Praise and Thanksgiving

Psalm 146(NIV)

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life;I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.

When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;on that very day their plans come to nothing.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the  Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the Lord, who remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the alien

and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.

Praise the Lord.

On this day, Christmas Day, with all my breath I praise all who God is.  I am grateful for all the ways he sustains me each day. I am grateful for his guiding influence and hand over my life.  I am grateful that he loved me so much that he provided Jesus for you and me. 

Jesus, Son of God. Try as I might, I am unable to use enough words to describe him. A few years ago I began a list of attributes of who He is, of the names to which He is called.   Words from the Bible that describe him, words from my direct experiences with his faithfulness in my life, words.  Over 375 at this point. Even then, those words do not adequately describe Him. He cannot be contained in a box, our human minds cannot wrap around all that He is. That’s just the way Jesus wants it, for if we could fully describe him, we would not need him.  

We are created to need him, to praise his holy name and to praise all that he is to us in our lives. To shout his faithfulness from the mountain tops, to share his love with others, to be his hands and feet on this earth,  To do this, we must get to know him better. After Jesus was born, Mary treasured and pondered all the happenings surrounding His birth. (Luke 2:19) Christmas day is a perfect day for pondering Him who came to save. A day to treasure all that He is. A chance for a new beginning, to take the time to get to know him and then to be amazed at the way your life will change.

I am a living example of what can happen when we obediently follow his call on our life.  If you recall, he called me to write for 25 days in preparation for Christmas and share in this blog.  I could never have done this without Jesus at my side. I still hold to the fact that I am not a writer, but through the Holy Spirit, that is what I became. He challenged me, gently pushed me outside my comfort zone, to share Him in a new way. At every corner, every day I had no topic to write about, no words to share, but he as always, is faithful to provide when he calls.  Every day at different times, he would bring me a topic, I call it my daily manna and I could begin to write.  He is faithful, he will provide, he will equip you when he calls. 

I challenge you in 2014 to listen more intently, to learn more about Jesus, to step out when he calls. On the night Christ was born, the shepherds did just that as they stepped out in faith, obediently sharing Christ's birth in their land. (Luke 2:8-20)  Trusting Jesus to provide for you in new and amazing ways takes a step of faith, but you will not be disappointed when you do. He is waiting for you to take his hand.  When you grab hold of his strong and mighty hand, watch and be amazed. I guarantee you life with Christ is an amazing adventure not to be missed.

Merry Christmas!

O Holy Night

Romans 15:12-13(NIV)

And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations;in him the Gentiles will hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Monday all day, I kept seeing the ice stuck to the branches of the trees. As the sun shone on them, all I could see was shinning, sparkling, shimmering lights bursting forth from the branches of trees that are dormant for the winter.  I couldn’t help but think of Christmas Eve.  The night when our Lord was born.  As he burst on to earth, born of a virgin, a shinning beacon of Hope for the world. For each one of us, he came to redeem and bring us new life.  To take us from our dormant state into true flourishing life.  

If you think of a believers life, it is almost as if we were dormant before we knew Christ. Awaiting a glorious seed of living water to bring us forth into new birth. Deep inside we are all created to be one with Christ, but until we personally are called, until we feel the pull of His love, our lives in a sense are dormant, in a survival mode of sorts, shut down to protect our vital resources,  awaiting a new awakening to grow and flourish.  

If you are not a Christ follower, drawing on his eternal source of life, you are simply in survival mode.  Trying to exist in a world that is in a constant state of flux, a world that is simply for itself, churning forward with no eternal purpose.  Until you look beyond yourself, you move at the will of the world.  Dormant, missing your eternal purpose and missing the glorious life that could be.  Not living to the full potential that God has created you to be. 

When you take time to see who Jesus is, to learn who he is, why he burst forth on earth in human form, then you can see the possibility of all that can be.  He came so that you could be saved from death.  We are all sinners, we have a tendency to want to live our own way, be the king of our own lives.  But God, did not design us to live that way.  Our sin, disobedience to God’s commands, puts a barrier between us and him.  A barrier that requires a penalty for that disobedience.  Jesus came to fulfill that penalty once and for all by his death on the cross, so that we could live as God’s children, so we could have eternal life, one that flourishes under his loving hand.  Forgiveness, Mercy and Grace.

