The Prince of Peace....is Born!!!

FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN...UNTO US...A SON IS GIVEN...UNTO US...AND THE GOV’T WILL BE UPON HIS SHOULDERS...AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLETH...

WONDERFUL...

COUNSELOR...

ALMIGHTY GOD...

THE EVERLASTING FATHER...

THE PRINCE OF PEACE....

ISAIAH 9:6

Happy Birthday Jesus!!! And Merry Christmas to everyone!! Today marks another celebratory day to remember the birth of our Savior! Today after breakfast...we will light the Christ candle in our advent wreath...For me...this Christmas....the birth of Christ is significant for all the things in the verse above....but the word that comes to mind....that stands out above all the other words....is the  word...PEACE....Jesus is the Prince of Peace....I said a prayer and asked God to really help me to understand and to see what this peace looks like...in a new and different way...If my Savior is the Prince of Peace....hey....this is what I want....more of....And I think as we serve in our home, in our churches, on the mission field, on mission’s trips...we need the peace of God to sustain us...

May I pray? Father in heaven....Happy Birthday!! Thank you for coming down from the gloriousness of heaven into the confines of a human baby...for us...to save us from ourselves...from our sin...I ask that you will put a hedge of protection over each one of us in your name...Jesus....and give us the peace that passeth all understanding...Help us this 2013 to serve you in the capacity that you would have us serve, and equip us to serve in a way that brings you glory and honor! And...as we serve...help us to exude your peace... and your love....give us your peace and love, and fill us up, so we can fill others up! In Jesus name...Amen.

ROYALTY

REMEMBERING HIS BIRTH....

         

 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called FAITHFUL and TRUE. With Justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has the name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 19:11-16

          This year our family started a new Christmas tradition. Actually, we tried to start it many years ago....had a wreath...had some candles...had some verses....but we couldn’t put it all together:) This year....thanks to our church...actually...(they had it last Christmas too, but we couldn’t manage to get ourselves there)....our family participated in a wreath making activity. We showed up after a Sunday service and made the wreath, decorated the wreath...and took home the advent readings that we were supposed to do this December...truth be told...we were supposed to do it every Sunday...but due to....whatever you call it....we managed to light all three candles in three days....all the week before Christmas! Yes! That is progress for us!!

          So follow along....if you will....focus.....put your ADD aside....every Sunday you light a candle....there are three purple candles....so one purple candle is lit every Sunday, so you start the first Sunday in December. The fourth Sunday you light the pink candle....yes I meant pink.....there is a pink candle, and then on Christmas day, you light the white candle....the CHRIST candle.

          So today, our family read the bible readings for the third purple candle. That’s right...today we lit the third purple candle just like the purple on this page....today’s Bible readings were about how Jesus is ROYAL...hence....the color purple.  

When we think of Jesus we have pictures of him in our mind....baby Jesus in the manger, Baby Jesus in his mother’s arms....Jesus as a young boy “in His Father’s house” talking to the learned, and Jesus right before he died for us...with thorns on his head....carrying the cross...being whipped, bruised, and crucified. The third purple candle represents the JOY that we have in Jesus Christ because He is King! He rules in our hearts and is with us and is with the twenty young kids who left this earth last Friday...all because God planned his birth, death, and resurrection.

The first purple candle represents the HOPE we have in the promised Messiah. The second reminds us of the coming Savior and that HE IS the PRINCE OF PEACE. And who remembers what the third purple candle represents? Yes you....you who is reading this....

That’s right....the JOY we can have in Christ because he is truly royal!!! It is there for us to have....we just have to ask for it...So don’t forget to ask your Father in heaven for his joy!!!!

For more info on the advent calendar and the verses check out www.kidscorner.net  and look for the Advent Calendar.

MAY I PRAY? JESUS! YOU ARE ROYAL! Thank you so much for coming to be born in an animal’s feeding trough even tho you are royal! You came with a purpose to redeem us....thank you!!! Forgive us our sins....all of them....and give us the things of you....hope, peace, joy, and love....we love you! In Jesus name....AMEN.

