At the closing of the year...

We look back at what we've accomplished and we look forward to what we can become or accomplish in the new year. Resolutions are made at midnight as we watch the ball drop, or whatever your traditions are at your house... we sometimes get nostalgic and teary about the change, but move ahead bravely to a new day, a new chance to make a difference in the world. Use this new year as a jump start, find a friend to keep you accountable and help change someone else's life!
For the ladies that follow this blog, there is a great opportunity starting January 2nd, called Chasing Kite Tales (I'm taking part, and getting very excited about what God is going to do!)... What is the Kite Project? You can click the link to find out more about chasing your dreams! Here's to the New Year! Let's make it an amazing one!





Happy New Year!!

Bless us all...

Live each day in this coming year in the hope of God, the knowledge of His love, filled with His joy and comforted by His peace!

Peace be with you.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

You are Holy (Prince of Peace)

I first heard this song at a Michael W. Smith concert the year I moved to Tennessee... I went out to find the song the next day. We have peace when we our lives are in line with God's will... we respond to the peace and blessings with worship to the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, the Alpha and Omega... Our Savior, Redeemer and Friend.

Peace in the unknown

Philippians 4:6-7 reads: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I know that if I get so worried with what I have to do tomorrow or over the weekend, that I have no peace... I can't focus on the tasks I need to get done that day... I get anxious. Worry does not add one days to our lives here on earth, so why do we do it? We are human and we worry, it's in our nature to freak out over the minute details of life... So as we journey toward the beginning of a new year, let our hearts be at peace as we rest in the Lord. Focus on the day in front of you, and look to the future with hope and peace, knowing that God is already there.

Day After Christmas

It's December 26th... now what? Christmas is over, gifts are given and unwrapped, and we begin to look toward the new year. Don't forget to keep the real meaning of Christmas in your heart all year long!

All is Well... Happy Christmas!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Have a Happy and Blessed Christmas Day!!!!!

One More Sleep til Christmas!!!

The Muppets Christmas Carol has always been one of my favorite Christmas movies... and the song One more sleep til Christmas is always going through my head when I go to bed on Christmas Eve... it reminds me of the magic and wonder of the season!
Enjoy the traditions of Christmas Eve with your family and count the blessings of the year! After all there's only one more sleep til Christmas!

ADVENTure Week 4: Peace

Our hearts are restless, Lord, until we rest in Thee... ~St. Augustine

Greetings from North Carolina... this week we light the fourth candle. The fourth week of advent explores the themes of peace.
This week we celebrate Christmas... the time with the Prince of Peace is born unto us. Isaiah 9:6-7 reads: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Jesus was born into a time of great turmoil. Herod, who was threatened by the birth of the child people were calling a king, ordered the murder of all male children in and around Bethlehem aged two and under... there was no peace, only fear.
Although we cannot fully understand what was going on when Jesus was born, we do know about unrest... we've seen our fair share of wars, and living in fear. In these times of unrest, people will turn to just about anything to help eliviate the fear.
The only true peace is found in the Prince of Peace himself, Jesus Christ... we light the fourth candle in a prayer of peace for those living in fear, those who are alone during the holidays and for those who are in need of rest.
Find rest and peace in the Lord this holiday season... He is waiting for you with open arms!


Photo credit: "Adventkranz" by Benjamin Nussbaum, used under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs license

Love isn't love until you give it away

“A bell’s not a bell ’til you ring it. A song’s not a song ’til you sing it. Love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay. Love isn’t love ’til you give it away!” – Oscar Hammerstein II
What I've been inspired to challenge everyone this week is to start a love revolution.
So, how does one start a love revolution? There are entire websites dedicated to this topic, one inparticular that I want to share with you is theloverevolution.com
There are videos, you can join the revolution and spread God's love, one person and one day at a time.
In the movie, Pay It Forward, Trevor (played by Haley Joel Osment) is in a social studies class where his teacher Mr. Simonet encourages them to think outside the box when thinking about the world. Trevor comes back with the idea of pay it forward. You do something big for three people, they in turn agree to help three more people... you get the idea... This begins a movement and it spreads past the borders of the city where Trevor and his mom live. I won't spoil the movie for you if you haven't seen it... needless to say, one boy has the courage to start a love revolution by paying it forward.
I take this moment to challenge you... now in the words of Fleming and John... I'll radiate to you, you radiate to me, yeah we'll start a revolution, spread a warm fuzzy disease... Go spread the warm fuzzies to someone who might need a little love this holiday season! I offer this song today as a reminder to share love with someone this Christmas season... Wherever you find love, it feels like Christmas!

Light a Candle

One week ago, tragedy struck our nation... and as I sat in disbelief, this the song Light a Candle was the first one to pop into my head. As Christians, we are called to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:16 tells us to let our lights shine so that others will see the good works and praise our Father in heaven)... when you think about it... candles provide more than light... although it is there primary function, when you get closer to a candle it radiates a little warmth... when we give love to those around us, not only are we spreading God's love, we are warming their hearts... and when you receive a blessing of love, what do you want to do most? you want to share it... one by one, candles will be lit with simple acts of love... In the shadows of this tragedy, we can be a light of love to those who will be in desperate need this holiday season... Light a candle for the broken and forgotten May the season warm their souls. Can we open our hearts to shine through the dark? Light a candle, Light the dark, Light the world, Light a heart or two, Light a candle for me, I'll light a candle for you.
Be the light and share it with others this Christmas and all year long!

In the First Light

Every time I hear this song, all I can say is WOW! It truly embodies the spirit of the Christmas season... Christ was born to seek and save the lost... which meant he would die for our sins... 33 years after his birth, He took on our shame and went to the cross for us.
But the sadness would be broken as the song of life arose. And the firstborn of creation would ascend and take his throne. He had left it to redeem us but before his life began. He knew he’d come back, not as a baby, but as the Lord of every man! Hear the angels as they’re singing on the morning of his birth! But how much greater will their song be when he comes again to earth! Hear the angels as they’re singing on the morning of his birth! But how much greater will their song be when he comes to rule the earth!

Here With us

The words of this song say it all... Hallelujah, hallelujah Heaven's love reaching down to save the world Hallelujah, hallelujah Son of God, Servant King, You're here with us, You're here with us! I pray your blessings are abundant today!

Christmas Day is in our grasp! So long as we have Hands to Clasp!

We all know the story of the grinch... whether we grew up with the Dr. Suess book and cartoon narrated by Boris Karloff, or the Jim Carrey movie, its the same story.
The grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, hates Christmas. He devises a plan and cleverly disguises himself as Santa... together with his adorable dog max (the one horn always cracks me up... but I digress), they steal Christmas from the Who's. As he is about to dump the load off Mt. Crumpit, he stops to hear the crying of the who's....
Narrator: So he paused, And the Grinch put a hand to his ear. And he did hear a sound rising over the snow. It started in low. Then it started to grow... But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound sounded glad! Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, Was singing! Without any presents at all! He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same! And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling:
Grinch: How could it be so? It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes, or bags! Narrator: And he puzzled and puzzed, till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more."

Dr. Suess, in all his wisdom put the real meaning of Christmas in a children's books, being with family and surrounded by love, not what we can get...but by what we give. The wonder and excitement sometimes diminishes that a little when we are younger, and as we get older, its the hustle and bustle, or trying to get the perfect gift that seems to trip us up.
Near the end of the movie, we are told that The Grinch changed that day (after he realizes that he didn't really steal Christmas... ), and the story ends this way: And what happened then...? Well...in Who-ville they say That the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day! And then the true meaning of Christmas came through, And the Grinch found the strength of ten Grinches… plus two.
Let your heart grow this Christmas season, don't be a grinch... let God's love fill your heart so full it overflows and you have no choice but to share it with the world.
As I was writing some of these blogs, my heart was so full, it overflowed and I couldn't help but smile... God's words bubble out of me and I can hardly keep up... I pray that love will overflow in your heart this holiday season!

