Saturday, February 23, 2008
Walking Her Home....
Sometimes you just have to post a favorite song... With all the Wedding Talk on the LPM Blog - I thought of this song. It so reminds me of my lovely Mother in Law and Father in Law!
Friday, February 22, 2008
One of those days....
TGIF - as the old saying goes - Thank God it's Friday!
It's a cold, icy, snowy day... but not enough to keep me home, in front of my cozy fireplace, w/ a cup of coffee and a good book. I have too much to do today at the office.
After I had settled into my work I get a frantic phone call from my darling husband! As he was flushing the loo he opened the medicine cabinet (above the loo) at the same time. Of course a small tube of face lotion plopped into the loo and was promptly flushed. Oh my - you would have thought his arm had been cut off when he called me! He was frantic and so worried that we would have to call a plumber to remove the bottle. Thank God for my brother in law. He went over w/ wrench in hand, they shut off the water, removed the toilet and retrieved the bottle of lotion. NO! I won't be using that particular bottle again! ha ha I am so thankful that he has since calmed down and is now laughing about the situation. I told him that it's just proof that men and multi-tasking don't mix. Don't open that cabinet until the water has completely been flushed!
As you prepare for the weekend dear ones - reflect back on the week. Were there instances that seemed so dire in the moment (like flushing a bottle of lotion down the loo) that you can now sit back and laugh about? I sure hope so!
It's a cold, icy, snowy day... but not enough to keep me home, in front of my cozy fireplace, w/ a cup of coffee and a good book. I have too much to do today at the office.
After I had settled into my work I get a frantic phone call from my darling husband! As he was flushing the loo he opened the medicine cabinet (above the loo) at the same time. Of course a small tube of face lotion plopped into the loo and was promptly flushed. Oh my - you would have thought his arm had been cut off when he called me! He was frantic and so worried that we would have to call a plumber to remove the bottle. Thank God for my brother in law. He went over w/ wrench in hand, they shut off the water, removed the toilet and retrieved the bottle of lotion. NO! I won't be using that particular bottle again! ha ha I am so thankful that he has since calmed down and is now laughing about the situation. I told him that it's just proof that men and multi-tasking don't mix. Don't open that cabinet until the water has completely been flushed!
As you prepare for the weekend dear ones - reflect back on the week. Were there instances that seemed so dire in the moment (like flushing a bottle of lotion down the loo) that you can now sit back and laugh about? I sure hope so!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
He Chose the Nails
During the season of Lent our church is reading the Max Lucado book He Chose the Nails, What God Did to Win Your Heart. The sermons, our small group studies and devotions are paralleling what we are reading each week. I have to tell you - it's quite an emotional journey at any time of the year, but especially during Lent as we reflect on Jesus' suffering and sacrifice on the cross as we journey from the Garden to the Cross to Easter - Glory!!!
In Chapter 2 Max referenced the story of The Beauty and the Beast. Can you guess who The Beauty is and who is the Beast? Yes, you guessed it - Jesus is Beauty and we my friends are the Beast(sinners). (I am not talking about Satan as the beast, but the beast of sin) We discussed sin and how we are totally depraved (harsh I know)- we disucssed how in an earthly view some sins just don't seem as big as the heavys (murder, stealing etc) We don't necessarily think about the little things being sin - our response to an individual when are cut off in traffic, talking about that person in the office who is leading and adulterous life - after all he or she is the one sining - right? Have you ever made someone feel bad, so you could feel good? Well, in God's eyes - that is sin, and sin is sin. Murder or gossip - it's sin.
We talked about the consequence of sin being pain and death. If we continue to be caught up in sin and do not confess and repent - we will die a slow death. We are committing eternal suicide. Without Jesus - we are slaves to sin and cannot save ourselves.
Praise God - the Beauty (Jesus) became the Beast (sinful man) and bore the sins of a fallen man on the cross and died to save us from our sin.
I began to think about Jesus bearing our sins from the moment he was arrested in the Garden and ultimately on the cross when he cried out -
"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27: 46)
At that moment Jesus felt the ultimate consequence of sin - total separation from God, eternal death. Jesus at that moment was experiencing hell, so we wouldn't have to - God had turned His back on His son to save us from God turning His back on us. He bore every sin of every man, woman and child.
