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.

Prayer

John 17:9, 20-21(NIV)
“I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.”
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

I was floored the other day when I read this passage.  I have read John before, but for whatever reason didn’t fully grasp the words.  Jesus prays for us, for you and me. He prays for those who have accepted him as Lord, and for those who do not yet know him. He prays for future believers, those who will believe when I step out and share his message.  Wow! He’s praying for you and me right now. 

As I continued to read John 17, I was struck by what Jesus was praying. He is praying for our protection, our unity in Christ, our joy and sanctification, and that we would see His glory.  Huge prayers for us, laid before God the Father, out of Jesus’ deep love and compassion for you and me. Jesus prays specific and concrete prayers for our spiritual growth and transformation.

Jesus prays for believers as we share his message of mercy, love and forgiveness.   He prays that those who hear his message through us would come to see him and accept him as Lord. What a wonderful Lord we have, to know that as I go about my day he is praying for me, giving me opportunities to share his love with others. I pray I see and take advantage of those God given moments. 

Let me touch back on the joy. Jesus uses the words “that they may have the full measure of my joy within them” The joy of Christ in our hearts, delivered to us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when we become believers.  A joy that brings peace and freedom to our souls.  I carry that kind of joy with me each and every day.  That inner joy gets me through the days that seem to tough to overcome. It’s a joy I sometimes have difficulty putting into words or even explaining to others. But it’s a joy I can feel within me, lightening my day, helping me to see glimpses of God’s goodness. It’s this joy that gives me the opportunity to share his love with those I encounter on a daily basis.

The glory of God at revealed in the prayers of Jesus. Beautiful!

Have you experienced the full measure of joy that comes from Jesus? To do that, you need to open up yourself to his love, allowing him in to do some healing and restoration.  Imagine what life could be like if you did.  Take a fresh look at John 17, reading Jesus’ words carefully, I pray you will see him and his love for you in a new and glorious way.  

Shepherd

John 10:14-16(NIV)
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." 

Sheep are big beautiful woolly animals.  I always marvel at the cuteness of the little lambs. They are so precious, inquisitive and so in need of their mothers.  I watched a little lamb separated from her mother on the hills of Ireland, she just kept bleating and bleating for her mother, who by the way just happened to be down the hill calling the lamb to her.  But the lamb couldn’t see her, could only hear her and didn’t know which way to run.  No shepherd in sight, just my brother and I, no one to guide the baby back to the rest of the flock.  It took a little shooing, but we were able to get the little one settled down and she knew to sit still and wait for her mother. 

Many times I am like that little lamb.  Bleating for my Savior to come rescue me, to draw nearer to me in a way I can visibly see. It is so true that we often need that guiding voice to reel us back in when we stray off his path. 

Interestingly enough, the passage says that Jesus knows his sheep.  That means he knows each one of us personally.  He knows our thoughts before we think them, he knows what we’re about to do, he knows when we are going to step into harms way.  To sin or to be drawn away from his purposes for our lives.  I look back at my life and wonder how many times he called my name and I didn’t listen. 

How many times has his voice been drowned out by the noise I chose to fill my emptiness?  I will readily admit, at times I have chosen to fill my emptiness with activity, always moving, no time for sitting in silence. I even filled the space with music and television-sound of any sort would do. Then one day I had to stop. My chemotherapy treatments in 2004 exhausting me and giving me no choice but to stop and sit still.  I couldn’t keep filling the emptiness with activity and noise, I had to rest and be still.  It was in that moment, that I saw God in a new way.  I felt his presence around me and felt a gentle touch on my shoulder as he called my name.  Be still daughter and rest he said.  Rest in me, allow me to be your shepherd and care for you in new ways. (Psalm 46:10) He knew what I needed in that moment and I listened.

Are you filling your days with the noise of Christmas? Is it possible you are missing the voice of Jesus? Maybe, you don’t know Jesus in a personal way, but I have no doubt he is calling your name. Are you listening?

Blessings and Opportunities

2 Peter 1:4-8(NIV)

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Yesterday I had the blessing of reuniting with the team I traveled with to South Africa. What joy to see their faces and to relive some of the stories and pictures from our trip serving our Lord and Savior. We saw ourselves as blessed by God, a great God who opened the door, providing each of us an opportunity to go and serve his children in South Africa. We were each called to serve in different ways, but each of us took the opportunity he offered us, our eyes fixed upon his lovely face. We trusted that God would provide for us while we were there, provide for our loved ones we left at home, and provide for us when we returned.