Love Came Down

I know that this really isn't a Christmas song, but it is the perfect resonation of what I was trying to say yesterday... I hope that this song is a blessing to you today and that you will know that you are loved beyond any reasonable doubt... and it's a perfect love that will never leave you, it won't abandon you, and it will not forget about you... May your Blessings be abundant today!

ADVENTure Week 3: Love

Love came down at Christmas
Love all lovely, love divine
Love was born at Christmas
Star and angel gave the sign

Worship we the Godhead
Love incarnate, love divine
Worship we our Jesus But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token
Love shall be yours and love be mine
Love to God and all men
Love for plea and gift and sign

The third candle is the candle of love. The first bit of John 3:16 reads: For God so LOVED the world...
Gor created the world and when it fell into sin, He loved it so much that He sent His son to save us.
Last week we meditated on the hope that we have at Christmas; this week focuses on the love of God and Jesus. Jesus gave his life because of that love... he took on our sin, our shame and our debt. He cleared our names so that we could experience his love in our own lives.
William Walker write the hymn What Wondrous Love is this, O My Soul and I love the words, they express just how much we are loved... and, in my case, I often take it for granted, or am selfish with the love I was given... I want to keep it for myself, instead of share it.
During this week, we remember God's love and how He sent His Son to help us and to give us the example of perfect love.... Our response to this should be to share it with those around us. Let us worship him and share His love with others this holiday season!



Photo credit: "Adventkranz" by Benjamin Nussbaum, used under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs license

Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah

Sweeping, Epic, Grandious... I can think of no better way to end this week than with this song... Sing noel, Sing Hallelujah! All creation Great and small. Sing noel, Lift high His praises. Christ come To save us all! Christ come To save us all!
This piece ranks right up there with the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah, with it's outspoken tones of joy.
We have joy this Christmas season (and every day after for that matter)... Joy is from God, which is not the same as being happy (but don't get me started on that... we'll save that for another blog). I hope that you enjoy this piece and that your heart is prepared for worship tomorrow!

Christmas Angels...

There are very few Christmas songs that send a thrill through my heart like this song... sweeping orchestral, 4 choirs, glorious melody... don't get me started! This is what joy would feel like to me, if Joy were a musical entity.
There is a part of me that thinks this is what the scene was like when the angels appeared to the shepherds... full four part harmony, an orchestra... In Luke 2 we read: And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Joy to the World the world, the Lord is come... let earth receive her King!

Being Mary at a Martha (Stewart) time of year

Now let's see, cards are mailed, tree is trimmed, decorations are up, presents bought and wrapped, menu is prepared, kids have treats for school party... oh hello there, I was just making sure everything is in order for Christmas this year. After what happened last year, I can't stand for another year like that... We had several unexpected guests show up, which called for extra preparation... and where is my sister? Sitting out in the living room just chatting away with Jesus... I can't believe her sometimes... ugh, she frustates me so much. Left me in the kitchen by myself to finish cooking the turkey, making the dressing and cranberries... just makes me shudder if I think too much about it. Not this year... no sir... I have extra food in case Peter and the guys show up unannounced... again... I tell you what, they never call, just show up... typical disciple! Oh here's my sister Mary, will you excuse me? I have to finish several things on my list before this afternoon.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

I was so excited when Jesus decided to stop by with the guys! I was just so enthralled by his stories and teaching... I guess I forgot that Martha was in the kitchen by herself... I tend to do that sometimes, you know, forget... but it was Jesus! he was actually at our house! I was so overjoyed that he was visiting that I wanted to hear what he had to say! Who can blame me for wanting to sit and listen at his feet?

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

This Christmas, will you be bogged down trying to be Martha with visions of the pefect Christmas dancing in your head? Don't let worrying steal your joy, or your focus from Jesus!
Each Thanksgiving, my husband and I host the big dinner at our house. Both sets of parents come in and its a great day! The first year we did Thanksgiving together was our first year of dating... there was a lot to be anxious about... our parents were meeting for the first time and I felt strain to be Martha Stewart... needless to say, a few things kind of blew up in our faces... we were trying to do all the shopping, cook elaborate dinners, and hang out with our parents... in the short time that they were there.... through the years, our Thanksgivings have become easier and easier and this year was amazing... we were able to split the time between cooking, time with our parents and my having to work pretty great... it was a joy (but then we've had 3 prior to get to this point). We were less Martha and more Mary... I was able to focus on being Thankful and really take in the fullness of Thanksgiving. I responded to all the blessings in my life, a great husband, our amazing families and the time we were able to share together, with worship... On Black Friday, I went into work and as I listened to the first strains of Christmas music... I was joyful and excited about sharing the idea that God blessed me with over Thanksgiving dinner. My heart was overflowing with hope, love, joy... and I was at peace.
May God grant you genuine joy this most excellent of seasons!

Photo Credit: "Joy" By: Phing Chov, Used under Creative Commons Attribution license

Gloria...

Angels we have hear on high! Sweetly singing o'er the plains... and the mountains in reply, echo back their joyous strains.. Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

Infectious Joy... *achoo*

excuse me... I think I might have the flu... How about a hug?
If you're like me during the winter, you practically wear purell as a perfume... No one wants to be sick come Christmas break... you don't want to be infected
On the other hand, when you hear someone laughing and they have a great laugh that makes you bubble up and laugh a little... you are drawn to them... or, someone with a great heart for people... you want to spent time with them, maybe they inspire you to be a better person... they have something that you want... you want to be infected with the joy that they have.
Genuine joy for God and sharing what He has given you is infectious... people want to know what it is that makes you so joyful... with that, you have an in to talk to them about Jesus and share the joy that He's given you through Him.
Philippians 4:4 says: Rejoice in the Lord Always, and again, I say rejoice! I know that sometimes, I'm not too joyful... I amsometimes that Christian who looks like they were forced to suck a lemon during worship... Joy should (and I stress, should) radiate through us, letting Jesus shine through us.... that is what Joy is to me... even in the darkest times in your lives, you should radiate Christ. Easier, said than done... and believe me, it's not lip service when I say... trust me, I understand!
Christmas brings us joy... or should, anyway... because of the meaning for us. Christ was born, became like us, took our sins to the cross, paid our debt and freed us from the curse of sin... we have a lot to rejoice about!
Instead of looking like we sucked on a lemon, let's smile and let God shine through us today!

Rejoice!

I figured I'd put at least one upbeat song on here during this holiday season, after all, it's a season of Joy!

ADVENTure Week 2: Joy

Luke 2:8-11 read: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
I am amazed by the irritability and frustration that I see during the Christmas season... people running around trying to find that perfect gift, or throwing an elbow at a black Friday sale to get the last of the latest toy. Where's the joy of the season? It seems to be stretched thin over the raw nerves of flustered shoppers... barely noticable through the strained chords of Happy Christmas. It seems that we've misplaced it.
We have cause for GREAT JOY! A savior, albeit, he was born in a barn, and his first visitors were shepherds. But in those humble beginnings, the shepherds, Mary and Joseph got to look upon the very face of God! Great Joy people!!! Christmas should bring us great joy (and I'm not talking "Don't worry be happy" kind of stuff).
As you've probably pieced together, the candle of Joy is lit today. Hannah W Smith wrote about an encounter with a non Christian in her book The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life where he said to her: "You Christians seem to have a religion that makes you miserable. You are like a person with a headache. He does not want to get rid of his head, but it hurts him to keep it. You cannot expect outsiders to seek very earnestly for anything so uncomfortable."
Have Joy and show it this holiday season!




Photo credit: "Adventkranz" by Benjamin Nussbaum, used under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs license

Hope for the New Year!

What is your hope for the new year?

