More

Farmer's Market Quilt by Bennilover
Flickr.com_photos/75885098@N05/41450757415
CC BY ND 2.0

"...while every branch that does bear fruit he trims clean so that it will be even more fruitful."         John 15:2 NIV

We don't usually ring in the New Year with thoughts of pruning and discipline. No, it's usually rung in with celebration, feasting, dancing and dreams of prosperity. More, if you will, than the previous year.

More. It's my One Word for 2019 that God's given me to focus on. More. "More what?" I asked.

"More 'becoming.' More good fruit," was God's reply.

Afraid to Die

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13 NIV

She admitted her greatest fear. Whispered it in my ear right there amid a thousand women.
I’m afraid to die.

More than that, she feared she wasn’t “saved enough”, that God’s grace wasn’t “big enough” for all the bad she’d done.

My heart broke right there. Oh, the lies Satan wove into the heart of this precious eighty-something-year-old woman to convince her that her sins were too big and God’s grace was too small.

If we’re honest, sometimes we’re convinced of the same, aren’t we? We’re afraid to die. We compare our sins with another or rate our sins on a scale of 1-10 thinking that our sins are too big for God’s grace.

But the reality is, Christ overcame all sin, no matter how big or small, and for believers in Christ, no sin is counted against him.

God’s grace covers all sin and covers anyone who calls upon the name of Jesus, no matter what she’s done in the past.
For Scripture tells us plainly,

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24 NIV

There is nothing we can do to earn God’s salvation. It’s a gift freely offered by God through the shed blood of His only Son, Jesus, who died once for the salvation of all. All we need do is:
declare with your (our) mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you (we) will be saved. (emphasis mine) Romans 10:9 NIV

I cupped the tear-stained face of this precious woman. She reassured me she’d asked Jesus to forgive her sins many times. So I looked her in the eyes and said,

There is nothing you’ve done that God cannot forgive. There is nothing you can ever do that God will love you less. He is for you. He will never leave you or forsake you. He is with you always.

There are times we all need that reassurance. We need to stop managing our sin or the sins of others, and live in the victory of the cross and the empty tomb! Jesus is alive! He is risen!

Our sins (every single one) have been accounted for once and for all. If we believe in our hearts that Jesus is Lord, then we are justified, made right before God for all of eternity.

How would we live our lives differently if we unburdened ourselves from our past sins and lived from eternity’s perspective?

If we lived in the present, knowing we are fully loved by our Papa-God, embracing ourselves and one another through the eyes of Jesus? What if we truly believed no sin is too big and God’s grace covers all?

Papa-God, no one loves us as fully as You do, flaws and all. You see us only through the eyes of Jesus, Your Son, our Savior, who paid the price for our sins once and for all.  Help us to see ourselves and those around us through His eyes. May we start living the victorious life through Jesus Christ, where Your grace covers all. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Lessons in the Vine

Grape Harvest @ Gouveia Vineyards
Wallingford, CT
Image by Peter Aldrich

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:4 (NIV)

In the early morning sun, grapes hung fragrant, ripe and heavy from the vine.  The vineyard buzzed with activity from both man and bee as we harvested our community's first autumn crop. I met the challenge cheerfully, anticipating time spent outdoors tending the vines alongside my husband and neighbors.

Conversations in the field were as plentiful as the grapes. Some were boisterous and jolly, awaiting the end-of-harvest drinks shared in celebration. Others were soft spoken and patient as they taught their little ones the proper way to cut the fruit from the vine.

There was so much going on around me but the more grapes I harvested the more I found my spirit contemplating the lessons in the vine.

Sweet Comfort

Madonna- www.flickr.com/photos/michaeljzealot/
CC BY ND 4.0

He will take great pleasure in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

A medley of hymns from my childhood rings clearly in my heart when I close my eyes and listen. They were completely separate tunes until my mother gathered me in her arms and strung them together as one. It's impossible to count how often she sang over me, but this I know: it comforted me.

Decades later, I gathered my own children in my arms and rocked away the nights in darkened rooms gently whispering that same strung-together-medley: "Jesus loves me this I know...Oh how he loves you and me...Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. There's just something about that name...On a hill far away, stood and old rugged cross...Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord." Every time I sang over them in love. Every time, it comforted them.