What about JOSEPH?

AND THE ANGEL APPEARED TO JOSEPH...

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name 

JESUS.

Matthew 1:24-5.

  Not much is said about Joseph...we know he was a carpenter and Mary’s husband, but we do know that Joseph was a man of character or more specifically class and kindness. A few verses before  Matthew 1:24-5 in  verse 19,  Joseph was planning to break his relationship off with Mary...but he was going to do it privately so not to embarrass her after finding out Mary was with child, and the child was not his! But then...the angel appeared before him telling him that Mary was conceived by the Holy Ghost and that Mary would born a son named JESUS. AND HIS PURPOSE? To SAVE the people from their SIN.

When I think of Joseph....I see a man who obeyed God despite what others would think of him....another Noah if you will. He chose to follow the course God had for him rather than the approval of people. Back then, to marry someone with child out of wedlock was not the thing to do...in fact Mary would have been stoned to death as that was the Mosaic Law. But when the angel appeared, he must have known that God was up to the divine....he must of known in his heart that this angel was truly sent from God. So be obeyed....very simple....but the part that shows us what kind of man Joseph was is when he found out Mary was with child and thinking she had been unfaithful...he was not hotheaded or dragging her off to the officials to be stoned...He was quietly going to send her on her way. This calm act of his is such a kind and gentle gesture.  

Christmas is 4 days away! What gift do you want to give to Jesus? What gift? You know...for His birthday present... Is it more kindness...more forgiveness....more mercy...more gentleness....more acceptance? How about treat yourself with these things.... forgive yourself...be kind to yourself....be gentle with yourself..... ACCEPT YOURSELF AS YOU ARE....WHY? BECAUSE GOD MADE YOU!  God is so good....then we can do these things to others. 

May I pray? Lord Jesus thank you for the example of character, kindness, and gentleness we find in your servant Joseph. I ask that you help each one of us be kind and gentle like him.... in our words, actions, attitudes....with ourselves and with others. Be with us and put your love, kindness and gentleness in our hearts. As we celebrate your birthday help us all to pause and to remember who you are....our SAVIOR and because you are....you can help us with the impossible! In Jesus Name, Amen.

I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS AFRAID....

AHHHH.....GOD PROVIDED A PLACE FOR MARY TO HAVE THE BABY.....

JESUS......

The Lord Is With Me. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 

Psalm 118:6

IMAGINE YOUR LIFE IN DANGER...HEROD’S SOLDIERS ARE CHASING AFTER YOU, YOUR WIFE ON A DONKEY WHO IS ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH.....NOW THIS IS A FEARFUL SITUATION.

If I were Mary I would be in massive uncomfortableness...barely being able to hold myself on a moving donkey. Then emotionally thinking soldiers are after my baby and me. And If I were Joseph...I would be thinking...Lord, help me get to where I need to go....this donkey is moving so slow...Mary is going to deliver any moment, and I don’t have a bed for her...will this baby survive? What about the blood, and what do I clean it up with? Yup, fear would be on the scene....

Fear can paralyze us....it can make us go down weird alley ways in our minds...Our minds wrap itself around fearful thoughts whenever we get bored or have too much to do...anxiety might set in and bam!...Fear has taken over...or....you think of something far off in the distance and your mind plays tricks on you of what COULD  happen....and then wham!...The father of lies has you right where he wants you...stuck...WALLOWING....spinning....sad....depressed....quiet...isolated..

But God tells us do not fear! We have to take an active stand and squash fear before fear squashes us! God says in Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Many of you as well as my family have and will go off to foreign lands over seas in 3rd world countries...some safe and some unsafe...I just got a newsletter from our friends serving in Ethiopia as full time missionaries for five years....just driving to work and back each day is a peril. We have to ask God to help us recognize our fears and then for God to remove them...I don’t know about you...but sometimes I don’t even know I am fearful...I just start acting all weird...or ooze grouchiness....lately I asked the Lord...please show me how I am fearful so that God can work with me on this. 