And, no, I'm not talking about your resolutions... What do you hope to accomplish in the new year?
Last year, I would have told you, I was hoping to make it through that year... and now that I have, this year... my hopes, they have grown... and include several projects that have been laid on my heart during this current year. It's been exciting to see what God has done so far and scary to be having all these hopes for the following year.
As we all travel toward the end of this current year and take our first steps into the new... we all have hope, we carry it in our back pocket to pull out should we ever lose sight of our true calling.
In the movie A knights tale, William is writing a letter and as he closes it, it is suggested that he write: Hope guides me. It is what gets me through the day and especially the night. It continues, but those first two sentences catch me everytime that I watch that movie... Hope guides me...
Hope is defined as the "feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best"... this holiday season offers hope to many people, and in return they are offered the greatest gift ever given... salvation through Jesus Christ and a promise of eternity with Him.
Inspire others around you to hope and as Ghandi said: Be the change you wish to see in the world.
You (and I am speaking to myself when I say this... talking to myself makes me look crazy...er) may be one person, but you can give hope by giving a cup of coffee and being a shoulder to cry on to a friend in need, you can be hope to an elderly person who may have no family, take your pick... Be the heart of Jesus to those you meet this holiday season... share hope and carry it with you into the new year!

Photo Credit: "The Hope" By: Mustafa Khayat, used under Creative Commons Attribution- Non Commercial- No Derivs license

The Promise

I love music... ok, that was a duh statement if ever I heard one... but I really love Christmas music... I start getting twitchy around Halloween (some of you know exactly what I am talking about). Music is so powerful, and after yesterdays emotional charged Mary, did you know/ The King is Coming medley, I was wanting to take it down a notch, but I pulled out my Michael W. Smith Christmas collection, and well, no such luck... The Promise is a piece off His It's a wonderful Christmas album... I hope that you enjoy this glorious piece and let it echo to the deep places of your soul this morning.

Mary Did You Know?/The King is coming

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs... the message of hope is radiating from every word!!! This version is from The Gaither Homecoming show and includes the song The King is Coming... after hearing this at a Living Proof event, where I was brought to tears, I might add... still am whenever I hear it... This is what Christmas is all about!!! The King is Coming!!!!

Hope of Redemption: Lessons from Ebenezer Scrooge

In the first sentences of A Christmas Carol we learn that, Marley was dead (Dickens further elaborates that he was as dead as a doornail...) Mr. Dickens then goes on to explain that this is important or nothing that follows will seem woundrous.
The description of Scrooge that we get from Mr. Dickens is that he was a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, couvetous, old sinner... oh my...
We've seen many depictions through the years of this story, but one of my favorites is The Muppets Christmas Carol... (Yes, I know, it's the muppets and there is singing and dancing... often at the same time *gasp*) The reason I like this version so much (is addition to Kermit being in it) is that the words of the songs ring true to this very day (but I'm getting ahead of myself and there will be more on this later in the month).
Michael Caine's depiction of Scrooge, despite being surrounded by muppets, is brilliant. His Scrooge is a hard and shrewd businessman who seems to have no heart at all.
We are witness to one scene with his nephew where he states: ...every idiot who goes about with Christmas on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

Ouch!

So, all in all, not a very nice guy... but that very evening, his old business partner, Marley, comes for a visit... now you remember that he was dead right? I believe the phrase was "dead as a doornail"... for seven years, to be exact.
So, Marley visits and during the interaction, Scrooge notices the heavy chains that his friend is carrying. Marley explains that he forged these chains while he was yet living and that Scrooge is following that very path.
Scrooge begs his friend to speak comfort, but he has none to give... before he leaves, he tells Scrooge that he's here to warn him. He tells him that he has a chance and hope of escaping the same fate... redemption.
He then tells Scrooge that there will be three more ghosts haunting him, starting at one in the morning...
Scrooges then asks if this is the hope Marley mentioned, when Marley says that it is, Scrooge balks. Marley tells him that without these visits there is no hope of redemption for Scrooge... Marley leaves.
Scrooge then encounters each of the ghosts in turn, the ghost of Christmas past, present and Christmas yet to come.
During each interaction, we see more of the heart of Scrooge emerging... and by the third ghost, he knows that he must change in order to escape the chains that await him.
I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all year round. I will live in the past, present and future. [...] I will not shut out the lessons that they (the ghosts) teach!

At the beginning of the story, Marley warns Scrooge of the chains that await him... as sinners, we have chains binding us to the sin in our lives and we are dragging it around with us... I speak metaphorically, but we are, in fact, slaves to sin.
Like Scrooge, we are trapped by the chains, luckily there is hope... Scrooge, in seeing the error of his way, repents of his evil and changes his ways. He is saved from the horrible fate of his friend Marley.
When Christ died on the cross, he took all of our sins on Himself that we might be saved. He was born to save the world! When we accept that gift of salvation, we are redeemed... we are freed from the chains that once bound us to sin.
Our sins are paid... our debt is cleared. By accepting this free gift of salvation, we let go of our old lives and change our ways... this salvation doesn't give us free reign to do what we want, instead once we are saved, we are called to serve God.
This Christmas season, as we celebrate the hope of Christ's birth... the salvation of our souls, celebrate the hope you have in your redemption... John 3:16 reminds us that God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son (what a great Christmas gift!) that no one should perish but have everlasting life.
The greatest gift you can give this year is the hope of redemption! Don't forget that we are called to be a light in a dark world this holiday season (and beyond)!
Have a blessed Monday!

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Advent means arrival... As we celebrate advent we not only celebrate the birth of Jesus, but we await His second coming... Come Thou Long Expected Jesus!



Have a blessed day!!

A Thrill of Hope...

... the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

What thrills you?

I know that when God gives me an idea or a blog idea and I can barely write fast enough to capture the thought, I get excited to share it....
It thrills me to think that the words God blessed me with reaching people... even if it is just one.... there's potential that God will speak to them through those words.
When I was a kid, I loved Christmas... still do, actually... but I was always so thrilled by the lights, the music and the "magic" of the season... It was such a happy time.
I was born with sleep apnea and for the first 13 years, I had to sleep strapped up to a machine that monitored my breathing. The Christmas excitement would build and build and then I would have to wait for my parents to wake up to be able to go down and see the presents and open them. It felt like hours waiting for my parents... which only built up the excitement more.
Now that I am older, I sometimes feel like I've lost a little of that thrill-ability (I know its not a word... not let's watch the grammar peoples go nuts!)... anyway, I still hope and dream, but I don't get that thrill as often. Until Christmas, that is, and then I wish that I could bottle that feeling for the rest of the year.
As I write this, I am reminded of the hymn All That Thrills My Soul. We used to sing it in church, and although it's not a Christmas song, it's a good wake up call for me... after the trees and the lights are put away, after all the gifts are opened (and let's face it, sometimes returned)... let Jesus be a thrill of hope eminating from your soul like a candle, inspiring hope in this weary world.

ADVENTure week 1: Hope

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2
Advent is a time of waiting, a time of expectation for what is to come. In four weeks, we will be celebrating Christmas... when God revealed true love through His Son, Jesus.
Hope is what the promised coming of the Messiah gave to the children of Israel... a light to shine in the darkness... were you ever afraid of the dark when you were a kid? Did you have a nightlight? It spread a light through the room, so that the fear and dread would ease... As adults, we get anxious for things, we fear the unknown or things that we can't control... God is the light in our "darkness". He gives us hope for the future, hope to face the unknown and hope that things will work out as they should.
The first candle of Advent is lit as a symbol of God's light shining in the darkness... a hope where once there was none. We have that hope today, and we can share it with others who don't know or understand that hope!
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.






Photo credit: "Adventkranz" by Benjamin Nussbaum, used under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs license

Let the ADVENTure begin

So what is advent? Advent is literally from the Latin Adventus, which means arrival. So from that you can most likely deduce that the advent season heralds they arrival to someone... but who?
In most churches, we celebrate the advent, or arrival of Jesus. His birth is foretold throughout the Old Testement and in the first chapters of each of the gospels proclaims it!
Each year, the church celebrates the birth of the Savior and furthermore, we look forward to His truimphal second coming.
Each week, a theme is presented and we are challenged to meditate on them throughout the week. This is where this idea of the ADVENTure comes from... each of the four Sundays before Christmas, a theme will be presented and explored through the week.
The hope that we have in Jesus... Hope in redemption, and looking to hope in the new year. We can live out love... share it, celebrate it, start a love Revolution! We can have Joy... Joy in knowing Jesus, proclaiming that Joy and living with joy in our daily lives. And finally peace... the arrival of the Prince of Peace, finding peace and rest in Jesus and having peace in the unknown.
I am excited to share what God has put on my heart this holiday season! Have a blessed day!

