Rejoicing

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Celebrating Advent


Christmas is a time of year that stands apart. There is often a mixture of emotions as the holiday approaches. As a community of faith we celebrate to honor the birth of Christ who is the Son of God and came from Heaven to Earth to show us how to live and forgive us of our sins. However, there are many distractions that have been created to take commercial advantage of the season.

This document (link below) contains materials and instructions to create a home-made Advent calendar. It also includes a description of what Advent means and guidelines on how to celebrate with your family or community. My hope is that this will help you learn more about and focus more on Christ this holiday. No matter your circumstances this season, Christ offers hope!

Merry Christmas!

Click here to open document


 

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Escaping Wrath

I just finished reading chapter 47 from the book The Passion of Jesus Christ by John Piper (each chapter is two pages). The book discusses "fifty reasons why Jesus came to die." I was moved by what I read just now and wanted to share some of my thoughts.

Chapter title: "Christ suffered and died... to rescue us from final judgement."

Most of the time I prefer to consider how Christ influences my life here and now, after all, that is where I am. I understand - and certainly do not take for granted - that He also influences my eternity, and I am humbly and fully grateful for that. Sometimes though I think people beat the "Heaven or Hell?!" evangelical strategy into the ground. Jesus isn't only about what happens after we die, He is also concerned about right now! However, this piece really put a burden on my heart for you to understand exactly what is at stake for eternity regarding your decision about Christ, because this Earth will either be the closest to Heaven or the closest to Hell that you will ever experience. Here on Earth we are not obligated to obey God, but we do have the option - having that option makes a pretty big difference.

Imagine the most hopeless, most tormented, most pain you have ever endured. Even in the middle of the suffering, there is still knowledge that someday you might get through it, you might get over it and find peace and joy again. Or at least now and then some small thing will bring a smile back to your face. That is hopelessness on Earth. It hurts, but there is still hope.

Now imagine those feelings, but instead there is never any escape...no temporary relief, no future relief, no hope. That is Hell, because we are forever separated from God.


"...when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power." 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9


Next, imagine the most peace, most joy, most love you have ever encountered. There may be an occasional down moment that distracts you from your uplifting experience, or you may anticipate a time around the corner where it might slip away, but you quickly return to your cloud. That is peace on Earth. It is wonderful, but we know that it might end.

Now imagine those feelings, but instead there are no interruptions, no distractions, no end to the happiness. That is Heaven, because we are forever in the presence of God.

"God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." Revelation 21:3-4

Our lives here on Earth give us glimpses of both Heaven and Hell. I can say that I experience enough hopelessness in this life to know that I want to stay well clear of it for eternity! And I am grateful to God both for the good plans He has for me now, and for the never ending joy He has in store for me!

I urge you to seek more on your own! God promises that we will find Him when we seek Him with all our heart! (Jeremiah 29:13)

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, 'Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.' Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For 'Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.'" Romans 10:9-13

Friday, August 17, 2012

Source of Strength

This summer has been very challenging for me. There has been a lot of traveling and multiple family medical concerns, among other unexpected circumstances. But I don't believe it is the circumstances that have really been my challenge...I don't feel like I have been adequately plugged into my source of strength. It has felt like an uphill battle just trying to keep my attitude in check, or chasing away fear and worry.

This evening as I was browsing some old emails, I came across the following passage that I wrote several years ago, along with the accompanying scriptures below, and it seems to be very applicable for me right now:

"As I was driving to work this morning I was pondering all the different things I am trying to support these days. They all seem important, some more than others. Work, house, husband, son, parents, sisters, friends, church, and each of those has their own subcategories of projects and responsibilities. Under normal circumstances, this might not sound overwhelming, but as soon as you throw in a few kinks, everything becomes exaggerated and life takes on more momentum than we can handle. It is difficult to maintain the drive to serve them all. When I take the time to slow down just for a minute and refocus, I am reminded that I really only have to serve One, and it is refreshing. Nothing else is more important than my relationship with Christ. If that relationship is healthy and strong, all the other pieces are well taken care of in His hands."

"But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD." 

"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matthew 6:24
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tools/printerFriendly.cfm?b=Mat&c=6&t=... 

And here is an excerpt from a book I highly recommend called What Happens When Women Pray by Evelyn Christenson that is also very applicable (pg 23):

"One day my husband walked out of the sanctuary of our church and encountered our custodian fairly dripping with perspiration. He was a giant of a Christian, but was gradually losing his ability to think and work effectively because of hardening of the arteries. As my husband saw him struggling with the vacuum cleaner he looked down and there lying on the floor was the plug. The dear man had vacuumed the whole auditorium and didn't have the plug in the outlet!

Isn't that what happens to many of us? We work, we pull, we struggle, and we plan until we're utterly exhausted, but we have forgotten to plug into the source of power. And that source of power is prayer - the 'effective fervent prayer' of a righteous person that avails much."

Another verse that has convicted me lately is this:

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" Isaiah 26:3
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tools/printerFriendly.cfm?b=Isa&c=26&t=NLTP&x=14&y=10 

I know that I must dedicate myself day by day, even moment by moment, to putting Christ first in my life. That is the choice I make! I know my problem these past few months is that I have had my eyes on my trials instead of keeping my eyes on my Savior.  I will put my life, my joys and struggles, into the hands of Christ, because He is willing, and able, and He cares for me!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Gift of Time


It is honestly by God's grace that I am able to pursue my dream career of working for my family. God continues to honor this choice by providing for our family's practical needs, and putting the common desire in the hearts of both me and my husband.

There are many challenges and responsibilities as I attempt to go the extra mile in keeping our house in order, our finances in balance and our relationships strong. But I have to say that one of my favorite fringe benefits is my flexibility with time. I treasure the opportunities to give my time in ways that would be hindered or near impossible if I were obligated to a business.

I can look into the eyes of my children, my husband and the women in my life who need ministry and say with authenticity, "Yes, I have time for you." I truly believe that is one of the most precious gifts you can offer anyone!