What a beautiful picture of a group of Christ Followers who took our faith, our love for Christ and children, and persevered through an emotional journey.  A journey in which we each allowed God to transform our hearts while we were there.  Almost like God had created an empty space within our hearts the he desired be filled with a love for South African children and adults. He took our hearts and grew them bigger for both people and himself.

I believe each one of us came away from the journey with a new found sense of who God created us to be.  A new vision of the greatness of God and his faithfulness and love.  Many of us have since questioned our current purpose in life, others of us reevaluating what God would have us do with our newly transformed minds and hearts, but each one of us came away with a deeper new found faith.  We added to our faith, but I believe he is challenging us to go deeper, to rely more completely upon him, and to confidently proclaim his love and affection for each person he so lovingly created.

When was the last time you turned a blessing into an opportunity to share God’s love? I believe each time God provides for us and blesses us, he awaits with eager anticipation for us to turn around and praise him, sharing the joy and him with those around us.  For us to share not only with other believers, but with non believers alike. When we don’t, I think God is saddened by our lack of rejoicing in him.  Just like Jesus was saddened when he healed the ten lepers and only one came back praising God in a loud voice. (Luke 17:12-19) I believe each blessing in our life needs to bring praise to God. We are not to hide our light, nor our joy, under a bushel, but be a proclaimer of God's faithfulness, a shinning beacon of hope to our families and communities.  I challenge you today to share God’s love, blessings, and faithfulness towards you with another person today.  Who do you know who needs a beacon of hope this Christmas? 

Wonder and Amazement

The Third Sunday of Advent

Matthew 11:25-26(NIV)
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do."

With the newly fallen snow, I began to remember my amazement as a child to the large amounts of snow we used to get growing up.  I grew up in Minnesota and winters there were truly winters.  Not unheard of to wake up weekly to 10+ inches of freshly fallen snow.  I was always amazed by the fun that could be had if you were to just venture outside to play. We would build snow forts, tunnels, go sledding, and generally just be outside for hours at a time. The wonder of being a child.  Looking at everything with new eyes each day, just enjoying the moment, eyes wide open.

Jesus talks about the little children in Matthew.  That wonder and amazement of seeing life through eyes not yet changed by society.  Whether Jesus was speaking about the children or about those society looked down upon, the result is the same. God chose to reveal himself to those who were looking with fresh eyes. To children with the ability to see more than what was right in from of them and to the marginalized who were looking for hope in the midst of hopelessness. 

A child’s heart is moldable. A heart ready to be taught, pliable in the Saviors hands. Clay ready for the potters wheel.  Those of us who are parents understand the need to teach and raise up responsible children.  We do our best to set a good example, to correct and discipline as needed, and to take the time to spend with our children, engaging them in conversation.  We teach them, but we also learn from them.  A child has much to teach an adult about living in the moment. Children give their all towards whatever endeavor they are working towards and to “living with abandon.”

We can all learn a little something from a child when it comes to following Jesus.  To not be so rigid in the ways in which we interact with him. There is no hard and fast rule on how we should interact with Jesus. I am not condoning you stop reading your bibles, but maybe it’s time to try something new where you can see Jesus with fresh new eyes.  Maybe we need to open our eyes wide and allow ourselves to be amazed by him.  A new vision of his loveliness that hopefully will bring a smile to your face today.

PROVIDER

Philippians 4:6-7(NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I woke early yesterday morning, the dawn of a new day, feeling anxious over my day. You see I had unintentionally filled it full with too many things to do.  Shopping, delivering clothing, laundry, Christmas cards, finishing a wedding photo album, serving at church, and then going to watch my husband play tennis. I get anxious just reading those words.  You think I would look back on my previous posts and remember God's wisdom in not packing my day so full.  But, feeling like superwoman, I figured I could “accomplish” all these tasks in one day.  Well, all I ended up doing is waking up sick to my stomach, filled with anxiety over the day.  Not exactly the way God intended. Not a joyful way to begin the day.  

Then God brought to mind the above scripture.  We are called to pray over our anxieties, lift them up to God.  In my case, to pray over my “to do” list and see what God would have me leave for another day.  What can wait for another day? Really all of it could be left for another day, but the clothing delivery. (OK, maybe I should do the laundry as well)  After a little refection and prayer, God did show me what to leave behind yesterday and where to focus my mind.  To be available to his plan for my day.  What a relief to release and not be bound by the list. A sense of peace filled me. 

That prayer began a time of reflection on how God provides for us each and every day.  Sometimes we aren’t even aware of his provisions.  I tend to be a worrier.  Less so now than 10 years ago, but sometimes those old tendencies tend to rear their ugly heads again.  Worry never got me anywhere or produced anything but sleepless nights. My worry never changed the outcome of any event or task in my life.  Worry only drew me away from recognizing Gods provisions. I learned quickly 10 years ago that worrying wouldn’t cure my cancer, worry wouldn’t heal my mom, and worry wouldn’t help in raising a family.  What would help is prayer.  Prayer to my Lord who is always upholding me in his mighty hand. (Isaiah 41:10) Praise God for that, because on my own I would fall flat on my face.

