I do, I do too, I still do…

 

We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. (1 John 4:19 MSG)

All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and He was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side.  (2 Chronicles 15:15 NIV)

My husband and I met through a spiritual retreat weekend. One spring day I was invited over by him and his young son to dinner and a board game. A week or two later, another similar invite. (two dates)

It was at this point that I sat down and literally prayed for hours. After only two dates, I prayed about any future with them. "Lord, we’ve all been hurt before by failed marriages. None of us want to go down that road again. So please stop this now before it grows into something. Or, if it is Your will to have us all begin a forever journey together – please, Lord, let me know now. Before we become emotionally attached and find out we’ve stepped out of Your will for us."

All Saturday afternoon I thought about this. Prayed about this. Wanting … and not wanting. Seeking the Lord. Please, let me know how to proceed.

And the date December 30 popped into my head. I questioned it at first. December 30? Whaa …? Marriage, Lord? Are You trying to tell me? Are You responding to my plea? I looked on the calendar and December 30 that year was on a Wednesday. Who gets married on a Wednesday? So, like Mary, I treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

It wasn’t long before the big question was asked. I don’t know if my husband was surprised that I already had a date picked out or not. But based on what I sensed was a direct word from God, we married … on a Wednesday … on December 30. I guess because He loved us first, and filled us with a love that will have no end. 

Silent Night…

 My husband would play the church bells on Christmas Eve. The church was located right downtown so everyone in the village could hear it on those cold, dark winter nights. And it just doesn’t get any more spiritual than that. Listen with your eyes closed…

May God bless you in a personal way and touch your heart with His very own love.

Merry Christmas!

https://www.facebook.com/julie.wenzelcrane/videos/3952398558103450/

The glow of Christmas lights!

 

Whether you love those little twinkling lights or the bigger bulbs on your tree, we can all agree something magical happens when all goes quiet and other lights are dimmed so you can wholly experience these once-a-year heartwarming moments.

This morning as I was sitting quietly with my coffee, I looked up and noticed - the tree lights reflected in the television screen. Ours are on a “fade” setting so that they continuously go dim and then bright again - adding to the twinkling effect. And I was mesmerized… the lights seemed almost alive and yet not very clear at all. Muted in color and brightness. Still… they caught my eye. I spun around to see the brilliance of the real lights. Beautiful. Certainly more beautiful to behold. Just turning to look and appreciate brought peace and joy to my soul.

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. - 1 Corinthians 13:12

This is the scripture verse that popped into my head. Can you imagine the blessings from God we experience in this life as these lights were on the television screen? Muted. Blurred. Dimmed. There - but not fully.  Can you imagine the day of turning to Jesus - and to see the real Jesus, the real Light - in all His sharp clarity and intensity and sparkle! Oh how my spirit will rejoice then!

Even in those moments when the Lord feels oh, so, close - we live now in the simple, minimized, low wattage glow and glory of Him. Present but there is more to come. The day is coming when we will be able to turn to Him and see Him fully; face to face. It’s a promise. It is our certain hope. We just need to wait for it - for it is surely coming! He is surely coming! 

If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. - Habakkuk 2:3

At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen. - Isaiah 60:22

… in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. - 1 Corinthians 15:52

The God Who gives more

 

I received Holy Communion this past Sunday, as I often do. When I leave the railing and return to my seat, I try to pause there with my head bowed and my eyes closed. I want the Lord to know I take this seriously. This was serious business for Him and I just want to slow down, if even for a moment, and focus solely on His gift to me. And be so grateful.

And as usual from the Lord, He took that moment - and gave even more to me. As I sat with my eyes closed, the holy, spiritual singing from the choir chanting a Taizé song filled the background of my thoughts. And overlapping that was the pastor’s steady voice repeating: the Body of Christ given for you… the Body of Christ given for you… the Body of Christ… as he distributed to the others. 

And I can’t really put it into words but if you’ve ever heard of “thin-spaces” where heaven seems to come down and touch you - and, oh! I so wanted to hold onto it! I wanted to stay in that sweet additional level of communion. But it was almost like a vapor and I tried to grasp it but the sounds of the worship service continuing changed the atmosphere that held it in place.

I hope you have experienced the Lord in a similar way - where His presence seemed so close… I pray you ask, seek and find it this Advent season. A tender moment when the world goes dim and His light shines bright. And you are filled with awe and wonder. A heart filled with a holy sensation that is indescribable. A moment just for you… from Him.

The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love them and show Myself to them. - John 14:21

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His Temple. - Psalm 27:4 NIV

The one thing I want from God, the thing I seek most of all, is the privilege of meditating in His Temple, living in His presence every day of my life, delighting in His incomparable perfections and glory. - Psalm 27:4 TLB

Grateful for you

 

    

Thanks and praise?

 

Thanks and praise. That’s the order most commonly said and referred to on many occasions. God did something - thank You! Now I am happy and comfortable and satisfied so I am praising Him. But I’m not sure that’s the way it all should go…

Praise should come before anything happens. Praise should not be a response but a trusting faith in Who God is. It should come at all times and in all places and not be hindered by less than desirable circumstances.

Praise. An expression of joy and adoration to God for His character, His greatness and acknowledging His worthiness.

Praise Him for Who He already is and always will be.

His character. His attributes.

Remember your past experiences of God’s faithfulness to you.

What you have read about Him in His Word.

What others have shared and testified about Him.

Those God-winks.

Praise Him for His promises.

His truths.

The Holy Spirit Who gives us understanding.

Jesus, Who opened the way for us to be in relationship with the Father.

Yes. Pray - praise all this… first.

And live in great and wonderful expectation that God, THIS God, shows up every time and is the Blesser of all good things to come.

Psalm 67:5-7 NLT

 May the nations praise you, O God.Yes, may all the nations praise you. Then the earth will yield its harvests,and God, our God, will richly bless us.

Light that overcomes darkness

 Oh, the Christmas tree lights!

And birthday candle lights…

Nightlights… and moon light.

Front porch lights….

Sunrise light…

And now Advent candle lights - one by one.

In every case, the darkness loses its scariness. A time of rejoicing; a time of security.

All beckon: “Come! And enter My Peace. And celebrate!”

A pause and a moment of stillness. Take time to capture it. All the different lights have something to say. 

Celebrate!

Christ’s birth.

Your birth.

Sight in the darkness.

Welcome home.

Good morning!

Great expectation!

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. - John 1:4-5 NLT 

Later, in one of his talks, Jesus said to the people, “I am the Light of the world. So if you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, for living light will flood your path.” - John 8:12 TLB

Over and over again, day in and day out, we can find light. In Christ and in each other.

 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. - Matthew 5:15 NLT

A celebration of others.

A safe place to land.

A guide through their darkness.

A warm welcoming embrace.

A blessing of new mercies.

A beacon of hope… 

Lord, may they see the Jesus light in us today.