So much more

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we’re a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries. (1 Corinthians15:20 MSG)

As I make all the preparations for celebrating Christ’s first coming, I am also drawn to these messages, these promises, of His second coming. What a glorious thought! And more than just a thought – truth!

But in between our dawning of accepting the true meaning of Christmas and the promise of a second coming - both amazing, marvelous gifts from the very heart of Father God – is a lifetime of walking with our LIVING Lord. Christ is the first to be raised up from the dead, which means there will be more. Christ is alive once again! Sure, kind of hard to get your head around, until you: watch the morning sun break light through the tops of the fir trees or have a baby reach up to touch your face or sigh in relief as you sense His presence in the silence at day’s end. In words of encouragement delivered at just the right time. Or funds that find their way to you to cover an unexpected cost. Humor and cards and hugs. Your bible and your coffee and … oh, so much more! He is alive. And if you seek Him, you will find Him. He is alive and present in your life today and every day from here on out. And as believers, you too will be raised up, forever He will be at your side. Forever! You have Him now. You will have Him then. He is risen indeed! All the more reason to celebrate! Our Savior, our Brother, our Friend for all eternity has come into the world!

Love you Jesus …

What's in a name?

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

The mere sound of His Name will signal hope …

I sure like the sound of that – this Message version of Matthew 12:21. For soooo long, the people of a thousand generations ago, watched and waited and hoped – that the son they birth would be the long awaited Messiah. Prophets kept bringing news and more news of that promise. God’s promise. We see it in Isaiah when the world for these people seemed to be falling apart; he told them of the coming “Immanuel” – God is with us.

… the Master is going to give you a sign anyway. Watch for this: A girl who is presently a virgin will get pregnant. She’ll bear a son and name him Immanuel (God-With-Us). (Isaiah 7:14 MESSAGE)

And that name, Immanuel, spread like wild fire. They all gossiped about the virgin bearing a son. And the message, “God with us” also spread. The mere sound of His name signaled hope.

We, too, are in a season of waiting. But not only for Christmas – Christ’s birth. But we also watch and wait for His second coming. Christ has come. We who believe know this for sure. Christ will come again. May we hold on with certain hope. Celebrate this Jesus – Who was, and is, and is to come!

God lifted Him high and honored Him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that He is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11 MESSAGE)

This first shipment of The Beauty in my Journey is on its way in! Whether its for personal journaling of thoughts or a place to keep all those really cool sayings when you're ready to write someone a thoughtful note, this little book will come in handy! And a few simple drawings to color in while you're thinking and dreaming and  ... relaxing. Surely there is someone on your Christmas list that could make good use of this sweet gift. Who? Maybe one for you too!Find ordering information under the BOOKS tab to the right.

FIRE !

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us … (Daniel 3:16-17)

Camping season is over for many of us. We have traded the comradery around the bonfire for the simple peace of one in the fireplace. Fire … flickers of flames … what a beautiful and mesmerizing sight!

But there are other kinds of “fires”. Traumas in life. An extreme, painful event invades our steady, comfortable days. Alters everything. And it seems to be unending. Every day you are having to get up and deal and process … You can’t remember the “before”; can’t see the “after”. You are in the midst of: death of a loved one, divorce, devastating health news … and it feels like you are in a FIRE!

But the God Who stood the pain and strain of fire with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego has not changed. However fierce your “fire”. God stands with you.

“Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” (Daniel 3:25)

 God will save you. As horrible as it is, believe as these three did: “the God we serve is able … and He will …”

Their Deliverer is your Deliverer.

He has not changed.

He has not stopped.

Seek to know His presence.

Seek to believe there is rescue for you too.

(if you know someone currently suffering "fire", please feel free to share this post)

www.intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

The Beauty in my Journey

Coming soon!

Reserve your copy(ies) NOW!

Part journal. Part coloring book. (yes, my own doodle drawings!) Keeper of everything that uplifts and encourages you.

