Read the blog below, and it highlighted truth for us during this crazy hectic beautiful season where we celebrate Jesus...
http://theapologista.blogspot.com/2014/11/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-grateful.html
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Humbled, Grateful, Challenged!
Christmas is a special time of year! This season brings out an introspective spirit in me. I think of the unfathomable fact that the Creator of the universe, holy, righteous and true, saw fit to come out of perfection and dwell on earth. He chose the humble form of a little baby, born into poor conditions on a cold winter night.
He would live within the confines of His human body and work, sweat, love and cry so that I would know that He truly understands my trials. Then He would suffer horrific torture and death on the cross, and supernaturally raise from the grave so that my sins were erased and that I could live forever free of the power of sin in this life and the next. I am humbled!!!
In considering Jesus, I start thinking about my family and the many amazing people He has brought into my life so that I might be a better person from knowing them. Some have offered truth, wisdom and a listening ear, others a word spoken into my life at just the right moment, and others prayer and encouragement to stay in the race. Wherever I have lived, the Lord has been faithful to put these kindred spirits in my path. I am grateful!!!
Finally, I ask myself what kind of impact have I had on others? Have I been faithful in prayer and eager to listen as others have been for me? Am I bold enough to speak a word of truth when prompted by the Lord? And do I let others know how precious they are to me? Now I am challenged!!!
Will you accept the challenge? Join me in encouraging those around us this season! Let's express how they have blessed us! When the Lord puts someone on your mind, shoot up a prayer for them and then send them a text or give them a call . . . or even write them a note:) Let's remind folks that they are important and appreciated and can overcome. Let's assure them they are not alone. We are in this together ... let's do it well!
He would live within the confines of His human body and work, sweat, love and cry so that I would know that He truly understands my trials. Then He would suffer horrific torture and death on the cross, and supernaturally raise from the grave so that my sins were erased and that I could live forever free of the power of sin in this life and the next. I am humbled!!!
In considering Jesus, I start thinking about my family and the many amazing people He has brought into my life so that I might be a better person from knowing them. Some have offered truth, wisdom and a listening ear, others a word spoken into my life at just the right moment, and others prayer and encouragement to stay in the race. Wherever I have lived, the Lord has been faithful to put these kindred spirits in my path. I am grateful!!!
Finally, I ask myself what kind of impact have I had on others? Have I been faithful in prayer and eager to listen as others have been for me? Am I bold enough to speak a word of truth when prompted by the Lord? And do I let others know how precious they are to me? Now I am challenged!!!
Will you accept the challenge? Join me in encouraging those around us this season! Let's express how they have blessed us! When the Lord puts someone on your mind, shoot up a prayer for them and then send them a text or give them a call . . . or even write them a note:) Let's remind folks that they are important and appreciated and can overcome. Let's assure them they are not alone. We are in this together ... let's do it well!
Monday, December 8, 2014
"CHRISTmas" by Stacey Wooddell Imbimbo
Kyle and I just finished tucking the three kids into bed after coming home from enjoying some spectacular Christmas lights.
December is great….but it is even extra special with kids.
There are so many fun family traditions that we have adopted for our family.
The tree decorating, crafts, watching The Grinch, making sugar cut cookies, and playing with the Veggie Tales nativity set is among their favorites.
In the midst of the glitter, snowmen, and jingle bells….I want this time of year to be about CHRIST!
As parents, our heart’s desire is to teach our children the real reason we celebrate this beautiful holiday. The importance of having a real personal relationship with the Lord taking precedence over all.
Seize every teachable moment this month, Christmastime is a huge window of opportunity.
Kyle hung lights outside yesterday, our sweet neighbor Sue came over and Kyle just mentioned about how we love to put lights on our house because Jesus is the light of the world. John 1:4
Read Luke 2 as a family, make it come alive. We like to reenact this story with our Little People nativity, different voices and all.
Before you pass out presents, remind your precious children that we give gifts because God gave us the GREATEST gift on Christmas morning. John 3:16
Enjoy this month…point to Jesus every opportunity that you get!
Saturday, December 6, 2014
You Discipline Because I Need It
I know, O Lord,
that your decisions are fair;
you disciplined me
because I needed it.
- Psalm 119:75
My kids love to play with the magnifying glass. When lifted, the object below it is made large, where all the small details are seen, that otherwise might go unnoticed. This week God has placed a magnifying glass over my heart and showed me how my mouth is an area of weakness in this season of trial.
This week, I have found that my son with Aspergers has been extremely trying, and my flesh is weak. Many times I have shouted back at him, instead of pausing to pray. Spewing out my thoughts instead of bringing them before God who can change his heart and mine too! God's word says so much about the mouth...
A truly wise person uses few words;
a person with understanding is even-tempered.
Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent;
when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
- Proverbs 17:27-28
As I sit down in devotion and commune with Jesus, He gently nudges me along, directing me to those scriptures that highlight my struggle. Lovingly God reminds me that I need change. I need His Spirit to direct me.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. - Psalm 139:24
Just as we discipline our kids because we love them, so too, does our heavenly Father do that for us. God holds that magnifying glass over that area He wants us to have victory over. Those hidden places we are embarrassed about. Jesus wants us go grow and in order to grow the weeds must be plucked!
