Why Christ?

Dr. Mike Murphy

March 17, 2024

“All religions are the same”

“Any religion can get you to heaven”

“Every religion worships the same god”

We have all heard these statements over and over.  We hear many discard and diminish religion, telling us that religion has no place in society.  We hear many claim that religion is just a way to control men, to manipulate the world in a direction that religion wants it to move.  We hear many tell us that this world has moved beyond religion, no longer in need of religion's gods.  And we hear many tell us that religion is restricting us, prohibiting this earth from becoming all it can be.  I have news that may shock you, I firmly agree with the many.

I am a man of strong Christian faith.  I believe that Christ was exactly who He said He was.  I believe every word of the Bible.  And I believe that the Lord God was the One who set this world into motion, and He alone is in control of this world today.  So you may ask yourself, how can I believe this and agree with the one’s I mentioned above?  I can do so because of one statement.  I just as firmly believe that Christianity is not a religion.

I once heard religion best defined as a belief or set of codes that qualifies and disqualifies an individual based on how well they follow those codes, and how they act in performance with those codes.  That definition just about sums religion up.  Religion has so often provided man a way to maintain and abuse the power some have over others. Religion has always been created by man, and has never been the intent of God.  Religion opens the door to change the codes or “requirements” as it goes, requirements that can be changed or manipulated in order for the few to gain more power.  Every religion is built upon the concepts of men.  Concepts that teach man how he can reach a higher state through his efforts to follow the requirements the religion sets forth.  Requirements where the masses never see the benefit, only the “high power” and those in a position of power do.

When we look closely at Christianity, we soon see that it is far from a religion. Christianity is a relationship.  A relationship between God and man.  In Christianity, God created a way for man to not only see the benefits, but to have his life touched by the benefits(Romans 8:3).  In Christianity, God created a way for man to receive what man was incapable of ever doing for himself(2 Corinthians 5:21).  In Christianity, God gave man the most precious of gifts(Romans 6:3), a gift we did not earn and did not deserve.  In Christianity, God took the weight of the world on His own shoulders, so that man would be free of the restrictions that sin has over us(Ephesians 2:8-9).  In Christianity, God gave man what no code could ever give him, what no requirement could ever bring him.  He gave man grace.

The easiest way to describe the difference between Christianity and every religion of this world, is to simply look at “Whose” hands are reaching.  In every religion, we see man reaching up to God, trying to find a work-like way he can hope to gain access to God.  In Christianity, we see God reaching down to man, looking to lovingly bring man forever into His presence.

To best see this, we need look no farther than at Christ Himself.  While Christ was walking with us on this earth, there was nothing He spoke out more against than religion. We often see Him calling the religious leaders “hypocrites”, telling them they followed a religion, not God.  An example of this can be seen in one of the Ten Commandments, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”(Exodus 20:8).  In His day, the Pharisees had so added to what God had given us, that the commandment itself had become impossible to follow.  They had proclaimed that you could not enter a field on the Sabbath.  In doing so, your foot might accidentally hit a crop, thus causing it to be harvested.  Harvesting was considered work, thus you would have worked on the Sabbath.  You could not spit on the ground on the Sabbath, because the saliva from your mouth might mix with the dirt forming mud, mud being a form of mortar.  Again, causing you to work and to violate the commandment of God.  They even became angered at Christ because He healed a blind man on a Sabbath, claiming that the man’s healing was a form of labor(John 9:13-17).  In other words, God violated His own commandment by healing a man on the day He sat aside as holy.  This is how outlandish their religion had led them!

Christ could not stand this, and showed the religious leaders just how ridiculous their actions were each time He got a chance.  He saw the Pharisees using the people for their own benefit, so they could control the people and their actions.  And He knew that with each new restriction, they were destroying the people’s relationship with God.  They had made God’s relationship with His people nothing more than a scientific formula.  Telling them they needed to add three of these, and to avoid two of these in order to get the equation right. The Pharisees had lost the whole reason God gave us the Ten commandments in the first place. Forgetting that He gave them to us out of love!  Look closely at each Commandment(Exodus 20:1-17).  Each one shows us how we can strengthen our relationship with the people around us, and how we can strengthen the relationship we have with God!  The Commandment on the Sabbath does this also.  It gives us a time for rest, so we can spend that time with those we have a relationship with, and so we can spend that time with the Lord, who is always looking to spend time with each of us.  God knew that for a relationship to work, it required us to spend time in it.  Devoting time to it.  God so desired to have a strong relationship with us, that He included that time in His Commandments. Giving us the time to help that relationship grow, and for the love that would come out of that relationship to flow.  No religion can ever do this for you, only a relationship with God can!

