New Year's Eve Ponderings...

My prayers and ponderings on this New Year's Eve-

Change is part of life....

• Days change with each new sunrise...
•  Our age changes each year as we grow older...
•  Friends change as we gain new or lose old...
•  Family dynamics change with new life, old life and growing life...
•  Jobs change as we strive to provide for our families...
•  Realities change as death, illness or hardships occur...
•  Seasons change four times a year as God ordains...
•  Years change as the old turns to new... and this is where we are today! 

Some changes are the result of our choices, some changes are the natural part of life and some changes happen because we live in a dark and fallen world. But through all the change of life, there is ONE constant that will never change and that is JESUS! He was, and is, and is to come!

As we embark on the change of a new year, I, like many of you, have been contemplating and praying over much needed changes in my own life. Changes that bring me closer to the heart of God. Changes that lead me further away from worldly desires and from ungodly chaos. Changes that keep me away from mundane living and lead to more passionate faith. Changes that lead solely to God-honoring, soul-satisfying, Christ-following moments of running this race of life for the glory of my God! It's all about HIM!

Maybe you're doing the same....

Yes, it's going to take more praying and submitting to the Word of God. It's going to take some uncomfortable moves on my part. It's going to take putting feet to my faith. It's going to take total surrender in all areas of my life. It's going to take understanding that full obedience comes with great cost. And it's going to take understanding that it won't happen overnight.

Am I ready for that?

To be honest, I'm a little scared...but hopeful. Scared of what that change may look like but hopeful that Christ will be glorified in me. If I desire to live fully submitted to Jesus Christ, then I have to be all in for HIM...no matter the cost! And because of HIS great love for me, I have tremendous hope!

So, I'm a work in progress. Daily laying down my own desires so that I can be all that God wants me to be. I'm grateful for God's grace and mercy. When I stumble, He forgives me of my sin and accepts me right where I am. He picks me up, brushes me off and sets me on the right path. I'm thankful that He continues to mold me in His hands as He continues His masterpiece because He is the Potter and I am the clay. I'm thankful for His love and discipline over my life. O, how I desperately need it. And lastly, I'm thankful for the opportunities to give Him praise on every mountaintop and through every valley! In HIM there is joy evermore! Hallelujah!

What about you?

What changes need to take place in your own life to bring you closer to the heart of God?

Maybe it's changes in your relationships, your priorities, your attitude, your health. Or maybe the change you need it to just surrender it all on the altar of God and allow Him to maneuver and direct your life... that's right, a new manager over your life.

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

~ Corrie Ten Boom

As we close out this day, this year, let's commit to letting God change us so completely in Him! Let's surrender it all and let Him have His way in us!

Change...

2016....

Here we go.......

"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Psalms 16:11 NKJV)

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

"Yet Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we all are the work of Your hands."

Isaiah 64:8 (HCSB)

"Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand."

Psalms 37:24 (NLT)

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

"The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”

Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV)

"You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance."

Psalm 65:11 (NIV)

Finishing Strong in 2015!

The year isn't over yet! There are three more days in 2015. Three more days to finish strong!

Take time in these last few days to...

•  forgive those who've hurt you

•  forgive yourself

•  rise above your disappointments of the year

•  show grace and love

•  celebrate the good and learn from the not-so-good

•  lay down the burdens of 2015 to a God that loves you unconditionally

and finally,

•  surrender it all to God, trust Him, and let Him have His way in YOU!

Let's finish out 2015 strong on our knees, surrendered... praising.... expectant!!

"throw off everything that hinders us and run with endurance the race marked out for us."

Hebrews 12:1

Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve!

Sitting here this morning by my Christmas tree drinking coffee and reading scripture!

It's a little different this morning. The lights on the tree will be kept off because of the heat they set off and the fact that it's already 75 degrees and rising and oh, our A/C decided to quit yesterday. Why not?!?! It's Christmas and record breaking temperatures are on tap so why not have the A/C break now? Lol!

