Peace

Be still and know that I am God.
-Psalm 46:10

Turning toward 2009

David Jeremiah had a great talk this morning about making plans...reminds me not to leave God out of my plans.
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Turning_Point/archives.asp?bcd=2008-12-30

Christmas Heavens and Christmas Review

Christmas was wonderful this year. I enjoyed being with Jamie and am thankful for his love and care for me. I also enjoyed being with Jamie's family - We ate, played games, opened presents and simply enjoyed each others' company.

Most importantly however, I am thankful for Jesus' love and care for me. His present to us for all eternity is his Presence. Oh and even much more than that - His grace, mercy, compassion, redemption, resurrection, wisdom, peace...friendship, fellowship, tender care. The list could go on.

Christmas afternoon, Jamie and I were able to go out to the beach. Jamie caught a few Christmas waves and I took a walk, talking with my mom on the phone and praising God -enjoying the sand beneath my toes...it was about 65 degrees! Although it was a little overcast, the heavens burst forth and His glory was in the clouds.

For dinner/dessert Christmas night, we stopped by to see Melinda, Cliff and Lisa. Good fellowship; good friends.

Don't give up your day job!

Well, Christmas is almost here and the festivities at work are winding down. We had an ornament making contest this year and mine was voted, "Sweet and simple...but don't give up your day job!"

Merry Christmas to everyone who is reading this blog. I pray that your heart may be filled with joy. That a reminder of Jesus' birth would bring you peace. We are so blessed that He came down to earth, in the form of a little infant baby, to save us all. I thank God everyday for rescuing me.

May God's richest blessings abound in your life this season and always. Peace and love. Amen.

Peace at Christmas

Last night I had a really nice evening with my family, celebrating the season and just enjoying being together. Maybe I enjoyed it so much because I personally was at peace and made an effort to be a "peacemaker." I believe the Lord really spoke to my heart to be this way last night. Although I have easily let strife and old hurts and disappointments get in the way of how I engage with my family, I really felt like the Lord said to me, "Lay that down. Forgive. Let go." And I did --and the evening was great.

Interestingly, in God's economy, here are the words of Mary Whelchel today, a Christian teacher who I often tune in to hear on the radio.

"Peacemaker or Peacekeeper?
At this Christmas season we often hear the quote from the Gospel of Luke when the angels declared “Peace on earth, good will to men.” Peace is a frequent topic, and there’s no doubt that most people want to have peace on earth.

But you know, peace is not something that can be declared or legislated. True peace is a heart condition, and each individual has the choice to be at peace with others or not. Just think, if every individual decided to be a peaceful person, to never harm anyone else, to do everything he or she could to promote peace, well, we would have peace on earth.

Obviously you and I have little influence on world peace. But we have great influence on our own environments, whether they are peaceful or not. So, I thought we should get realistic this Christmas week, and talk about peace in our individual worlds. How can we promote peace?

Let me begin by asking: Are you a peacemaker or a peacekeeper? There is a difference, you know. Peacemaking is something every Christian should be very good at doing. We are called to be peacemakers. Jesus said that people who make peace are blessed, and will be called "children of God."

Peacekeepers, on the other hand, often just want peace at any price. That can lead to compromising and lowering standards and going along to get along, just to keep the peace. So, we need to know the difference between being a peacemaker and a peacekeeper.

A peacemaker is one who makes peace where there is none. I'm sure you have many opportunities to make peace, if you recognize them and take advantage of them."

I lift up my eyes

Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Joy!

Christmas Cheer

The office homefront - tacky sweaters and all!

Weekend Christmas Gifts

I had a wonderful weekend and received some marvelous pre-Christmas gifts - quality time with people that I love. I spent time with Jamie and his family, celebrating the season. I spent time with Melinda, my best friend, and connecting with my sisters over the phone. Other weekend gifts were many, including that Jamie got to surf and Melinda got to sing! And I got to watch them both do what they love. Jamie also reminded me last night the other important gift to not just celebrate, but embrace this season - Jesus - "the reason for the season."

When Divinity invaded Humanity

Why no room in the inn?
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/turning_point/

Bread of Life

Last night I was talking with Jamie about the Bread of Life. This morning, this was my Scripture reading:

John 6:24-35

24Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. 25When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"
26Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
30So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat."
32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
34"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."
35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

Photos!

Jamie and I at my parent's house for Thanksgiving, and my Mom, my sister Michelle and I. Love love love!!!

Dec 1 - Preparation for Christmas

The Son of Man came, to give his life a ransom for many. - Matthew 20:28

Advent: A time to reflect and remember who God is and why Jesus came. I am looking forward to preparing for this special season. I am thankful that my church provided me with some Advent readings and was excited to hear Dr. David Jeremiah's sermon series this morning, which he is doing in preparation for Christmas. Here it is - it is going to be a great series:
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Turning_Point/archives.asp?bcd=2008-12-1

God's Creation:
I never cease to be amazed at His creation and how he uses it to reveal more about who he is. Last night watching Chariot's of Fire I am always moved by the scene of the runners on the shores of England, plodding through the beach and being splattered by the sand and sea. Man delighting in the vigor of his body, which is God's creation, reveling in hopes, and enjoying the beauty of his surroundings. As Eric Liddell put it, he marveled at the "heather on the hills" of Scotland. The natural beauty, only a small part of this great story of two runners, of God's purpose in man. That our struggle is in vain if it is without Him. Yet, that ultimate grace wins.

Be glad and merry today in Him.