I miss those lingering moments of new sleep when I studied their sleeping little faces, inhaled their clean baby hair and thanked God for the precious gifts they were.

Now, six grandchildren later, I sometimes relive those times when they spend a night. Gathering them into my arms, that old, familiar, strung-together-medley reemerges, and usually, within minutes, their little bodies relax and their eyes close. If I’m honest, I linger with them when their fast asleep, tracing their familiar profiles and delighting in their presence.  

It awes me to know God looks at us the same way. I wonder how many lingering moments-when our hearts are quieted by His love-He rejoices over us with singing?

Do you have a favorite childhood tradition or memory that you’ve carried over into your own parenting or grand parenting? If not, memories can be intentionally created. Why not start today? Choose something that shows you delight over them like singing over your children as they fall asleep or sending them to school with a prayer. The sky’s the limit.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for taking pleasure in us, quieting us with your love and rejoicing greatly over us. And for those times when we might feel unloved, bring to mind how much you delight in us. 

Holy Knees

Day 14_365 by Megapixx_Flicr.com_5747041178_5d7d312d94_CC BY ND 2.0

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. " 1 Samuel 1:27-28

I crawled on my knees, for what seemed like forever, after my babies were born. As soon as they got past the sleeping/eating/sleeping routine and stayed awake to play for awhile, I was on the floor cooing and playing with them while they got their necessary social and physical exercise. Then they became mobile and I was on my knees making sure the house was baby proofed, crawling with them, chasing after them and picking up the debris (also known as toys) they left in their wake.

Prior to babies, a pair of jeans lasted me a few years. Post babies, they wore out at the knees after only a year. I remember reserving one pair of jeans as my "good jeans"; the ones I only wore out in public or on a date with my husband because they didn't show where my knees were.

Children grew into adolescents and I often missed those days of holy-kneed jeans. I didn't miss the physical exhaustion as much as the uncomplicated simplicity of those peanut butter and jelly vs. bologna and cheese type of days. It was stepping back as they made their own decisions - good and bad - when I wished for simpler days.

When boundaries set meant boundaries tested I found myself back on my knees. But this time, instead of crawling after them, I was crawling toward Jesus' feet. I was on my knees praying for them - for God’s Truth to pierce their hearts and redirect their paths. There were days, weeks, months, and years when I wondered if God heard me.

Then He reminded me of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:27-28:

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord.”

Like Hannah, I prayed specifically for my children and dedicated them to the Lord as infants. But somehow through the years I took back possession. I’d forgotten they were God’s gifts with their own hearts, traveling their own God-journeys.

And so, back on my knees, I offered my children back to the Lord - trusting His plans for them - knowing the same God who promised to never leave me nor forsake me offered those same promises to my children.

How's the knees of your jeans looking today?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." 
Proverbs 3:5, 6

Jesus Talked To Me Today

If you're visiting from Christian Children's Authors blog, welcome! 

Have you ever been so desperate for God that when he shows up you didn't recognize him at all? But the funny thing is, children recognize him right away.

That's what my story, A Visit From the Healer, (and many others' stories) compiled in James Stuart Bell's book, Jesus Talked To Me Today: True Stories of Children's Encounters with  Angels, Miracles and God, (Bethany House 2016), is all about.

Our family faced tough times with prolonged unemployment in a tough economy. The last thing we needed was for sickness to strike. But it did. Longing for relief for my daughter and our entire situation, I shot a quick prayer into the darkness. And, well, you'll have to read the rest on pages 134-139 to find out how miraculously Jesus showed up.

The entire book is filled with hope and children's true encounters with the Living God. Children whose eyes could see and ears could hear. Is it not surprising then, that Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3 NIV)?

This book would make a great family devotion resource as each story runs between 1000-2500 words. What a great way to spend summer evenings with your children, sharing other children's stories and passing on the works of our great God.

Drenched with Heaven's Dew

If you're visiting from Encouragement Cafe, welcome! Make yourself at home.

“…and he was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world…” Daniel 5:21

Indian summer held on tight wrapping it’s humidity around us like a wet blanket as we sauntered to class through the tree-tunneled path around the pond. I felt my bobbed curls—the ones that took me twenty minutes to unfurl—coil up like Shirley Temple’s locks (but not so cute), making me wonder why I hadn’t submitted to their natural tendencies.

