The Rest of the Story...

Christmas season is upon us. Some of us may be ready and others may still have a long list waiting. I am somewhere in the middle. I love Christmas and it is my favorite time of year. Easter is a close second. I know I am starting to get older, because I have become much more reflective with each passing holiday. Some of my thoughts...

As a child, I couldn't wait for school to be out and a week's vacation to begin. I loved helping bake cookies and wrap gifts. I loved Christmas concerts and hearing the beautiful music. I liked opening Christmas stockings and the excitement of opening one gift on Christmas Eve and then having to wait till morning to open the rest. I remember sitting on my window sill as a very young child and wondering how it would be if Santa really was for real. Flying through the night sky delivering packages. I had favorite Christmas movies that you only had one chance of watching it, they didn't have it play every three days starting at Thanksgiving and going till Christmas day. All the better if it snowed on Christmas and we could play outside and have warm hot chocolate. I loved Christmas caroling with our church. I also remember clearly standing outside on a cold winter night and watching the stars and wondering, "what must His star have looked like?". I also enjoyed going to a local church and watching them reenact the Christmas Story.

I have grown up and many of those things I still love about Christmas. I love sending Christmas cards, receiving them, wrapping gifts and baking, baking, baking. I enjoy playing my Cd's with my favorite songs. I love decorating the house for Christmas and my favorite decoration still remains the Nativity set. I look upon that set and my mind wonders....how did we go from that to this?

I am not judging anyone and I am the first in line to celebrate some of the more secular traditions along with everyone else. But as I said earlier, I am being more reflective. I have noticed this year, maybe more than others past, that people as a whole are more exhausted looking. They are not laughing and happy while shopping. They are tired, they are stressed and just getting stuff of the shelves to have something for the kids to open. They are yelling at their children, they are standing in long lines and snapping at those around them. They are in hurry. They cut people off in the parking lot, and are pulling out in front of you while driving as if their time is more important than your time.

I wish things could be like a Hallmark movie. You know, the perfect log cabin decorated with fresh greens and snow on the roof. The person who hates their job or loses their job, finds the best one for them in 90 minutes and of course the single person who doesn't have a family finds prince charming and they are happily ever after, or all the towns people knows your name and support you in all you do.... I love Hallmark and I love their movies, I have seen many, but if that was our world, would the baby had to have come? Yes, because sin had entered the world long before movies were made and the relationship between God and man was forever changed, but you understand what I am saying. Since sin has entered the world it day by day decaying.

If you would ask people on the street about Jesus at Christmas, many would know the facts. Even the non-believers know the facts. Satan knows the facts. My challenge this week for all of us is the rest of the story. We get so excited about Christmas and all it brings. We put Jesus in the manger, where He should be this time of year, however, we then put Him back in the box and on the shelf till next year. His coming was huge! The prophets spoke of his coming 700 years before he came. Then God was silent for 400 years. The Word was made flesh, in a squirming little baby boy. That which created the world, came into it. Read that again. That which created the world came into it. Quietly. Life moved on. The animals remained and the Inn kept getting guests. The shepherds went back to their flocks. Life was quiet for 30 years. Then that little boy grew up. Those close to him could see he was different. He began his ministry and called his disciples. The whole point in his coming was to save his people, it is the reason he was called Jesus in the first place. The other name was Emmanuel - God with us. My personal favorite. For you see, He has never left. Once He died and rose again, the Holy Spirit came to reside inside each and every believer. God is still with us, in the form of the Holy Spirit.

Don't forget the rest of the story. Yes, celebrate his birth, but please don't put Him back on the shelf in the box. Invite him into your heart and allow him to write the rest of the story into your life. We know the rest of His story, it is recorded best in the book of John and Revelation. His birth is recorded best in Luke. If you have time this week or month, go back and read those accounts in Matthew and Luke, then this winter, read the book of John. There is so much more to him then being a baby in a manger. That my friend is just the beginning! Then pray about it and ask God to show you places you can tell and show others the rest of His story. Not just the Christmas story, but the rest of it. So many around us are hurting and money can't buy what they need. They need a Savior and you and I aren't it, Jesus is the one and only.

