The world was different this week. It was temporarily transformed.

The magical dust of Christmas glittered on the cheeks of humanity ever so briefly, reminding us of what is worth having and what we were intended to be. We forgot our compulsion with winning, wooing, and warring. We put away our ladders and ledgers, we hung up our stopwatches and weapons. We stepped off our race tracks and roller coasters and looked outward toward the star of Bethlehem.

We reminded ourselves that Jesus came as a babe, born in a manger.

I’d like to suggest that we remind ourselves he still comes.

He comes to those as small as Mary’s baby and as poor as a carpenter’s boy.

He comes to those as young as a Nazarene teenager and as forgotten as an unnoticed kid in an obscure village.

He comes to those as busy as the oldest son of a large family, to those as stressed as the leader of restless disciples, to those as tired as one with no pillow for his head.

He comes and gives us the gift of himself.

Sunsets steal our breath. Caribbean blue stills our hearts. Newborn babies stir our tears. Lifelong love bejewels our lives. But take all these away—strip away the sunsets, oceans, cooing babies, and tender hearts—and leave us in the Sahara, and we still have reason to dance in the sand. Why? Because God is with us.

He still comes. He still speaks.

“Approach problems with a light touch.  When your mind moves toward a problem area, you tend to focus on that situation so intensely that you lose sight of Me.  You pit yourself against the difficulty as if you had to conquer it immediately.  Your mind gears up for battle, and your body becomes tense and anxious.  Unless you achieve total victory, you feel defeated.

There is a better way.  When a problem starts to overshadow your thoughts, bring this matter to Me.  Talk with Me about it and look at it in the Light of My Presence.  This puts some much-needed space between you and your concern, enabling you to see from My perspective.  You will be surprised at the results.  Sometimes you may even laugh at yourself for being so serious about something so insignificant.

You will always face trouble in this life.  But more importantly, you will always have Me with you, helping you to handle whatever you encounter.  Approach problems with a light touch by viewing them in My revealing Light.”

” Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise,
who shout on parade in the bright presence of God.” Psalm 89:15 the message

“In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” John 16:33 the message

Have a victorious week!

How could this not get you going this morning?!!  Seriously, do you have something to deal with today that Christ’s resurrection power can’t touch?!  I don’t think so…….

Go out and make it a great day……..

“Be prepared to suffer for Me, in My Name.  All suffering has meaning in My kingdom.  Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in Me.  Bearing your circumstances bravely – even thanking Me for them – is one of the highest forms of praise.  This sacrifice of thanksgiving rings golden-toned bells of Joy throughout heavenly realms.  On earth also, your patient suffering sends out ripples of good tidings in ever-widening circles.

When suffering strikes, remember that I am sovereign and that I can bring good out of everything.  Do not try to run from pain or hide from problems.  Instead, accept adversity in My Name, offering it up to Me for My purposes.  Thus, your suffering gains meaning and draws you closer to Me.  Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness.”

James 1:2-4  ”Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” the message

Psalm 107:21-22  ” So thank God for his marvelous love,
for his miracle mercy to the children he loves;
Offer thanksgiving sacrifices,
tell the world what he’s done—sing it out!” the message

Happy Friday to you – may we truly thank God for His marvelous love today!

Now, don’t get me wrong, I loved the other components of the storm.  Took so many  pictures.  Ran from window to window, porch to porch.  Stayed glued to radar.  But I missed what I had been truly longing for.  the rain that I so needed to hear on my roof failed to fall.

Folks, let’s not do this in our spiritual lives!  Let’s pinpoint NOW the One Thing that will satisfy our drought, and chase after Him day after day after day.  Let’s soak in His Word.  Let’s surround ourselves with others who love Him too.  Spend time in prayer.  And let’s participate in worship services that help us to feed that need as well.  You know, gathering with others in corporate time of worship and study.  Chasing after anything else will leave us wanting.

