TIME IS SHORT

As I sit here, thinking about the need to write our end of year Anchor of Mercy Newsletter, my mind began to wonder towards several areas around the world that are presently experiencing upheaval. Everywhere you look...newspaper, television, and magazines...you see a struggle; whether it is between people or countries…whether it is through natural causes (earthquakes or other forms of environmental calamity); there is always something going on. No country seems to be exempt; no country is without turmoil; unfortunately some more than others. Each day it seems to worsen; children killing children, countries threatening to kill their neighbors with unspeakable technology, and it is growing at a mega-scale.

The Bible gives many signs that should warn us of the coming end of the age. Six such signs are given by Jesus, two characteristics are given by Paul, and eleven other occurrences are given by the prophets to occur prior to or soon after the end of the age. While we are also told we will not know the time of the End, God obviously wanted us to know His timing and how to prepare as it got closer.

Unfortunately, Christians read Scripture and ignore many of these warnings; yet others have fallen into the trap of not wanting to be labeled..."conspiracy theorist" or “the radical right”…should they display an interest in the Biblical Prophecies. My philosophy is simple. God included future events in the Bible for a reason and, since God is all knowing...we should trust that it is true and study it along with the rest of His words.

As we all look to 2007 and hopefully beyond (Lord willing), we all need to remember what is important. Family, friends, and other very unique relationships that you have developed through the year; all should be at the top your list. For only through personal connection can we feel that we have contributed to our world’s indifferences...one person at a time.

Several years ago there was a commercial that suggested “you tell someone…they tell someone…and some on.” We don’t all need to go to a foreign field to serve, but we are all called to visit the guy next store. That is what it is all about…sharing Christ to the nations, but not at the expense of not meeting the need of the guy next store.

Time is short and our world is not getting any better…so the question is…what are we doing about it? Each of us needs to answer that question; each of us needs to listen to His calling for where He wants us to spend our time, our efforts, our energy and our assets. Time is short and certainly each of us wants to make our life count for Him.

Remember -- New Year’s Resolutions are only as good as our ability to act upon them; Faith is an action word, because each of us needs to walk in and by faith. Make a resolution that makes a difference, for time is short. If you ask me about my resolution for 2007 and beyond...I just want to serve Him more as He gives me strength. I also want to be there for others and to meet their needs in a timely fashion. Being in full-time missions...all I can do is give of myself...thank God for all of you...and pray for each of you, as I know you are praying for us. May God richly bless you in 2007.

Anchor of Mercy

SEASONS GREETINGS

FROM THE HENSMANS AT

MERCY SHIPS

Christ Born of Mary

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they cam together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a jus man, an dnot wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-24

To truly understand the birth of Christ, you need to understand the culture of that day. In Jewish culture, a marriage covenant is typically arranged years before the consummation of the marriage. It was during the one-year period of betrothal that Mary was found to be pregnant. The fact that Mary was a virgin at this time is clearly implied by the phrase "before they came together;" therefore, Joseph was not the physical father of Jesus Christ. That means...there had to be another donor.

Conceived...of the Holy Spirit; Verses 1-17 establish Jesus as a legal son of Joseph; vv. 18-25 deny that Joseph was Jesus' physical father. The first was necessary to establish Jesus' lineage to David and His royal right to be King. The second was necessary to establish His qualifications to be the Savior of all people; Jesus was God's Son and not merely Joseph's. Matthew elaborated on Jesus' kingship while Luke detailed His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-56).

Certainly most if not all facts about the birth of Christ is known by many, but what I want to express within this posting is -- what would have happen if Christ was not born into the culture and time frame that He was? For example - take His birth and move it forward in time to our century. Although still Jewish, the culture of today would certainly look at this pregnancy differently. Would Mary consider or be forced into an abortion and if that happen, what would it mean to us to not have a Savior?

Whether you are Pro-life or Pro-choice really comes into a new way of thinking when you consider Christ as the baby. Calling yourself a Christian also changes when you consider Christ is a possible abortion situation. Joseph certainly had the right to make an example of Mary back then, but how would he handle it today. How would Mary handle the situation, even after being told the baby she was carrying was the Son of God.

What about Aunt Meg or Uncle Bob...how would they handle it to know that their neice was pregnant and could only offer this a story of being visited by the Holy Spirit. First, Mary would have be placed in a rubber-room, not to mention quietly removed from society and place in a home somewhere. Thank God they where in the culture that didn't have the opion of ending life so easily.

As we all move into yet another year...we as a society need to consider some things about where we are going as a society.