Well, I'm sitting here now trying to regain my focus. Sure the attitude wants to turn sour and I would like to have a pity party over our current situation but then I slap myself out of it and pour my face into scripture and pray for God to create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

Yes, a bump in the road at Christmas but as I look around, I'm reminded of the blessings that far outweigh any burdens. I see my wonderful husband and amazing kiddos and as I read through the Christmas story I am in awe again of a God that would put on flesh and walk the dark road of this world to be my Savior...because of His great love for me! That reality is so much better to dwell on than the uncomfortable temperatures in my home this Christmas Eve morning. It's a sobering reality and one I needed this day!

So today, I'll keep directing my heart and mind to those precious thoughts every time my mind wants to turn negative over the heat and I'll bow my head in thanksgiving for all the blessings God has allowed me even when I'm not very deserving! There is so much more than my current situation, this tiny bump in the road, and I don't want to miss a single thing that God has for me this Christmas!

Maybe you're struggling today too with your current situation. Maybe it's big, much bigger than my non-working A/C, or maybe it's just little frustrations of holiday craziness. Let me pray for you and remind you that God loves YOU! He is for YOU! He sent His Son to this earth for YOU! Amazing isn't it?

Let's focus on that incredible love together and let our hearts be renewed in His Word!

It's Christmas Eve!

Immanuel...God with US!

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21 (KJV)

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)

Matthew 1:23 (NIV)

Christmas is almost here!

One week till Christmas! Only 7 days! 

What do you think Mary and Joseph were doing with only one week left? Only 7 days until the birth of their son, Jesus!

Well, I imagine Mary didn't want to do a whole lot of anything considering she was great with child and Joseph was very busy trying to get registered and find a place for Mary to be comfortable to give birth. 

I opened my Bible this morning to the passage I have been immersing myself in this whole  month....the book of Luke. Do you know there was not one mention of Mary and Joseph scurrying around trying to find the perfect gift for their relatives, some of which they hadn't seen in a year? There was no mention of them going to the mall, Mayfaire, Walmart, or Target trying to get gift cards and wrapping paper. No mention of them scouring Pinterest for new recipes to "wow" their family at the Christmas dinner. No, not one mention of any of the chaos!

I have always loved reading through scripture and imagining myself right in those very pages. When I open that precious Book, it comes alive! In my reading this morning, I tried to wrap my feeble brain around what Mary was going through. One week till she was to give birth to the Messiah! What an honor, what a calling! I imagine she was trying to take good care of her health as she was carrying the Savior of the world. I'm sure she was quite uncomfortable being that pregnant and she was probably ready for it to be over. But most  importantly, I imagine she was in an attitude of prayer and worship as she prepared her heart for the the next step in this magnificent journey. She was going to be responsible for nurturing and bringing up the Son of God. She would feed him, clothe him, rock him to sleep. She would run and play with him, sing him songs, and tell him to clean his room. She would be his mother! I'm sure she was preparing her heart because the very One whom she would give birth to, would be the very One who would save her from her sins. Wow! That is powerful! 

There was no record of Mary scrambling around shopping in the madness one week before Christmas and after searching the scriptures and reading the account of her heart for God, I imagine that she was doing just what I should be doing....preparing my heart for the greatest birthday ever. The birthday of my JESUS! I should be so focused on HIS PRESENCE that I do not worry everyone else's PRESENTS!

O, sweet Jesus, I love you! You are the REASON for this blessed season and as much as I try to focus on you, my mind can, so easily, get wrapped up in the craziness that your birthday has become. This is ALL about YOU!  Only 7 days till your birthday and I want to prepare my heart. I want to put aside the things of this world and focus on the Savior of this world! I want to love like YOU love, serve like YOU serve and radiate joy that comes from a heart overflowing YOU! 

YOU, YOU, YOU! You are what this day is about. Jesus, I worship YOU! Jesus, I praise YOU! Jesus,  I LOVE YOU!

