We are now full into the holiday season. It is called a holiday season for good reason. The days between Thanksgiving and January 6 (Celebration of the Magi's visit) is a continuous stream of special times commemorating God's presence in our world. It is a season for us to focus on our relationship to God and each other. Of course this should carry on throughout the year but we renew our commitment during this special time.
It is a "holiday" season not because of vacation or a rest from our work. It is a holiday because it is a season of holy days. In fact the word holiday stems from "holy day." For this reason I am not offended to say "Happy Holidays!" I enjoy reminding others that it is a holy season.
Could it be that my life season should also be a "Holiday?" Can I make of my life a season of holiness, where I give glory and honor to the Holy One? I pray my life will be a celebration of Jesus and His work in and through me. Day by day may I walk in a holy season of celebration!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving Day
Many people have been an encouragement and aid to me as I have traveled through time. There was a time when I tried to list everyone who had touched my life even briefly. Impossible task though it was, it did make me aware of the connection I have with all people and the influence I may have on others.
I began my list with my birth and never got further than that. In my birth we begin with my Mom and Dad, but with them came a host of relatives and others who had been instrumental in my parents' marriage. I could go on into the far past with my life being touched by those who had poured a little bit of their lives into mine even though I was far removed from them.
Because of the overwhelming number of people I could not name that gently moved to help me be who I am today, I decided to limit the list to those whom I could name. That too became overwhelming. Doctors, friends, school mates, priests and nuns, were only a few I could name.
The lesson is that we are not an island alone in a sea of unending horizons. We are influenced, helped, loved, and molded by those around us and by those who influence the people who touch us! Complicated? Yes. The beauty of it all lies in our Great and awesome Father who has provided this vast array of personalities, colors, ages and beliefs to reveal Himself to us!
Thank You, Father, for allowing the touch of others to push me closer to You!
I began my list with my birth and never got further than that. In my birth we begin with my Mom and Dad, but with them came a host of relatives and others who had been instrumental in my parents' marriage. I could go on into the far past with my life being touched by those who had poured a little bit of their lives into mine even though I was far removed from them.
Because of the overwhelming number of people I could not name that gently moved to help me be who I am today, I decided to limit the list to those whom I could name. That too became overwhelming. Doctors, friends, school mates, priests and nuns, were only a few I could name.
The lesson is that we are not an island alone in a sea of unending horizons. We are influenced, helped, loved, and molded by those around us and by those who influence the people who touch us! Complicated? Yes. The beauty of it all lies in our Great and awesome Father who has provided this vast array of personalities, colors, ages and beliefs to reveal Himself to us!
Thank You, Father, for allowing the touch of others to push me closer to You!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving
I find myself complaining alot these days. It seems to me that evil is running rampant and there is always something happening to family and friends that just does not seem right. Celebrating a day of Thanksgiving is a good reminder that there is much good that surrounds us. There is good to be seen in every circumstance.
Giving thanks for the good we have should be done on a regular basis, and though I complain more than I used to, I also give thanks to God more often during my day. When I see evil or experience hardship, I turn to God for help and He is always ready to guide, comfort and deliver me. For all of His work in my life I am Thankful!
Gratitude floods my being as I remember my one and only Gods' kindness and generous love, mercy and grace towards me. Life, love, beauty, joy, hope, and so much more! He gives and I am filled
I pray you enjoy a fullness of gratitude in your hearts. May your thankful hearts overflow to others in generosity.
Giving thanks for the good we have should be done on a regular basis, and though I complain more than I used to, I also give thanks to God more often during my day. When I see evil or experience hardship, I turn to God for help and He is always ready to guide, comfort and deliver me. For all of His work in my life I am Thankful!
Gratitude floods my being as I remember my one and only Gods' kindness and generous love, mercy and grace towards me. Life, love, beauty, joy, hope, and so much more! He gives and I am filled
I pray you enjoy a fullness of gratitude in your hearts. May your thankful hearts overflow to others in generosity.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Invasion
A virus has invaded most everyone in the family. We are praying and offering TLC so that our Thanksgiving feast will be a celebration instead of a group of miserable feeling individuals who cna't get together on this special day.
The invasion is in full swing but we will survive. Heal us O Lord! Grant us the joy of giving You thanks together as a family!
The invasion is in full swing but we will survive. Heal us O Lord! Grant us the joy of giving You thanks together as a family!
