Here it is, 365 days since my very first post on this blog. So many things have happened and though 2016 has been rough on a lot of people, I feel like it has been pretty decent for our household. I feel like we have accomplished a lot, as a family, as a couple, as a small business, and as workers for the Lord. I am really excited that I managed to get this blog up every Saturday morning but 2, in the last year. Those two were a planned little respite, and I probably should have worked harder to put something out there, but I had some issues to deal with and it was easier to just give me time to adjust. I know God knows we are human, and there are some situations that just take longer for us to have that "It is Well with My Soul" moment.
I was looking up verses this morning on looking back and I found a couple that I thought I would share.
Isaiah 42:18-19a says, "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?
and
Ecclesiastes 7:10: "Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this."
So, even though there are days it is fun to look back at the past and see where we have been, we never want to get stuck there, and we always remember, it is much more important to be looking forward.
I have so many goals for 2017, I am an organizational freak, and the one thing every organizational freak I know wants more than anything, is to be more organized, so I am working on being more organized this year. I always think it is good to set goals for ourselves, but never get so set on your goals that you don't pay attention to God's goals for us, and I am sure he has them,
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
So, I am looking forward to a year of coming closer to God, and seeing what He has planned. I have been reminded just this week that God can take us through valleys pretty quickly, but I am praying for a year of more mountaintops than valleys, I pray that for my friends, family, and readers as well.
When I was younger, we always had watch night service at church and would be praying as the new year actually came in, I miss those days. I miss that it seems there are so many other places to be on so many occasions other than church. I have decided though, that even though I am normally asleep by 9:30, I am going to set an alarm for 11:45, just in case I fall asleep. I have decided to bring the new year in with prayer for my friends, my family, our nation, and our world. I encourage you to do the same.
May you have a blessed last day of 2016 and a blessed 2017.
I think I have it in me to commit to another year of my Saturday morning blogs, so I will see you all next week!
I kinda find it fitting to leave the song from my very first blog post with you again today. Still one of my absolute favorites.....
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Saturday, December 24, 2016
For God So Loved THE WORLD
2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Have you ever realized that the very first missionaries were actually the shepherds? "And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child" I always love the contrast between the shepherds and the wise men, and I am a die hard fan of the wise men being in my nativity scenes even though yes, we know, they didn't get there for quite some time afterward, and they never actually saw Jesus laying in a manger, but they knew He was the Christ. I think this pretty much exemplifies that God sent His son for ALL of us.
This week, there have been some very disturbing videos of racism being ever present in today's world, and not only racism, but judging others as not as good as someone else. I abhor this and just want to remind everyone I can, that God made every one of us, he didn't just do it haphazardly, he thought and put time and love into every person that walks this earth. When people treat others with disdain, just because of how they look, they are telling God they believe He made some people lessor. That breaks my heart.
I know there are many people in our community that basically live and work here and seriously don't know very many people, if any, from other cultures; but I have the privilege to work with people from several different countries and nationalities. I have some truly wonderful friends from all different backgrounds, and I feel like knowing them has made my life more complete.
I have made this request before, but will probably never stop making it as long as I live. The next time you think about judging someone, just don't. Remember instead that God made them and on top of everything else, God doesn't make mistakes so if He has put that person in your path, maybe He is giving you a chance to learn something, or do something remarkable.
Racism is not new, just as judging is not new (seeing as how God deemed it necessary back when the Bible was written to put in the Judge not verses). Back in the days when Jesus was born, a shepherd was among some of the least thought of people in the world, and yet, they were the ones chosen to be first to get a personal revelation about Christ's birth. Kinda puts into perspective how God perceived them, doesn't it? Likewise, many people look at people in a higher social stature as somehow not worthy as well, yet God made sure the wise men were notified, and they were led to the child as well. Both ends of the social spectrum, For God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not parish, but have everlasting life.