MAY I PRAY? Omniscient Father Jesus....you have told us countless times to not be afraid...but often times we are....thank you for coming down from glorious heaven into our world...contained in a bodily servant’s form...to live among us...teach us...disciple us....and then to die for us...for our sins...so we could commune with you each day...THANK YOU!!! I ask that you would help us come face to face with our fears, acknowledge them, accept them, and then release them into your hands..so you can do away with them. In Jesus name we pray...AMEN!

The Star...

Follow the star

like...

The wise men...

a star....they had to look...
   listen...
seek...pray...love...


For God So Loved the World. That He Gave His Only Begotten Son; That Whoever Should Believe In Him...Will Not Perish But Have Everlasting Life.

                                                                                               John 3:16

          
          Christmas is 6 days away!  I went to the butcher today and ordered my Christmas dinner meat...gonna make a 

crown of pork chops....16 to be exact. Added a few more presents under the tree...and I gave my mom a beautiful star pin  

for her to wear especially during the Christmas season in years to come. So last week my daughter and I visited a life 

size nativity scene on the front yard of a church we visited. I have pictures of my daughter touching the gifts that the 3 

wise men brought to Jesus. The 3 wise men travelled far and long following a bright star that God provided...the star that 

would lead to our Savior Jesus!  The pin I bought my mom is the star of David...the bright star...the glory of God that the 

wise men knew...perhaps through a revelation from God where the King of Kings would be born.

 
          Last week’s tragedy in the small town of Connecticut broke the hearts of everyone around the globe. We mourn the 

loss of 20 Innocent lives that breathed their last breath in an instant. I turn on the tv and radio, and I hear about all that is 

being done to rectify future instances like this one. In the dark of this crime....I can’t help but to look for  the star...look for 

the glory of God....look to my Savior....Jesus....except now He reigns in our hearts and is everywhere if we seek and 

search for Him with all our heart. A few of my friends e-mailed me a beautiful poem an anonymous person in Southern, 

PA wrote. It goes like this:

A poem to remind us what it is to know The Lord and what we have to look forward to...

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38 when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate. 

Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air. They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there. 

They were filled with such joy; they didn't know what to say. They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

 “Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse. “This is heaven" declared a small boy. "We’re spending Christmas at God's house”. 

When what to their wondering eyes did appear, but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near. 

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same. Then He opened His arms and He called them by name. 

And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring those children all flew into the arms of their King 

And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace, one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face. 

And as if He could read all the questions she had, He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad. 

Then He looked down on earth, the world far below He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe, 

Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand, “Let My power and presence re-enter this land!

 “May this country be delivered from the hands of fools” “I’m taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools! 

Then He and the children stood up without a sound. “Come now my children let me show you around.

Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran. All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can. 

And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight, “in the midst of this darkness,” I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

          My pastor said something so true on Sunday...we don’t know why God allows some things to happen, and why he stops others from happening. We will know one day in heaven. He said that even during the time of Jesus's babyhood, Herod issued that all baby boys be slaughtered under the age of two! And in the little town of Bethlehem, the number of baby boys that died by the sword would be around 20. So evil isn't new....but God has a purpose and a plan. 

          All I know today is TO continue on the example of the three wise men 2012 years ago...look to the star of Jesus. Look to find where God is and search for Him just as the wise men did to Bethlehem. In the darkness of what happened last Friday, the light of God is still among us. I am going to choose to focus on the LIGHT and follow it to my Savior. 