Once we call Jesus our King, our Savior,  and look to him for true life, we awaken, grow and flourish under his care,  Not swaying in the wind as the world pushes us to and fro, but we have a rock, a foundation that we can call on each and every day to anchor us in the storms of the world.  Hope. He will take us from dormancy to a life that flourishes,  growing within us seeds of hope that we are able to spread around our families and neighborhoods. A newly redeemed life sparkling, shimmering, bursting forth under the loving care of our Lord. 

Do you know my Jesus?  I pray that the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you turn to him, learn about him, seek him out, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray this Christmas, you will listen for God calling your name and turn to him so that you will live a life that flourishes under his loving hand.

Journey

Psalms 61:5(NIV)

For you, God, have heard my vows;you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Proverbs 3:5(NIV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 55:8(NIV)

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

These past few weeks have had me pondering my life.  It’s been quite the journey up to this point, an incredible journey with highs and lows.  It’s the highs that get me though the low points in life.  Not the highs as in good times, although those help during the rough patches, but it’s the highs I get looking back at God’s faithfulness to me.  A journey in technicolor, filled with the beautiful colors of life moving forward, God piecing my life together as He continues to transform me into the woman he desire me to be.

A while back, while studying the book of Hebrews, I read a commentary(Joy of Living Bible Studies, Commentary by Jean W. Randall) where she speaks of the Bible as being like a jigsaw puzzle.  Each piece, each revelation, needed to complete the story. It made me realize that is what a journey with God is like.  Each piece of my life being fit together to form the big and final picture.  When all the pieces have been put into place, my life here on this earth will be completed, God will have completed his transformation of me.  What a celebration that day will be for me when I will be reunited with Jesus.

Today though, as I look back on my life and see how some of the pieces are fitting together, I am amazed at the transformative work God is doing.  I can see spiritual growth and change.  I can even see a little bit of the bigger picture of where my life might be headed.  I believe it can be beneficial to think of our lives as pieces of a puzzle. Some days we can get so discouraged longing to be at a different place in our life journey that we miss today and all that God has done to date in our lives. We may even miss what God is doing in that particular moment. Because we live in such a fast paced world, sometimes we want that instant gratification instead of appreciating the journey. 

God is putting together the puzzle that is our lives.  Creating you and I to be whom he has called us to be.  We often don’t see the little transformations because we are looking for the “big”changes, God knows what the finished product will look like, we only get glimpses.  Maybe we need to change our perspective, to take a step back and enjoy the journey of our lives a little bit more.  

With Christmas being just two days away, I pray you will take a moment to reflect back on your life journey and jot down God’s faithfulness to you this past year.  Take some time to look for transformation within your life that hopefully was for the better.  If you don’t like what you see, why not turn to Jesus today and ask him to walk with you on this journey of life and watch your life be transformed.

Strength and Courage

Philippians 4:13(NKJV)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  

Ephesians 6:10-17(NIV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Following Jesus in todays world takes strength, courage and perseverance.  We need to stay firmly rooted in his word and be prepared to withstand opposition. We all need his help to persevere walking the life he has called us to live. We are called to abide in him, which seems a whole lot easier when the path is flat and smooth.  When the path becomes more strenuous, rocky and shifting, I need frequent reminders that abiding is what I need to do moment by moment, trusting he will help me shoulder the strain.

God didn’t exactly say following him would be a piece of cake, however Jesus did say
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)  A yoke is used to couple two oxen together so that they can plow together, sharing the load and the weight of the plow, making it easier for them to work in tandem.  The yoke of Jesus is the same for us.  When we are connected with him, He works within us to help us follow His way of life.  Jesus helps us shoulder the load, directing us along the path of righteous living, instilling wisdom, filling us with love and generosity, and he loves us enough to pick us back up again when we fall down. He provides us with grace and mercy. He is the one who helps us follow him, teaching us to abide in him. 

God speaks of his armor in Ephesians.  He provides all we need to live in this world.  We have his strength and we need to remind ourselves to put on his armor of protection when we are moving about our day, to be appropriately dressed for the battle. You wouldn’t leave the house in a snowstorm without hat, mittens, boots and emergency gear would you? We as Christ followers shouldn’t leave the house without being properly prepared for opposition and life challenges. 