Join me on an ADVENTure...

The Christmas season is full of hustle and bustle, shopping and giving, traveling and cooking... we stay so busy that we often forget the reason we are celebrating... sure we go to church on Sunday or a Christmas Eve candle light service, but how many times to we actually stop to meditate on the real reason for the season ( I know... I went there...) The overused phrase echoes through our minds during the holiday, then passes quietly out of sight until the next Christmas season.
Christmas has always been a favorite holiday of mine... it brings back great memories of family. The familiar smells that trigger a magic that seems to be forgotten as soon as its December 26th... this year is different for me... the magic is still there, the scents still trigger the familiarity of old memories... I've changed... It's not about what I can get anymore... (gifts are great, don't get me wrong... they just aren't my focus anymore)
Last year didn't feel much like Christmas, and I was determined that this year would be different... well, I got my wish... this past year has been very different. Once upon a time, I swore that I didn't want to have anything to do with ministry, marry someone who wanted to be a part of ministry, or even really be near those who wanted to be in ministry... (just being honest... actually, the thought of ministry scared the daylights out of me... still does on occasion, if I'm really honest). This past year, God has been working on me a lot... ministry wise *gulp*... and the culmination of this year brings me to the reason for this blog today... ( I know, get on with it already...)
With all that has been going on this past year, I've really been overwhelmed by so many things... one in particular was the fact that (and I am speaking to myself more then anything with this...) I've been so focused on my part in the ministry and my role in my life and my book and my Bible study... do you notice an overabundance of the word my in that last statement... I did. I was so focused on me, me, me... that I forgot that its a ministry... that's supposed to be focused on God instead of me... God gave me the words to write, the ideas to blog about, the passion that I sometimes overwhelm people with... He gave me that and I have been overlooking that. Earlier this year, I was presented with the 31 day challenge... where you blog each day for the month of October... and what started out and my favorite songs, turned quickly into studies on worship... and that's when it hit hard... I was so busy trying to be awesome in my own strength that I had turned the focus to me, instead of God.
This Advent season is no different... I wanted to do a blog series during Christmas and nothing was coming to me... so I stopped, switched my focus to God and suddenly I was writing so fast that I could barely keep up with my thoughts... The Advent season, thanks to the creative-ness of my two friends Kristine and Victoria on Twitter, ADVENTure was born.
Each Sunday will present a theme that will be explored during the week, either with a short devotional or song.... (wow, I'm really verbose this morning...)
All of that to say, Join me this Christmas season (it will run all 31 days of December^_^) for a wonderful ADVENTure that will explore the themes of hope, love, joy and peace starting Decmeber 1st!

Random Thoughts About Christmas...

As we were decorating the house this past weekend, I put on Muppets Christmas Carol. More for noise than anything... but ended up being struck by several of the songs. Our church has been focusing on being Thankful during the Thanksgiving season and it struck me, that we should not just be thankful around the holiday season... as Thanksgiving rolls into Christmas, the new year and beyond... we should always be in that mindset of Thanksfulness and giving. One of the songs (sung by the jovial Ghost of Cristmas Present) was It feels like Christmas... one particular part says: It is the season of the heart, A special time of caring. The ways of love made clear It is the season of the spirit, The message if we hear it, Is make it last all year.
I encourage you to watch this movie at some point during the holiday season, even if you've seen it before...
At the end of the movie, as Scrooge wakes to find that he has a second chance at life, he decides then and there to live differently. I love the line that states: Yes, everyday will end and everyday will start With a gratful prayer and a thankful heart.
As we begin this Christmas season, as decorations go up and Christmas music plays from every street corner, as it begins to turn colder and even *gasp* snow... embrace the true meaning of the Holidays and be Thankful... open your heart to the possibilities and magic that Christmastime can bring!
I've been thinking this past week about doing short, daily Christmas themed blogs during the advent season... it's been on my mind a lot lately this past week. The only question is if I am up to the challange... You will find out Saturday:)
Have a wonderful week!

It's a Beautiful Day

The beginning of this week has been less than satisfactory in that I haven't been alert enough to actually enjoy it. The holidays are rapidly approaching and I am falling further and further behind... but on my way to work this morning I was reminded of just how amazing today can be... I was scanning through my music and found U2's song Beautiful Day.
I hadn't heard the song in a while, so i listened all the way to work... one of the lines says It's a Beautiful Day, don't let it get away... and as I listened I realized that I had been watching life go by and taking a lot of it for granted. I didn't smell the roses (they aren't in season), I didn't take the time to watch a sunrise (probably because I refuse to get up that early on principle) or a sunset (possibly because it's depressing that it gets dark so early these days)... and then I realized that I'd been making excuses and complaining more than I was enjoying life...
Psalm 118:24 says: This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it... and Philippians 4:4 says: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say Rejoice!
Have a Beautiful day!

Why do you want to fit in, when you were born to stand out?

We all want to belong... to fit in amongst like minded people... to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.... Our place in this world. Our purpose.
As we walk the paths of our lives, gathering pieces of our uniqueness as we go... we gain friends, we lose them, there are lost relationships and move out of our comfort zones... we take steps closer to God's plan for our lives.
Memories both good and bad remind us why and how we've come this far. Prayers whispere for friends living far and near, tears shed in lonliness and frustration.... these all form us into a stronger person.
As we go through these times in our lives, we begin to leave the beautiful tapestries of our lives. Friends, moments, pains, failures and successes are the colorful threads weaving into our lives.
Michael W. Smith wrote the song Place in this world and I love the words... it reflects the yearning that we all have to find belonging... take a listen.



Jeremiah 29:11 promises that we've been given a purpose and a place... that God means to bless us and prosper us... not harm us.
As we go through life, many things change our likes, our taste in music and fashion... we shape ourselves into who we want to be... who we see ourselves. But that is not all we are defined by... as we define who we are and who we want to be, what we want to be when you grow up... fix your eyes on the author and finisher of your faith...
If you're like me, you're still developing that list... but I do know these things for sure:
1. I am a daughter of the living God
2. I am loved no matter what
3. I have a purpose

I cling to Jeremiah 29:11 as I have my whole life, knowing that as I go through the growing pains (and there have been many), God's purpose is truly amazing and I have something to look forward to each day... true acceptance, a place where I belong and a purpose that drives me through this life to seek the face and presence of God each day when I rise.
As one hymn states, As the deer pants for the water, so my sould longs after you... chase after God and He will guide you to your place in this world... If you're searching for truth or a purpose to your life, take a look in the book of John... it's a good place to start.
Have a blessed day!