I hope you have a wonderful, beautiful, Merry Christmas. I have a challenge for everyone this week, and me as well. As you are out on your travels, shopping, eating out, or any other place you encounter stranger; instead of thinking anything judgmental, I ask that you say a little prayer for each person you come in contact with. It takes seconds to ask God for you to be a blessing to someone.
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Tidings of Comfort and Joy
S-L-O-W D-O-W-N, it was a message that came across my phone several months ago when I had sent a text to a friend, and had apparently been able to express my feelings of stress through the previous text to her. My thought was that I really wanted to slow down but had no real time to do so.
I am venturing a guess that many of us are in that state right now as Christmas is now a week away. We had some ice last night and I always love the phenomena that happens after, the utter sound of peace outside. I live on one of the busiest streets in Newton, but after a snowfall, or even more so, after ice, it is quiet. In the wee hours of the morning, there is what some would consider an almost eerie silence, but I love it. That peace is one of the few things I miss about living in the county, so I treasure it when it happens right here in the middle of town.
I have only one verse today, Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
I know this week can easily turn into a blur, but keep your eyes on Him, and let this truly be a week of Comfort and JOY! It is what this season is about. We have the ultimate Comfort and Joy when we have accepted Christ as our Savior and THAT is why we celebrate His birth.
So, midst the wrapping, the cooking, the baking, the placement of the elf on the shelf (may I just say, Thank you LORD, that wasn't around when Robert was a kid, I would have been a total fruitcake by Christmas Day!), and the get-togethers with family and friends, take time to breathe in that peace. That comfort and joy.
And in light of that fact that I want you to have TIME today, I am making this short.
I leave you with one of my favorite Amy Grant songs, and as you start having those celebrations this week, let this be your Christmas to remember, Keep your eyes on Him, and He will give you peace.
I am venturing a guess that many of us are in that state right now as Christmas is now a week away. We had some ice last night and I always love the phenomena that happens after, the utter sound of peace outside. I live on one of the busiest streets in Newton, but after a snowfall, or even more so, after ice, it is quiet. In the wee hours of the morning, there is what some would consider an almost eerie silence, but I love it. That peace is one of the few things I miss about living in the county, so I treasure it when it happens right here in the middle of town.
I have only one verse today, Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
I know this week can easily turn into a blur, but keep your eyes on Him, and let this truly be a week of Comfort and JOY! It is what this season is about. We have the ultimate Comfort and Joy when we have accepted Christ as our Savior and THAT is why we celebrate His birth.
So, midst the wrapping, the cooking, the baking, the placement of the elf on the shelf (may I just say, Thank you LORD, that wasn't around when Robert was a kid, I would have been a total fruitcake by Christmas Day!), and the get-togethers with family and friends, take time to breathe in that peace. That comfort and joy.
And in light of that fact that I want you to have TIME today, I am making this short.
I leave you with one of my favorite Amy Grant songs, and as you start having those celebrations this week, let this be your Christmas to remember, Keep your eyes on Him, and He will give you peace.
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Mary, Did You Know?
Hope everyone is enjoying this Christmas season. I have had one of the most spectacular weeks that I have had in a long time; one of those that for a few hours, everything just seems right with the world. I know most of you have watched as things have happened over the years to our family. We have had some real challenges and faced some tough times. I am thankful that I always had faith in God to see us through, but have still been pretty scared at times as to what "through" was going to entail.
I know there are people that are having less than the perfect Christmas, sadly, life doesn't stop being life just because we turned the calendar to December. I have a friend who I went to school with that had a major problem this week and is in Intensive Care in Champaign. I know his family is thankful he is alive, but it still doesn't feel right to be in such turmoil during Christmas. We had two really rough times during Christmas that I remember growing up. December 10th, 1981, my mom came home from the hospital, after being there since October, the year after my dad died. Two years before that, my dad had went the first of December to see if there was anything else that could be done to help his heart after having a massive heart attack. We went through Christmas with the sting that we were told no, the next one would kill him and the odds were that he would have a next one. I used to be bitter when so many advances started being made in treatments after heart attacks, but now, I am thankful every time a family is spared losing a loved one.
