I woke up today and opened the blinds only to see the light of the sun shining on my face! It was so warm and beautiful I just stood there for a few minutes basking in its warmth and brightness! All I could think of was that Jesus Christ is the light of my life. I was reminded of His VAST love for me and that He chose me to shine His light on everyday! That is intimate and romantic!
I haven't blogged in ohhh what about a month - that is awful as I am inspired everyday trying to think of what I will write about. First I will catch you up. Christmas was very nice and the kids were blessed with many thoughtful gifts of which they played most of the vacation time.
I attended a funeral for a dear friend from college who died at 38 of colon cancer. He is with our RISEN savior Jesus Christ right now! He lived his life with a reverence for Christ every day. He fought the cancer until the end of his time here only to be welcomed in heaven by our wonderful creator who gave him a new and perfect body with no pain! Even though it hurts us when we lose someone close to us, GOD is still GOD and will continue to be faithful to provide all our needs. He works all things together for good!
I also celebrated 11 years with my husband on the 27Th! I am reminded of the love I have for my husband and the gift of his friendship that surrounds me everyday! I have been blessed with his insight into God's word. I have been blessed with two beautiful children who also have expressed interest in knowing our savior Jesus Christ! There is no greater joy than knowing your children are walking in the Lord! Hugh is a good father and husband who works so hard to provide and care for us everyday. He loves our Savior and tells people about HIM every chance he gets. I love you Hugh and thank God for the blessing of you in my life everyday! I know that your love will always be there even if we disagree. I know that you seek the counsel of God in every situation and I thank God for everything he puts us through to bring us into the people He wants us to be! I wouldn't change a thing in regards to what God is doing in our lives! As we are stronger for every trial and blessing he bestows on us! I love you will all my heart!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Reverence...
Today's Truth
Ephesians 5:21 "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."
This story has sooo much meaning in my life right now and I want to share it with you!
"Mom, they were whispering to one another about the birthday party. They didn't want me to hear because I am not invited," my daughter said with trembling voice as tears filled her big beautiful eyes.
My heart was breaking in half as I listened to how hurt she was. "They are my best friends at school, Mom. Why would they not invite me?"
I reached out to hug her, our arms wrapping around each other tightly as she turned her soft tear stained face toward my neck. Sometimes there are just no words to make things better, so I cried with her. One week later, while driving our daughter to school, she asked her dad in a quiet voice if he would please stop at the grocery store.
"Why DaNae'? Do you need something for school?"
"Well, sort of."
"What do you need, honey, because we are already going to be late."
"I need to buy a balloon for someone who is having a birthday party tonight."
"Who is it?" I asked.
"Do you remember the girl who was whispering about her birthday party in front of me? Well, I want to take a balloon to school for her." I looked over at my husband and he looked at me, each of our hearts melting both with a sense of pride and of sadness. We knew we had to stop even if it meant we would be late. It was worth it!
Da-Nae' walked happily into the grocery store and in a few moments came running out with a huge grin spread across her seventh grade face. She was the happiest girl in the world!
She stooped to conquer feelings that could have been filled with anger and hurt. Some people might ask why she would make a fool of herself after being treated the way she was or how she could lower herself after what her friend had done to her. When Christ is the center of our lives, He empowers us to do things we could never do in our own human nature. She chose to stoop a little so she could rise up on a much higher level. She chose to reject her sadness about not being invited to the party. She reaped the blessings of stooping to conquer her emotions and blessed her friend in spite of how she had been treated.
When was the last time you stooped to conquer?
Ephesians 5:21 "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."
This story has sooo much meaning in my life right now and I want to share it with you!
"Mom, they were whispering to one another about the birthday party. They didn't want me to hear because I am not invited," my daughter said with trembling voice as tears filled her big beautiful eyes.
My heart was breaking in half as I listened to how hurt she was. "They are my best friends at school, Mom. Why would they not invite me?"
I reached out to hug her, our arms wrapping around each other tightly as she turned her soft tear stained face toward my neck. Sometimes there are just no words to make things better, so I cried with her. One week later, while driving our daughter to school, she asked her dad in a quiet voice if he would please stop at the grocery store.
"Why DaNae'? Do you need something for school?"
"Well, sort of."
"What do you need, honey, because we are already going to be late."
"I need to buy a balloon for someone who is having a birthday party tonight."
"Who is it?" I asked.
"Do you remember the girl who was whispering about her birthday party in front of me? Well, I want to take a balloon to school for her." I looked over at my husband and he looked at me, each of our hearts melting both with a sense of pride and of sadness. We knew we had to stop even if it meant we would be late. It was worth it!
Da-Nae' walked happily into the grocery store and in a few moments came running out with a huge grin spread across her seventh grade face. She was the happiest girl in the world!
She stooped to conquer feelings that could have been filled with anger and hurt. Some people might ask why she would make a fool of herself after being treated the way she was or how she could lower herself after what her friend had done to her. When Christ is the center of our lives, He empowers us to do things we could never do in our own human nature. She chose to stoop a little so she could rise up on a much higher level. She chose to reject her sadness about not being invited to the party. She reaped the blessings of stooping to conquer her emotions and blessed her friend in spite of how she had been treated.
When was the last time you stooped to conquer?
Wise Men or Kings?...
Friend to Friend
I had my kids ask some of these questions about the Christmas story.
Girlfriends in God has a great answer for them.