“And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:18-19‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)

Blessed is she who believed...

Sitting here by my Christmas tree this morning reading the Word! Oh, how I love reading passages of the Christmas story and allowing the Lord to reveal himself afresh to me! Every time I open this precious Book, it comes alive in a new way. I never want to be stagnant to His Word and I pray my heart stays soft to receive all He has for me!

This morning I can't help but focus on Mary's song of praise as she is greeted by Elizabeth. These two amazing women of Christmas both with child and not by traditional means but by true miraculous conception by the Lord Almighty.

Mary has received news that she is with child....the Messiah! (Luke 1:26-37) And as the angel departs with a bold promise, she make this profession:

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”

Luke 1:37-38 (ESV)

So, Mary sets out on a journey. Elizabeth is in her 6th month of pregnancy with John the Baptist and Mary comes to her door. No notice, no warning but look what happens when they see each other:

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

Luke 1:39-43 (NIV)

Elizabeth is filled with the Spirit at the sound of Mary's voice and recognizes that this young girl is carrying her Lord! That is truly the work of God! She encourages Mary, which I love! She is her mentor and helps her see why the Lord would choose her!

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Luke 1:45 (NIV)

Did you see that?

She is blessed because she believed God would do what he said he would do!

Hallelujah!

Mary's response is that of a true humble servant and woman of God and her words speak to the depths of my soul this morning.

~ Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” ~

Luke 1:44-55 (NLT)

What a beautiful example! Her focus...her attention is not on her circumstances but on what God has done and will do!

Our circumstances don't define us. Our trust in and response to God in the midst of them are what set us apart. My prayer is to be a Mary. To always believe God will do what He says He will do with His praise always on my lips and my trust always on HIM!

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word and thank you for your promises! May I be found faithful because of my belief in YOU!

Nothings is Impossible with God!

"For nothing is impossible with God.”

Luke 1:37

Straight out of scripture this morning, this passage makes me want to shout! I will, however, refrain from shouting because my family is still sleeping at this moment and I don't know if they would share in my excitement at this very early hour. Lol!

I love reading the Christmas story! It is so dear to my heart but this particular passage shows just how powerful our God is. Let me back up and share a little more of it with you.....

Read Luke 1:26-38

I love this part.....

....The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord's servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her."

So here you have the sweet young Mary finding out that she is going to carry the Messiah. She is not even married yet and is learning the news that she will give birth to the Son of God and that her relative, Elizabeth, who is on up in age and barren is also going to give birth. This is a big day in the life of this young girl!

What I love is how she doesn't argue, she doesn't doubt. She answers this way..."I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Wow! What faith and trust that if the Lord said it was to be, then it would happen. She believed that what was IMPOSSIBLE for man was POSSIBLE with God!

I want that kind of faith! I want that kind of trust!

Today, no matter how impossible your circumstances appear, remember that God can turn humanly impossible into divinely possible! He is in control! He knows our needs and will take care of each and every detail. Have the faith and trust as Mary did that nothing was impossible for her God! I believe we will see miraculous things happen when the people of God stop doubting and BELIEVE! What an amazing day this is going to be! Hallelujah!

Let every heart prepare Him room

Today, with two weeks before Christmas, may we prepare our hearts for Jesus. It's not about moving things around and giving Him a tiny space, or finding no room at all as the innkeeper did. It's about purifying our hearts and giving Jesus His rightful place. 

In our preparation may we enjoy the beauty of His presence! 

Let every heart prepare him room! 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalms 51:10 (NKJV)

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

Psalms 139:23-24 (NLT)

True Love

“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”

1 John 4:9-10 (NLT)

Love Is...

I stood at the front door last night and my 15-year-daughter burst into laughter as I started clapping and squealing with excitement when I saw my husband pull in the driveway from work! Lol! Yes, I still get butterflies every time I see that man of mine and I also love embarrassing my children! Haha! It was another good opportunity to show my daughter what true love really is and not just what is portrayed on television love stories.