Then, rain came—slowly, at first—one gentle drop after another.  It was almost melodic watching the rain drops create rings across the pond. Then the melody turned dark and the heavens opened just as we emerged from the tree tunnel.

She laughed and slowed.

I cry-screamed and darted.

Then, looking back at her through fogged-up glasses I yelled, “Are you crazy? We’re gonna get soaked!”

“I LOVE getting drenched by the rain,” she giggled back at me. “It makes my hair so soft.”

I tried enjoying it, partly because I thought maybe I was missing something, but mostly because I didn’t want to be rude and leave her behind.

I hated it. Soggy made me feel undone and ugly.

Sometimes that’s just the posture God wants from us—undone and ugly—because that’s where we’re most vulnerable and teachable.  It’s those times when we’re most undone that our God ears hear and our God eyes see.

(Join me in all the undone and ugly at Encouragement Cafe for the rest of the story. There is hope, my friend...)

How Faith Training is Like Potty Training

Potty Training by Joe Chang
Flickr.com_3700625808_d7a2e540e9_z.jpg
CC BY-ND 4.0

If you're joining us here from Christian Children's Author's blog, Welcome!

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

My two-year-old granddaughter has a new fascination…the potty. Yep. It’s started—that glorious time in a mother’s life when diaper changing days may soon be in the past...at least for one child. If you’ve ever nurtured a little one, you know the signs when they’re “ready” to receive instruction. The toilet becomes their “toy”, they proudly announce their bodily functions, they wiggle uncontrollably during playtime hoping to eke out another few minutes of uninterrupted play, or they hide in a corner—uncharacteristically quiet—until the “job” is done.  Although the child may be acutely aware of their body and the potty, a parent must still offer training—a routine of trial and error and repeated instruction—before the child can master the “art”.

While not so graphic, we should also offer such fervor in training up our children in the Lord. Yes, living our faith is most important, but we cannot assume, with the world blasting negative, anti-Christian messages at them 24:7, that our child will just assimilate what they witness at home without deliberate training.

It was God’s plan since the time of Moses that parents should take an active role in training their children in their faith. Deuteronomy 6: 6, 7 says:

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

In other words, impress God’s ways upon their hearts as often as possible in our everyday, ordinary life experiences. Why? So that, “when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6b). That’s not to say our children will never sway or question their faith, but at least they will have a firm foundation to rely upon in making those most important life decisions.

So, what does faith-training look like? It varies, of course, based upon your family dynamics, but here are some suggestions:

·         Talk about your faith openly in front of your children

·         LIVE your faith inside and outside your home

·         Read Bible stories daily (so many resources, especially on this site)

·         Worship & pray together at home and at church

·         Enroll them in age-appropriate Sunday School classes, Vacation Bible Schools, or preschools

·         Engage them in discussion about their Sunday School lessons (take-home papers)

·         Take advantage of teachable moments throughout the day

As parents, we want to give our children the best opportunities to become a successful, healthy adult—that includes training and patience in ALL areas of their life, especially their faith.

If you have any favorite resources or helpful suggestions, let’s help one another out and share in the comments below.

Blessings and happy training!

Dawn Aldrich

Author, Blogger

Bridging the Gap Between Resurrection Sunday and Passover

Mind the Gap by Sideways Sarah
Flickr.com_6705177761_4de4e168c0_m.jpg
CC BY-ND 4.0

“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance.” Exodus 12:14 NIV

Growing up Christian, I rarely understood Judaism and its significance to my faith until my friend, Laurie, invited me to her bas-mitzvah (a Jewish confirmation ceremony). Listening to her read from the Torah, it finally clicked…Jesus was Jewish.

                    

The rich, Old Testament history my mother and Sunday school teachers had taught me came alive that day. And, truth be told, I secretly wished I’d been born Jewish; not because I wanted to trade-in my Christian faith, but rather, because Judaism added depth and significance to my faith in Christ.

While Resurrection Sunday comes early this year (March 27th) almost a month prior to Passover (April 22-30th), Passover still provides us rich opportunities to bridge God’s Old Testament plan of salvation with God’s New Testament plan of salvation for our children. 

