Archives by: Gary Hoag

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”

The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38

“By meditating upon the incarnation, our devotion is kindled, and by remembering the example of Mary, we are encouraged to lead a life of virtue.”

Venerable Bede (672-735), a monk at the Northumbrian Monastery in Homily 4 as recounted Milton Walsh in Witness of the Saints: Patristic Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2012) 538.

To kindle our devotion to generous living, giving, serving, and loving, let’s reflect on the example of Mary today. What virtues do you see in her life. Reply with a virtue that you see. I’d love to hear from you. I see at least three.

Firstly, I see humble obedience in the face of fear. The news left her perplexed and afraid. Some translations say she was greatly troubled. Obedience would change her life and impact all humanity. Rather than let fear stop, she chose to walk in obedience.

Secondly, I see submission to the will of the Father in Heaven. Her classic concluding statement teaches us to surrender our will and desires to the Father in Heaven as directed in the Lord’s prayer and modeled for us by this greatly troubled teenage girl.

Thirdly, I see faith. Don’t you love her question: How can this be? God calls us to trust Him to do the impossible. Our role in these situations is to believe. We get to trust God to do what only He can do and walk in faith.

May pondering the example of Mary as you think about the incarnation this Advent kindle your devotion afresh and propel you to generous living, giving, serving, and loving with humble obedience, submission, and faith. And what other virtues do you see?

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of His roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:1-2

“From this seed, this shoot, this flower, surely the fruit of blessing comes forth. It has come even to us; first as a seed it is planted through the grace of pardon, then germinated with the increase of perfection, and finally it flowers in the hope of the attainment of glory.”

Baldwin of Forde, Archbishop of Canterbury, a.k.a. Baldwin of Canterbury (1125-1190) in Treatise 7 as recounted Milton Walsh in Witness of the Saints: Patristic Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2012) 537.

I love doing research because I learn new things and discover new people. I had never read about Baldwin.

In short he studied God’s Word and theology, grew deep in his faith, set himself apart to God as a monk. From there, he preached many sermons. They got wide attention. The king insisted he serve as archbishop.

Let’s look at today’s Scripture and the words of Baldwin and consider their connection to us today.

The shoot from the stump of Jesse, that Isaiah speaks about is Jesus, the Christ of Christmas. The branch that grows from His roots represents the church. That’s you and me.

Look what rests on Jesus: the spirit of the Lord, the spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. Everything the branch needs to grow comes from Jesus.

Now consider the words of Baldwin. From Jesus, blessing comes. First we receive grace, then he works in our lives to “the increase of perfection” which just means maturity, and we get the hope of glory.

I want to push you again to share the Christ of Christmas with one person this year.

Sure, I hope you give generously this year end, and include GTP on your giving list, but also please share the gift of this shoot, this root, from which the fruit of all blessings comes with someone. As I said yesterday, “ask God for an opportunity and share boldly.”

Yesterday, I asked God to open doors to get to know our neighbors as a basis for encouraging their faith or pointing them to Jesus.

He did it! Winter weather and sickness caused only three couples or families to show up at the neighborhood holiday party. One family follows Christ. It seems the other does not. We became friends and learned that the fathers sings.

So we plan to go to his Christmas concert this Friday night and will see where the relationship goes from there.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

“This is the reason why the Word assumed a body that could die…Because of the Word dwelling in that body, it would remain incorruptible, and all would be freed forever from corruption by the grace of the resurrection.”

Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 296-373) in his work, On the Incarnation of the Word, as recounted Milton Walsh in Witness of the Saints: Patristic Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2012) 527.

Today I pivot from recent posts from Mother Teresa to reflections from famous saints in church history on facets of the incarnation. It seemed fitting to start with Athanasius for a post from his classic work on the topic.

He answers a question that might come up in Christmas conversations. It’s the ‘Why’ question. Why would God become flesh and become baby Jesus. He cam to remain incorruptible in order to make a way to free us from corruption.

But how do we do this? At parties people talk about war, inflation, and many other problems spreading fear. You can simply reply emphasizing that the world is broken and Jesus came to free us from our brokenness and make us whole.

And the work that started with the incarnation (Christmas) finds completion by grace in the resurrection (Easter). So for those who go to church on Christmas and Easter, they hit to bookends of the work of Jesus. It’s a start.

But if they stop there, they miss the grace available to us the other 50 weeks of the year. This Advent season share the gift of the grace and truth of Jesus with one person. Ask God for an opportunity and share boldly.

This just might be the greatest gift you will give anyone in this season of gift-giving,

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:35-36

“I will give you one more beautiful example of God’s love. A man came to our house and said, “My only child is dying! The doctor has prescribed a medicine that you can only get in England.” We have permission from our government to store life-saving medicines that are gathered from all over the country.

We have many people who go from house to house and gather leftover medicines. And they bring them to us and we give them to our poor people. We have thousands of people who come to our dispensaries. While we were talking, a man came in with a basket of medicines. I looked at that basket: right on the top was the very medicine the man needed for his dying child! If it have been underneath, I wouldn’t have seen it.