I wish you each a very Merry Christmas and blessings in the New Year! I plan to continue my blog but life has gotten a bit busier for me and so I see myself writing every other week instead of weekly, but will trust God with that. Time will tell. I have always said I will do this blog as long as He gives me the thoughts. I appreciate your feedback and may you love Him more today than you did yesterday, I know I do.

Wounds and Scars

I am hoping this message comes across as clearly as it is in my mind. I have delayed in writing because I fear I won't communicate it well. However, it is Sunday night and I have no other thought to write about so here it goes.

When we think of wounds we think of injuries that have occurred to us and cause so much pain and hurt. We can't think of anything else. The heartbeat we feel pulsating at the sight will not let up. If we don't take care of it, it will over time possibly become infected. If still not treated, infection can spread throughout our entire body. Infection left untreated that spreads will lead to death. Some wounds need ointment and cleansing. Some wounds need stitches. All wounds take time to heal and special care. We need to keep it clean and at times covered. Other times we need to let the air help dry and clean the sight.

Scars. Some wounds lead to scars. But the unique thing about scars is you can't have a scar without a wound first. You have to experience something before a scar can appear. The other thing about scars are, to the touch, they no longer have pain associated with them. It is what is left behind after the healing process is complete. I am sure we all have a scar of some sort. Some may be from surgery. Some may be from accidents. Some may be from careless activities.

Where am I going with this and what does this have to do with anything? This is my challenge. Are you walking around with wounds that should be scars by now? And are scars a bad thing? People will harm us and people will be mean to us. Do we allow those hurtful words to heal or do we let them fester and become infected. Do we allow them to cause a heartbeat of pain so we think of nothing else and focus on it constantly? Do we then become bitter and angry at everyone or that person because of past experiences with them? Keeping in mind, they may never know how deeply they have hurt us? Wounds of that kind could lead to death. I don't mean death of a physical body, but death of living life. We will close ourselves off to the world and others and become closed up in our world. We may have been hurt badly and we may be in the right, but is it time to let the stitching  begin? Is it time to allow the master physician to come and clean the wound and fill it with an ointment of grace and mercy and then stitch it tightly together making sure that there is no room for infection and leaving a scar in its place? A scar that reminds us of the journey and of how far we have come? Remind us to not make that careless mistake again? A scar doesn't hurt to touch it. Are their topics that when they come up, pricks your very soul and you become guarded? That makes me feel like it is a wound and not a scar. It may be a wound still healing or it maybe a wound that is waiting to become infected. Life is too short to be walking around with wounds everywhere. It is time to move on. If you need to forgive, forgive. If you need to spend time with Jesus, the master physician, spend time with him. If it is time to air out your wound with a trusted friend, then air it out. But whatever you do, don't let it become infected. Don't let it control your life. It is exhausting. Scars are a good thing. It is a work that is complete.

Scripture tells us by his wounds we were healed. Do you realize Jesus had wounds that we could never handle and would have killed us, just so we could be healed. Healed of our sinful life. Wounded so we could have life. His scars on his hands, feet and side remind us of a work complete. By his scars we are reminded that we have life eternal. Trust him today. He will take care of the wounds you are carrying, but you must first show him what they are. You can't walk around with them covered up. You may need to keep them covered for a time while together you work out the healing process. By the end of that time, you will take the cover off and you may be healed to the point where no one will ever see the damage done, other times, He will place a scar in its place. A scar to remind you of the journey you traveled. A reminder that you can get through this. A scar to show you that while it wasn't fair, it wasn't right and it was one of the most painful times in your life, you made it and while you have a scar in its place, you don't have pain anymore.

How do you know if you have wounds or scars? A wound will always bring up stress, anger, jealousy, frustration, defensive behavior, etc. A scar will bring back some hurtful, painful memories, but immediately joy and peace will fill its place. It is a time you can't forget, but you no longer are ruled by it. You no longer hold negative feelings toward that person. That person may never apologize for what was done. That person may be totally in the wrong, but how will you handle what you do? I suggest you move on. There are things we can't ever understand or explain, but to dwell on them will make us be someone who frankly is exhausting to be.