YOUR own collection of personal, uplifting messages:
. write in your favorite words from songs you love
. inspirational passages from books
. powerful scriptural verses
. encouraging sayings from wherever they may be found
. plus your own positive thoughts along life's way
. AND space for a little coloring, a little doodling, a little creative down time 

A compilation of all YOUR favorites, in YOUR BOOK. To lift up and inspire in your own personal way. Or a quick and easy reference for when you want to uplift the spirit of another.

Just in time for Christmas too! The perfect gift for young and old. Email me today to reserve copies from the first shipment. Special holiday pricing of only $7.00 to the first 75 books sold. (shipping costs will be added if we can't find a way to meet up for coffee!)  For anyone on a journey, this is a must!

juliecrane.57@att.net

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Yes

Making peace

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. (Hebrew 12:13-15 MSG)

I’ve never had a panic attack. But I have on a regular basis experienced upsetness. Frown wrinkles on my brow, grinding teeth, churning stomach, heaviness in my chest – whether from fear of the unknown or anger over something I feel strongly about. And I have grown tired of it all.

 Much of this stress has come about because I have way too many things on my “do or die” list. Upon reflection, many of these are just not that earth shattering, but simply personal preferences in my pursuit of an ideal world.

 I've asked myself, what two or three things are truly: immoveable, absolute priorities that I simply can not let slide? And then I look back at all the things that have happened during the day that don’t fall under my absolutes but again, in pursuit of some ideal. How often and how much time wasted on being upset and angry over truly minor things?

My litmus test, my absolute priorities for life are:

1.      Daily time with / awareness of our good triune God

2.      That others would also pursue number one

3.      That others would feel loved, cared about

So, for a simple example – when there’s no milk in the morning for my green smoothie and I’m trying soooo hard to stick to my diet, is it really worthy of a meltdown and some harsh, snide comments? Or can I just remember that God is still good. That starting my day (and anyone in hearing range) upset and angry – does that fall under my litmus test for life? – that God is good, you are loved, taste and see that God is good too. Another example could be when your adult kids make a choice you don't agree with. Will my temper tantrum change their minds? Ponder your own recent upset responses. How many things do you have on your trigger list? Is it time to discard some?

What you say and do most definitely has an effect on the world around you. You want peace? Let it begin … with you and with me.

 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (NIV)

 Try to stay out of all quarrels, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for one who is not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives. (TLB)

Do you see what I see?

Once again I’ll go over what God has done,
    lay out on the table the ancient wonders;
I’ll ponder all the things you’ve accomplished,
    and give a long, loving look at your acts. (Psalm 77:11-12 MSG)

I used to be an administrative assistant for a commercial real estate company. Back then, we didn’t have computers just yet so I had to type these long 16-page leases on a regular typewriter. What a lot of work! Inevitably, the agent would find a typo. And my response would be, “But look at all the letters I got right!” We had a good laugh over that. Just a different way of seeing things, right?

Sometimes I forget to look at things more lightheartedly, with a sense of humor about daily life. I’m so hard on myself, looking at what’s left on my to-do list instead of all I got crossed off.

Or look at what one little thing I did imperfectly instead of all the other loving acts of kindness I did throughout the day.

And I admit I use that same pair of glasses when I’m looking at (sorry) family and friends sometimes.

Regretfully, most of all, upon reading this scripture verse this morning, I realize I forget all the Lord has done for me because I am so focused on one certain prayer that I don’t see as answered yet. When so much other goodness is happening all around me by the hand and heart of God.

For my sake and yours, I need to remember everything that happens “right”. Life is beautiful despite some slip-ups, errors, mistakes. Overall, I am a good person and so … are … YOU. And God always knows what He’s doing and its always the best for us.

Growing impatient with yourself? List five good things about your character.

With others? List five things about that person that you like.

And … God? List five recent blessings.

Now what do you see?