This is real life. Finding romance and joy in the everyday....

After over 23 years of marriage Matt and I still cherish every second of our time together! Would we love regular date nights with a quiet dinner and moonlit walk? ABSOLUTELY! But with 2 busy jobs (one that takes him out of the country a bit), 3 children, and all the responsibilities of housework, bill paying and homeschooling...we don't always get THOSE dates. Lol! We have learned to get creative in our dating and keep that romantic spark!

One afternoon we spent a romantic date at our local grocery store, shopping together up and down the aisles for our family as we sipped our peppermint white chocolate mochas that we purchased from the McDonald's drive-thru.

Now if that doesn't say "love and romance" than I don't know what does! Haha!

In all honesty, it doesn't matter what we are doing. Spending time with my amazing husband of over 23 years still brings a smile to my face and warmth to my heart.

True love isn't always roses, candlelit dinners, or romantic kisses with soft music playing in the background. It isn't always played out like a Hollywood romance on the big screen with a huge dramatic ending that leaves you feeling all nostalgic and teary-eyed.

True love is sticking together through the real life everyday moments that are often messy and unromantic, thorns and all, with dinners that often come from the drive-thru and the only music playing as you finally get a moment to steal a kiss is the sound of a child yelling, "gross". True love is extending grace and forgiveness through disappointments, holding hands as you read scripture together and pray for guidance to navigate parenting and life, seeing true beauty even through expanding waistlines, receding hairlines, & wrinkled faces and recognizing each other as masterpieces from God.

True love is going through over 23 years of marriage contained of victories and heartaches and realizing that if you had it to do all over again...you wouldn't change a thing!

Thank you, precious Lord, for the gift of my husband and the blessing of our marriage! We may not have it all together but our love is true...and it's real...and centered on YOU! All glory and honor are YOURS!

Advent Week 2

Last night we continued our Advent celebration. What an amazing time to pause with my family around the living room by the Christmas lights and read scripture together about our glorious Savior and discuss how we can prepare for & avoid distractions this Advent season. The second candle was lit as we focused on the preparations that were made long ago for the coming Messiah. We also prayed together to prepare our hearts for this blessed season of our Savior! Cherished moments...family time with our Lord!

“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God. “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned; For she has received from the LORD’s hand Double for all her sins.” The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.”

Isaiah 40:1-3 NKJV

Be Merry & Bright!

Happy Monday!

Where is your Christmas spirit today?

Is it wrapped up in daily distractions or earthly frustrations and smothering to breathe?

Or is it flowing from your heart...the JOY of Christ in YOU!

If you started this day off on the wrong foot, with a bad attitude and a boycott against Mondays; stop, pray and refocus on the true meaning of Christmas and all the opportunities surrounding you today to spread the Christmas spirit!

JOY to the world, the LORD is come!

Christ came for YOU!

Immanuel ~ GOD WITH US!

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:11 (KJV)

The Son of God

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

Luke 1:35

Happy Saturday!

An early morning rendezvous with Jesus! Snuggled up with a blanket, cup of coffee and writing His beautiful words by the lights of our Christmas tree !🎄

A lovely start to my Saturday! 

To: Jesus!

I love giving gifts!! 🎁

At Christmas I can get so wrapped up in what gifts to get each of my loved ones. I look for and think over that special gift for each one but I don't want to overlook the most important One; the One by whom this day belongs. 

This Christmas, I want to celebrate my Savior's birthday by giving Him gifts. Just as the wise men gave their best to Christ, I also want Him to have my very best this year! 

What gifts can I give to my Savior?

The gift of my time - spending special moments devoted to Him in His Word. 

The gift of my heart - my treasures are there (Luke 12:34) and He is my greatest possession!

The gift of my worship - He is worthy! 

The gift of spreading the Good News - telling others the greatest story...a story of hope and love!

“When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Matthew 2:10-11 (NLT)