Not going to lie, when I realized it was snowing, I was downright giddy! I have even stated I would compromise, as it is such a busy travel weekend-- I am happy with a little on the grass, and some flakes in the sky.
It seems like a lot of our friends are celebrating Christmas today, including us, as far as with the rest of our family. I kinda love when Christmas is on the weekends, I love spending time with my family, but when it coincides with being in church, worshiping Him, it just feels very right. (By the way, we are having our Christmas Eve service at 6 tomorrow night, some of you with kids, I know this makes it easier for some-please join us!)
We are also coming to the close of our year, and I have been reflecting-- it has been a busy year, but I believe the good outweighed the bad this year in our house. I am hurting for my friends who can't say the same.
I want to set all of that aside for just a few minutes and really focus on Christmas. Almost 2000 years ago, in a lowly barn, surrounded by animals, a tiny baby was brought into the world. Very few people knew at the time that this was truly the Savior of the world. 33 years later, He would suffer and die on a cross, so that you and I could have eternal life. Nothing complicated here, God offering a very simple gift but the most special gift of all time. I personally can't understand why people have to add to it, or not believe it, it just is.
One of my favorite (read: overused) statements lately has been, "It is what it is." Folks, God's Love is what it is. It is perfect, it is always, it is real. And all you have to do is accept it. Battles are all changed when you truly do that. And yes, I truly believe that. I don't have my head in the sand, I am not dodging reality. I KNOW. I know that my best day here on earth will pale in comparison to any day in Heaven. I know that no matter what I suffer here, I won't suffer there. I know that my life is not all peaches and cream here, but because I know the end of my story, it will be okay. (and yes, I am still working on the post that is all about this).
Plain and simple- John 3:16 "For God so LOVED the WORLD, that He GAVE His only son, that WHOSOEVER believes in Him, should not perish, but have EVERLASTING life."
No if's and's, or but's. This is it. It is all you need.
As you celebrate Christmas, I hope you take time to really appreciate the fact that Christ came to earth because you were going to be right here, right now. Let that soak in. Please also remember that when He died on the cross, He promised a comforter. When you accept Christ as your Savior, that comforter is there, you can choose to ignore Him, or you can embrace Him. God put Him there for you.
I leave you with Sandi Patty's Someday. A friend of mine use to sing this, and it always made baby Jesus so real to me. (Thanks Cherilea for reminding me of the name!)
Merry CHRISTmas!
It seems like a lot of our friends are celebrating Christmas today, including us, as far as with the rest of our family. I kinda love when Christmas is on the weekends, I love spending time with my family, but when it coincides with being in church, worshiping Him, it just feels very right. (By the way, we are having our Christmas Eve service at 6 tomorrow night, some of you with kids, I know this makes it easier for some-please join us!)
We are also coming to the close of our year, and I have been reflecting-- it has been a busy year, but I believe the good outweighed the bad this year in our house. I am hurting for my friends who can't say the same.
I want to set all of that aside for just a few minutes and really focus on Christmas. Almost 2000 years ago, in a lowly barn, surrounded by animals, a tiny baby was brought into the world. Very few people knew at the time that this was truly the Savior of the world. 33 years later, He would suffer and die on a cross, so that you and I could have eternal life. Nothing complicated here, God offering a very simple gift but the most special gift of all time. I personally can't understand why people have to add to it, or not believe it, it just is.
One of my favorite (read: overused) statements lately has been, "It is what it is." Folks, God's Love is what it is. It is perfect, it is always, it is real. And all you have to do is accept it. Battles are all changed when you truly do that. And yes, I truly believe that. I don't have my head in the sand, I am not dodging reality. I KNOW. I know that my best day here on earth will pale in comparison to any day in Heaven. I know that no matter what I suffer here, I won't suffer there. I know that my life is not all peaches and cream here, but because I know the end of my story, it will be okay. (and yes, I am still working on the post that is all about this).
Plain and simple- John 3:16 "For God so LOVED the WORLD, that He GAVE His only son, that WHOSOEVER believes in Him, should not perish, but have EVERLASTING life."
No if's and's, or but's. This is it. It is all you need.
As you celebrate Christmas, I hope you take time to really appreciate the fact that Christ came to earth because you were going to be right here, right now. Let that soak in. Please also remember that when He died on the cross, He promised a comforter. When you accept Christ as your Savior, that comforter is there, you can choose to ignore Him, or you can embrace Him. God put Him there for you.
I leave you with Sandi Patty's Someday. A friend of mine use to sing this, and it always made baby Jesus so real to me. (Thanks Cherilea for reminding me of the name!)
Merry CHRISTmas!
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