Roots before Branches

I will be the first to admit that I love music... most music, there are a few exceptions, but that is not the point. While watching (and it slightly embarrasses me to say this) Glee this week, I came to the last episode of season three... one of the main characters, Rachel Barry, has graduated and is off to New York. It is not an altogether happy send off, and as she is boarding the train she is singing (in classic musical fashion). The song she sang struck a chord with me, as a lot of songs have... but the name of the song was Roots before Branches.
As I listened to the song, I could not help but think that is the main drive for us as humans. We put down roots so that we will grow, mature and flurish.
When I was younger and still living at home, my mom began a box garden. The boxes were built and filled with dirt and soil to help the plants flourish. Then my mom and I set out to plant some different types of flowers, herbs and other things... as I worked, I learned that ou can't just skim the surface of the dirt and put the flower there, you have to dig and put the roots underground so that they will flourish.
We can't just expect to mature and grow overnight without aiding that growth with knowledge, wisdom, understanding, empathy... things that are vital to sustaining our "roots".
When I was in college, I neglected my spiritual life... I did what I wanted, dated who I wanted and I began to yeild rotted fruit. I had a good front, but it was fake and mostly transparent. I transferred schools and started to get back to who I wanted to be, but still had weak roots. It wasn't until I moved to Nashville that I started to get things back in order. I started to attend a church where I was learning each week and starting to grow and mature. Each step I took toward God, strengthened the roots. I still have room for improvement, but who doesn't?
In light of Hurricane Sandy, and the various other storms that this country has faced in the last few years (Katrina, etc.)... it blows my mind when they show footage of the devistation and in the midst there is a tree that refused to fall... it makes me long for roots that are that deep and strong. If we have accepted Christ into our lives, we can have that... but maturity takes time. We need to read our Bibles, pray, seek God's will for our lives and fellowship with other Christians to mature and nurture the roots.
If we root our lives in the Word, we will be strong because God strengthens us... nothing will be impossible for us... and that is encouraging. In a country where Christians are becoming a minority, we have our work cut out for us... if we are rooted in the Word, we have hope.
Be encouraged today, stay rooted in God, and have faith... The Psalmist said it best in the first chapter of Psalms: Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers!
Develop your roots and the branches will begin to grow as you mature and strengthen your relationship with the One True God.

Living with the Lost and Found

It's funny where inspiration can come from, and lately it's been fleeting, so I take what I can get. A friend of mine recently asked me to proofread a blog post for her and I was both stunned and inspired by her honesty. As I sat at work, thinking and mulling over the various projects I've started and have left lying around the house... the song Lost began playing and hit me. I know that the song is about a relationship... but there were a couple of lines that struck me: Cause you are not alone, I am there with you. The other was: When the world's crashing down And you can not bear the cross I said, baby, you're not lost.
I will be the first to admit that I have been a little lost lately. I've been so busy trying to get aclimated to work and keeping up with housework that I've let other things slide... After the 31 days blog challenge, I felt a mixture of relief and sadness (why is it always a mixture?)... I was relieved to be out from under the pressure of producing a blog post every day, and I was sad that it was over. I was challenged each night to produce the post that I would then publish the next morning, it gave me a rush of excitement that I was actually living up to the challenge... Only 6 days into November and I feel a bit lost... confused, what to do next? I could be that winter is right around the corner, bringing with it dreary gray days, or that I've been sick these past few days... whatever the case may be, I've got three projects that I let fall by the wayside once I took this new job, first was my Bible study... after I finished editing the last of the sessions, I put the workbook on hold to refresh my brain and work on something else. The something else was a small book, like Stephen's Cars and Christianity, which can be purchased at www.carsandchristianity.com... (I know, shameless plug) except it focuses more on superheroes. Then God gave me the idea to rework the Jane Austen study and gear it to teenagers... but since about mid September, I haven't touched a single one... sure, I've played with research and ideas, but I've not been as dedicated as I should be.
This morning, I was reminded that I'm not alone and I'm not lost... 31 days was a learning experience that I am going to do again next year... but the time away from the projects was not wasted, I learned about myself, my writing and the some of the reasons why I write. Now that I am getting back on my feet after a weekend of sinus infections and head colds... I am determined to get back to these projects.
If you're lost or feeling alone this morning... know that you're not lost or alone... God is right there with us. We may be a little off course, but we are never too far that we can't turn around. We also know that we are never alone, in our darkest times, our lowest moments, God is right there beside us to help us along or even carry us... All we have to do is ask.
Have a great day today!

November... how time flies.

I feel like this year has rapidly passed me by... but I am not complaining, it has been a great year! I celebrated one year of marriage with my wonderful husband, finished my first Bible study, worked with Stephen and several friends to set up a non profit Ministry: Reminder Cross Ministries, and now as the holidays approach I become nostalgic as I do every year around Thanksgiving.
Psalm 118: 24 tells us: This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
In this time of Thanksgiving, let's focus on the gratitude and roses in our lives. I have a friend who does a blog about roses and thorns on every Friday and I love that idea... when you have a bad week, we can always find at least one rose that seems to outshine the thorn that pricked our finger. I encourage you to check out her blog at: http://klynette.blogspot.com/
Have a great day!!!

Day 31- Halloween!!

Happy Halloween Everyone!!! Muah ha ha ha!!! Sorry, getting into the spirit of things ^_^
On this fun holiday and final day of the 31 days of worship series, I thought it would be fun to talk about Bach... J.S. Bach. He lived during the Baroque period and was a prolific composer. His compositions are beautifully crafted with intricate melodies, counter melodies and harmonies... some of my favorite pieces by him are the fugues... counterpoint at its finest.
Bach also composed several cantatas based on scripture... and on each of his compositions, he would notate Soli Deo Gloria... To God alone be the glory.
Whenever I hear a Bach toccata, I can't help but be swept over by a wave of contrapuntal glory... the intricate melodies winding around each other, like our lives... we are the main melody, and as our live interact with others around us, those countermelodies start in... think "Row Row Row your boat", just way more intricate and complex.
Each of these melodies, or counterpoint, compliment one another... their differences create beautiful discord and glorious harmonies... their similarities pull the piece together to create a soaringly beautiful piece of music.
Our lives are like an orchestral piece... there are many instruments playing at once. If you take one part of the orchestra and play it by itself, it's a little out of place and awkward (especially if it's not the melody)... but put the whole things together, all instruments playing at their appointed times, you have a beautiful piece of music.
We all have our specific talents and gifts... they differ from person to person. While one may be really amazing at teaching, another is great with children... a church is not comprised of one person who can do it all... its comprised of many people, each with a different skill set... one may play the melody... like a pastor or worship leader, another may be the second chair violin, or viola or cello... In any case, as a church, we should want one thing... for God to get all the glory... Soli Deo Gloria. Enjoy your Halloween and enjoy this great piece by J.S. Bach Toccata and Fugue in D Minor which has become a Halloween standard.

More than Amazing... Day 26

Have a wonderful Friday!!!

Worship Him Forever... Day 29

At the Magic Kingdom today!!! Enjoy this amazing song by Travis Cottrell

Legacy of Worship... Day 27

Please enjoy this wonderful song while I am on vacation!


What's the legacy you want to leave behind?

Praise Him with the Dance.. Day 30

Such a great way to start the day! Praise Him today!!

worship in our daily lives... Day 28

In the classic children’s book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice comes to a crossroads in the forest and asks the Cheshire cat for advice about which way to choose. The cat tells Alice that it depends largely on where she wants to go. Alice says that she does not much care, and the cat replies that in that case it does not matter which path she chooses.
I've always been the type of person that wasn't decisive.... I would let the opinion of others be my guide... I had no rudder in my life and often I would find myself in a situation that wasn't very glorifying to God.
The Bible tells us: 'Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
God is pleased with our worship, and we should be excited to give Him worship... in everything! Enjoying a little Disney myself today, pictures up soon for friends on FB and twitter!!!

White Flag... Day 25

The first time I heard this song, the chorus caught my attention. I've always loved the old hymn "I surrender all" and listening to the words, I thought of that great hymn.
Surrender can mean a lot of things, but in our lives, it should mean giving up those things that are bad for our spiritual lives.
I've been trying to get healthy these days, and I am enjoying the salads a lot, however, if someone were to ask me to give up my Mt. Dew... I would probably a. hit you or b. laugh hysterically... I love Mt. Dew, and even though I've gotten to the point where I can drink one of those small cans and be set for the day, I usually still need one a day.
It's just like that in our spiritual lives... we can say that we've surrendered it all to God, but until we get rid of everything that we are holding on to. We need to hang on to that one thing because we need it...
Let it go... I've been working on getting Mt. Dew out of my life all together, and although that might be a few years down the road, I am taking steps to try and better my way of life... taking walks with Spotlight, enjoying a salad for dinner instead of eating fast food stuff... adding in a little extra time for prayer and devotions... as we look to Thanksgiving, Christmas and ultimately New Years... make your resolution to work towards a healthier spiritual life... raise your white flag and surrender whatever you may be holding back... and then leave it at the foot of the cross where it belongs.
Have a blessed day!