I’ve come to realize I need to carry that armor in a way that helps me to abide more closely in him.  To wear my hikers through the strenuous climbs, to dig more deeply into his truth to sustain me, to put up my shield to protect myself from the sharp rocks during the climb, and to carry his sword in front of me in preparation for what may come. For me, the practices of daily Bible reading and journaling helps to keep me in the sweet spot of abiding in Him.

Are you struggling to persevere through your daily life? Do you know Jesus who is ready and able to provide you protection from the storms of life? Won’t you take some time to get to know him and learn of the armor available to you if you would trust and abide in Him. (YouVersion Bible)

Gods Armor:
Belt of Truth-Read my Bible for its truth will support me, hold me up like a belt holds up my jeans.

Breastplate of Righteousness-Protects my heart, my life, from the worlds lies. 

Feet fitted for readiness-My feet are ready to go where God calls me to share the gospel. Ready to flee when attacked or tempted. Sturdy shoes for the climb ahead that is life.

Shield of Faith-Protects my body from attacks. My faith must be nurtured, grown, and firmly rooted so that I can withstand attacks. Growing my faith is no ones job but mine. The Holy Spirit will help me, but I must be the one to read my Bible, to pray, and nurture my faith. 

Helmet of Salvation-protects my mind from outside attacks.  Knowing my Bible and having a relationship with Christ is my protection. For I know my salvation is secure in Him.

Sword of the Spirit-God’s Word. Carry his truth, his words in my heart and I am ready for battle. The Holy Spirit provides the wisdom and courage to persevere. 

Relationships

Luke 10:38-42(NIV)

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Is there some character trait you know about yourself that sometimes gets in the way of life? I tend to be an organizer, very task and goal orientated. I often look towards the end result instead of enjoying the moments within the task. I learned a valuable lesson when I was in South Africa. While serving in the different organizations, God showed me the value of the relationships over the tasks.  The tasks will always get done at some point, but if that is all I am looking at, I will miss the blessings of building relationships.  I may even miss an important opportunity to share God’s love and my story. 

How true this is especially during the Christmas season. We can become goal minded-get the gifts, wrap the gifts, bake the cookies, do the cards-that we may miss one of the greatest opportunities of our life. Relationship building, stories shared, life lessons learned, and the opportunity to share God's message of love and forgiveness. 

Martha learned the same lesson first hand from Jesus.  Martha was to busy with her preparations for the meal to take the time to hear Jesus, she just wanted to get the meal on the table and then relax with Jesus. Mary on the other hand knew the value of taking the time to hear the words of Jesus, knowing the food could wait. She understood the value of spending time together, building relationships, forming community. She desired deeper intimacy over the task at hand.

Which camp do you fall in? Are you a Mary or a Martha? It is important that we stop and reevaluate the point of our Christmas gatherings. I believe the point is relationships, building a lasting community of friendship and family bonds that will stand firm in the years to come.  A time to share Christ's faithfulness to us this year and how he is growing us within. Building those relationships requires time and energy and Christmas is the perfect time to stop and enjoy the conversations.  To tell stories, to gather everyone together to prepare the meal as a family, even if it means the meal is late, or not quite done the way you envisioned.  This is how relationships are formed, deepened, and memories are made. 

So this Christmas, I pray you will be a Mary. Create a little taste of heaven here on earth. Put aside your schedule in favor of relationships, slow down the pace, and involve the whole family in your preparations.  Accept the help when offered, see it as an opportunity to deepen a relationship, to share your story and to add some laughter and joy to the day. Take the time to speak of God's faithfulness to you, to share stories of his love, and to share the word of Christ with a love one. You could change a life.

Celebrations

Psalm 118:24(NIV)
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Nehemiah 8:10(NIV)

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Deuteronomy 16:14-15(NIV)

Be joyful at your festival—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns. For seven days celebrate the festival to the Lord your God at the place the Lord will choose. For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.

God desires us to celebrate and have some fun, memory making fun. When was the last time you had some serious fun? I mean down and out fun that brought you laughter, joy and pure enjoyment.  A family game played, a walk in the park, a book read, or just a simple gathering with family or friends.  God designed us to have fun.  Good clean fun that brings us joy and also brings him joy.  He loves to see his children let go and just enjoy the life he’s given us. To celebrate the work of his hands in our lives. 