Jesus began to bear our sin as soon as those shackles we slapped on his wrists and ankles. I am sure they weren't not placed there delicately. That pain, I am sure could not compare to the lashes, the crown of thorns piercing his head, the pain of suffocation from cruxifiction on the cross - just as the pain of our little sins might not be felt as deeply as the pain of a larger sin, but they are sin nonetheless and must be confessed. Thank God Jesus bore the shackles, the lashes, the crown and the cross for us, so we don't have to feel the pain he suffered in our stead.
Thank Jesus today - for what he did for you! Confess your sin - known and unknown. Confess and repent of a sinful lifestyle that you might be caught up in... if you know something in your life is un Godly - confess it and repent of it. I always need to remind myself that Jesus died for my sin and by Grace I am forgiven - but I have to be mindful that it wasn't "cheap Grace" and I cannot confess on Sunday and then go back to the same sin on Monday. Confess and repent so His death was not in vain! He bore all sin! FOR YOU!
In Chapter 2 Max referenced the story of The Beauty and the Beast. Can you guess who The Beauty is and who is the Beast? Yes, you guessed it - Jesus is Beauty and we my friends are the Beast(sinners). (I am not talking about Satan as the beast, but the beast of sin) We discussed sin and how we are totally depraved (harsh I know)- we disucssed how in an earthly view some sins just don't seem as big as the heavys (murder, stealing etc) We don't necessarily think about the little things being sin - our response to an individual when are cut off in traffic, talking about that person in the office who is leading and adulterous life - after all he or she is the one sining - right? Have you ever made someone feel bad, so you could feel good? Well, in God's eyes - that is sin, and sin is sin. Murder or gossip - it's sin.
We talked about the consequence of sin being pain and death. If we continue to be caught up in sin and do not confess and repent - we will die a slow death. We are committing eternal suicide. Without Jesus - we are slaves to sin and cannot save ourselves.
Praise God - the Beauty (Jesus) became the Beast (sinful man) and bore the sins of a fallen man on the cross and died to save us from our sin.
I began to think about Jesus bearing our sins from the moment he was arrested in the Garden and ultimately on the cross when he cried out -
"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27: 46)
At that moment Jesus felt the ultimate consequence of sin - total separation from God, eternal death. Jesus at that moment was experiencing hell, so we wouldn't have to - God had turned His back on His son to save us from God turning His back on us. He bore every sin of every man, woman and child.
Jesus began to bear our sin as soon as those shackles we slapped on his wrists and ankles. I am sure they weren't not placed there delicately. That pain, I am sure could not compare to the lashes, the crown of thorns piercing his head, the pain of suffocation from cruxifiction on the cross - just as the pain of our little sins might not be felt as deeply as the pain of a larger sin, but they are sin nonetheless and must be confessed. Thank God Jesus bore the shackles, the lashes, the crown and the cross for us, so we don't have to feel the pain he suffered in our stead.
Thank Jesus today - for what he did for you! Confess your sin - known and unknown. Confess and repent of a sinful lifestyle that you might be caught up in... if you know something in your life is un Godly - confess it and repent of it. I always need to remind myself that Jesus died for my sin and by Grace I am forgiven - but I have to be mindful that it wasn't "cheap Grace" and I cannot confess on Sunday and then go back to the same sin on Monday. Confess and repent so His death was not in vain! He bore all sin! FOR YOU!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
It's All About Him...
I had the pleasure of reading Denise Jackson's book "It's All About Him, Finding the Love of My Life". For you country music fans, Denise Jackson is Alan Jackson's wife. I am not what you would call a country music fan, however I am a big fan of Jesus and the miracles that He can do in a person's life!
In a world of humble beginnings, to a world of glitz and glamour, Denise takes you on a trip of transformation. Not just in her marriage, but in her life. I found it so interesting that Denise had been blessed w/ so many of the world's riches... but what was most precious to her was what she almost lost. Read it sisters - whether married, single, divorced.... it can apply not just to your marital relationship... but it will speak to anyplace in your life that you are struggling. Her book emphasizes the important role her faith in God placed in her restoration... and ultimately the restoration of her marriage. I don't want to give any of the book away. I don't want to share too much because I don't want you to have any preconceived notions about her life etc!