(Pssst...I'm sharing over at Christian Children's Authors blog today. Click here for links to the kids activities).

Now what, God?

Mary awakens. Her newborn, wrapped in rags and lying in a crude straw filled bed, beckons her. Tired from traveling and birthing she had little time to ponder the night’s events—the angelic fanfare and surprise visits from burly shepherds. Busy with all the mundane tasks like feedings and swaddling changes, Mary might have thought, “Now what, God?”

 

Not the life you’d imagine for the mother of God’s son, but just as she was chosen for her faithfulness and servant heart, Mary remained loyal to God’s teaching, even in the midst of the everyday.

After eight day, she and Joseph, “took [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to offer him to God as commanded in God’s Law: ‘Every male who opens the womb shall be a holy offering to God,’ and also to sacrifice the ‘pair of doves or two young pigeons’ prescribed in God’s Law,” (Luke 2: 22-24 The Message).

This imagery of Mary’s obedience, offering and sacrifice sets and example for our own lives as we ponder all God may have prophesied over our lives.  

Each January 1^st we awaken to a new birth of sorts that holds endless possibilities, but soon enough, we get stuck in all the striving and the failures that we lose sight of what God’s trying to accomplish. We might even catch ourselves asking, “Now what, God?”**

 

**Wondering how this all ends up? Hop over to {re}fresh and find out.

 

Once a Mama, Always a Mama

"Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother..." John 19:25a (NIV)

We spend our youth raising children - cuddling babies, changing diapers, kissing scraped-up knees, schooling them and guarding them - equipping them for a successful launch. They outgrow their clothes, their shoes, their toys, our lap right before our very eyes. Then just when we catch a glimpse of who they are - how God created them - they fly away. And our mama's heart keeps right on loving - ever stronger, never shrinking.

Once a mama, always a mama.

Our empty nest offers  us time and freedom, but every idle moment we cover our children with prayer. And, when they face the hard times - take up their cross and bear the pain - we stand near, wishing we could bear their cross instead. Experience tells us, though, that bearing their own cross draws God closer and grows their  own faith. So, we watch and pray - even cry out.

Once a mama, always a mama.

Jesus had a mama just like us. Mary raised him - cuddled, kissed, schooled, and guarded him - equipped him for a successful launch. She knew he was created for great things - the Messiah for her people, the world - and yet, he was her child; the one whose scraped knees she kissed and whose toddler hands held hers before he could walk. Then, just when Mary caught a glimpse of who he was - who God created him to be - he flew the nest. And her mama's heart kept right on loving - ever stronger.

Once a mama, always a mama.

It broke her heart when he took up his cross, but she stood near and watched her son bear the world's sin. And, like every mama, I suppose she cried out, "God spare my son. Let me bear his cross." But she knew she couldn't. So, she watched and prayed - even cried out.

Once a mama, always a mama.

And Jesus saw her standing nearby with his dearest friend, John, and said, " 'Dear woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'here is your mother.' And from that time on, this disciple took her into his home," (John 19:26-27 NIV).

Once a mama, always a mama.

Three days later, Mary gathered with John and all the other disciples and witnessed the miraculous resurrected Jesus - the One whom she birthed and raised and launched. Can you imagine the joy she felt as she beheld her risen son eye-to-eye, all shiny and reborn? How reassuring that all her heart pondered throughout the years, all of God's promises and prophesies foretold, held true in Him. What a moment for that mama!

Once a mama, always a mama.

As my children gather around the Sunday dinner table, I sit quietly soaking in their faces, the sound of their voices, and the brilliance of their lives all shiny like newborns. I savor these moments and tuck them inside my heart for quiet mornings in my empty nest when I pause to give thanks for God's faithfulness in their lives. I don't know what their future may bring, but as long as I live, I will always be their mama - always standing nearby, praying and crying out.

Once a mama, always a mama.

Happy Mother's Day!

Have you caught a glimpse of who God created your child to be? Won't you take a moment to give thanks for all you can see and can't see as you stand nearby watching God's faithful promises unfold?

Christmas Un-plugged

Jesus spoke to all the people, saying, “I am the Light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will not walk in darkness. He will have the Light of Life.” John 8:12 NLV

Returning from morning worship, white Christmas window candles cut through the Sunday fog, beckoning family fireside.