If he had come earlier or later, I would not have remembered. He came just in time. As I stood in front of that basket, I thought, “There are millions of children in the world, and God is concerned about that little child in Calcutta. To send that man at that very moment! To put the medicine right on the top so I could see it.” See God’s tender concern for you and for me!”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 79-80.

As I continue through this awesome Mother Teresa book, today’s story reminded me of the story of when Jesus healed the daughter of Jairus. The word in the Scripture that touched me was that Jesus was ‘overhearing’ them.

The truth, as illustrated by the story of this poor man in Calcutta whose child was dying. I am confident God overheard his prayers and provided exactly what he needed in a miraculous way. Ponder the implications.

God overhears you and your situation. He sees and knows you. He loves you. And he can provide exactly what you need when you need it. And if waver, He sees that too and says, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Let me bring this home to present day. I had a zoom with a young man, David Hernandez, from Colombia yesterday. He has visions of launching a camp to teach children about Jesus. He’s worked my friend Peter Fiorello at Black Rock.

He wants to build a Black Rock in Colombia. Think about the implications of that. This is a real life example of how GTP empowers God’s worker to touch and reach thousands for Jesus.

He said he had no hope of doing it until he met the camp administrators and board members from Puerto Montt, Chile, that Carla Archila and I trained back in 2021. They spoke of how our coaching and training has grown the ministry.

When you support GTP, you help us serve David Hernandez and 6,686 stewards like him in 133 countries. A member of our team will meet monthly with David, he will take our on demand courses, and launch a camp like in Chile and USA.

And we will help him do it. When you give to GTP now you help us activate the largest grant in GTP history. We need to raise $215,942 by 31 December 2023. If we do it positions us to launch efforts with a $1.25 million 5-year grant.

God is always overhearing the cries of the poor and needy. We hear them too. We don’t give handouts that create dependency. We give a hand up that builds disciples like David in Colombia. Give generously at this link today.

Help us activate this grant which will position us to add staff to empower more workers like David. So far this year we have received gifts from workers in 22 countries. Those we have serve are pitching in. Will you?

They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:20-21

“In Calcutta, we cook for nine thousand people every day. One day a sister came and said, “Mother, there’s nothing to eat, nothing to give the people.” I had no answer. And then by nine o’clock that morning a truck full of bread came to our house.

The government gives a slice of bread and milk each day to the poor children at school. But that day — no one in the city knew why — all the schools were closed suddenly. And all the break came to Mother Teresa. See, God closed the schools.

He would not let our people go without food. And this was the first time in their lives, I think, that these people had such such good bread and so much of it. This way you can see the tenderness of God.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 75-76.

When I read this story from Mother Teresa, I could not help but think how 5,000 hungry people ate and were satisfied in Bethsaida (Jewish territory) with 12 baskets leftover (sending a message that Jesus is enough for all Jews).

And then I pondered Jesus feeding 4,000 in the Decapolis region (Gentile territory) with seven baskets leftover (implying with the number of completeness that Jesus is enough for all peoples). Here’s where I landed.

Jesus did these miracles to show tenderness to specific audiences that He cares for them, both Jew and Gentile. But these miracles don’t tell us what Jesus did but what He does because He’s still alive and working miracles.

So when I read that 9,000 poor got bread on this day, my mind raced to the fact that Jesus Himself supplied that day for the poor. He cares about the poor and helps those who care about the poor.

What’s the lesson today? Serve the people God has called you to serve. Trust Him to supply and maybe sometimes to do miracles. Give thanks for His tender care. And celebrate that Jesus is enough for everyone. He’s all we need!

In the song, “O Holy Night” it says in one of the verses, “He knows our needs. To our weakness He’s no stranger.” Give thanks this Advent that Jesus is enough, that He knows our needs, and trust Him to supply and care for you.

Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Acts 10:30-31

“For some time now, we have had a small community of sisters in Guatemala. We came there during the earthquake of 1972 that caused so much damage. The sisters of Guatemala came to love and serve, as they do everywhere.

They told me something beautiful about a very poor man who was picked up from the city streets and brought to one of our homes. He was very sick, disabled, hungry, and helpless. But somehow, with the help he received, he got well again.

He told the sisters, “I want to go and leave this bed for somebody else who may need it as much as I needed it when I came here.” Now he has a job. Every time he gets a little money, he remembers the other disabled people who are in the home and comes to see them.”

He always brings something for them. Even with the little he has, he always brings something. This is the great gift of our poor people: the love they have.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 73-74.

God remembers our giving. And those touched by His matchless love remember to give to others.

How is your memory? Do you remember what God has done for you? Do you remember those who have helped you?

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10

“The other day, two friends of mine came to see me. They brought me a large amount of money to use for feeding the poor. I asked them, “Where did you get all this money.”

They answered, “We were married two days ago, but before that we had decided not to have a large wedding banquet. As a witness of our love for each other, we wanted to bring this money to Mother Teresa.”