Monday, November 24, 2008
My Big God!
How big is my God?
He reveals Himself in much bigger ways than I expect. I must admit I sometimes limit God to the minor everyday miracles. He always seems to be able to help me find my keys or to give me peace in a difficult situation. I admit, though, that there are times when I glimpse His Bigness! I cannot fathom even a small portion of His immense glory but being a witness to that piece is humbling, inspiring, awesome and mind-blowing!
The question I need to ask myself is why I limit God in the in-between. Why do I fail to believe He can make a difference in my life for those mid-sized problems, dreams or goals? Good question but I don't really have any real answers. I need to color in my belief to include those heal-my-hurts, open-the-doors-to-my-dreams, or fix-my-relationship problems. He can do it! He is able because He is big enough to create a diverse and magnificent universe, flood the earth or part the seas. He is not too big to reveal where I left my keys or send a friend to lift my spirits. He is ready to reach out to me in the big and small things as well as everything in between!
My big God fits inside my heart!
He reveals Himself in much bigger ways than I expect. I must admit I sometimes limit God to the minor everyday miracles. He always seems to be able to help me find my keys or to give me peace in a difficult situation. I admit, though, that there are times when I glimpse His Bigness! I cannot fathom even a small portion of His immense glory but being a witness to that piece is humbling, inspiring, awesome and mind-blowing!
The question I need to ask myself is why I limit God in the in-between. Why do I fail to believe He can make a difference in my life for those mid-sized problems, dreams or goals? Good question but I don't really have any real answers. I need to color in my belief to include those heal-my-hurts, open-the-doors-to-my-dreams, or fix-my-relationship problems. He can do it! He is able because He is big enough to create a diverse and magnificent universe, flood the earth or part the seas. He is not too big to reveal where I left my keys or send a friend to lift my spirits. He is ready to reach out to me in the big and small things as well as everything in between!
My big God fits inside my heart!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Partnership
Partnering with God is an experience that can leave you speechless and fill you with awe!
In a special project our family cooperated with God. We did a lot of work. Our plan included expectations that we thought were reasonable. God exceeded those expectations giving us seven times what we envisioned! WOW!
Today as I sat down and looked at the results I was totally in awe of what God can dowith our cooperation and miniscule offerings. Our family has had a loaves and fishes miracle. We emptied ourselves and in turn we have been filled with HIM! He is our treasure and our delight. He is our reward and joy.
In the next few weeks we will complete our project and those who receive will be blessed, but we will carry our blessing for a lifetime. God is a prosperous business partner. I want to work with Him every day!
In a special project our family cooperated with God. We did a lot of work. Our plan included expectations that we thought were reasonable. God exceeded those expectations giving us seven times what we envisioned! WOW!
Today as I sat down and looked at the results I was totally in awe of what God can dowith our cooperation and miniscule offerings. Our family has had a loaves and fishes miracle. We emptied ourselves and in turn we have been filled with HIM! He is our treasure and our delight. He is our reward and joy.
In the next few weeks we will complete our project and those who receive will be blessed, but we will carry our blessing for a lifetime. God is a prosperous business partner. I want to work with Him every day!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Butterflies
Within a cocoon, a caterpillar is transformed. Mysteriously a hairy looking, fat worm that slowly marches toward a feast of leaves at the top of the tree, changes form. Little resemblance is found between the sleek and beautifully winged butterfly and its former self.
When the time is right God instructs the tiny caterpillar to build a protective covering around himself. Then the little caterpillar goes to sleep while God perfects who the little butterfly was always meant to be. Finally the struggle begins. The butterfly is awakened and pushes and stretches till the cocoon breaks open and the butterfly is free to fly away!
Could it be that I, too, am living the process of the butterfly? Could I be struggling to finally be free of my old way of doing things? I want that to be the case. I want to find a new way of being who I really am!
When the time is right God instructs the tiny caterpillar to build a protective covering around himself. Then the little caterpillar goes to sleep while God perfects who the little butterfly was always meant to be. Finally the struggle begins. The butterfly is awakened and pushes and stretches till the cocoon breaks open and the butterfly is free to fly away!
Could it be that I, too, am living the process of the butterfly? Could I be struggling to finally be free of my old way of doing things? I want that to be the case. I want to find a new way of being who I really am!
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