The Law(The Ten Commandments) is a perfect example of the difference between a religion and a relationship.  In the Law, we see the love that God has for us.  The Law was never meant to be a scientific formula for us to live by.  The Law was a way to help us build a relationship.  A relationship with those around us, and the Lord above us.  But as the Pharisees got their hands on the Law, we see the destruction that religion brings to us.  We see the restrictions that religion places on us.  Restrictions we can never live by, restrictions we can never live up to.

Religion is man’s attempt to reach up to God.  Christianity, is a relationship where God is reaching down to us.  The grace and mercy that Christ brought to this world is the thorn that sticks in religion’s side.  Religion perverts God’s love and it seeks to destroy the relationship Christ came to bring us. Religion lives by its’ own rules, rules that no relationship can ever survive. Religion is about what work man must do to make himself right in the eyes of God. Christianity is about what the Lord has already done to make us right in His eyes.  Religion enslaves you, binding you to the codes it sets forth.  Christianity frees you, from the hold that sin has over you.  Religion says you must find a way to earn your salvation.  Christianity says that salvation is a gift, one Christ came to freely give. Religion ask more from you that you can ever give.  Christianity offers more to you than you will ever need!

The difference between religion and Christianity is greater than any structure could ever bridge.  Christianity does not come with a checklist, only an invitation.  Believe that Christ died for you sins, and accept him as your Savior. That is it, it is really that simple! Christ came so you could have a relationship with Him.  A relationship that is not empty of religion’s promises, but a relationship that is filled with God’s love.

Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship.  A relationship that brings us into the family of God.  And what a family we join when we say yes to the relationship Christ offers! A family with the power to answer every question this world will never have the answer to. A family that offers you unconditional love, not the restrictions that comes with the false hope religion offers.  A family that will always be there right beside you, and longs to spend an eternity with you!

So next time someone ask you what religion you belong to, let them know you do not belong to a religion. Tell them that you do not allow any religion to control you. Tell them that you do not follow or believe one word that a single religion has to offer you. Tell them you belong to a family, and that you have a relationship with Christ.  A relationship that gives you all the love you will ever need! A relationship filled with a greater love than any religion will ever know!

Praying each of you have a relationship with God!

Hold Fast!

Dr. Mike Murphy
March 10, 2024

As they watched the fire surrounding them, you cannot help but wonder what thoughts rushed through their minds?  As they were thrown into the flames, what words of prayer were found pressed to their lips?  As they realized those flames did not even singe them, how quickly did those prayers turn to praise?  As they walked amongst the raging fires, what sounds and words did they hear from the crowds that watched in astonishment?

We all know the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  Men of unwavering faith, that refused to deny God in the face of the most powerful man the world had yet to know.  A man who’s reach stretched out to much of the known world.  A man who with the snap of his fingers could command armies to distant lands.  A man who could destroy and rebuild cities with nothing more than the nod of his brow.  But these three followers of the Lord, knew that with all his power, Nebuchadnezzar was just that, he was just a man.  He was not God, and he did not speak for God.

As they stood before this powerful king, their devotion stood true to the King of Kings. The words they professed to Nebuchadnezzar still move us to this day.  “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter.  If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”(Daniel 3:16-18).  They looked into the eyes of the most powerful one the world had to offer, and placed their faith in the most powerful One the world could ever know.  Their answer was simple, if God rescues me, or if He does not, I will only serve the Lord!

Many excuses could have easily come into the thoughts of these three men.  Thoughts and excuse that would have spared them the fate they knew would soon follow.  They could have fallen to their knees, but not actually worshiped the statue.  They could have told the king they would not become idol worshipers, but would this one time to appease the king.  They could have reasoned with themselves, the king has absolute power, so we must do this.  The could have used their titles as an excuse, the king had appointed them so they must obey him. They could have used their situation as an excuse, they were in a foreign land and needed to honor the followings and traditions of that land. They could have turned to the past, knowing their ancestors had worshiped idols at times and had survived.  They could have bowed to the social pressures of the day, convincing themselves that to worship another god did not diminish their God.  And they could have looked to justify their actions, if they were to deny the king then it might impact the rest of the Jewish people.  But they rejected the temptation to use their own logic, standing on the promise of God’s Word.  They placed their fate and their future into the Lord’s hands.  Their belief became their insurance, and their faith spoke the words for them.