This is the greatness of young people! They are so generous! I asked them further. “Why did you do this?” They answered, “We love each other so much and we wanted to share our love with other people, especially with those you are serving.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 71-72.

The generosity of this young couple demonstrated a witness of their experience of God’s love in a radical way.

Many times, my wife, Jenni, and I, saw our kids do unthinkably generous things while growing up. We committed to not try to discourage their radical, countercultural living, giving, serving, and loving, but rather, throw gas on it.

How might you do something generous this Advent season that would reflect your Christian witness?

When the Apostle Paul wrote the church in Rome, he said to be devoted to each other in love, like this couple was devoted to Mother Teresa and the poor. And notice how the couple honored others above themselves.

This practice of honoring others above ourselves is an area for growth for all of us. God help us.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 2 Corinthians 9:12

“One day an Australian man came and made a substantial donation. But as he did this he said, “This is something external. Now I want to give something of myself.” He now comes regularly to the house of the dying to shave the sick men and to converse with them. This man gives not only his money but also his time. He could have spent on himself, but what he wants is to give of himself.

I often ask for gifts that have nothing to do with money. There are so many other things one can give. What I desire is the presence of the giver, for him or her to touch those to whom they give, to smile at them, for him or her to pay attention to them. All of this is very meaningful for those people.

I urge people to join our work, for our profit and for the profit of everyone…I ask them to bring their love, to over the sacrifice of their hands… I think that a person who is attached to riches, who lives with the worry of riches, is actually very poor. If this person puts his or her money at the service of others, then he or she is rich, very rich.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 69-70.

The generosity in this story takes two forms: support and service. The Aussie gave a big financial gift and gave of himself. He helped shave the sick with humble service.

What might this look like at your church? You might give generously but also do tasks that others may not find popular or glamorous to help the gospel go out this Christmas season.

How about your community or region? What might it look like to support and serve there? And just imagine the impact of others getting involved with you.

Now think your global participation in God’s work. It could take shape as offering wisdom and expertise or providing a blanket of prayer and intercession along with sharing financial resources.

Why dream like this today? I am learning from John Stanley to shift from telling people what they “should” do to inviting them to wonder and imagine what can be.

I feel this approach positions the Spirit to guide us regarding specific applications that match our specific resources related to support and our giftedness and margin linked to service.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

“One day I was walking down the street in London, and I saw a tall, thin man sitting on the corner, all huddled up, looking most miserable. I went up to him, shook his hand, and asked how he was. He looked up at me and said, “Oh! After such a long, long time I feel the warmth of a human hand!” And he sat up.

There was such a beautiful smile on his face because somebody was kind to him. Just shaking his hand had made him feel like somebody. For me, he was Jesus in a distressing disguise. I gave him the feeling of being loved by somebody, the joy of being loved. Somebody loves us too — God Himself. We have been created to love and be loved.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 67-68.

As Advent begins, let’s resolved to show love in warm ways.

Around us, many represent “Jesus in a distressing disguise” and a helping hand often coupled with kind words or a prayer might make all the difference in their day.

Notice this scene happened in London, one of the most prominent cities in the world.

That tells us that even in seemingly wealthy or prosperous places, people may feel empty, lonely, hurting. Showing love is the gateway, as Teresa teaches us for helping them discover the love of God.

As disciples of Jesus, let’s be known for generous love this Advent.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

“One day, we picked up a man off the streeet who looked like a fairly well-to-do person. He was completely drunk. He couldn’t event stand up because he was so drink! We took him to our home. The sisters treated him with love, care, and kindness.

After a fortnight, he told the sisters, “Sisters, my heart is open. Through you I have come to realize that God loves me. I’ve felt His tender love for me. I want to go home.” And we helped him get ready to go home.

After a month, he cane back to our home and gave the sisters his first paycheck. He told the sisters, “Do to others what you have done to me.” And he walked away a different person. Love had brought him back to his family, to his children’s tenderness, to his wife’s understanding love.

Teach us how to love and how to have the courage to share.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 61-62.

Ponder today’s post thinking about the drunk man. He was well off, but not thinking clearly. He could not stand the pressures of life. Know anyone like this?

I ask you to ponder because we may not literally pick up a drunk from the gutter. But we may know someone not thinking clearly and collapsing under the weight of the burdens of life.

It might be a neighbor, a loved one, a relative, or a friend. Now notice what transformed the man in the story. He received a generous dose of love, care, and kindness.

Love: it does not judge or condemn. Care: it supplies exactly what a person needs. Kindness: it does all this as a conduit of God’s grace with joy and a smile.

I did this mental exercise for a reason. Now I want you to think of someone in your life who showed you love, care, and kindness when you did not deserve it or when you were unable to stand.

Now think of charities that exist to serve the underserved, to lift up the poor and broken, to care for the forgotten. Have courage and give your next paycheck to them.

If you were in the gutter or in a bad place, would you want an army deployed to find you and lift you up. If so, do to others as you would have them do to you.