I guess after having things like that happened, going through Christmas worrying about money doesn't seem like the biggest deal in the world. I was there last year. We knew when we started Andrew's business that we would probably face some dry times and that when people were preparing for Christmas was most likely to be one of them. We lived through it though, and this year, thanks to remarkable clients, he is still busy. One couple had him scheduled for this month and needed to postpone until the first of the year because of some unexpected plans during December. It basically gave us a scheduled job the first working day of the new year. They have no idea, ( until they may read this), but I may have shed some tears, as I was thanking God for making Andrew's dreams come true and just knowing we were starting off the year with work, well, that is just an amazing feeling. And even more amazing, was someone called and needed just a few things done and we were able to say yes, we have time. God is good, all the time.
There was another couple that faced a lot of turmoil during the Christmas season though. Before Christmas was Christmas, a young girl found out from an angel that she would have a baby. A young man found out from an angel that this was God's will. And then, God expected them to be strong through the fact that even though THEY knew they were doing what was right, that angel didn't go visit all their friends and family--wouldn't that have made it easier? You know, even back then that tongues wagged. And then, to top it off, I wonder what Mary though when the angel came. We all think, she was obedient and none of this fazed her. Sorry, I try very hard to be obedient, but when the Lord says, "You are going to do this, it isn't going to be easy, and nobody is going to understand, but you are doing what you are supposed to", it isn't all peaches and cream. Because of that verse that says, "There is a way that seems right to a man", everyone has an opinion.
That angel didn't tell Mary that they would have to go to Bethlehem when it was almost time, that nobody would let them stay and that she was supposed to find a barn, and settle in and have her baby. Although it still wouldn't have been easy, it would have been easier to understand why all of this was happening. No, here is how that conversation took place:
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”[a]
29 But when she saw him,[b] she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 26-38
Nope, not a single mention of a cattle stall, in fact, I am thinking human instinct probably said if you are being told you are highly favored and that you are giving birth to one who is called the Son of the Highest, your first thoughts would not be of a barn, and hay, and cattle standing around as you were going through having a baby. And yes, Mary said willingly, yes Lord. But, even though Mary was highly favored, we know she wasn't perfect, and I just have a feeling that there was more than once in that 9 months that she would say, "Really, Lord?"
And then, lets think about Joseph. Joseph knew the baby wasn't his, but don't you think most people around there thought he had done just as wrong as Mary? Especially since they were still together? Yep, I believe he probably endured a lot of judgment from people too, even though he as well, knew he was doing what was right.
So, I don't believe that journey to bring Christ into the world was easy for the very people responsible for getting Him here. I think we all have such high expectations of the perfect Christmas, and have to remember that the only thing perfect about the very first Christmas was Christ himself.
So, if this Christmas finds you not where you want to be, look back to that barn, that manger, and know, Christ is still perfect, He was the only one that was perfect that night, and He is still perfect today. Things may happen in your life, and people may talk, but keep your eyes on Him.
And if you are seeing someone today that you feel like you know what is going on in their life, maybe you should remember that people around Mary and Joseph thought they knew what was going on and they were wrong.
What if God put that person in your life to see how much of Him you could show to them.
I am leaving you with "Mary, Did You Know?"
I used the Straight No Chaser version because I got to see them with my best friend Tammy this last Wednesday! That was just a little icing on the cake during this Christmas season.
I know there are people that are having less than the perfect Christmas, sadly, life doesn't stop being life just because we turned the calendar to December. I have a friend who I went to school with that had a major problem this week and is in Intensive Care in Champaign. I know his family is thankful he is alive, but it still doesn't feel right to be in such turmoil during Christmas. We had two really rough times during Christmas that I remember growing up. December 10th, 1981, my mom came home from the hospital, after being there since October, the year after my dad died. Two years before that, my dad had went the first of December to see if there was anything else that could be done to help his heart after having a massive heart attack. We went through Christmas with the sting that we were told no, the next one would kill him and the odds were that he would have a next one. I used to be bitter when so many advances started being made in treatments after heart attacks, but now, I am thankful every time a family is spared losing a loved one.