As the crowd watched that day, their astonishment turned into amazement, and the words of the king went from anger to praise.  All those witnessing, looked into the furnace that day, and what they saw had to have brought them again to their knees.  But this time, they did not fall to their knees because a king had ordered them to, they found themselves on their knees because of what the King of Kings showed them.  As the king and the crowd looked into the furnace, they did not just see the three men, but a fourth man.  One the king would proclaim was, “like the Son of God”.  A image that would forever change the fate of not only these three men, but of the Jewish people.  The actions of the king reflect this, and so do his words as he called out to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!”(Daniel 3:26).  No man can bind what Christ sets free!

As Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced that day, a verse that David wrote quickly comes to mind.  A verse that easily may have been on the lips of these three faithful men that day.  “So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!”(Psalm 31:24).  When we look at the words that make up this verse, we see the power of David’s pen come to life.

Three words from this verse stand out at us; strong, courageous, and hope. The Hebrew word for strong used here means, “to grasp, to hold fast’. The Hebrew word for courageous means “an inner will, determination”.  And the Hebrew word for hope we see used in this verse means, “to wait in anticipation.” No matter where we find ourselves, and no matter what this world may throw our way, we do not face it alone.  The grasp that Christ has on us, gives us the will and determination to face anything.  And with Christ by our side, we anticipate how the Lord can use us in any situation.  We have the promise of knowing that tomorrow is the Lord’s.  We do not have to worry if the Lord will rescue us today, because He already saved us yesterday, and we know that either way we will have Him by our side tomorrow!  Whether rescued or not, tomorrow holds our hope!

As many of us today look at the world around us, we feel the heat coming from the furnace.  We watch the events of this worlds unfolding, and we see flames of the fire starting to burn.  We watch as fellow believers are being persecuted, and we see the guards approaching. And as we look to our left and our right, and see many of our “so-called’ brothers and sisters on their knees before a false god, we see the bindings the guards are carrying in hand for us. We see the crowds gathering around us, and we know what our future holds. But as we face the fires, we must first ask ourselves one question, a question three faithful men asked themselves so many years ago.  Whether God rescues us or not, will we serve the Lord?

In our stance today, are we ready to stand for God?  Are we willing to show this world, that when we stand for God, we stand out?  Are we willing to accept that sometimes in our trials can be found eternal reasons?  Are we willing to place our destiny is God’s hands, or will we trust them in the hands of man?

To each of these questions, I would give a simple answer.  Hold fast!  Let us answer these questions boldly, moving forward with strength, courage and hope.  Let us not find ourselves on our knees as we cower to the demands of this world, but let us lead the world to its’ knees as they watch the Lord work through us.  Let us never forget, when we walk by faith, we walk for Christ.  We must be willing to follow the example Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego set so many years ago. We must be willing to show those who would lead us into the fire a greater purpose and calling than this world can ever offer or know.  We must show the world the face of the One who can keep us from the flames, the only One who can deliver us from the fire.  We must be willing to offer and give our all, showing this world that only Christ can bring us all.  We must face what the world throws at us today, standing strong and courageous, knowing we will see the hope that tomorrow brings.

As I look at the world around us today, I see the flames of the fire again being stroked. I watch as the world again prepares the furnace, and I see the anger on the world’s face because many of us will not bow before it.  I fear that before that Glorious Day, many of us may be given a view of the inside of that furnace.  But to each who refuse to bow, I would offer words of encouragement and hope.  The words of a fellow believer I often like to quote.  “Hold fast. Help is on the way.  Hold fast.  He's come to save the day.  What I've learned in my life, one thing greater than my strife, is His grasp.  So hold fast.”

Hold fast to the foot of the Cross!  In that grasp lies complete hope.  The Cross you grasp is anchored deep, and despite how hard they may try, the world cannot pull you away. That Cross is filled with the confidence and assurance you will see tomorrow, and the strength and courage that will carry you through this day.  And as you grasp firmly to that Cross, know that in the splinters that now fill your hands is found the only hope, joy and peace that can change this world tomorrow.  Hold fast!

