Monday, December 24, 2012

Calm and Bright time


Kudos to the morning program Live! With Kelly and Michael for touting their preference to greeting cards over e-cards (last Friday’s episode). No matter how amazingly animated the e-card is, in most cases, it is only momentarily appreciated before being quickly deleted.

 

But a greeting card in your hand! … can be displayed and read again and again. I have mine in a decorative basket. Some of you put yours on the mantle. Growing up, I remember them being taped all around the edge of a big mirror in the living room.

 

And this year, like so many years before, in the midst of all the hustle and bustle, there will come an “all  is calm, all in bright” moment, when I can sit in my rocker with a cup of hot cocoa – and enjoy all the good news, warm wishes again.

 

 

  • Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
  • May God’s richest blessings be yours – now and in the new year!
  • May the presence of the living Lord bring strength, hope and love to you in the coming year

Friday, December 14, 2012

There are still roses to smell...

 God has seen us all through some really challenging times, hasn't He? Our parents had some real challenges too. And our grandparents. And theirs. For all kinds of people. You. Me. Our loved ones. Strangers. God has been faithful in taking care for generations.
 
Sometimes, life is hard - and not just momentarily hard. Pain and fears can set up shop and linger for days and weeks and…   But we must choose not to give in to all-day-long, whole life long suffering. Certainly don’t deny your feelings. Pray over them. Write down every angry, fearful, frustrated thought – say it all – then throw it away. Talk with a trusted friend. Face it. Release it. And then stop to take notice of:

 

The red cardinal on a black branch with white snowflakes swirling around

The aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls with frosting running down the sides

The mesmerizing dance of a warm fire

Roses, to stop and smell

  
Because everyone of us, in every generation, at work and school and church, and in every type of neighborhood – no matter how rich or poor, has a lifestory filled with both joys and sorrows. And God, faithful and true since the beginning of time and through the end of time, will do as He has promised:
 

To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
– Is. 61:3 (The Message)

  
Rest in God’s faithfulness. Rest in His promises… to you.

 
  • God has helped you before. God will help you again.
  • I’m praying and believing you will make it through this.
  • With God, nothing is impossible.

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, December 10, 2012

Are you ready?


Often, in past years, I’ve gotten up on Christmas morning caught a little off guard. Oh, I had all the gifts bought and wrapped. Food cooked and cookies baked. Cards sent out. But I have found myself in the stillness of that morning saying. “Christmas. It’s here. Christmas is here. Already?” I had meant to read the Advent devotional… and really listen to the words of the familiar Christmas hymns. And pray with God a little longer than usual – in the days leading up to … Christmas.

 

It reminds me of a bride and groom writing their marriage vows for their wedding. In that time of contemplating, and digging deep about what it all means; it’s not the flowers or the cake or bridesmaid dresses that come to mind. It’s about love. Great, big love. And how it came to be. And what it means to them now. What is means for their future together.

 

Shouldn’t we be having the same kind of thoughts about Christmas? God’s great, big love and what it means to us… having God in heaven come down – to be ever so close to humankind. He came to save the world.

 

I won’t miss Advent this year. I’m letting my heart prepare Him room.

 

  • Take time to “Be still and know that I am your God…”
  • For God so loved (insert someone’s name), that He gave His one and only Son…
  • Take a break from all the busyness to remember how (and why) it all started…

 

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Y'all come!

 Well, like many of you, I pulled the ol’ nativity set down from the attic. Nestled in the broken down box of shredded newspaper, I picked out first one character and then another. Mary. Jesus. Little shepherd boy. Angel. Lambs. Donkey… missing an ear. Cow… missing a horn. Camel… chip in the leg. Three kings with “goth” painted eyes – and I almost hesitated to set this broken down bunch out on display…

 
Then I realized – that scene is so much like us. What a mish-mosh of characters we are – gathered around Jesus. Young. Old. Rich. Poor. Broken. Chipped. Dusty. Standing. Kneeling. Layed low…

 
So, my nativity set IS out for all for see. What a beautiful, wonderful, glorious reminder:
 

I bring you good news of great joy
That will be for all the people.
-          Luke 2:10

 

All people. So come. Y’all come. Come, let us adore Him.

 
Share this greatest of news! Invite someone to Christmas eve service. Send someone a Christian greeting card. Say “Merry Christmas” and “God bless!” Find a tiny nativity scene at the dollar store – put Christ in the stockings this year and in the gift collections found here and there at church, work, grocery store, your bank. Let’s add some Christ to my Christmas, your Christmas, their Christmas. Because He came for us all.

 

          God loves you and so do I!
 
          Immanuel – means “God with us”
 
          Oh, how He loves you and me…

 

 

 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Twinkle! Little star!


The other night, my husband and I were traveling along the interstate through mid-Michigan. Past farms and fields and open spaces. And way off in the distance, I see sparkling lights along a roofline. Farther down the road, more twinkling lights. Pretty. Beautiful. Happy. I even saw a house set way back from the road – with one little light in every window. Charming. Lovely. Peace and joy – come to mind. Even from those one little lights in each window – my, how they shined in the darkness!... even from a great distance, they had an effect on me.

 Can we, also, be a tiny light in someone’s life – can we bring a little loveliness and joy into someone’s darkness? Even if they are distant? Even if it’s only a little thing we do? ‘Tis the season of giving – and not just to familiar loved ones here in town. ‘Tis the season when Christ’s light in us shines most brightly… and can reach the most darkest, most unimaginable places. Think of those distant: geographically, relationally, financially, spiritually … distant / in different situations than ourselves.
 

John 1: 8 says:
He (John) himself was not the light;
he came only as a witness to the light.
The true light that gives light to every man
was coming into the world.

 
Make the most of this season, this opportunity – to share the light – no matter how small the effort… make the effort – to touch someone with the light of His love.

 

  • It is so much fun spending time with you!
  • If you’re having a good day, my prayers have been answered!
  • When I count my blessings, you quickly come to mind.