There has been quite a bit on confusion over the years about the "Wee Three Kings of Orientar." Who were they? Wise men? Magi? Kings? How old was Jesus when they arrived? Did they get there on Christmas night? Or was Jesus a toddler by the time they arrived? The rough and rowdy Herdsmen in The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever thought a ham was a much more practical gift than gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:1-12 tells the story of the wise men (KJV) or magi (NAS) who came from the east to worship the new King of the Jews. Traditionally they have been referred to as Kings, but nowhere in Scripture is that confirmed. We don't know exactly how many of them there were, but again, traditionally we've celebrated three, because of the three gifts.
Most likely, they did not show up in the stable at the advent of Christ's birth. Matthew 2:11 says that they "came into the house and saw the child," indicating that Mary and Joseph had moved from the stable. We're not sure how old Jesus was when they arrived. Some sources say He was approximately two-years-old.
Apparently, God did not think all these details were important, but He did give specific details about the gifts that the wise men brought for Jesus: Gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Gold stood for the riches of a king. Jesus was the King of Kings. (Revelations 19:16)
Frankincense was incense used by the priests in the temple worship. Jesus would be our high priest who would go before the Heavenly Father and intercede for us. (Hebrews 4:14)
Myrrh was a perfume used in burial services, pointing to Jesus' death on the cross - a holy sacrifice for our sins. (Romans 5:8)
One way to emphasize the journey of the wise men is to place them a short distance away from the nativity displayed in your home. Each day, move the trio a little closer, until they finally arrive on Christmas Day.
I had my kids ask some of these questions about the Christmas story.
Girlfriends in God has a great answer for them.
There has been quite a bit on confusion over the years about the "Wee Three Kings of Orientar." Who were they? Wise men? Magi? Kings? How old was Jesus when they arrived? Did they get there on Christmas night? Or was Jesus a toddler by the time they arrived? The rough and rowdy Herdsmen in The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever thought a ham was a much more practical gift than gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:1-12 tells the story of the wise men (KJV) or magi (NAS) who came from the east to worship the new King of the Jews. Traditionally they have been referred to as Kings, but nowhere in Scripture is that confirmed. We don't know exactly how many of them there were, but again, traditionally we've celebrated three, because of the three gifts.
Most likely, they did not show up in the stable at the advent of Christ's birth. Matthew 2:11 says that they "came into the house and saw the child," indicating that Mary and Joseph had moved from the stable. We're not sure how old Jesus was when they arrived. Some sources say He was approximately two-years-old.
Apparently, God did not think all these details were important, but He did give specific details about the gifts that the wise men brought for Jesus: Gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Gold stood for the riches of a king. Jesus was the King of Kings. (Revelations 19:16)
Frankincense was incense used by the priests in the temple worship. Jesus would be our high priest who would go before the Heavenly Father and intercede for us. (Hebrews 4:14)
Myrrh was a perfume used in burial services, pointing to Jesus' death on the cross - a holy sacrifice for our sins. (Romans 5:8)
One way to emphasize the journey of the wise men is to place them a short distance away from the nativity displayed in your home. Each day, move the trio a little closer, until they finally arrive on Christmas Day.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Snow and more snow!
We did get a little break from the snow. Most of it melted from the last blast. We are getting another blast tomorrow! This is more snow in November than I remember for a long time.
Busyness has set in around here. Shopping the sales, clipping coupons and racing for the kids perfect gifts!
Well it's official! Kira got her ears pierced last night and is so excited! She is cottonball happy!(they have to be cleaned with antiseptic 3 x's a day for 6 weeks) She wore her hair in a ponytail to show her new earrings off at school today. We wanted to wait until she could take care of them herself. She has deemed herself responsible! She looks so grown up! She is now waiting for a stocking full of earrings!
I finished my Beth Moore study this week and I am soooo blessed by the depth of her study and clarity in the way she brought God's message of worthiness to my heart! . He gave us perfection in heaven! Everyday we go through the process of being molded more like Him. As christians, we are his tabernacle! He gets things accomplished in our lives when we submit our selfishness to Him. He fulfills like nothing else can!
A little note about a prayer... Hugh was on his way in the snow fall to help a friend who got a flat tire when he spun out on the Interstate. Meanwhile. I had just finished helping Derek finish his homework when a went into Kira's room...she was sitting on her bed praying that Hugh would have a safe journey!!! I have never seen her pray like that on her own just because she cared! My heart wells up with joy that her prayer was answered and that she thought to pray on her own!! She is my special girl brought to me by the grace of God!
Have a wonderful day!
Busyness has set in around here. Shopping the sales, clipping coupons and racing for the kids perfect gifts!
Well it's official! Kira got her ears pierced last night and is so excited! She is cottonball happy!(they have to be cleaned with antiseptic 3 x's a day for 6 weeks) She wore her hair in a ponytail to show her new earrings off at school today. We wanted to wait until she could take care of them herself. She has deemed herself responsible! She looks so grown up! She is now waiting for a stocking full of earrings!
I finished my Beth Moore study this week and I am soooo blessed by the depth of her study and clarity in the way she brought God's message of worthiness to my heart! . He gave us perfection in heaven! Everyday we go through the process of being molded more like Him. As christians, we are his tabernacle! He gets things accomplished in our lives when we submit our selfishness to Him. He fulfills like nothing else can!
A little note about a prayer... Hugh was on his way in the snow fall to help a friend who got a flat tire when he spun out on the Interstate. Meanwhile. I had just finished helping Derek finish his homework when a went into Kira's room...she was sitting on her bed praying that Hugh would have a safe journey!!! I have never seen her pray like that on her own just because she cared! My heart wells up with joy that her prayer was answered and that she thought to pray on her own!! She is my special girl brought to me by the grace of God!
Have a wonderful day!