just what i needed

Isn’t it incredible how God speaks to our every need on a daily basis? Today was one of those days. My family found out a couple days before Christmas that my Grama is really sick. That diagnosis was confirmed on Tuesday. This holiday has been fun and difficult all at the same time. We are actually headed up to see her this weekend. I have been thinking about her and how I am going to cope with this situation over the next few months. The emotions are overwhelming since this is really the first time I have had to deal with a family member that has a terminal illness. Not sure what to think or feel at this point. I opened up a new devo that my parents got me for Christmas and there was my answer.

1 God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.

2 Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas,

3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah

Psalms 46:1-3 (HCSB)

Where do I go in times of trouble? My Refuge. My Strength. He is my help in time of trouble. I am convinced that this situation is going to cause me to trust God more and lean on him for the strength I need to get through it. I love the imagery in this passage. It helps me understand that there is not a storm or valley that I can go through that God is not going to walk through with me. I don’t have to give into fear because I will not take one step will I take alone. He will be right by my side. Now that is something I can hold on to. Pray for me and my family as we walk through this valley.

Merry Christmas!

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

merry christmas

The end of the year naturally brings in a time of reflection. Looking back on a year that has passed.

2006.

What has the Lord done? What has happened at work? in my family? God has been up to some amazing things. Life changed for me in the spring when I went back to school. I used the spring as a time of reflection and evaluation. That time led to major changes which included taking a break from teaching at church and going back to get my Master’s. I will be done with school summer 2007. I have thoroughly enjoyed being back in the books. It has made time management so important but I am enjoying the challenge. God has also brought some fantastic people in my life. Some relationships have gotten deeper and others have just begun. I am thankful for the way the Lord has enriched my life. This period of my life has also given me a chance to read and study the Word in a way that I have not done in years. Since I am not constantly pouring out, the Lord has really filled my cup!

I am waiting with expectation to see what the Lord will do in 2007. Have a very Merry Christmas and remember to share with others the wondrous story of Jesus’ birth. (BTW, go see The Nativity Story if you have not already. It is a fabulous depiction of the birth of Jesus.)

i’m ready

I am down to my last gift to wrap, so I guess I am ready for Christmas. This is absolutely my favorite holiday. I love the parties. I love watching my family open gifts. I love our traditions. And the list could go on and on. It is just such a fun time of the year. I am working today and some next week, but I am still looking forward to having some time off. I am just looking forward to a few days to catch up and rest. My family will have Christmas movie night this weekend. That is just the precursor to the other celebrations between now and Monday.

I am reminded again today about the most important celebration this time of year….the birth of Jesus. One of my favorite names for Jesus was given him even before He was born. He will be called Emmanuel which means “God with us!” What an incredible thought that the God of the universe sent His Son to earth and that Jesus willingly left heaven to be my sacrifice (Philippians 2- one of my faves). Emmanuel takes on so many meanings for me. It means that God was here with people on earth so He was with us physically. God is also with me physically and emotionally on an ongoing basis. The presence of God is a powerful and sometimes scary thing. That presence can make me aware of temptation and help keep me from sin. It can also be a comfort and bring peace in time of distress. There just doesn’t seem like there are the proper words to express gratitude for Emmanuel God with us.

I am looking for sightings of Emmanuel in my holiday celebrations this weekend. Can’t wait to see what he will be up to! Be looking for accounts of God with us!

Merry Christmas!

I’m dreaming of….

a white Christmas! The weather people here in Nashville have started their annual tradition of playing with our emotions and predicting that we will have snow on Christmas. Never mind the fact that they follow that forecast by saying that snow on Christmas has only actually happened 26 times out of the last 136 years. So I’m thinking that my chances of seeing a white Christmas are slim. Even though there will probably not be any snow I would just be happy for cold weather. Growing up in FL and being able to swim in out pool at Christmas, makes me enjoy the cold weather on Christmas. Just feels more appropriate to actually be cold while you sing Sleigh Ride and Frosty!

Chances for flakes in our neck of the woods are slim, but I am forever grateful for the fact that I can have a white Christmas in my heart. Because of the birth of Jesus, I can experience new life and a clean heart. What an extraordinary gift!

16 “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil.
17 Learn to do what is good. Seek justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.
18 “Come, let us discuss this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow;though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.
20 But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 1:16-20 (HCSB)

I’m taking time over the next few days to heed the warning the Lord gave to Jerusalem in these verses. There is a huge conditional statement in verse 19. If I am willing and obedient I can eat the good things of the land. If I’m obedient I can experience the abundant life. My heart is often willing to be obedient but sometimes I don’t follow through with obedience. Verses 16-17 give some great instructions on what I should be doing. Can I be obedient in these things? Part of the pursuit of my life is to learn the truth of God’s Word and then live it out. I was talking with a friend last night about the importance of being in the Word. There is no way I can know what God wants for me if I am not in His Word and listening to Him. Storing truth deep in my soul will be the primary pursuit of my life in 2007. I so want that abundant life designed for me!