We have this video of big D when he was about 2 or 3 and I was asking him what Christmas was all about. Big D would say presents and the tree but couldn't seem to get to the Jesus part. Today if I asked him that question he would say that it is Jesus birthday but in a way it is more than that. It is about worship. What were the angels doing as they proclaimed the good news, they were worshipping. What did the shepherds do upon seeing Jesus, they were "praising God and thanking him for everything they had seen and heard." (Luke 2:20) When Jesus was brought to the temple eight days later, Simeon and Anna's first response was worship. The goal of the wise men's journey was to find the Christ child so they could worship Him. As we think about God and his gift of Jesus this Christmas may we worship Him and give Him glory. He is faithful. He is true. He is worthy of worship.
Dear God, Thank you for the gift of Jesus who brought us reconciliation with you. May our worship this Christmas bring you the glory and praise that you deserve. Amen
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Celebrating His Faithfulness
When God calls you to a new journey. He is faithful. He is more than faithful, more often he is extravagant. We didn't know if our house would sell. It sold in a week. We didn't know how it would work with N going back to school and I going back to full time teaching. N. got extra daddy time with the kids doing afternoon homework patrol. I learned I wasn't as patient as I thought as I worked with teenagers. I also remembered that I love teaching and teenagers. When we thought we didn't have the energy or strength to go another day. God gave us strength. He provided babysitters for days I worked and the kids didn't have school. He gave me three precious friends who were willing to meet me early on Saturday mornings for accountibility. God was faithful to supply all our needs emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
This past spring we sort of hit the homestretch. We were taking our last bible class. March was our two week evaluation. N finished his training. My school was doing lots of extra tutoring for the state test. It all seemed impossible. How would it all come together? Only God knew and He specializes in the impossible. June 2, 2008 we were officially accepted with plans for orientation in July. God faithfully brought us to this point only to point us to another.
Our training this summer brought us new friends, an assignment in Central Asia and renewed vision of what God has for Summer had its own trials and tears. I crushed the tip of my middle finger needing surgery which pretty much put me to one hand for most of the summer. We have had iron sharpens iron moments as we work together on the goal of going away from our home. We realized that God's mercies are new every morning. He was faithful to send us comfort, doctors and help when we needed it most.
Through our travels this fall, we have seen God's faithfulness in the churches we have visited. Even though some are small in number they are faithful to the task. One church even met in a machine shed. We were blessed to see God working in the lives of those we met. One couple is working with the homeless. Another couple is working towards the goal of going as missionaries also. Some are adopting and loving on children from China. One lady has a ministry to widows in her town. God is faithful as they saw where He was working and joined Him.
God is faithful in prayer. We have found our prayer walks to be vital to our day. Prayers for healing, marriages, our country, and churches that are struggling. Prayers to be faithful in this task and open for the opportunities God sends us. Things happen when God's people pray. Our support can only be a God thing. God uses us in spite of ourselves and more often we feel like we are blessed more then we are blessing. God is faithful when things are hard and when they are easy. God is faithful in our weakness. God is faithful as we worship alone and with others.
This Christmas season we are celebrating His faithfulness.
This past spring we sort of hit the homestretch. We were taking our last bible class. March was our two week evaluation. N finished his training. My school was doing lots of extra tutoring for the state test. It all seemed impossible. How would it all come together? Only God knew and He specializes in the impossible. June 2, 2008 we were officially accepted with plans for orientation in July. God faithfully brought us to this point only to point us to another.
Our training this summer brought us new friends, an assignment in Central Asia and renewed vision of what God has for Summer had its own trials and tears. I crushed the tip of my middle finger needing surgery which pretty much put me to one hand for most of the summer. We have had iron sharpens iron moments as we work together on the goal of going away from our home. We realized that God's mercies are new every morning. He was faithful to send us comfort, doctors and help when we needed it most.
Through our travels this fall, we have seen God's faithfulness in the churches we have visited. Even though some are small in number they are faithful to the task. One church even met in a machine shed. We were blessed to see God working in the lives of those we met. One couple is working with the homeless. Another couple is working towards the goal of going as missionaries also. Some are adopting and loving on children from China. One lady has a ministry to widows in her town. God is faithful as they saw where He was working and joined Him.
God is faithful in prayer. We have found our prayer walks to be vital to our day. Prayers for healing, marriages, our country, and churches that are struggling. Prayers to be faithful in this task and open for the opportunities God sends us. Things happen when God's people pray. Our support can only be a God thing. God uses us in spite of ourselves and more often we feel like we are blessed more then we are blessing. God is faithful when things are hard and when they are easy. God is faithful in our weakness. God is faithful as we worship alone and with others.
This Christmas season we are celebrating His faithfulness.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Black Friday
I actually got up at 5:30 to go shopping last Friday. Crazy don't you think? Especially since I didn't have much to get. My sister and I set out just a little before 6 so we could stop at Walmart on the way up to West Des Moines. Our goal was to be in line at the half price bookstore before 7 so we could get the bag they were handing out with a 5 dollar gift card possibly a 100 dollar gift card. So you see, my obsession with books got me up early. It was fun standing in line for 5 minutes or so chatting with the girl ahead of me and I was only slightly disappointed when I was 105 and they only gave to the first 100. At least I still got 20% off and was enjoying being with my sister. Midmorning found us at Starbucks enjoying a chat and drinking some hot chocolate. I am really not one to shop until I drop. We wandered the mall and then had lunch. We wouldn't want to go home early. No kids. No husbands. Just us. Our husbands were lucky. We found some good deals but didn't go overboard and being together is good therapy. We had fun just us two and made some memories. Would I do it again? Yes!! Just because it was a fun adventure with my sis.
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