Praying each of you keep a strong grasp in the midst of the fire.

Now I Lay Me.....

Dr. Mike Murphy

March 1, 2024

“You had better be asleep by the time I get there!”  She heard herself saying the words as if robotic.  Words it seems she had to repeat every night. But that was life with a five year old son, repeating the same words over and over each day.

As she reached his room, she could already hear the constant moving. As she peeped around the corner of the door, she found her son still sitting up in the middle of the bed.  “I thought I told you to get to sleep!”

“Mama, I can’t go to sleep yet, we forgot something!”

She waited for the rest.  She thought she had heard it all, so she began looking around the room for whatever animal or toy he wanted to sleep with him. She just wished that for one night this could be made simple.  For one night she could get him to bed without a thousand distractions.  That for one night she could find a little peace and quiet, without hearing her named called fifty times before she laid down herself.

But what her little boy said next shocked her, and brought her to a speechless silence. “Mama, I can’t go to sleep yet, God would not be happy.  We haven’t said our prayers!”  The moment froze her, and as she found the smile forming on her face, she looked into the eyes of her young son.  She watched as her boy climbed out of the bed, and got on to his knees beside it.  As she watched him, she found her way to her own knees. She then watched as his small fingers came together, as his hand became one to pray.

“What prayers do you want me to say tonight?”, she so softly asked her son.

“I know the words Mama, I will say the prayer.  Is it okay if I talk to God tonight?”  As the tears formed in the corner of her eyes, what other answer could she possibly have to this question.  “Of course!  I am sure the Lord would love to hear from you!”

As she finished her own words, she heard her son begin to pray.  “Now I lay me down to sleep.  I pray the Lord my soul to keep.  If I should die before I wake.  I pray the Lord my soul to take.  God bless Mama, and.......”

Words every parent has heard more times than they can count.  Words that filled our own youth, and words we still know by heart.  The words of such a simple prayer, but a prayer that is filled with more than just simple words.

Besides the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23, no other prayer has probably been said more.  Ask one hundred men and women about this prayer, and you will be shocked by how many can still recite you every word.  And as you ask each, you will see the instant smile come to their face as they remember the words of this prayer.

Although so many know the words, few know the history of the prayer. History tells us little about the prayer, including its’ origins and its’ author.  Much like the Serenity Prayer, this children’s prayers in not found in the Bible,  but does seem to be formed from one of the verses.  Psalm 4:8, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.“

The prayer, as we know it, first appeared in print in the New England Primer in the 1737 edition.  Benjamin Harris, a Boston publisher, included the prayer in his book, and the book soon rocketed in popularity.  The ninety page book soon became the standard by which the early colonies used in teach reading to school children, and continued to be that standard until 1790.  It is estimated that over two million copies sold during the 18th century, and although it would become known as a children’s prayer, it was originally seen as a prayer for all ages.  It is reported that President John Adams recited this prayer every night before he went to sleep

Although the prayer became popular as it was printed in the children’s reading primer, little is none of the origins of the prayer.  Many have linked its’ origins back to the popular English nursery rhyme titled, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  “Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, guard the bed that I lie on; Four corners to my bed, four angels ‘round my head; One to watch and one to pray, and two to bear my soul away.”  Others have linked it to Joseph Addison, and an essay he wrote for the Spectator in March of 1711.  “When I lay me down to sleep, I recommend myself to His care; When I awake, I will give myself up to His direction.”

So which version is true?  I do not know, and do not even think it matters. Many may question who the original author is, I do not.  I believe the author of this simple prayer is the same Author that gave us the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23.  And when we look at the words of this prayer, it soon becomes obvious that only One could have given them to us. The innocence and the simplicity of this prayer could only have come at the Hands of the One above!

The prayer reminds us, that in those moments when we are unaware of the world around us, our Lord is still there, caring for us and protecting us in the mercy of His Hands. The first line, “Now I lay me down to sleep”,  reminds us of the reality of each day.  We are made aware that each of our days will come to an end, and what better way can we end each day than to spend a few restful and peaceful moments with the Lord who made us. God’s Word tells us, “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.”(Proverbs 3:24).  Just as the Lord is there to guide us through each of our days, He is also there to protect and watch over us through each of our nights.