God speaks in scripture about worry.  In fact Matthew 6:25-34 is a whole discourse on worry.  Take a moment to read it. God speaks about his care for the birds. Birds don’t store up their food, gathering it to bring to a storehouse, nope they just fly about in their migration patterns trusting there will be food there when they arrive. God provides the food they need.  God says you and I are more valuable to him than the birds (Luke 12:24).   He says worry doesn’t add a single hour to our day. So true! God takes care of the sun each and every day, it always comes up in the morning and sets in the evening, 24 hours in a day, his perfect plan, his perfect timing. I wish it were easy to stop the worry when it starts, but I know for many, including me at times, it is not so easy.  

I pray my worries over to God, but to truly lay them aside takes a little more for me.  I can pray about them all I want but I have a tendency to pick them back up again and lug them around. Not a good idea, those worries weigh me down. Did you know Jesus gives us a key to putting worry in it’s place, a tool? He states it right in the bible…”But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”(Matthew 6:33)

When I turn my mind to His kingdom, His goodness, I am able to stop focusing on me.  I make room for the Holy Spirit to work within me so my perspective is changed.  Hmmm.  I can begin to see my life with a little more clarity, I am His and He is mine.  He cares for me and will provide for me in just the way that is tailor made for me.  I see my “worries” with a fresh eye and I am filled with peace.

I know you have worries as well.  Release your worries to God in prayer. Then I challenge you go one step further.  Will you choose to focus on His kingdom and goodness? Look back at his faithfulness in your life, trust him to provide for you today. I pray you will turn your face to him and feel his radiance shinning upon you today. 

Living Water

Jesus says:
“…whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:17)

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”(John 7:37-38)

I have noticed with this cold weather that I am feeling a little dehydrated.  I wouldn’t have thought that was possible since I am so bundled up when I am outside and inside. I am definitely not sweating as I go about my day.  But I have been busy, ignoring my body’s signals that it is thirsty, needing replenishment and refreshment. That would explain why I am a little more tired this morning.  I am not nurturing my body, giving it the care and attention it needs.

When was the last time you paused and asked yourself: Am I taking care of myself or am I running myself ragged, ignoring the clues my body is giving me to slow down? Will you pause a minute and do a little self evaluation?……what did you discover? How are you truly feeling?

Water, we all need it to survive, to keep our organs functioning.  When we become dehydrated, we become tired, our bodies begin slowing down, we get headaches, fuzzy thinking, cranky, our blood pressure can even drop.  Serious dehydration will cause our bodily systems to fail, organs can shut down.  Not a vibrant picture of life.  Jesus provides a different kind of water. A life giving stream of water which replenishes us spiritually and mentally.  One which provides eternal life in him. But to receive that water, we need to realize our need for him and turn to him.  He will refresh you.

For me, a life without Jesus at the center is dull, draining, and dry.  A life depleted and without focus.  I need his life sustaining water each and every day.  It brings a glow to my face, a joy that overflows through out my day.  Literally a joy which bubbles out of me. That’s his river of life flowing through me and out into the world.  That’s where I want to be.   That's what gives me purpose. Paul put it best, For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

Would you be willing to take the time to refresh your body and soul? To sit down and pause this morning, open up a bible and read a short passage.  How about the passage from John where Jesus is at the well speaking to a Samaritan woman, John 4:1-26.  Jesus truly sees her, sees deep within her soul, knows exactly what she needs which is his life giving water. Won’t you sit with Jesus today and let him refresh your soul. Ask him to fill you with his life sustaining water today.

Peacemaker

Matthew 5:9(NIV)
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

John 14:27(NIV)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

With the death of Nelson Mandela on December 5, the world has lost a great peacemaker.  A man who dedicated much of his life to ending apartheid, but not just ending it, to reconciling the entire nation of South Africa. To the bringing together a nation of many diverse cultures, racial backgrounds and faiths.  A monumental challenge that is continuing yet today. One thing I saw first hand when I was serving in South Africa was how the country is raising up its youth to run a nation, to bring about change, counting on the youth to be the future for their country. 
(View South Africa Blog)

Nelson Mandela said “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”  I believe there is a lot of truth to this.  The significance of our lives.  We all hope to leave a legacy, to make our mark on society.  