I guess after having things like that happened, going through Christmas worrying about money doesn't seem like the biggest deal in the world. I was there last year. We knew when we started Andrew's business that we would probably face some dry times and that when people were preparing for Christmas was most likely to be one of them. We lived through it though, and this year, thanks to remarkable clients, he is still busy. One couple had him scheduled for this month and needed to postpone until the first of the year because of some unexpected plans during December. It basically gave us a scheduled job the first working day of the new year. They have no idea, ( until they may read this), but I may have shed some tears, as I was thanking God for making Andrew's dreams come true and just knowing we were starting off the year with work, well, that is just an amazing feeling. And even more amazing, was someone called and needed just a few things done and we were able to say yes, we have time. God is good, all the time.
There was another couple that faced a lot of turmoil during the Christmas season though. Before Christmas was Christmas, a young girl found out from an angel that she would have a baby. A young man found out from an angel that this was God's will. And then, God expected them to be strong through the fact that even though THEY knew they were doing what was right, that angel didn't go visit all their friends and family--wouldn't that have made it easier? You know, even back then that tongues wagged. And then, to top it off, I wonder what Mary though when the angel came. We all think, she was obedient and none of this fazed her. Sorry, I try very hard to be obedient, but when the Lord says, "You are going to do this, it isn't going to be easy, and nobody is going to understand, but you are doing what you are supposed to", it isn't all peaches and cream. Because of that verse that says, "There is a way that seems right to a man", everyone has an opinion.
That angel didn't tell Mary that they would have to go to Bethlehem when it was almost time, that nobody would let them stay and that she was supposed to find a barn, and settle in and have her baby. Although it still wouldn't have been easy, it would have been easier to understand why all of this was happening. No, here is how that conversation took place:
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”[a]
29 But when she saw him,[b] she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 26-38
Nope, not a single mention of a cattle stall, in fact, I am thinking human instinct probably said if you are being told you are highly favored and that you are giving birth to one who is called the Son of the Highest, your first thoughts would not be of a barn, and hay, and cattle standing around as you were going through having a baby. And yes, Mary said willingly, yes Lord. But, even though Mary was highly favored, we know she wasn't perfect, and I just have a feeling that there was more than once in that 9 months that she would say, "Really, Lord?"
And then, lets think about Joseph. Joseph knew the baby wasn't his, but don't you think most people around there thought he had done just as wrong as Mary? Especially since they were still together? Yep, I believe he probably endured a lot of judgment from people too, even though he as well, knew he was doing what was right.
So, I don't believe that journey to bring Christ into the world was easy for the very people responsible for getting Him here. I think we all have such high expectations of the perfect Christmas, and have to remember that the only thing perfect about the very first Christmas was Christ himself.
So, if this Christmas finds you not where you want to be, look back to that barn, that manger, and know, Christ is still perfect, He was the only one that was perfect that night, and He is still perfect today. Things may happen in your life, and people may talk, but keep your eyes on Him.
And if you are seeing someone today that you feel like you know what is going on in their life, maybe you should remember that people around Mary and Joseph thought they knew what was going on and they were wrong.
What if God put that person in your life to see how much of Him you could show to them.
I am leaving you with "Mary, Did You Know?"
I used the Straight No Chaser version because I got to see them with my best friend Tammy this last Wednesday! That was just a little icing on the cake during this Christmas season.
Saturday, December 3, 2016
The Coming Messiah
It is beginning to look, and feel, a lot like Christmas. I love this time of year for so many reasons, but mainly because we take the time to really concentrate on God's love for us. I had mentioned last week about Max Lucado's book and Bible study, Because of Bethlehem. I am really enjoying going through it. At one point it mentions that Christmas started what Easter finished. I had never really thought about it in terms of simply birth and death, but that is what it is, but think about this: Christ was born to die so that we could live. In his death, we have the ability to be born again. And, because he conquered death, and rose again, death is not the end of the story, for any of us.
