Archive for December, 2008
December 31, 2008
· Filed under thoughts · Tagged death, eternal, Heaven, Jesus, life, Lord, purpose, Savior, time, victory
“It’s time.”
We’ve all heard that phrase. Perhaps you’ve been sitting in a waiting room for your operation, and the nurse comes in and says, “it’s time” – or you’re sitting in a classroom waiting to give your speech to the class, and the teacher says, “it’s time” – or you’re waiting in line, sitting on your horse at a horse show for your turn in the arena, and the gate steward looks at you and says, “its time”………..
So often in life we experience meaningful moments that come our way in their own “time”. Seasons of life come and go, the years go by, and we realize that there truly is a “time” for everything. The Bible tells us that there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to live and a time to die………….a time for every purpose under heaven.
Ultimately, we are all headed toward the moment when “death” will say “it’s time”. We try not to think about it, but every so often we are reminded of it. Every one of us is in the waiting line for death’s doorway. We will get to the front of that line and perhaps hear the words, “it’s time”…….
If we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our place in line does not need to be marked by dreadful anxiety, but one of an excited anticipation of an eternal life of joy in heaven. Jesus had victory over death so that we may “live” with Him forever……………
so at death’s doorway, it will be “His” welcoming voice saying “it’s time”.
December 29, 2008
· Filed under thoughts · Tagged anticipation, calendar, celebrate, Christ, Christmas, New Year
Well, here it is, the “other side” of Christmas – the few days before the New Year celebration. Some folks are back to work for a short three day week, some are on vacation somewhere, and some are just living out their usual routine whatever it is.
After a six week long jovial anticipation of Christmas Day, celebrations with family and friends for a long weekend, our mood on Monday morning could be “questionable” ?
The Christmas tree is looking pretty dry, the Christmas clutter around the house is losing its endearing quality, and at the mailbox, bills are replacing the Christmas cards ……….
Still, we can hang on to the glow of the Christmas lights still shining at night, the hopeful anticipation of the coming new year………..the calendar week of Christmas/New Year isn’t quite over yet.
But the days will pass, and the calendar “will” shift to the new year. What won’t pass or shift or change or come to an end, is the “Christ” of Christmas. The celebration of Christ in our heart lives on every day throughout the years. We truly can anticipate and celebrate each New Year, knowing Christ is with us, and will be with us forever.
Now my mood can be “constant” in Christ, instead of “questionable” !
December 25, 2008
· Filed under thoughts · Tagged birth, bless, celebrate, God, Jesus Christ, joy, Lord, Merry Christmas
For unto us a Child is born………..
Celebrate the joy of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ !!
It doesn’t end on December 26th…………we celebrate the “living” Christ each day, all year long !
God richly bless you and yours this Christmas !
December 22, 2008
· Filed under thoughts · Tagged birth, Christmas, food, gift, holiday, Holy, Jesus, King, life, peace, simple
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife. (Proverbs 17:1)
As Christmas Day approaches, concerns about food and gifts are on our minds. How much food? How many gifts? Will there be enough? Did I give enough?
The story of the “Wise Men” giving gifts to Jesus on the “first” Christmas forever marked in time this very special day of the year. They gave generously to who they knew was the “King of Kings”.
But Jesus did not arrive as a “King”. His humble birth and life of service brought Him very close to those with “meager” holdings. He led a life of “meager” existence. But what He gave to all of us was “priceless”.
He reminded us that our quality of life is not based on material possessions or status – that focusing on those things can bring us a life of trouble and worry. Jesus exemplified a simple and holy life. A life of true meaning and great worth.
He showed us that “much” can come from “meager”.
December 19, 2008
· Filed under relationships · Tagged Christmas, family, feud, God, Jesus, love, sin
Aaahhh………the perfect family…….. We all love one another, we all get along, we spend many times together making wonderful memories……………
Not !
“The Waltons”, and “Little House on the Prairie”, well, seems nice……but let’s be “real” ! Most families have “something” infiltrating the warm and happy pictures we have of the “perfect” family.
Families have been having troubles since the beginning of time. The Bible recounts many stories of troubling issues that still plague us even now in our “modern” times. Our environment changes but human nature and relational issues remain constant.
Jealousy, envy, covetousness, greed, anxiety, impatience are a few reminders of our “sinful” natures. No matter how hard we try to be “good”, failure is right around the corner. Feuds happen. Let’s face it, we truly are a bunch of sinners !
The Bible tells us that “no-one” is good………(Frankly, Santa probably sits around on Christmas Eve sipping Holiday Cheer in front of the fire, with no-where to go!)
But we don’t need “Santa”, we need “God” !………….God loved us so much, that even though we are sinful and “un-deserving”……He sent Jesus to take care of “all” our problems. Jesus took the blame for “everyone”…………………..unconditional love……..
…………the remedy for “any” family feud !
December 18, 2008
· Filed under thoughts · Tagged future, Jesus, promise, Savior, security, tomorrow
” I’ll do it tomorrow.”
If I say this to myself, it could mean I am procrastinating. On the other hand, there could be valid reason for waiting until “tomorrow”.
Knowing that there “is” a tomorrow seems to create a sense of security. If I always have a tomorrow, why worry about today? There is always “tomorrow” !
