Manup Moment - Jay Cookingham

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19 As we inch ever closer to Christmas day my heart fights to keep the focus on a Messiah who came to give us life. I think about a young Jewish girl…who was brave beyond belief. Mary teaches me that silence is good thing, that pondering on a message from God is a worship moment. Her story helps me focus.

Two thousand years ago, an unnamed innkeeper made room (unknown to him) for the Messiah to be born in the last space available…a stable. Perhaps it was compassion for the young pregnant woman and her distressed husband that moved the innkeeper to “make room”, perhaps it was simply a business deal. Whatever the innkeeper’s intent, this much is true… When you make room for God, the miraculous happens.

I find the story of Joseph fascinating. His story inspires the family man inside of me…of all the people I want to meet in Heaven, he’s at the top of the list. His story makes me think.

I know my heart is hungry today. Christmas does this to me. I try to imagine what I would have done with a star announcing a messiah’s birth. Would I leave my land, my comfort to follow such a sign? What affect would a shepherd story and angel songs have on my life? Would the presence of soldiers threaten me away from belief?

Christmastime is signs and wonders time. I believe there are angel songs still filling the sky with the promise of the Messiah, wishing for a human ear to receive the Good News.

Last Christmas a group from my church went caroling to a few shut-ins from our church community. Our first stop was Pete’s home and a huge God moment. Pete is confined to a bed 24/7; he suffers from Polio and Lou Gehrig's disease. He can only speak in a whisper and even that comes hard for him. Still, Pete can smile with the best and will great you with bright eyes and a grin from ear to ear.

I’m sure you have heard of the old saying…When the going gets tough…the tough get going. Man, I hate that saying…of course the tough get going…because they’re …TOUGH! What about the rest of us?

During some interviews and even in discussions between friends and myself, I have been called a fathering expert. I wrote this to keep my head on straight.

We need to be men of prayer; it aligns our will and spirit with His, enabling us to stand firm, and act in a manner that honors the Father. The closeness we can develop with the Father through our prayer life will be thick with His love.

A couple of years ago I read the book The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns and it greatly impacted me. It enlarged my view on fatherhood. Ephesians 3:14-15 has the same affect. “For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, (15) Whom every family in Heaven and on Earth is named.”

Listen to one of my favorite Scriptures found in Malachi 4:6 “He will turn the hearts of the fathers toward their children, and the hearts of the children towards their fathers...” Part of a father’s game is the impact we have on a future generation, the legacy we leave.

Moses has a great lesson to teach us about directions in Exodus 33:14-15, listen to this. “And He said, My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. (15) And he said to Him, If Your presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here.”

My path to wholeness includes me becoming a dad. At first my strongest desire to be a great father was because I wanted to be different than my dad. Growing up in an abusive home will do that to a kid. Now, years later, my desire is fueled by knowing it honors and mirrors my heavenly Father’s heart

To live free is to understand how Jesus lived. In all his dealings with humanity, Jesus never let success or opposition have power over him. The trappings of success and opposition share a common hook, both will try to latch on and define who we are. Jesus lived free because he remained true to he was.

In Psalm 101:2-3 we read a powerful reminder. I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; (3) I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. This verse has me thinking about my heart. It's a great reminder of the influence I have over my family, the impact I have in their lives. I must walk with integrity wherever I am but it is at home that it matters most!

Gratitude is an action word, a powerful muscle of expressing thanks and gratefulness. It is also, I believe, relational.

The channel for our passions, for our zeal must be our character.

What is an everyday testimony? Do I need one? Do I even have one?

Being a neighbor reminds me of Mr. Rogers…yes, that Mr. Rogers.

Did you know it takes an olive plant about 15 years to grow into a tree. What does have to do with children?