For me there are some things that bring me great joy and laughter.  One of them is a gathering of women in my book club.  It never ceases to amaze me the amount of laughter a group of women can produce over simply reconnecting, “reading” a book, and playing a board game.  This book club and the women in it, fill me with joy.  I have another group of friends from church, my kids call us “the church ladies” and when we get together, the laughter brings us to tears.  Fun! I am so grateful to have so many women in my life who bring me laughter and joy.

Fun, serious fun is a gift from God.  For me, serious fun at Christmas consisted of being outdoors in the winter, celebrating by spending the day sledding down my parents driveway.  We did it before we had kids, we did it while the kids were young and we did it up until the day my parents moved away from that home.  Those moments were sacred.  Moments that I recall with joy, laughter and a desire for togetherness. Treasured memories that I am so grateful for and will remember forever.  Joy from head to toe. 

Christmas is a time of get togethers.  Family gatherings big or small, cookie exchanges, gift exchanges, and get togethers to reconnect with old friends near and far.  A time to reflect on God’s faithfulness in our lives over the past year, a time to grieve what isn’t or is missing, but it should also be a time to celebrate all that God is, all that he’s done in our lives. For me, Christmas is a season of celebrating Gods precious gift of his one and only son, Jesus. I am forever grateful for God’s grace and mercy towards me.

There is a silly song I sang in South Africa to the children, on that brings belly laughs and smiles because it is so incredibly silly.  But the purpose of the song is to make memories.  The song ends with “Making Memories in my heart to praise the Lord.” What treasured memories do you have from Christmas past? What new memories would you like to make this Christmas? I pray you will take the time to add some belly laughs to your Christmas celebration.

The Vine

John 15:1-4(NIV)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

This is the time of the year when many people clean their closets, donating the clothing they haven’t worn in the past few years.  When we purge our homes of the clutter prior to decorating full out for Christmas.  We donate the “things” in our homes that no longer serve their purpose, are unnecessary and no longer bring us pleasure.  A pruning of sorts as we make way to enjoy the magnificent splendor and lights of our Christmas decorations.  One of the many ways we begin preparing to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

Just as we “prune” to make way in our homes for Christmas, Jesus prunes the things in our lives that prevent believers from bearing fruit for his kingdom.  He prunes away the things in our lives that are a barrier to intimacy with him. It is through the pruning that Jesus can prepare us for the magnificence of the future. A future which will yield peace, fulfillment, and joy.

Jesus calls himself The Vine and we as believers are his branches.  We need him to grow spiritually, to do the work he has called us to do, and we need his sustaining power through it all.  Our life blood comes from him, the Holy Spirit within us, pumping life and energy into our veins.  The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to how we can serve the Lord, lighting the way and giving us the spiritual gifts to accomplish that to which we are called. Our callings are as unique as the ways in which God has created us. Some of you are called to serve the Lord through your job,  shinning his light in the business world.  Others are called to stay at home and raise a family and still others are called to serve him as missionaries in their neighborhoods or overseas. There are many spiritual gifts that God gives, each one specifically suited to the individual he created. (Romans 12:6a)

I know from personal experience it can be difficult to discern what that calling may be.  I even know that the calling may change as time passes. I have found it difficult to wait upon the Lord to reveal a new calling for my life since our children have grown. I am realizing that God often gives me new direction by pruning away the things in my life that get in the way of bearing fruit for his kingdom. He prunes away the obstacle in my life that prevents me from seeing what he is calling me to do. 

Interestingly enough, if we are not connected to and resting in The Vine that is Jesus, we will miss the pruning that is for our good.  We may see the pruning as a disappointment when what we hoped would happen fails or maybe we just see it as bad luck.  Or sometimes we continue trying to reopen  a door that has been firmly closed, thinking we could try another way to make it happen right now.  Because we often continue to wallow in the disappointment or try to reopen a firmly closed door, I believe we are missing something better around the corner. I believe we are missing a greater blessing from God that would bring us more joy than we could imagine.  A fulfillment and peace because we are walking in God’s will. 

How connected are you to Jesus today?  Do you know him as The Vine, your life giving blood? Take the time to read John 15:1-17 and rediscover the magnificent love he has for you.