I have a small example of what I am saying. As many of you know, I spent a very long time in the hospital waiting for the arrival of our children. I have a scar on my stomach from their delivery. It is smaller than the average because they were born early and were small in size. The surgeon only makes the cut necessary to deliver them. When I see that scar everyday in the shower, I am reminded of many things. The pain that came for weeks after that cut was made. I am reminded of the battle God and I had while in the hospital and about what I thought was unfair and at times mad at God. He never left go. He knew I had stuff to work through and He gave me the time to work it out. I didn't need God in my life, only in my death. I felt I was saved and I only "needed" him when it came time for Heaven. I couldn't have been more wrong. I need Him in my life just as much as I need my next breath. He helped me see that. I am reminded of another thing, the two precious faces that awaited me at the end of the hallway. It was a long journey, but through it all, I was given a huge blessing in the end. He left a scar from the work that needed to be done, but I could touch it all day and it would never hurt. There is no pain in that scar. Simply a memory of work done and healed. Now I have some wounds that I am working on, and I am making progress, but wound it still is. I am treating it by spending time in prayer, having healthy boundaries and trusting God. I know He will heal it and make it better in His time. Until then, I will continue to trust Him and look to him for healing, rather than telling others and bringing more people to my side and start a festering mess. Infection will be around the corner and infection can lead to death. I don't want that, do you? I hope this week you can look back at scars and thank God for the complete healing in that area. I pray that the wounds you are facing will be surrendered to Him.

Highlights of Fall

As I write my post for the week, the wind is blowing and leaves are swirling. Fall is here and I feel like winter is knocking at the door. I love all the seasons God has placed on this earth. Some could last a bit longer than others. I have decided this week to post some of the pictures I have taken over the past few weeks as Fall arrived. There were many to choose from, so I had a hard time picking just a few. Enjoy the creation, our Creator has given us and praise Him for the beauty. See you next week when I will write a post. I already have a thought to share, but decided to post pictures this week for those following who enjoy my pictures. Stay warm!

 

Does it matter who is watching?

While driving the other day I was reminded of something that has happened to each one of us that has a driver's license. I cop pulled up beside me in the double lane. I started watching something and this post came to my mind. The cars I had been traveling with prior to the car arriving were driving fine, but some were faster some were slower. Some didn't seem to know where exactly they were going. Some were following others closely and still others seemed to be in hurry. Yet, when Mr. Policeman showed up, somehow we all remembered the rules of the road and were polite to one another. He was not "after" anyone, just simply going from point A to point B. He stayed with our group of cars for some time. There wasn't an ounce of road rage. Quite nice actually. I then thought back to grade school, when the teacher or oh my, the principal, walked in the room or hallway, we all could remember the rules and were so nice to one another. One final example, our pastor at church. Ever notice when he walks past, how nice conversations are? No one is gossiping, or if they were, it is suddenly changed to something better? We have all been there, including policemen, pastors, teachers and principals.

I realized something that day that stuck. Why is it that those in leadership or authority make us behave differently? Why is it, that when they are around we are on our best behavior, but have them leave and all of a sudden we go back to our old ways. Is it because deep down we all know what is right, but if they can't see us, then they won't know and if they don't know, they won't find out and if they don't find out, they won't make us feel guilty?

We know the rules of the road, we know the rules of the classroom and we know the rules of the bible. Yet, if God's chosen leaders aren't watching, then surely, we can get away with it, right? WRONG, if we are saved in Jesus, then the Holy Spirit lives in us. If He lives in us, then he travels with us. Do I go places, say things and do things as if Jesus were with me? What if your pastor followed your every move for just one day? Would you act the same with your pastor as you did yesterday? If you would act differently with your pastor, why on earth would we not act differently with Jesus following us!! Remember the beginning of my post? I cop car suddenly showing up and staying with our group of cars? We all had a visual. We knew we were being watched. The same for the classroom and the church lobby.