What can we learn from Jack Skellington... Day 24

Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favorite movies... and the other day as I was listening to the soundtrack as I do every October, I was struck by one scene where Jack has just finished a much anticipated Halloween celebration. He sneaks away from the party and goes out to ponder his true calling... He laments that each year is the same routine, that he can't imagine anything new. This leads him to go wandering through the woods where he finds a clearing filled with trees... but these are no ordinary trees, they are portals to the holiday worlds... he becomes entranced by the Christmas door and falls through to Christmas town. Jack finds a new spin on life and becomes excited about taking over Christmas.
He barges through the door of his new "mission" in life and it fails utterly. When he comes to the realization that he is the Pumpkin King, his passion returns for his true calling...
Each of us is gifted... with talents fitted with our personalities, passions and true callings. God fits us with our uniqueness... but sometimes, we can misread or misunderstand that calling and push through a door that was not meant to be opened by us.
I know that I am not meant for missions work... but I know many people who are. I am not a leader, but I love teaching... I can't force my spiritual gift of teaching into the door of leadership or hospitality without forcing open a door that God has not meant for me.
Sometimes we need to make a mistake and bash into a few doors in order to learn what our true calling or passion is. Like Jack, I've gone through several doors that I truly believe weren't meant for me simply because of my pride, and my own assumptions...
Sometimes we know our calling... sometimes it takes some mistakes to learn what God wants us to do... If you need some guidance, a good place to start would be to take a spiritual gifts inventory... it will help you to realize where God has gifted you... Wisdom is available to us... all we have to do is ask. James 1:5 reads: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Jack can teach us about the passions in our lives... we can use those passions to bring people to Christ! Enjoy the overture by Danny Elfman from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Have a great day!

Be careful what you wish for... Day 23

Neil Gaiman's novel Coraline is one of my favorite books... its about a girl whose family has moved to a new home... she set off on an exploration and finds a small door that when opened, is bricked up. That night she discovers that the door now opens to a secret passage... she goes through to find her "other mother" in the kitchen cooking her favorite food. As she continuesto go through, she starts to think that this other world is better than her own.
When I first read the book, I was struck by the storyline... how many times have we wished our lives were different, or been jealous of someone else's life? Coraline was tricked by the "other mother" into thinking that the world Coraline wished for was better... until she discovered the other mothers secret... she wanted to keep her.
Coraline is faced with a choice and when she runs to her world, she finds that her parents have been taken by the other mother... After she defeats the other mother, she goes back home and finds that her parents have returned home. Coraline learns to love the life and the parents that she has been given, instead of wishing for someone else's life.
Paul writes in Philippians 4:11-13 that he has learned to be content no matter the circumstances... we can also learn to be like Paul... knowing that if we are in Christ, we have everything that we need.Enjoy today's selection... "The Mechanical Lullaby."
Have a blessed day!

Worship in the storms.... Day 22

When I was in high school and the first few years of college, I had some "storms"... they were minor thunderstorms when I look back on them now, but they were formational, question everything that you believe in sort of storms... Looking back on my first two years in college, I didn't attend church, I went to chapel because it was manditory and I didn't read my Bible, do devotions or really pray. I lived ly life the way that I wanted to... and when the storms hit, they were more like tsumnami's than thunderstorms... they shook my life and faith to the core. It wasn't until I moved to Tyndale that I learned the lesson of praising in the storms of life... I started attending church, I enjoyed chapels and was studying and doing devotions each day... the storms, when they hit... were now just thunderstorms and I was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Now that I am older, I find that it is easier to not panic when things go a way that was unforeseen... about 10 months before we got married, Stephen was pushed back to freelance... instead of panicking, we simply took a deep breath and kept going... when I lost my job in February of this year, I was hit with a disappointment... but was able to see it as a growth opportunity... I was able to finish my Bible study and offer it online... shortly after that happened, I was offered a job.
The Bible asks us how much time we can add to our lives by worrying... and when you think about it... what does worrying do, really? except give you gray hair and ulcers... we shouldn't be anxious about the next day, or about the troubles that we are experiencing... what do we have to gain through all that worry? God is right there with us, taking each step right next to us...
Without the storms, whether they are thunderstorms or a tsunami, we wouldn't be who we are today... we wouldn't learn the lessons to make us a better person, a better Christian and even a better friend, parent, sibing or spouse. When you face the storms... you are never alone... so when we find ourselves in the storms of life, remember that God has not abandoned you... he is right there with you.
Have a wonderful Monday!!!

Day 21... with everything....

Start your day off right and Enjoy worshipping today!!!!

Manifesto.... Day 20

A manifesto is defined as: A public declaration of policy and aims, esp. one issued before an election by a political party or candidate. It's a proclamation or declaration... what we believe in... and that is critical to worship... if we don't believe, we have no reason to respond to that... because we believe, we have an overwhelming desire to respond and worship God. I heard this song about a long time ago, and a few weeks ago on my way to work, I heard it again... the core of the song is the Necean Creed and The Lord's Prayer.... my prayer for you today is to really ground yourself in what you believe in... know what you believe and why... then respond!

Day 19 - Good to Be Alive

The words say it all... Have a great Friday!

Day 18... Not Ashamed

Romans 1:16 reads: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek

In this verse, Paul is boldly declaring his pride in God's word. Yes, pride. Pride, for the wrong reasons, is a bad thing. But it is never wrong to be proud of what God has done in our lives and bringing Himself glory. Pride in what God has done, with the proper attitude, ought to make us praise Him and give thanks to Him.

Free to be me... Day 17

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has a plan for each and every one of us... that we have a purpose! We can come to God just as we are... dents, warts, rips and all:) Happy Wednesday!!!

Rest- Skillet Day 16 of 31 days of worship

Psalm 46:10 tells us: Be still and know that I am God...
Lately I've been very busy with a new job, writing and trying to make jewelry to sell at consignment shops... I then joined the church volleyball team and working at the consignment shops a couple Saturdays a month. With all these activities and hobbies, I was losing focus.
I would wake up, read my Bible with bleary eyes, then rush off to get ready for work. I was only after taking on this challenge did I learn the importance and value of rest... taking time to actually read the Bible passages, instead of skim quickly and barely comprehend them. In taking time to rest and meditate, we allow ourselves to really listen for God's voice... instead of rushing around and expecting him to email us ro text us. Take time to rest in God and meditate on His word. He wants you to rest in Him. Have a blessed and restful day!

Day 15... We are Free- Aaron Shust

What better way to start off the new work week with a great reminder. When we become Christians, we are set free from our sin. The Bible says that God takes our sin and seperates it from us as far as the East is from the West... think about that for a second... the East and West never truly connect... If you were to start travelling in a straight line in one direction, you would continue going that direction until you came back to where you started.
Satan tries to convince us that we are still slaves, that we are still under the rule of our past sins... He's like Loki in the Avengers... In Germany, he stands before a crowd of people and tells them to kneel... he goes on to say that kneeling for humans should be a natural state... that they were made to be ruled... Satan tries to rule over us by holding our sin over our heads like leverage... Like the song Amazing Grace (my chains are gone)... where once we were sinners in chains, we are set free when we accepted the truth and grace of God... when we accept the free gift that is offered us, even though we don't deserve it... we are free. Romans 8:1-2 tell us: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
When we accept that freedom, it should bring forth a response... worship... for what Christ has done for us, what he has given us.
Last night at our church we had a worship night that was called Response worship... it was a time of worship... but also response... We meditated on what Christ had done for us, how he is working in our lives and being thankful for all of it.
We should respond to God how we feel led, not by what others are doing or saying, but what God has for your life... Stephen and I feel a calling to ministry... now what that ministry is, we are still trying to figure that out, but it is our response to that free gift that God gave us. This blog, my response is to worship God and to give my life over to Him so that He can use me to touch others lives... In the words that I write, or say... I pray that He uses me to pass on the amazing truth of His word.
The first verse of the song reads: We are more than conquerors... We don't have to be afraid. Nothing is as powerful As His love... Oh, the way He gave His Son to give life to everyone Not a thing can separate us From His love.
Romans 8: 35, 37-39 echoes these words: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Nothing can seperate us from the love of God! What will your response be?