The second lines tells us, “I pray the Lord my soul to keep”.  The Bible tells us, “The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your shade on your right hand.”(Psalm 121:5).  Our prayer each night reminds us of the One who is the keeper of our soul.  The One who keeps a watchful eye over us, and who we entrust to also protect us.  Ask yourself, who else but our Lord could we ever entrust our soul too?

The next line says to us, “And if I die before I wake”. In this line of the prayer, we can take the greatest of comfort.  Paul addressed this line of the prayer, with the most powerful of questions.  “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”(1 Corinthians 15:55).  Our faith in Christ brings us a certainty, a certainty that death holds no power over us.  A certainty that death can bring no fear to us.  A certainty of knowing, that this breath may be the last I take on this earth, but will not be the last breath I take for eternity.  We have the blessed assurance of knowing, that this breath will not be our last!

The last line of the prayer tells us, “I pray the Lord my soul to take.”  What a powerful ending to such a simple prayer!  No greater request could we make than to desire to spend our eternity with our Lord!  Romans 10:13 assures us, “For whoever will call upon the name of the Lord, will be saved.”  Because of what Christ has done for each of us, the promises that our faith in Him brings us, nothing that we may face should ever scare us.  He alone has made the unknown known to us.  And has made our future secure before us! 

No greater beauty can be found than in the four lines of this simple prayer.  A prayer that so simply shows us the promise of our assurance.  A prayer that shows us the reality of who we are, and the desire of where the Lord longs for us to be.  Four simple lines that show us just what an amazing gift this life is, and the love and assurance He offers us with this gift.  A giftful beauty that can even be seen through the eyes of a child, heard in their words as they speak a simple prayer.

Although we are called to mature, and grow beyond a childlike faith, I pray I never grow beyond a childlike trust.  As a child, without question, will leap into the open arms of a parent, I pray I will always approach the arms of the Lord with the same trust.  With the same assurance that those arms will never fail me, will always be there to catch me.  A trust that with each night my life is not filled with fear of what tomorrow may bring, but with the assurance and trust of the beauty that tomorrow will offer.  And as I lie down at the end of this day, I praise the Lord for each word of a prayer that my childhood taught me, and the promise that each word of that prayer still brings me.  Praise the Lord that I am His child!

Praying each of you will never outgrow this simple prayer!

A New Year's Resolution List For The Church

Dr. Mike Murphy
January 1, 2025

Each day, we watch as the darkness grows.  As society looks to push the Lord as far away as possible, and this world looks for new ways to silence the voice of us who believe.  But as the darkness grows, hope does not begin to fade, as in the midst of the greatest darkness, the Light shines the brightest. This might be a world that wants us less than ever, but this is a world that needs us more than ever.  A world in tremendous need of seeing that Light, as it reflects and radiates with such brilliance in each of us.

In the darkest of hours, this could be one of the Church’s greatest moments, if only this Church would just remember the call the Lord has given us. And as I think back on that call, I find myself writing down three resolutions for this Church in the coming year. Three simple resolutions, that if this Church would take to heart, would remind this Church just what it means to be the Church.

Resolution Number 1.  Remember what the reflection of Christ looks like.

Philippians 3;10 tells us, “My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” A follower of Christ, should always look to center their life around Christ. And as we place Him in the center, we start to look more like Him each and everyday. Our days are soon found with us talking about Him, filling our moments thinking of Him, and looking for ways we came spend more time with Him. The greatest desire of our life is soon found in ways we can please Him, and in finding ways we can serve Him.  Knowing that the more we glorify Him, the more each glimpse others get of us will reflect Him.

The more in this coming year this Church can look to place Christ at the center of our life, the more this world will see the Light when they take a close look at this Church.

Resolution Number 2.  Make our words sound a lot more like His words.

1 Corinthians 2:16 speaks to us, “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”  Every answer, to every question we might ask, can be found all in one place. In the pages of His Word, because there, alone, all truth can be found.  All man can ever offer to the questions this world might have is opinion. But in His Word, is found the wisdom of definite answers.

If in the coming year, this Church will not look to itself for solutions, but turn to the Lord for answers, we can show the world the difference that only Christ can make.  A difference that will not leave man worried about tomorrow, but will offer him the hope of what tomorrow will bring. A tomorrow, not just filled with more questions, but a tomorrow, that is brimming with answers.

