A Merry, Glorious, Joyous Christmas to all, and I say Christmas!
Christmas, of course, evokes some of the best memories of life. The food was great and the relatives usualy a delight, but it is the gifts we receive and at what age that stand out most vividly. I still remember the telescope I recieved at ten and the road race my brother got. We had gotten up at 2:00 A.M. We were so excited. My father discovered us down in the our finished basement He was very unhappy with us and almost felt moved to cancel our gifts as he sent us vehemently back to bed.
He didn't; my telescope stands in a corner of my basement more the 40 years later as a remberance that he had mercy on us.
This year's gift, next to Jesus' saving salvation may be the most memorable. It came not from a shopping mall or without wrapping paper, ribbon, or bows, but packaged in the heart of a tangled-haired, hoodie wearing 19 year old who plays guitar and harmonica.
It's my son Ethan!
In the span of three weeks he has gone from a usual 19 year old college student who really never revealed the working of his study habits or inner thoughts into a Holy Spirit empowered young man who was baptized in the Holy Spirit through a "text message!"
Within a week, he had shard his testimony with many people in is college dorm, laid hands on another student who also was baptized in the Holy Spirit, and shared his testimony with an entire church where he shared what happened to him and played a song he had written on the altar about his experience. Many moved to the altar at this presentation seeking the same experience.
What a gift to his mother and me! Every night as he and his brother grew up, I came to their beds before sleep, laid hands on them and prayed this simple prayer: " I pray that you may grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord!
The Lord has honored that! For all you parents out there. Never, never, never give up praying for your children. They may be lost in a dark forest, tangled in vines and among thorns, but God will get them out. The kids you now think are the most lost, may become the greatest witnesses to their generation.
More than a 4.0 G.P.A, the greatest future career, and material goods, my wife and I have prayed and desired that God would use our sons!
As Ethan told me this week, In the perfect time and place, the Holy Spirit has moved upon his life.
On this Christmas of 2010, I give the greatest praise to my Lord for this gift!
Long after the wrapping paper is thrown away, I will see this life changed and join him in interceding for our lost and dark world and a generation that needs to experience the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit empowering them to do great exploits following the living, active, and powerful "Word" who came into this world to give light: Jesus!
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