Peace and reconciliation.  They do work together, hand in hand, because with reconciliation comes peace. As Christ followers we are called by God to be peacemakers in our everyday lives.  To practice forgiveness (Romans 12:18).  Forgiveness to those who’ve hurt us, slighted us, or just get on our nerves.  Some hurts are harder to forgive than others and may take supernatural help from God to forgive, some may require some counseling to help come to terms with the hurt.  But ultimately its in the forgiving that we can find peace.  Nelson Mandela was able to forgive his jailers for the many ways he was persecuted, beaten, and dehumanized. He endured and because of his forgiveness was able to make great strides in personal peace and peace for a nation.

Jesus taught forgiveness and reconciliation.  He showed us to look at our own sin before we accuse others (Matthew 7:3-5), that with forgiveness comes peace.  That applies to you and me.  I am a sinner and need forgiveness from God daily for the ways I ignore or disobey his commands.  All I have to do is lay those sins at the foot of the cross and ask forgiveness from him.  Sometimes the sin happens to be anger I carry toward another which can fester and create barriers.  Sin festers.  But Jesus offers us reconciliation through his blood on the cross.  Forgiveness is ours for the asking.  Not just for the sins of today, but for the sins of the past and the future. Have you sought out God and asked forgiveness? Would you like to be reconciled to your heavenly Father? His love is so great for you, he sent Jesus to earth so that he could pay the penalty for your sin an mine. 

With the reconciliation comes peace.  It’s not a peace like the world thinks, but a peace that settles in your soul.  A peace that can only come through Christ himself.  When we seek forgiveness from Christ and reconcile with him, we begin living in peace with Christ.  I often feel this peace as a calmness, inner tranquility, a feeling of rest.  It is difficult to put into worlds but when I have that peace, I feel able to do anything. That’s the peace of Christ. It’s the peace we receive when we are reconciled to God.  With the peace I have in Christ I am able to look outside myself.  Because I am forgiven I can see a bigger picture of Gods creation and ask him, “How would you have me make a difference today?” 

What type of legacy will you leave? One of forgiveness and reconciliation that leads to peace, or one of anger, frustration and separation. Ultimately, our answer lies in Jesus Christ, because it is in his power that we can forgive and move forward in reconciliation and receive peace.  

Immanuel-God With Us!

Matthew 1:23(NIV)

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

We’ve got cold and snow here in Chicago today.  The weather is frightful. Winter has arrived with a blast. The beautiful snow falling the last few days has me reflecting on my mom.

My mom passed away in 2010 from a long battle with a degenerative brain disease.  Christmas leaves me longing for her. I feel a void some days without her.  She loved winter and loved to play in the snow. I don’t know if her favorite winter past time was downhill sledding or snowshoeing.  She loved both so deeply and when she was out in the elements, her joy was contagious. Since her death, Christmas hasn’t been quite the same. I long for the family moments together and the laughter that we had as we played in the snow.  I still long for her to be here with us on earth.  However, I am extremely grateful that she knew Jesus and that she is in heaven in a renewed body, no longer suffering, but rejoicing to be with our Savior in heaven.  

For many of you, Christmas may also be difficult because you have lost someone who’s near and dear. Or maybe you are estranged from a family member, have recently divorced, or have someone serving in the military overseas. You can understand that void. You feel the loss, the emptiness and the sorrow. If you’re like me you can go days without thinking of who you’re missing and then something out of the blue will trigger a memory and the longing begins again. 

So, this got me thinking of one of the names by which Jesus is called.  Immanuel.  God with us.  Always present in this world, actively at work around us.  Engaging with the world whether we notice or not.  He is with us in our moments of weakness and in our moments of despair.  Calling out to us, holding out his hand for us to grab on to. Calling us to walk with him. Whether you realize it or not he is already walking beside you. Because he is with us, he is our constant companion.  He is at a constant state of readiness.  Ready to comfort, to protect, to guide and to love us.

So if God is with me, why do I at times feel disconnected from him? That is my own doing.  There are days when I feel a lack of connectedness, a separation if you will, from God.  My sin tends to get in the way.  My sins of self absorption, my to do lists, or simply my lack of prayer.  I try to go it alone often falsely thinking my way is better.  That is when the separation begins, the drift, slowly creating a wedge between me and the hand of God.  Not the design he desires.  He didn’t go anywhere, I did.  

God with us.  Jesus sent to save, to be with us each and every moment of the day, to show us a better way to live. To save us from the sin which separates us from God. Have you been redeemed? Have you drifted away, even if only subtly? Will you reach out and grab the hand of God today? Simply put, A life that is walked with God, following his lead, is a life richly blessed because our focus is on the One who came to redeem, reunite, and restore.