          MAY I PRAY? JESUS, YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. YOU CAN TAKE THE DARKEST OF TIMES AND FLOOD IT WITH YOUR LIGHT AND LOVE. WE PRAY FOR THE FAMILIES OF ALL THE CHILDREN WHO ARE NOW WITH YOU! WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD COMFORT THEM AND SEND PEOPLE THEIR WAY TO WALK WITH THEM IN THEIR GRIEF AND TIME OF SORROW. YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS BECAUSE YOU GRIEVED IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. YOU FELT THE DEEPEST OF PAIN. WE PRAY FOR YOU TO SHAPE OUR NATION, OUR SCHOOLS, OUR LEADERS, OUR PARENTS AND LOVED ONES. WE ASK THAT YOU SHINE BRIGHTLY IN OUR HEARTS, SO THAT WE MAY SHARE YOUR LOVE WITH ALL THOSE WHO COME IN OUR PATH EACH DAY. WE PRAY THAT WE MODEL THE LOVE YOU HAVE FOR US WITH OUR CHILDREN, FRIENDS, SPOUSES, AND PARENTS. TEACH US YOUR WAYS AND POUR YOUR WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, AND KNOWLEDGE UPON OUR NATION AND UPON EACH OF OUR WOUNDED HEARTS. WE NEED YOU!!! IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

BEING ON A TEAM!

I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5

           Christmas is in the air.....my Christmas tree is up...the stockings are hung, my garland drapes on the railings with red and green bows in place....My daughter and I left a church yesterday, and there was a beautiful life size nativity set on the front yard: Three wise men bearing gifts, Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus with sheep, a donkey and even a cow! I love Christmas not only because of all of this or because of the beautiful Christmas lights. I love Christmas because truly this is when our Savior was born 2012 years ago! 

One of the sweetest things my husband says to me is this....”We are a team,” or “We are partners!” I love hearing this because we choose to make decisions together, and also there is such harmony when I hear the word TEAM. Or when one of us is down, we boost each other up! God is so awesome as He really has made my hubby and me into a wonderful team! God also desires to be in a team with each of us! This verse above promises to us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Sometimes we don’t feel the presence of God nor do we do our daily spiritual disciplines. But Jesus is always with us. He lives inside each believer. We just have to pause and commune with Him...pray to Him, wait on Him, and look for Him. 

Having God partner with us and being on the GOD TEAM is where I want to be. This is why I love Christmas....I think when I say Merry Christmas, what I really mean is, “God is with you!!! Don’t ever forget He loves you!!!”

The Savior Came as A Baby

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

John 1:14

        As we enter the Christmas season I am reminded of the significance of the birth of Jesus. Why did Jesus have to come to earth? Why of all things....as a baby? My simplest answer of all is this.... because we (all of mankind) needed a Savior...and He is Christ the Lord. With all due respect....I don’t care how much money you make, what you look like, how smart you are, how accomplished, talented, humble, modest, wise, gorgeous, faithful, how many people you have led to Christ or helped, etc....we all need a Savior. Because we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) our sin separates us from God. God knew this dilemma, and the only way He could resolve this was to send Jesus to take all the punishment for us when He died on the cross. On the third day He rose again, conquered the grave, and put Satan under his feet. But the biggest surprise of all...He was sent in the form of a baby.
       Who is this God that I serve that came to earth as a baby? I am reminded that, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 55:9). 
       For this reason, this is all the more reason to trust God and not lean on my own understanding. I could have never imagined in a million years God coming to earth as a baby, and born to a virgin of all things! And a star in the sky that led three wise men to Jesus? God provided that star just like He provided the manna in the desert for the Israelites. Just as God provides for you and for me, past, present, and future. What is your greatest need today? What are you lacking sleep over? Go to God with it and earnestly and thankfully ask Him for His provision! Pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17). Be thankful when God provides in His perfect way! Whatever you do.....I repeat....whatever you do....just be thankful and don't complain...well....like most people....you will probably forget how He has provided for you in the past and you have another need....you like I....will start complaining....but maybe this time around you and I will remember....that God always provides!!! Be patient...He will provide!!!
       Tomorrow is my mother’s 70th birthday. I am spending the day with her. I am reminded of God’s provision for her as she became a widow at the young age of 42 to parent four young daughters by herself. That was 28 years ago. I can honestly say Emmanuel....God was with us....Happy Birthday Mom! I love you!