To close I want to share a portion of her book where she penned verses from Psalm 46 and then shared some words from a friend's prayer journal - these words that were prayed over, were answered by God! Glory! I have modified the prayer as I pray it over all of you, whomever you are, whomever might read my post.
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields [b] with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Lord, I pray that we may be comforted in the holy place, where You, the Most High dwells. That You will be with us, that we will not fall. Lord, wake us up with the confidence that the Lord Almightywill be our fortress. Let us be still and know that YOU are God!!!
Amen!
In a world of humble beginnings, to a world of glitz and glamour, Denise takes you on a trip of transformation. Not just in her marriage, but in her life. I found it so interesting that Denise had been blessed w/ so many of the world's riches... but what was most precious to her was what she almost lost. Read it sisters - whether married, single, divorced.... it can apply not just to your marital relationship... but it will speak to anyplace in your life that you are struggling. Her book emphasizes the important role her faith in God placed in her restoration... and ultimately the restoration of her marriage. I don't want to give any of the book away. I don't want to share too much because I don't want you to have any preconceived notions about her life etc!
To close I want to share a portion of her book where she penned verses from Psalm 46 and then shared some words from a friend's prayer journal - these words that were prayed over, were answered by God! Glory! I have modified the prayer as I pray it over all of you, whomever you are, whomever might read my post.
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields [b] with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Lord, I pray that we may be comforted in the holy place, where You, the Most High dwells. That You will be with us, that we will not fall. Lord, wake us up with the confidence that the Lord Almightywill be our fortress. Let us be still and know that YOU are God!!!
Amen!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
No Room in the Inn...
Wow... it certainly has been a while since I have written in blog land. (October 22nd to be exact) I will say it's been too long.
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register. 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. ~ Luke 1: 1-7
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register. 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. ~ Luke 1: 1-7
These verses are so familiar to us, and of course during the Advent and Christmas season our focuse particularly turns to the Book of Luke and the 1st and 2nd Chapters.
No room for them in the inn... this particular portion hit me a few weeks ago. It was a combination of things I was observing in my life as well as the hustle and bustle going on around me. I said to myself - the world is the Inn... are we making room for Jesus? From the hectic traffic, the constant commercials on television telling us what we just had to have for Christmas, or what we had to give for Christmas, Cookie baking, Christmas parties and gatherings, Christmas card writing and sending, decorating the many, many trees in not just my home, but our church and the homes of loved ones (I do enjoy decorating!) to observing the long shopping lines, the sales clerks, some grumpy and some refreshingly cheerful, and the Big 50% off sales at the local malls. Santa, reindeer, caroling, snowmen... there is so much that comes along with our preparations of Christmas - some good, some not so good. I then began wondering... are we personally making room for Him in our Inn? We see that the world is closing the Inn door on Jesus in many ways - for example, our daily newspaper's banner on Christmas morning read Happy Holidays - not Merry Christmas. I then compared our lives w/ the Inn. Did our preparations for Christmas become so full that there was no room for Jesus? Was our Inn full to capacity with so many other things that we inadvertantly had shut the door on Jesus?
Sweet sisters, I pray that wasn't so for you during Advent. I pray that all the shopping, cooking, cleaning, wrapping, driving was done w/ Christ at the center! That you completed your tasks with joy! I pray that the Inn was open and your celebration of his birth with you family and friends was filled with joy and thanksgiving! (If it didn't happen this year for you - I pray that next year it will) I also pray that with your gift giving and receiving you realized you were emulating the Love of God - Because He loved us He gave us the gift of His son (refer to John 3:16). May we learn to give as God gave to us. We also must receive the gift of His son, so I pray that you humbly received the Christmas gifts your loved ones presented to you as well. Yes, it's good to give and receive gifts! God gave us the gift of His son - Make room for Jesus in your Inn - Receive Him!
Merry Christmas to each of you! May your celebration continue!
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