What is Jesus teaching you today?
What verse can you memorize & cling to for hope?
Friday, December 5, 2014
Fill in the _ _ _ _ _
As we said our final good-byes to Greg’s dad after our
weeklong stay, it occurred to Greg we would not see him before Christmas. Greg asked if he could read the Christmas
story from Luke chapter two for all of us who were gathered in his living
assistant housing.
Greg began to read the familiar story. “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a
decree..” However, instead of reading
straight through the story, he began to periodically pause.
The pauses became the invitation for our youngest and her
grandfather to banter for the first position to shout out the word being paused
for. Although at first I was sure if
this was offensive or sacrilegious to make this holy word some type of fill in
the blank game. In the spirit of competition this new twist to telling the
sometime too familiar story, became not only challenging but fun and inviting.
If you are looking for a new way to communicate the truth of
God’s good news, I suggest you consider this game playing/truth telling
completion. We laughed and giggled as
everyone eagerly sought a “point.”
I believe God would be all for this new challenge. As you consider how to help your children
hide the Christmas story in their hearts, I challenge you to take on this
approach. Allow your child(ren) an
opportunity to win a “point” with each fill in the blank.
Continue to find new ways to live out and enjoy the truth of
the Jesus’s life in your home!
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
When Christmas plans don't go your way...
I am a woman of high-expectations. This I know and it gets me in trouble often, especially and, unfortunately, at Christmastime! If you remember my Christmastime blog from last year, you know this about me (link provided at the end if you're curious!)
This year, I had pretty expectations of having everything decorated by Cyber Monday, so I could sit in front of our beautiful tree, with my feet up, a festive beverage in hand, my husband by my side and our son peacefully sleeping. Christmas carols would play in the background as we wisely saved money on cards and gifts. Periodic peeks at Facebook pictures and comments about how others were all set for Christmas validated for me that this is the way it should be. Without realizing it, I also expected a jolly, incident-free time decorating together as a family (because I had learned so much about idols and expectations from last year), which would naturally produce a lovely photo for the highly reduced Christmas cards we would purchase on Cyber Monday.
It didn't happen. Are you surprised? Our tree and decorations are up and our home is warm and festive. But, it didn't happen when I wanted it to and our time together as a family wasn't incident free. We had a misunderstanding or two, competing selfish desires and a somewhat stressful tree selection experience as my son struggled to stay close at a tree farm right by a busy street! I didn't shop for a thing on Cyber Monday. I just didn't get to it.
What happens in your heart when your Christmas plans don't go your way? What about in the hearts of your children? It's a long, beautiful season, but it's likely there will be an event or two that don't go as planned. How will you respond?
I was blessed to participate in a Day of Prayer on December 1, Cyber Monday, right when I needed it. After praying for our local, national and world leaders, for Christians fleeing persecution around the world, for our soldiers, the lost, the parentless children and childless parents, the unloved lovers, spoken and unspoken requests, I was reminded of why God allows failure, disappointment and pain.
Each of these unpleasant emotions remind us of our need for our savior! They remind us of the true meaning of Christmas, of why Jesus was born - to save us from our sin and to fill in the gaps when others fail us and when we fail them. So, when disappointment threatens to creep in this season, allow it to remind you of your need for Him. Take the time to take it to Him. In the busyness of the season, we can spend less time with Him and that's when we start to look more like ourselves and less like Jesus. That's when my ugly comes out!
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in Him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing." - John 15:4-5
In John 15, Jesus repeats "abide in Me" or "abide in My love" five times. Why?
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you and that your joy may be full." - John 15:11.
By abiding in Christ, we are able to keep His commandments and love as He does, because He equips us to do so. Please read John 15 today - you will be blessed by His reminder.
Sweet sisters, I pray you and your families will abide in Jesus this season and that you may experience His joy to the fullest! Merry Christmas!
Last year's blog - Behold, I Make All Things New
Behold, I Make All Things New
This year, I had pretty expectations of having everything decorated by Cyber Monday, so I could sit in front of our beautiful tree, with my feet up, a festive beverage in hand, my husband by my side and our son peacefully sleeping. Christmas carols would play in the background as we wisely saved money on cards and gifts. Periodic peeks at Facebook pictures and comments about how others were all set for Christmas validated for me that this is the way it should be. Without realizing it, I also expected a jolly, incident-free time decorating together as a family (because I had learned so much about idols and expectations from last year), which would naturally produce a lovely photo for the highly reduced Christmas cards we would purchase on Cyber Monday.
It didn't happen. Are you surprised? Our tree and decorations are up and our home is warm and festive. But, it didn't happen when I wanted it to and our time together as a family wasn't incident free. We had a misunderstanding or two, competing selfish desires and a somewhat stressful tree selection experience as my son struggled to stay close at a tree farm right by a busy street! I didn't shop for a thing on Cyber Monday. I just didn't get to it.
What happens in your heart when your Christmas plans don't go your way? What about in the hearts of your children? It's a long, beautiful season, but it's likely there will be an event or two that don't go as planned. How will you respond?