Unfortunately, our life here on earth doesn’t promise the security of tomorrow. Unforeseen deaths occur and take us by surprise. In the Bible it says – do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what this day will bring forth…………….
Being responsible means we are to make plans for the future. These plans include family, friends and finances. But we should not overlook our spiritual plans. Where will my spirit go when I die?
Jesus said that if you believe in Him, and receive Him as your Savior, you will have eternal life. By resting assured in this promise, my security doesn’t have to depend on tomorrow. If I were to die today, I know I will live “forever”……………………….
……….and have plenty of “tomorrows” !
December 16, 2008
· Filed under relationships · Tagged Christmas, give, God, grace, Jesus Christ, love, motive, Savior
Why do you do what you do? What motivates you to do or say something?
During the Holiday season of Christmas, we become even more aware of the needs of others. Gift giving and get togethers bring people closer to one another. Taking the time to “chat” and offer encouragement goes a long way towards showing our love for one another.
Getting outside of ourselves is a refreshing way to manipulate our time and energy. Unselfish motives take on rewarding incentives. Greedy habits are replaced by healthy routines. The mundane becomes memorable………
If we are motivated by a sincere love for one another, our lives brim with the flavors of the goodness of the Christmas season. Who can then resist the essence of the majestic dawning of the new world to come -promised by our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Because of God’s pure love, Jesus was born. We can receive Him as our Savior and receive this wonderful gift purely through grace - God’s amazing grace. God’s motive of love generated by unending grace………….becomes our motive to love one another, even more than ourselves………..
……..then “giving” is no longer contingent on “getting”………
December 13, 2008
· Filed under relationships · Tagged communication, conversation, forgiveness, Lord, misunderstanding, prayer
As my husband and I raised our two sons we got used to using certain phrases in our conversations. Because they were boys, sometimes the conversations could be short and blunt. Many times we would just be having a good time and whatever was said was all in good humor.
One of the phrases we used was, “you snooze, you lose”. Usually this would be said if someone didn’t do or get something quick enough. It was never thought of in a negative light, and was commonplace in our home.
One morning as I was organizing a youth event at our church, a woman asked me if there was any time left to sign up for the event. I told her that unfortunately the dates for sign ups had passed. Without thinking I blurted out, “you snooze, you lose.” Since this phrase was normal and not a problem at our house, I thought nothing of it.
Well, when the woman angrily spun on her heel and indignantly walked off, I had a sinking realization that what I had said was not taken with good humor. I made it a point to call her later that afternoon. She informed me that she was offended, and had to discuss it as a serious matter with her husband. I apologetically explained to her that I meant no harm, and that what I had said was a figure of speech which we used in our home.
Misunderstandings in communication happen. Innocent blunders can turn into quarrels. In order to make things right, we need to make the effort to understand the other person’s perspective, and to allow forgiveness to become the focus.
In the Lord’s Prayer we are reminded to – forgive others their trespasses, just as we have been forgiven ours.
With forgiveness - our “figures of speech” can be fun – and not fatal !
December 11, 2008
· Filed under thoughts · Tagged birth, faith, God, Jesus, Joseph, kindness, love, Mary
Imagine getting ready to give birth to your baby, arriving at the hospital, and finding out that there is no place for you. That you could go and use the barn out back?
Then imagine that the baby you are carrying is the Son of God?
Nowadays, we are used to getting first class medical attention when it comes to having a baby. Being told that there is no room and to use the barn out back would be totally unacceptable. In fact, if I was carrying the “King of Kings”, the “Lord” of all creation, I would have to wonder why God just didn’t “make” room……..?
Were Joseph and Mary “fine”with this when they found out there was no room at the Inn? Did they question God about His plan? Why couldn’t God have pampered Mary and provided the perfect accommodations?
I am reminded that God’s love is not a “pampered” love, but a “perfect” love. When I find myself in what seems to be a precarious situation, God’s plan doesn’t always make sense. His perfect plan doesn’t always accommodate my comfort zone.
Jesus’s humble beginning was foreordained. Joseph and Mary made many sacrifices to be obedient to God’s plan. They gave of themselves in order to give to all of us. Their incredible faith and kindness -
- will forever be time-honored…………
December 11, 2008
· Filed under relationships · Tagged basics, Bible, busy, God, love, order, purpose, time, waste, worthy
Do you save leftover food, no matter how small the amount? How about that odd sized piece of aluminum foil at the end of the roll? Do you pick up the penny lying on the ground?
“I don’t want to “waste” it,” we think to ourselves. We want to feel that we have put everything to good use.
How about how we spend our time? These days, “busy-ness”, is a popular description of our days. But just because we are busy, doen’t necessarily mean we are spending our time wisely. The Bible talks about “redeeming the time”. We are reminded that our time on earth is limited, and that we should not waste it.
Sometimes it is difficult to decide how to use our time wisely. Our daily routine tasks and responsibilities crowd our schedules. We can lose track of the time, and then realize too late that we should have focused less on “busy-ness” and more on the “basics” of life.
Spending time with God is always time well spent. He guides us into a life of fullfillment and purpose. He is a God of order, of peace and love. He shows us the simple “basics” of a life with Him. Then we can spend time enriching not only our lives, but other’s as well.
Our time becomes “worthy” instead of “wasted”……..