Resolution Number 3.  Memorize the words of the Great Commission by heart.

In Matthew 28:19-20, Christ spoke to us, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."  These are not words that should just jump of the pages of Scripture at us when we read them, but should be words that are ingrained into our minds every single day. Words that should never stray far from the tip of our tongue. Never forgetting what a precious gift we have received with each of these words, because these words reveal to us the very heart of our Lord.

In the coming year, this Church should repeat those words to ourselves so often that we are left hoarse. Words that not only find us bringing the Good News to others, but find us teaching the truth of Christ to all who will listen. Words that not only lead us to teach others about the love of Christ, but shows all how to joyfully follow in His footsteps.

I pray that in the coming year, this Church will take each of these resolutions to heart.  Remembering the love, the joy, the truth, the grace, and the wisdom, that comes from all three of these resolutions.  Words, that if taken to heart, will find this Church reflecting His light so bright into this world, that darkness will soon seek itself for cover.

May each day of this year find your reflection of Him a little brighter!

The Cry Of A Child(The Gift of Christmas)

Dr. Mike Murphy

December 15, 2023

Faces everywhere in my mind as I remember back to that day,  Each direction I looked, there was always a face staring back at me.  For all the years I had lived in this small town, I had never seen it so busy.  More people than places. More demands than this town could ever have to offer. A place that was normally all but too quiet, was suddenly in wish of nothing but a little silence.
As a merchant, you would think all those faces would have thrilled me.  The opportunity to make a fortune in just a few days. Able to set the price of the bread I sold at whatever I desired, and knowing that those desires would have easily been met.  But at some point, the desire for a little quiet became greater than the desire for the greed could ever be.
Who would have thought a census would have caused all this confusion, bringing so much chaos to the little town I was born in, and still to this day, call home.  A town that was so crowded, so ill-prepared for that census, that people were left sleeping on the streets and looking any and everywhere for just a bite to eat. And I can still remember, that as the day turned to night, the quiet did not return.  We were still unable to escape the constant chaos that surrounded us. I remember how I prayed for that quiet, calling out to Jehovah for just a small time of silence so I could at least get a few moments of sleep.

It was as I tried so hard to sleep, that one sound arose above all the chaos.  The sound of an infant crying, that was coming from somewhere close to me. So vividly I still remember to this day, there was something in the voice of that child’s cries that overcame me.  Something in his sound that shook the very soul of me, and drew me to his voice. 

As I exited my door, I could hear the cries coming from the cellar of my neighbor’s home.  Among the shelter for their animals each night, came a cry that even silenced those animals.  Sounds of a cry so loud I could not escape it. But sounds of a cry with such familiarity, I found myself without a desire to flee.  With each bellow, with each shout, with each whimper, I was drawn closer to it. As if my body was being controlled by my soul, and my soul longed to be closer to in the presence of those cries. 

As I entered the cellar, I could see a young couple holding a newborn child. A couple, whose faces I barely saw, as my eyes focused on that child’s face.  Even if I had wanted to try, I could not have taken my eyes off of him. My heart was on a string that was drawn to him. A string that must have also been attached to and pulling at my legs, as without even realizing it, I was on my knees before him. And as I tried to rise, I soon heard the voices of others. Shepherds, who had come in from the fields, also finding their way to those cries.  Cries, that left them without words. Only praise, as they proclaimed that angels had called them to this place. To come to his presence, so they could see the fulfillment of all the Lord had promised. 

As time stood still that night, I suddenly realized I had found the silence and peace that I had sought, in the midst of that child’s cries.  A silence, that I still remember so well, that left me more awake than ever.

As the days passed, I would often hear the cries of that child.  Cries that often came from a room in my neighbor’s home. Cries that continued to leave me just as amazed as they had that first night.  It was one night, as I heard those cries, that the faces I saw drawn to my small town, once again amazed me. Faces of those who held worldly power in their hands greater than almost any man could know.  But men of prominence whose knees bowed in front of this child just as quickly as my own knees had given way. I watched as they worship him. Men, who had been honored this world over, humbling themselves before him.  Placing the most expensive of gifts at his feet.

And as I watched them leave that night, I witnessed that young couple also preparing to leave.  Gone in an instant, without a moment of notice, I heard the cries of that child fade into the distance.