I’ve talked to you about this before, but my morning devotional called Jesus Calling has been one thing God has used to focus my eyes on Him each morning.  I love it, and love the verses that are mentioned for each day, too.  I usually in my time with Him, look those up in the Message, for a change from my regular ESV, or NIV Bible.  So, here is the word that I got this morning from that very book.  enjoy.  and drink deeply……

“Trust Me in the midst of a messy day.  Your inner calm – your Peace in My Presence – need not be shaken by what is going on around you.  Though you live in this temporal world, your innermost being is rooted and grounded in eternity.  When you start to feel stressed, detach yourself from the disturbances around you.  Instead of desperately striving to maintain order and control in your little world, relax and remember that circumstances cannot touch My Peace.

Seek My Face, and I will share My mind with you, opening your eyes to see things from My perspective. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid. The Peace I give is sufficient for you.”

John 16:33-(really 31-33) Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

Psalm 105:4 Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name!
Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
translate his wonders into music!
Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,
you who seek God. Live a happy life!
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
be alert for signs of his presence.
Remember the world of wonders he has made,
his miracles, and the verdicts he’s rendered—
O seed of Abraham, his servant,
O child of Jacob, his chosen.

John 14:25-27 - I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.

peace to you, my friends…..

AND, hopefully, her cast will be off, and she will be completely healed, for our next wedding. 

oh!  And her daddy told her it was “no chore weekend” for her.  So, she’s got that going for her!  :)

enjoy your weekend!

So, tonight would you please pray that her pain would lessen, and she could sleep?  And for quick and complete healing?  I’ve moved her things downstairs to make it easier for her.  We hope to head off tomorrow for the orthopedist’s office.  Then we will have a better idea of what’s ahead for her.  Thanks for prayers.  I know she appreciates them too.  blessings to you.

n.

“I want you to experience the riches of your salvation: the Joy of being loved constantly and perfectly.  You make a practice of judging yourself, based on how you look or behave or feel.  If you like what you see in the mirror, you feel a bit more worthy of My Love.  When things are going smoothly and your performance seems adequate, you find it easier to believe you are My beloved child.  When you feel discouraged, you tend to look inward so you can correct whatever is wrong.

Instead of trying to “fix” yourself, fix your gaze on Me, the Lover of your soul.  Rather than using your energy to judge yourself, redirect it to praising Me.  Remember that I see you clothed in My righteousness, radiant in My perfect Love.”

Ephesians 2:7-10 “Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.”

Hebrews 3:1 “So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do.”

Psalm 34:5 “Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him.”

amen.  Go, radiant in His perfect Love today……..

With all the very big family moments we’ve had lately, one might be tempted to let this day go with little fanfare.  Just kinda cruise past it, focusing on the next big family rejoicing to come in 9 weeks.  NO WAY!!!  This girl will be celebrated today!!!  We may even have a surprise or two up our sleeves!

We have loved her for these 20 years, we have been blessed by all her giftedness, been in awe of her passion, her joy, her tenderness for others.  We’ve fought hard with her, and stayed on our knees because of her.  She has been complicated, and simple all at the same time.  This girlness entering our world 20 years ago came to show off the glory of God in so many ways.  She was a miracle from Him from the very start.  She still is.  I find myself just watching her at times, still not truly believing God let us participate in her life.  I am so very grateful.  To Him be the glory, for all that He is doing in her and through her.  She is a blessing to so many who know her.  And she has so many who love her.  Sometimes it’s hard to share.  I admit it.  But, oh, how I love to see how God blesses others through her.  And how she just glows when she is serving others.  She is a joy.  She is our joy.  She is 20 today.  (ohmygoshthatmakesmesoveryold………)  Sara, your momma loves you so so much.  May your next two decades be fruitful, and marked by the Spirit of the Lord. Happy happy birthday, to my favorite daughter!

1 Samuel 1:27
“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.”

I also have a most special occasion coming up Sunday, that I will also have to tell you about……hope i get some time to write in the next couple of days…….

Have a great weekend!

love,

n.