Mutant and Proud... Day 14

The Bible tells us that we are aliens in this world... that we are to be in and not of the world... well, sitting at work today, I was struck with the simplicity of this thought... or rather... the idea. The hard part is actually living it out.
In the movie, X-men first class, we meet Xavier, Raven (mystique) and Eric (Magneto) as children... we see their life story and how they become involved in with the CIA. There are several scenes that focus on Mystique and how she hides... she complains to Xavier that he looks normal and she has to hide... this is after Xavier hits on a girl with heterochromia (a genetic "mutation"). The girl then states mutant and proud and they toast to it.
The point that I am trying to make, is that, like Xavier and the other "X-men" as they are soon named... we should be proud to stand up for what we believe in. We shouldn't want to be like Mystique, blending into the background. We are called to be bold, winning people for Christ.
When we choose to be bold, we can be bold in our lives, in our walk with Christ and in our worship... throwing off our insecurities and proclaiming "Mutant and Proud"... or "I'm a Christian and I am proud of that fact".
I Corinthians 16:13-14 reads: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
I think Xavier had it right... he wasn't afraid to be who he was, he knew that he was different and he didn't hide that fact... he knew that there were people who were afraid of them, and yet he chose to fight for them... fight with them against Magneto. As you listen to this piece from X-men first class score by Henry Jackman, remember... Mutant and Proud!
Worship with boldness this morning!

Sanctuary from Snow White and the Huntsman- Day 13

I decided to finally rent the movie, Snow White and the Huntsman last night and while watching it, I heard one of the pieces that I had first bought the album for. The scene that went with it was one of the most beautiful and breathtaking scenes... The dwarves have just met Snow White and are helping her, by taking her to the land of the fairies... or sanctuary. It is here that we begin to see a twinkling of Snow's true self... Although we've seen her inner beauty through the length of the movie, it is in this moment that you truly see her.
The idea of a sanctuary is not foreign, but still unheard of. We go to church in a sanctuary... usually. It is where we worship each Sunday morning.
Another way to think of it is this, the worship chorus Sanctuary... we are a sanctuary... Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary. Pure and Holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving I'll be a living Sanctuary for you.
In order to maintain our sanctuaries, we need time with God, prayer and worship... daily... I feel a little like I am preaching to the choir here, in that sometimes I forget, don't have time, or really feel like being in God's word. I'm certainly not perfect, but the piece of music has given me a lightbulb moment.... find time to spend with God, listen to positive music (I enjoy film scores, like this one from Snow White...) and dig deep into the word. Take time to worship, even if it's in your car. I hope that you enjoy this beautiful piece from Snow White and the Huntsman.

Amazing Grace (My chains are gone)- Chris Tomlin... Day 12

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wrech like me... I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see...
The movie Amazing grace tells you the story of William Wilberforce... during the movie he has several conversations with the author of the song, John Newton. He wrote the song after years of being a part of the slave trade. When he found Christ again (he'd been raised in a Christian family), he remained in the slave trade for a while... but they were treated humanely. In 1780, he became rector of a church in London. He was a friend and parishoner to Wilberforce. Newton was a great encouragement to Wilberforce during his fight against the slave trade in England.
Not only was Newton prolific in his writing, his hymns are powerful... an echo of the mercy he recieved and the worship he willingly gave to God. Both men have amazing legacies that shine with the mercy and grace of God... Newton left behind many beautiful hymns that are still sung in the church today and Wilberforce finally saw his dream become a reality... the slave trade was abolished, after years of fighting.
Do we truly know what it means to be free? To be able to worship when we want, to have the rights that we have... Do we truly know what that means? Sure we see people being martyred for their faith and say we'd have the guts to stand up for our beliefs the way that they did... most of us have never had to face that situation...
Chris Tomlin added the chorus: My chains are gone, I've been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy rains Unending love, Amazing grace... Our chains are gone... we are no longer slaves to sin... God sent his Son to pay the price for us...so that we could truly be free.... Let His Amazing grace be the reason that you sing this morning! Have a wonderful and blessed Friday!



The earth shall soon dissolve like snow. The sun forbear to shine... but God who called me here below, will be forever mine... You are forever mine.

Refine Me- Travis Cottrell Day 11

When gold is refined, it's melted down and purified... and when the process is complete, the gold is pure and beautiful. The same is true for us as Christians... As we live our lives according to the word of God, our lives are refined. We go through a fire, if you will. Our hearts, lives and attitudes are changed day by day.
I was fortunate enough to catch a video by the skit guys called: God's Chisel. The skit covers the premise of being shaped into the person that God wants you to be. As the characters are talking, they discuss the changes... how some of them will hurt, but that he will be better for it. As we are refined, there will be pain... as we give over to God the things that we have been holding onto.
In my life, it was high school and college. I was tall and felt awkward in my own skin... I overcompensated by being sarcastic. Over ten years later, and I still face these hurts as I let God work in my life.
Psalm 139 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, that we are not a mistake... we are God's workmanship. So now, in context of the song... God created you to be just who you are right now... but... as God refines our lives, he rids our hearts, attitudes and self of the negative influences and reinforces the positives ones.
It's like this... have you ever been around a very positive person? They're attitude and joy is infectious isn't it? It's the exact same way when yoy are influenced by a very negative person... you begin to fall in line with their negativity and bad attitude. Which person would you rather be?
As God refines us, we begin to have a joy in our lives that is present even in the hard times... We won't always be happy... but His joy will always be in our hearts.
Let God refine your lives... allow him into the "hidden" parts of your life... let him enhance your already amazing self!!! Have a blessed Thursday!!!

Your presence is heaven to me- Isreal Houghton... Day 10

Today is a day just to revel in the presence of God... we should want to be in His presence. I heard this song on the radio when I was on my way to work... and the words hit me. I often go to church bogged down with the worries of the week that I forget to worship... I get so caught up in being selfish, and I lose a special moment with God. He should be our treasure, our light and our redeemer.
Enjoy the beautiful fall day!

The Call- Celtic Woman Day 9

Sometimes in this life we hear, Calling from somewhere... Sometimes it is loud and clear... Sometimes it's so softly there...
Each of us is different... our callings are different as well... there are those of us who are called to be the Beth Moore's and the Billy Graham's. There are people who will be the Travis Cottrell's and Chris Tomlin's... our jobs are usually not our calling, they are a way to pay the bills... our calling will be our mission that will stay with us as we go through life until we reach heaven.
Romans 12:6-8 reads: We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Our calling is not something that we find overnight... instead, it is gradual through the years. I laugh as I write this... you could ask any of my friends in college and they would tell you that I swore I would NEVER (and I stressed never), ever marry or be a a part of any ministry... and now, here I am over ten years later, co-founder of a non-profit ministry. God can do anything, including calling a girl who would NEVER be a part of an active ministry into a writer of a Bible study... It's scary, but God will use you if you are willing... Open your heart I am calling you... Right from the very start, Your wounded heart was calling, too. Open your arms, You will find the answer When you answer to the Call.
As we live our lives, we have a choice, to answer the call, or to ignore it... which will you choose?