Just because we don't see Jesus, doesn't mean He isn't watching. I am challenged to remember that. I think sometimes we convince ourselves, that no one else saw it, I must have gotten away with it. We don't confess it, because no one saw it. We can put on a smile and say all is well, but deep down inside the pain is still there. You know what, there isn't a corner of your mind or soul that you can hide from God. He sees it. We stumble and fumble and think no one knows, but He knows. It is crazy what we put ourselves through trying to impress people, excuse actions and justify things, that truth be told, if Jesus walked into the room and stood face to face, we some how would spill the whole thing. I want to encourage you this week to picture Jesus riding with you in your car. Walking into our workplaces. Standing in line at the grocery store, maybe even pushing the cart for you (being the gentleman He is, he probably would do it for you if you saw Him in person anyway). When everyone goes to bed and you are still awake, Jesus is sitting beside you while you have remote in hand, what will you choose? I could keep listing examples, you get the idea. My point is this. It does matter who is watching. Our behaviors proved that. We are different people when certain authorities are in the room or in our presence. Where will you and Jesus go this week? What type person will you be? Makes a difference I promise you. On the positive side, you will be a person you feel better being and you won't have the weight of guilt and shame on your shoulders. You will be more inclined to help others and the smile you receive will be well worth it. You will live a more freeing life. That my friend is what Christ wants for us. To live a life of freedom and not bound by the strongholds of Satan. He paid a price for your freedom, lets show him how grateful we are for that freedom.

On a side note: our actions are seen by many. Even if we don't think they care. I teach fourth grade at our church. Today, one of my students was being baptized. As we left the classroom, he looked at me with his big brown eyes and said, "are you going to be there to watch me?". I had to count the offering today, which meant that I would not be in the second service, however how could I say no. So, I made arrangements to leave the counting room and stand in the back. I told him I would try to be there, but once in the counting room, they don't want you to leave. This was important and I wanted to be there for him, yet I did feel, there will be 500+ people in the service, he won't know if I am there or not. I set my alarm on my phone and at the appropriate time I slipped out of the room, with the assistant treasurer's blessings and stood in the back. I was only there a few minutes when I saw him turn around in his seat, from the front row I might add, and waved with a big arm wave. I waved back. A smile from ear to ear was on his face. I walked down the side isle as our pastor was getting ready to introduce a song and then the service was going to begin and he was first. I worked my way to sit by his side. As I arrived, he smiled and said, "did you see me wave?" I said," I sure did". I told him I would sit beside him the entire time if he wanted. He said he did. I had to fight tears. I couldn't have been prouder. He was beaming and of all the people in the sanctuary, I was the one sitting beside him on the day he will never forget. God worked it out for this happen. I was going to just simply stand in the back and leave. But for my student, he was watching and for him, it mattered greatly that I was watching. I sometimes wonder if I am to keep teaching. I have been doing this for over 10 years. However, as I sat in my bench and watched him be obedient in Christ, I felt the Spirit whisper in my soul, "see this is why you do what you do". Yes, the Holy Spirit did the work, I am merely a servant. However, He allows us to share in the work and there isn't anything as wonderful as watching one who was at one time lost, join the fold and know they will be with me in Heaven. As I said, it has been 10 years of teaching and this Fall, I have seen three precious young ones come to Christ and tell me they want to be baptized. I have never had a student tell me this in 10 years. When you don't see fruit from your efforts, it makes you question if you are making a difference. Yet, I knew that is where I was to be, teaching fourth grade.  I can't stop smiling. The fact that God allows us to join Him in this, leaves me speechless. It has been a good day! It does matter who is watching and while I don't want this post to be about legalism and feeling good behavior is what matters and that good behavior is all that God wants, I want to remind you  it is about relationship. I just was reminded how that relationship should look, even when I "think" no one is watching. Don't feel guilt and shame, confess it and live in freedom. He sees it anyway and wants to take it all away, so you don't feel you need to hide from him like Adam and Eve did. If you feel guilt, have a talk with Jesus this week, He is crazy about you and loves every minute you take out of your schedule to spend with Him, He is watching and waiting.

Ducks and Geese

Fall has arrived and with it many things are happening. But there is one part of Fall, that always makes me stop what I am doing and look up. The sound of geese flying overhead. Their cry can sound lonely or stressful. But it can also sound like chatter or that maybe they are sounding the alarm for others to join them. Join them? For what? Well, you see like many of God's creatures, they know the signs to look for when the daylight gets shorter and the temperatures start to dip. It is time to move. To migrate. Now, not all the ducks and geese leave, but they certainly know the weather is changing and some do have miles and miles to travel for warmer climates while others just need to get ready for winter.