Soon after that night, my village again heard cries.  But this time, the cries I heard were not those of a child, but the screaming cries of their mothers and fathers.  Cries of horror, as Herod’s troops stormed into my little town, and killed every young boy that my town knew. Every young child but one, the one of the cries I had heard fading into the distance the night before.

Years later, I would finally get the chance to hear the child I had heard cry, speak.  Speaking words that left me just as silent as the cries had that first night. Words that challenged me, words that changed me, words that brought hope to me.  Words that the priests, and the people of our nation, were just not yet prepared to hear. Words that soon found him being handed over to the Romans, so his words would not be heard again.

On that day, it was me whose cries you could hear, as I watched them look to beat the life out of him.  As I watch them nail him to a cross, so they could take all life from him. And as I stood at that cross in the silence of my tears, it was him I heard cry once again.  Crying out so loud, with such passion, for the Lord to forgive all of those who had done this to him.

As I heard his cries that day, my mind drifted back to the first time I had heard him crying.  And as I heard him cry out for the last time, I realized. It was not his cries I had so often heard.  It had been Him so lovingly calling out, as He was heard crying for me.

May the cries of that manger fill your life this Christmas!

How The Lord Used A Beagle To Save Christmas!

Dr. Mike Murphy

December 14, 2023

“Time is running short Lord.  I know you have a purpose and a plan for this church, but the wolves are at our door, Lord.  If something does not happen fast, I do not see how this church is going to be here come Christmas.  Please send me a sign Lord, let me know that this church is your will, and this is a stand you are calling me to make.”

Each morning he prayed as he arrived at the church.  A quiet moment each day when he turned to God to help him with the day ahead.  But on that Monday morning, he a felt an urgency to his prayer.  He had been sent as a pastor to the church to help try and revitalize it, to help God bring it back to a glimpse of its’ past.  The church had watched as its’ numbers depreciated over the years, and the funds needed to keep its’ doors open were running dry.  While the church was collapsing, the small town it sat in the heart of was booming.  A town of a handful of red lights, had now become a town of many lights.  And the property the church sat on had drawn the eye of town hall, the perfect spot it needed for expansion.  Offers had come to the church board for the property, but with each, the pastor had been able to push the board away from any decision. He knew that the Lord was not done with this church, that the Lord had great plans for it.  But as the bills piled up, it was no longer a vision he could share with the board.

The night before the board had meet, and decided it needed to invite the mayor over to make an official offer.  But the pastor knew that once the offer was given, it would just be a matter of time.  It was that time that he had been praying for.  Time he needed from the Lord, so His will might be seen by all, and known by the board.

As he finished his prayer, the phone rang.  It was the mayor’s office, telling him that the mayor would be by shortly to discuss the church.  It appeared that the wolves had not waited, already getting word to the mayor of what had been discussed the night before.  As he hung up the phone, another noise got his attention.  Helen, an older lady who had spent her life in the church, was coming in the door with her beagle, named Bailey.  Being widowed and without family near, Helen had often asked him if he would keep an eye on Bailey as she ran an errand or two.  Bailey was an older dog of good nature, and was far more companion that grievance to have him around, so he did not mind Bailey staying in his office with him.  But as Helen hurried out the door, it occurred to him what the morning would bring.  He had the mayor on the way, and now a dog he also had to watch!

As he got Bailey positioned in his office, he again heard the door of the church.  This time it was not Helen, but a well dressed man in a suit.  The mayor was through the door and in his office before he even realized what had happened.  Having meet the mayor on other occasions, he knew the mayor was a man of few words when he was not on the campaign trail.  And as the mayor found a seat in the pastoral office, he soon noticed that the mayor had not changed. “With the hardships of this church, we all know this is for the best. The city can actually use the property for some good, instead of it sitting here empty and useless most days.”, the mayor pronounced.  “And I think you will find this to be a fair offer, considering we will have to demolish the existing building.  All I need is a signature from you as a representative of the church for us to get this process started.”

The pastor found himself pausing before he spoke, giving the Holy Spirit a chance to form the words for him.  “Mr, Mayor, I am sure this offer is fair from a business sense, but the business I am in is far more concerned about people than profits.  I know the Lord has a plan for this church, and a need for it that is greater than any you could ever imagine.  If you would just be patient, and open your eyes to what the Lord is trying to show you, I know He will give you a sign to confirm what I am saying!”