I was blessed to participate in a Day of Prayer on December 1, Cyber Monday, right when I needed it. After praying for our local, national and world leaders, for Christians fleeing persecution around the world, for our soldiers, the lost, the parentless children and childless parents, the unloved lovers, spoken and unspoken requests, I was reminded of why God allows failure, disappointment and pain.
Each of these unpleasant emotions remind us of our need for our savior! They remind us of the true meaning of Christmas, of why Jesus was born - to save us from our sin and to fill in the gaps when others fail us and when we fail them. So, when disappointment threatens to creep in this season, allow it to remind you of your need for Him. Take the time to take it to Him. In the busyness of the season, we can spend less time with Him and that's when we start to look more like ourselves and less like Jesus. That's when my ugly comes out!
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in Him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing." - John 15:4-5
In John 15, Jesus repeats "abide in Me" or "abide in My love" five times. Why?
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you and that your joy may be full." - John 15:11.
By abiding in Christ, we are able to keep His commandments and love as He does, because He equips us to do so. Please read John 15 today - you will be blessed by His reminder.
Sweet sisters, I pray you and your families will abide in Jesus this season and that you may experience His joy to the fullest! Merry Christmas!
Last year's blog - Behold, I Make All Things New
Behold, I Make All Things New
Monday, December 1, 2014
Satan Has Tactics
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. - Jeremiah 29:11-13
God Has a Purpose for Your Life
Some days can be really difficult as I try to parent my three children, one of which is special needs. Early morning therapy sessions, play dates that seem to go astray, meltdowns in the grocery store. In the midst of my crazy, I must stop and remember that HE has a purpose for my life. The life HE has given me, entrusted to me, I must remember there is a plan in it all. On those days I am barely making it, I cling to His promise that there is purpose in it all. My growth, my character, my faith, and those moments HE will allow me to share my experiences with another.
God is always weaving ministry opportunities into my crazy.
Satan has Tactics to deter you
As I walk with Jesus, and He has a purpose for my life...I also have an enemy with a plan too. Satan wants to deter me from the work of God, and he will try desperately to deflate my excitement for Christ, as he whispers lies into my ear. Failure. You can't do this. God doesn't love you. Give it up. You'll never be able to do that thing God asked you to do. Fear. Anxiety. All of those crazy thoughts that are literally from the pit of hell. As I walk with Jesus longer, I realize satan seems to use the same tactic on me over and over again. When I recognize this, I can deflect those crazy thoughts sooner and go to His truth to remind me of how HE sees me. After all He is my creator and knows me best. What tactic does satan use on you?
God will direct you with hope
Each day as I seek the Bible in my quiet time, HE reminds me of where my hope comes from. He highlights where I am going and that my home, here on earth, is only temporary. My troubles that seem so large HE will use for His glory if I am willing to testify of His goodness. Those days I forget, or slack in my devotion time - has a huge effect on my hope. My focus is on the here and now, instead of the there and then. Those days when I question why I was given a child with extra struggles, His Word reminds me of the great character traits that are just below the surface of my little guy.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. - Philippians 4:8
God Has a Purpose for Your Life
Some days can be really difficult as I try to parent my three children, one of which is special needs. Early morning therapy sessions, play dates that seem to go astray, meltdowns in the grocery store. In the midst of my crazy, I must stop and remember that HE has a purpose for my life. The life HE has given me, entrusted to me, I must remember there is a plan in it all. On those days I am barely making it, I cling to His promise that there is purpose in it all. My growth, my character, my faith, and those moments HE will allow me to share my experiences with another.
God is always weaving ministry opportunities into my crazy.
Satan has Tactics to deter you
As I walk with Jesus, and He has a purpose for my life...I also have an enemy with a plan too. Satan wants to deter me from the work of God, and he will try desperately to deflate my excitement for Christ, as he whispers lies into my ear. Failure. You can't do this. God doesn't love you. Give it up. You'll never be able to do that thing God asked you to do. Fear. Anxiety. All of those crazy thoughts that are literally from the pit of hell. As I walk with Jesus longer, I realize satan seems to use the same tactic on me over and over again. When I recognize this, I can deflect those crazy thoughts sooner and go to His truth to remind me of how HE sees me. After all He is my creator and knows me best. What tactic does satan use on you?
One of Satan's most deceptive and powerful ways of defeating us is to get us to believe a lie. And the biggest lie is that there are no consequences to our own doing. Satan will give you whatever you ask for if it will lead you where he ultimately wants you.
God will direct you with hope
Each day as I seek the Bible in my quiet time, HE reminds me of where my hope comes from. He highlights where I am going and that my home, here on earth, is only temporary. My troubles that seem so large HE will use for His glory if I am willing to testify of His goodness. Those days I forget, or slack in my devotion time - has a huge effect on my hope. My focus is on the here and now, instead of the there and then. Those days when I question why I was given a child with extra struggles, His Word reminds me of the great character traits that are just below the surface of my little guy.
God made my son, with special needs, with a purpose & plan that far outweighs what I can see.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. - Philippians 4:8
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