The other week as I watched them fly over, they were so much lower than usual. I could actually hear their wings flapping as they glided effortlessly through the evening sky. They were changing positions and the leader was taking a break. I am sure they do that often because the leader would have to take a break or fight the wind much more than the others that are behind. So, they need breaks. Anyway, I was thinking about blogging again and if there is a message in the geese that I could write.

Here are my thoughts. They come and go every spring and winter. I know they are coming, yet, I still look to see them. They are beautiful to watch and I actually like their honking. Their honking. Yes, it is as if they are calling out to make sure all that want to come along know they are invited. If one has stayed on the lake too long, it isn't too late. They could still join in the journey. Also, the honking signals that they are still all together as a group. It gives the others the endurance to keep flying. To keep up with the journey. I always feel sorry when you see one flying by itself and honking with no reply. I just hope they find others a few miles downstream.

Do we as Christians know the signs to look for Christ's return. We are called Christians because we are Christ followers. Do we know the signs we are to be looking for, for His return? Are we calling out to others to join us for the journey? Are we giving our leaders a break and taking our turn in helping keep the group together? There will come a day when the sky will be silent and be no more.  I was reminded of a song that is playing a lot on the radio. It is by Newsboys, called "We Believe". I love the lyrics to the entire song, but the chorus gets me every time. It goes something like this:

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He has given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He's comin' back again

Here is my challenge for both you and myself. If we believe those things listed and as followers of Christ we should, where is room for fear or being left behind? Fear of any kind? If we have new life, if death has been conquered and resurrection has happened and He is coming back for us, what is there to fear? Yet, we live in fear don't we at times? Do we realize that this world will end, whether we see the warnings or not.

If I turn on the news, I am at times overwhelmed. I am glad to be informed but so much is out of my control. Wars continue and people hate other people- people they don't even know and health concerns. We fear others won't like us if we show the real deal in public. We fear we can't handle a job or task because we have never done it before. We fall for Satan's lies and we feel we aren't good enough. We fear we will miss the mark. We read scripture and get confused. End time events are overwhelming. I don't understand them all. I can't tell you for certain the exact order of all events and who will be where or who will see what. But I can tell you, I believe in God the Father, I believe in Jesus Christ and I believe in the Holy Spirit and that is where I rest my fear and worry. They are still following the original plan they had when the Earth was spoken into existence. Yes, we have free will and yes there have been twists and turns with mankind, but not one thing is a surprise to God. When I get a bit anxious, I repeat that chorus to myself. Sometimes out loud. You see, that is all we really need. Because if we believe that, then the Holy Spirit lives in us and the Holy Spirit has conquered death and has given me new life. He that is in me, is greater than he that is in this world. If you can't say with confidence that you believe those things listed in the above chorus, then I ask you to please seek someone out who can share with you the message of Jesus. The world tries to complicate it. But all God ever asked, was for us to believe in his Son and believe that he paid the price for our sins. To ask for forgiveness of those sins and to trust in Him. He never asked us to walk this path alone, but somehow, we think we must.

Lets look around us and be like the geese, giving out a call for those searching and wondering. Those waiting for someone to call them to join them on this journey. We as followers know some of the signs that scriptures tells us to look for. I know every generation could say those things were happening in their time frame, but we are getting closer and closer. I am amazed at the number of books and movies being written by the secular world about end days. It is coming. Whether you are ready or not, it is happening. Are you ready? He is calling you to his side. If he already has called you and you accepted please tell others so they too can join us.

One final request. When you read this, our daughters will be getting ready to fly to Africa. I can't type all the details, but I ask you to pray for them to have safety and a fruitful trip. The world is dark all over, here as well as there. I read the same newspapers you do and I hear the same updates on the television, but they are in God's hands and God's plans. He has given my husband and I peace. The world would have me pacing the floor, but with God, I have slept every night in peace.

A recap of Summer via photographs

I had some time this morning to go through my summer pictures. I have decided to post some highlights here. I hope your summer was a good one. Mine went by quickly. I am ready for Fall and the colors it brings with it. For those new to my blog, I post pictures of nature from time to time. I love photography and enjoy capturing the things our Creator has given us. See you next week!

Summer began with the graduation of our daughters. They are a gift from God that I can't thank Him enough for. They are a miracle. They bring us much joy, much laughter, and much happiness!