I have been looking back this week, on my own, to the Old Testament, back before there really was a Christmas to celebrate. I always equated those people to looking for the Messiah's first coming similar to how we look to His second coming.
One of the comments from a participant on Lucado's site was, "It isn't because of Bethlehem, Bethlehem is a dirty, awful, place. It is because of Jesus." I get what the person is getting at,(and assume they actually live around there) but I also know Max was looking at the event IN Bethlehem when he named his book. And here is the thing: Bethlehem may be a dirty, awful place, but it was told way before Christ was born that our Savior would come out of Bethlehem.
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
Micah 5:2
And isn't it fitting that some still think of Bethlehem as a dirty, awful place. God sent His son for ALL of us.
I wonder what impact this prophecy had on Bethlehem. I had an instance this week where we had to correct a situation at work, these are those situations that are not my favorites but the thing is, we see potential for people to do more, and be more, not only for our agency, but for themselves. I mentioned that we knew they had the potential and that is why we bothered with the correction.
I sometimes wonder though, if you knew your town was slated to house the Savior, why you wouldn't save room "just in case". And then I realize....Because they didn't realize the Savior was going to be this little tiny baby. They didn't realize that God seen the only way to save us was by sending His son to really be one of us. We always look at Jesus and think, "He was sinless", He had to be because He was God, but by making him human flesh, he didn't "have to be", he had the ability to sin and didn't.
God works in mysterious ways, and just the time our little minds tell us that there is only one way something will work out, God shows us, He is God, and He is in control. We are to trust, and follow, and obey.
And of course, we look at our own nation today and wonder how so many people want to squeeze God out, and in effect, have no room for Jesus, just as Bethlehem did.
I am leaving you with a Casting Crown's song, "While You were Sleeping". If you don't normally listen to the song, please listen today. It is very thought provoking, hopefully something you carry with you through the week, and the season.
Have a great week, and Merry Christmas!
I have been looking back this week, on my own, to the Old Testament, back before there really was a Christmas to celebrate. I always equated those people to looking for the Messiah's first coming similar to how we look to His second coming.
One of the comments from a participant on Lucado's site was, "It isn't because of Bethlehem, Bethlehem is a dirty, awful, place. It is because of Jesus." I get what the person is getting at,(and assume they actually live around there) but I also know Max was looking at the event IN Bethlehem when he named his book. And here is the thing: Bethlehem may be a dirty, awful place, but it was told way before Christ was born that our Savior would come out of Bethlehem.
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
Micah 5:2
And isn't it fitting that some still think of Bethlehem as a dirty, awful place. God sent His son for ALL of us.
I wonder what impact this prophecy had on Bethlehem. I had an instance this week where we had to correct a situation at work, these are those situations that are not my favorites but the thing is, we see potential for people to do more, and be more, not only for our agency, but for themselves. I mentioned that we knew they had the potential and that is why we bothered with the correction.
I sometimes wonder though, if you knew your town was slated to house the Savior, why you wouldn't save room "just in case". And then I realize....Because they didn't realize the Savior was going to be this little tiny baby. They didn't realize that God seen the only way to save us was by sending His son to really be one of us. We always look at Jesus and think, "He was sinless", He had to be because He was God, but by making him human flesh, he didn't "have to be", he had the ability to sin and didn't.
God works in mysterious ways, and just the time our little minds tell us that there is only one way something will work out, God shows us, He is God, and He is in control. We are to trust, and follow, and obey.
And of course, we look at our own nation today and wonder how so many people want to squeeze God out, and in effect, have no room for Jesus, just as Bethlehem did.
I am leaving you with a Casting Crown's song, "While You were Sleeping". If you don't normally listen to the song, please listen today. It is very thought provoking, hopefully something you carry with you through the week, and the season.
Have a great week, and Merry Christmas!
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