Monster- Skillet... hindering your worship

I want to take a day to pause and pull out a song that is very close to my heart. I know what your thinking... how is this related to worship... the name of the song is monster... but if you're honest with yourself, there have been times that we have tried to hide who we are from others or from God...
When this song first came out, I wasn't a big fan... now don't get me wrong, I love Skillet and I've always been a fan of their music, but this song didn't sit so well with me... and as I listened to the song, I began to really take in the words, and I began to understood why I didn't like... I had an inner monster... or she hulk as I call her... and we are in constant battle with that monster of the old self...
In Colossians 3 we are told to shed the old self and become the new creation in Christ. Yesterday at church, our pastor gave a really good illustration... he called it cheesy, but it clicked with me... he said that he was going to come in wearing a huge coat with the word Old written on it, and then pull it off to reveal the new person underneath... as much as we want to be super Christian, we aren't... we're more like Bruce Banner with a monster hidden away....that comes out when we let ourselves fall back into our old lifestyles...
I have never been a huge fan of the hulk until Mark Ruffalo portrayed him in The Avengers... Bruce Banner was in hiding to keep from becoming the Hulk... but when he was angered he transformed into the massive Hulk. I think that sometimes, we all come face to face with our own "Hulk" or monster.... and when the old self comes creeping back in, we lose focus of God and worshipping him.
When I get frustrated, I immediately begin journaling and listening to music that only increases my bad mood. I begin to focus on how angry I am, or how silly people can be, or why driving in Nashville is just so darn frustrating... but I digress... instead of turning on some positive music and burying myself in the Word... I let out my inner monster. My brain becomes a bottle neck and I am useless...
In Romans 12:2 we are told that we are not to conform to this world... that we are to to be transformed by the renewing of our mind... in other words, the monster needs to be turned out on its ear...
Don't let the beast rule you, remember that we are being changed day by day... that's not to say that the monster will not make appearances from time to time... but God is working in your life to change you from the inside out... trust in Him to take control of the monster in your life and rise up to defeat it.
I've always loved the Lord of the Rings and the scene in Moria where Gandalf defeats the Balrok... we can equate that to the monster in our own lives... will we allow God to help us defeat them?
When Gandalf stands up to the monster and gives his life for the fellowship, I always cry... I know Tolkien never meant for this novel to be allegorical, however... Gandalf gives his life for the fellowship, defeats the Balrok and returns to the fellowship as Gandalf the white. It's a very powerful scene...
So, will you let the monster in your life control you, or will you let God come in and help you to defeat it? The choice is yours... have a blessed Monday!

Your Great Name- Natalie Grant Day 7 of 31 Days of Worship

At one time or another... perhaps more than once... we've had a surprising worship experience. As my husband and I were on our way to church a couple of Sundays ago, I heard this song... we don't listen to the radio very loudly, but it caught my attention... the words became very clear.
Lost are saved; find their way; at the sound of your great name All condemned; feel no shame, at the sound of your great name Every fear; has no place; at the sound of your great name The enemy; he has to leave; at the sound of your great name
Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man You are high and lifted up; that all the world will praise your great name
All the weak; find their strength; at the sound of your great name Hungry souls; receive grace; at the sound of your great name The fatherless; they find their rest; at the sound of your great name Sick are healed; and the dead are raised; at the sound of your great name
Redeemer, My Healer, Almighty My savior, Defender, You are My King
One this Sunday morning... I am going to let the song speak for itself... and pray that you are blessed as you listen to it.


Have a blessed and glorious Sunday!

Forever Reign- Hillsong Live Day 6 of 31 days of worship

As I was listening to the next two songs, I found a theme, Jesus... specifically, the name of Jesus. The Bible says that At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord
If you think about it, when we end our prayers... most of time we say In Jesus name, I pray... @crittyjoy (her twitter name) is doing a 31 days of prayer this month, I encourage you to go check out her blog as well:)
When we pray, we worship as well... we don't just pray to ask for things... It is a time to meditate on God and what he has done for us... to praise him for the blessings in our life.
Jesus is everything that we cannot be... he is good, he is what love is... he is the light, the truth... the first and the last... As you listen to today's song, keep in mind that one day... at just the name of Jesus... everyone and everything will bow before the creator... it gives me chills...


You are good You are good When there’s nothing good in me You are love You are love On display for all to see You are light You are light When the darkness closes in You are hope You are hope You have covered all my sin
You are peace You are peace When my fear is crippling You are true You are true Even in my wandering You are joy You are joy You’re the reason that I sing You are life You are life In You death has lost it’s sting
[Chorus] Oh I’m running to Your arms I’m running to Your arms The riches of Your love Will always be enough Nothing compares to Your embrace Light of the world forever reign
You are more You are more Than my words will ever say You are Lord You are Lord All creation will proclaim You are here You are here In Your presence I’m made whole You are God You are God Of all else I’m letting go
My heart will sing No other Name Jesus Jesus
Enjoy the rest of your Saturday, as we prepare our hearts for worship tomorrow:)

I am Persuaded- Travis Cottrell

About 6 weeks ago, I finished up my first Bible study that focused on the topic of Persuasion and Peer pressure. One of the songs that I used during the study was Travis Cottrell's I am Persuaded... and as you've just heard, it's a very powerful song. The song somce straight out of Romans 8, which is quoted between Beth Moore and Travis in the middle of the Song.
Romans 8:35, 37-39 reads: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The word convinced, is sometimes written as persuaded... that means that our minds have been made up and we are so sure that God won't ever leave our side... we know that whatever we face, God will be right there with us... he is a steadfast and loyal friend.
I heard the new song thatTobyMac released called, Me without you, and it basically says that we would be nothing without Christ, we would be wandering through life, trying everything to build our own happiness, but let's face it, it would be empty... as my pastor has been saying during his current series on Colossians... Jesus+Nothing=EVERYTHING... God rescues us from the nothingness of our own devices... we are no longer listlessly wandering the world... we are filled with His purpose and He becomes our everything. And with our salvation, we recieve a promise that nothing can seperate us from the love of God. There shouldn't be anything in this world that is more important that God in our lives.
we need to be conviced that God never leaves our sides. Knowing that when we are too weak, He will help carry us through. If you get a chance (and you may know it by heart), look up the poem footprints in the sand...
Laughter is the best medicine and to end this particular day I want to share the cartoon I saw a few weeks ago on Facebook that made me laugh so hard... Have a blessed and unforgettable Friday!

Awake My Soul- Mumford and Sons

How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes I struggle to find any truth in your lies And now my heart stumbles on things I don't know This weakness I feel I must finally show
The way this song starts out, it what first caught my attention. I had just bought the album and was listening through. When it reached this track, I kept repeating the song... in fact this has the highest play rate in my itunes library. As I listened to it... thoughts started twirling and spinning in my head about how we are, with our human nature... fickle and spiritually ADD... We long to follow after God, its hardwired into us. After all, he is our creator... In the movie 9, the character 9 awakes to a devistating world. He goes in search of his creator... when he finds him, he realizes that he created 9 beings to carry parts of himself. The creator poured himself into his creation... Just as God breathed into each of us the breath of life. But we have doubts and encounter harships and weakness is a word that we are ashamed of...
Think about it, we're stubborn, we fight to have our own way, even if it leads to destruction and then when we find ourselves at a point where we have to admit we're wrong, we do so grudgingly... God's not going to laugh in our face and say I told you so... although sometimes I think he gets a kick out of just how stubborn and silly we can be. God did not create us to watch us fall into destruction... but if we try to do things on our own, that is where Satan enters the picture... I imagine him to be much like Loki... saying one thing to convince you to do another... if you've seen Thor, you know the scene Iam talking about. Thor has just been reprimanded for urging his father to fight the frost giants. His father tells him that these are the thoughts of a boy, not a king. Thor is angered by the words and while he is sulking, Loki comes to talk to him... tells him that he agrees with Thor, but that he shouldn't go because it against their fathers wishes. So what does Thor do? He goes to Jotunheim... only after convincing his friends to go with him.



The lyrics to Awake my soul sum up Satans desires for us this way:Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall Lend me your eyes I can change what you see But your soul you must keep, totally free... He offers us money, a fame and populity in exchange for our souls... he wants so badly to pull us from God. If we are not careful, we will let the things of this world become idols to which we are seduced to worship at their altars...
But we must remember that: In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die Where you invest your love, you invest your life In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die Where you invest your love, you invest your life.
In Matthew 6:19-22 we read: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
C.S. Lewis wrote: You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.
Let your soul awake this morning to all the amazing things that God has for you! Keep the words of Jeremiah 29:11 close to your heart... God has a purpose and plan for your life! Have a great Day!