As if on cue, Bailey raised his head from the corner of the room where he was laying. Without even a bark, he got up and walked over to where the mayor was sitting. Then, without even a pause, Bailey raised his leg in a hiking position and begin to urinate all over the mayor’s pant leg and shoe.  Then as soon as Bailey finished, he went back to the corner, and laid down again as if nothing had happened.  The pastor saw himself watching all this as if time was frozen, and as if he was frozen also.  As soon as it was over, he knew he had to say something, to find a way to apologize to the mayor.  But before he could even say a word, the mayor rose from his chair, and hurried from the church.

Now he found himself in a panic, not knowing what to do.  Did he run after the mayor or call his office to apologize?  Or did he just wait on the police and animal control, that he was sure would soon be coming his way?  Why had Bailey done this?  This was unlike any behavior he had ever seen from Bailey before? What had gotten into him?  And why in the world had it gotten into him at this moment?  He could not even begin to figure out how he was going to explain all this to the board.  He barely believed what had happened and he had been there, much less to try to expect others to ever believe what he had seen.  There was no doubt in his mind, his days as a pastor were just about over.

Several times that day he tried to call the mayor’s office, but never got his call returned. And as the hours of the day slowly passed, he realized that the mayor did not have SWAT surrounding the church.  The day turned out to be surprisingly quiet.  Sometime that afternoon, Helen showed back up to get Bailey. He did not have the heart to give her the full details of what had happened, only to say that Bailey had an “accident” earlier that day.

Before he closed the church doors for the night, he called as many on the board as he could possibly reach.  Trying his best to explain what he never thought he would ever be in a position to have to explain.  And with each word, he realized just how farfetched his whole explanation sounded.  “Yes, you heard me right.”  “Yes, it was Bailey, and no, he has never done anything like this before.”  “Yes, it was the mayor.  And yes, I am very sure that Bailey did not miss!”

As the pastor arrived at the church the next morning, he was sure the board would be waiting there for him.  He could just imagine the phone calls that had taken place the night before.  But as he arrived. It was not the board that was waiting on him, but a single car was parked in front of the church.  Out of the car, stepped a reporter for the local newspaper. Rushing to get with the pastor as he entered the church, the reporter told him of a funny story he had heard circulating at town hall.  A story of an older dog and a very wet mayor! The reporter asked the pastor to confirm the story, of which the pastor said he had no comment.  But the reporter told him he already had two confirmations, so he did not need another one anyway.  He just told the pastor he could read all the details for himself as the newspaper came out later that week.  Then, as the pastor entered the church, he found an envelope taped to his office door, letting him know the board had a meeting scheduled after church services the coming Sunday.  A meeting where his presence was being demanded, not requested.

As the week passed, the pastor prepared a sermon he was sure would be his last. The newspaper had indeed come out as usual, and you can only guess which article had become the talk of the town.  But as he arrived at church that Sunday morning, he was shocked at what he saw.  As the morning progressed, he was not looking out at the usual vacant parking lot, but a parking lot that was filled with cars.  It seemed that the events of the past Monday had sparked an interest in the church, and people wanted to come to see for themselves what was going on there.  As he rose to give the sermon that morning, he soon realized it was not the sermon he had prepared that he was suppose to give.  But a sermon of how God can use us even in the most unusual of circumstances.

Seeing the crowd at church that morning, the board soon canceled the scheduled meeting.  And with each Sunday, the pastor continued to see the pews being filled.  Soon, the once empty church was running over with new members. Within months, the church was debt free, and looking at how the congregation could make a difference throughout the town.  A difference that the town’s government could not make, but needed lives the Lord could touch with the congregation’s help.  A difference, that not only found the town’s once wet mayor sitting in a pew each Sunday, but helping in the church’s community food pantry every Monday.  A prayer answered, a difference made, in the most amazing of ways!  A Christmas that would be saved, but that would never be forgotten.  A Christmas, when the Lord used a beagle named Bailey to save a church, and to touch more lives than a mayor and a small town could count!

As you get caught up in the hustle and bustle of this Christmas, remember Bailey. And as you think of Bailey, ask yourself one question.  If God can use a beagle named Bailey to change the lives of so many, what could He do with me?

Place your life in God’s hands, and let Him make you a present this Christmas!