalker@juno.com

Walking with My Daughter

Well, today is my little girl's twentieth birthday. God has richly blessed me with three wonderful kids and Brianna is now "all grown up." She is still and always will be my little girl, though not the littlest. May God continue to guide and direct and may you always follow His leading. He wants the best for you as you seek to be the young lady He wants. Mom and Dad love you a bunch.

The Resurrection

Today we remember and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Man sinned, but God had a plan. His plan involved the death of his son that we might have redemption. The plan was necessary because of the sin of Adam and Eve as detailed in Genesis 3. It was foretold first in Genesis 3:15 and then again throughout the Old Testament. The plan culminated with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, the plan of God was not for the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, but the plan was for a means that man could have salvation from the penalty of sin. That salvation could come only through the sacrifice of God’s perfect lamb, his own son.

Think of the emotional swings experienced by the disciples and other followers of Christ. Following the crucifixion, they felt that life was over. All of their dreams and expectations had disintegrated before their eyes. Following the resurrection they were given a new sense of purpose and a new task to complete.

Now today we live. We live in the present, looking to the future, remembering the past.
     • The present:  We live for and serve a risen Savior. We have a task to complete, the same task given to the apostles and the early church. We need to know the task and accomplish it.
     • The future: We have the promise of life everlasting in heaven with our God. He is a great and loving God that longs to have us join him for eternity.
     • The past: We look back to the finished work of Christ on the cross. We have been given such a wonderful gift and we need to be thankful for it.

{I had planned on more, but typing on my phone keyboard gets old after a while.} Take time today and every day to reflect on the completion of God's plan.

Walking in a Race

I was sitting and thinking about life and its scope, reflecting on the fact that life is not a dash, but is more of a marathon or perhaps even steeplechase of marathon length. Through life we encounter many obstacles just like in steeplechase.There are barriers to get over and water to go through. The barriers are of varying heights and widths, meaning some are jumped over and others are "climbed." Some jump over the water and others just run through it.

All of us are running the race of life, but we do not all run the same course, nor are we all facing the same challenges at the same time. Also, we have different styles and skills, so none of us will not navigate the course in similar manner. We can offer assistance and advice, but we need to be very cautious about telling others how to run their race of life.

Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

1 Corinthians 9:24 (KJV)
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Philippians 3:14 (KJV)
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.


2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV)
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

In most of these passages, when the race or the running of the race is discussed, it becomes apparent that the race is not a thing of pleasure and leisure. Challenges (trials and tribulations) will come to all of us; the goal is to be able to say as Paul did, "I have fought ...

The goal in life is not to finish first, but rather to finish well. Let each of us run well that we might finish well.

Walking at Night

Well, I turned half a century + 2 about two weeks ago and  as usual, slept the day away. Of course, that is what I do with most weekdays, especially Tuesday through Friday. As I took some time to reflect and ponder some thoughts on the Christian and his walk in a world that is antagonistic toward his beliefs.

• Living with a Christian worldview in a dark, dark world. Ungodly behavior has become so commonplace that it is now considered the norm. For the Christian, our life can and should be a bright light in this dark world, but that is only possible when we live according to the life principles found in God's word. We get so concerned with our desires and our lives that we tend to act and react according to man's way, not God's way.

• Living with a purpose in the midst of the difficulties and struggles of life. Suicide rates are up, especially among teens and young adults. One of the primary reasons is that so many people live with no sense of purpose beyond themselves. What is it that drives you? What drives me? We were created to glorify God, but to do that we need to seek out chances to serve. We do need to remember that we serve not for the sake of serving, but to minister to those that God loves and share His love with them.

• Living with value in a world that devalues life. The world that we live in has reduced or removed the value of life. In a land where abortion has become commonplace, should we be surprised when there are so many other displays of self-centeredness. It could be assisted suicide, it could be as common as unintentional rudeness that pushes through the crowd or runs the red light regardless of the possible tragic consequences.

• Living a life of gratitude in a world of self-centeredness. As we navigate this world of selfishness and self-centeredness, it becomes easy to expect and demand our way and our rights. The life of the Christian should instead demonstrate gratitude and thankfulness, whether for the great things or the mundane. Every gift, however its magnitude, is a gift from God and we need to express our thanks. Usually, God uses others to meet needs and provide those gifts and to them we should be thankful as well.

• Living a life of forgiveness in a world of bitterness and hurt feelings. Our hurts are nothing compared to our sin against God. Am I truly dead to self? If so, I cannot be offended, as a dead man feels no sense of pain and hurt. When we are hurt, in order to be sure that we are not going to suffer from bitterness and hurt, we need to initiate forgiveness immediately. Christ, as he was hanging on the cross, proclaimed forgiveness to his tormentors even without anyone to nudge him to do so. Forgiveness is a key component of the Christian character.

• Living a life of generosity in a world of selfishness. In this world that tells us that we need to gather unto ourselves, Christians should do the unusual and give, rather than get. God never condemns riches, but it is obvious in the Word that he condemns those who make getting riches their life's purpose. When God allows us to have stuff, the stuff should be used to be a blessing to those in need. God, who owns all, gave the greatest gift possible when he sent his son Jesus Christ to offer mankind forgiveness of sin and all that comes with it.

Living the Christian life is far more than attending church, giving to the poor, or serving in a soup kitchen. The Christian life is a 24/7/365 activity that requires us to know the Word of God and the way of God and then to live following that Christ set for us.

Walking with a Christian Worldview, 8 (final lesson)

Well, here is the final lesson in the series. It is a review/wrap-up/resource list all in one. I trust that you have enjoyed the series. I will not be teaching for a couple of months, so no new lessons will be posted for a while.

Lesson 8 (audio)

Lesson 8 (notes)

I will, however, try to be more consistent in posting to the blog. I run in to challenges as most days are spent in the dark as I sleep following life on the overnight shift. Oh well, life goes on.

Walking with a Christian Worldview, 7b

Here is part 2 of Lesson 7 (Practical Applications). The notes are the same as last week, simply completing the final section. The final week's lesson will be uploaded later this week.

Lesson 7, part 2 (audio)

Lesson 7 (notes)

Walking with a Christian Worldview, 7

Well, I missed a week. The days tend to run together when you sleep them away each day. Here is part one of the two-part Lesson 7, Practical Applications.

Worldview 7 (audio)

Worldview 7 (notes)

Walking with a Christian Worldview, 6

We are drawing closer to the conclusion of the series. Here is lesson 6, Back to the Beginning. It looks to the time that man is restored in complete fellowship with the Father.

Worldview 6 (notes)

Worldview 6 (audio)

Walking with a Christian Worldview, 5

Here is the most recent installment of the worldview Sunday School lessons.

Worldview 5 (audio)

Worldview 5 (notes)

The title of the lesson for  the week is "A Work in Progress." It details God's gracious interaction with man. In our four stages of human history, we are looking at stage 3, Grace. God in his great love continues to grow us to be more in his image.

The Four Stages of Human History

• Creation
• the Fall
• Grace
• Glory

Walking into 2018

Happy New Year to one and all. May God richly bless in the new year and may each of you realize His hand upon your life.