Every corner glowed with winter scenes and perfect tree trimmed branches while simmering chili and hot, baked, golden-crusted bread teased our senses all afternoon.

The house warmed and filled and we lingered with one another - caught up on the week, watched grand babies immersed in imaginative play, and even enjoyed a bit of football. It wasn't anything special...and yet it was everything special.

Christmas unplugged.

No presents, no pressure, no skirmishing or deadlines. Simply worshipping the God who became man, born of a virgin, sacrificed all unto death, rose again and still lives - within us. He draws us together - family, friends and strangers - gives meaning to life on earth and fills our hearts to overflowing.

He - Jesus - who cuts through the fog,  illuminates every corner of our lives and beckons us home? He is Christmas.

Christmas unplugged.

Jesus comes, wrapped-up in the Father's extravagant love, offering abundant life and we need not wait 'til December 25th to experience Him. He's ours for the taking any day of the year.

He is Jesus and He is Christmas.

Hope Restored: He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!

"You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him." Mark 18:6

The silence of Saturday is broken at the dawn of a new Sabbath, God's kingdom restored and death overcome by the resurrection of Jesus!

This...this is our hope. He has risen, just like he said. All Scripture fulfilled. All hope restored.

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

May you enjoy the celebration of forgiveness and hope through Jesus, today.

Happy Resurrection Day!

Dawn

Anchored

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."Hebrews 6:19

It's either the gray hair, my recent birthday or it's all part of the human condition, but lately, I need Post-It notes to remind me of everything, even why my alarm is ringing.

And I've found my soul forgets, too. It forgets whose daughter I am, who holds my future and who anchors my boat. Lately, it needs reminding more often.

Maybe it's a girl thing?

The women closest to Jesus suffered forgetfulness, too. They thought all hope was gone that first Resurrection morning when they found Jesus' tombstone rolled away and his body missing! You can imagine their panic, "This can't be happening?! Who would steal our Lord's body? Where have they taken him? What will we tell the others?"

And at that moment, in the midst of their amnesia, God sent a reminder. Two angels appeared saying, "He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words" (Luke 24:6-8) and headed back to tell the disciples.

But, who would believe these women? Surely, the disciples would think them mad, overcome with grief? Maybe God knew that, too.

Matthew tells us, "Suddenly Jesus met them. 'Greetings,' he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.'"

God reminded these women not only of Jesus' own words of hope for the third-day resurrection, but God provided them a Jesus encounter; physical proof of this resurrection. Their resurrection hope met the reality of God's promise fulfilled. At that point their hope was fully anchored. Firm. Secure. Immovable.

And we need these reminders and Jesus-encounters, too.

Scripture serves as our reminder of this same hope - first Resurrection Sunday hope -  and anchors our souls firm and secure and immovable in God's promises. And community, meeting together with fellow believers in Christ, encouraging one another in faith, serves as our Jesus encounters - proof that He's alive through the power of his Holy Spirit in them and us.

There's certain people God placed in my life this weekend who served as encouragers of His hope and helped re-anchor my soul. They offered encouraging words, a prayer, a hug, a phone call and an email, turned my eyes back to God's word for my remembrance. To them, I'm forever grateful how God uses you in such a powerful way in my life and always at just the right time. 

Who has God placed in your life to help anchor you? Is there someone God's placed on your heart to speak encouraging words into their heart? Don't hesitate. Their soul needs help remembering and anchoring.  

What We Take Away When We Lay It Down

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23: 42-43

When we lay something down we fear walking away empty. We wonder how long it might take before anything replaces our missing something - like those burdens we nailed to that rugged cross, yesterday. How long before new ones come or we don't know what to do without them so we claw them off the cross?

We could learn a thing or two from Jesus and the thief.

One thief hurled insults at Jesus. Jeered and taunted him while he suffered. The other acknowledged Jesus as God's son - recognized his need for him - placed his life in Jesus hands, half expecting to leave this life empty handed.

"Jesus," he said, "remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Instead of serving criminal justice, Jesus offered forgiveness, remembrance and life.

"I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Jesus went beyond forgiveness and offered blessing - kingdom life. And it wasn't just life but eternal life lived in relationship with Jesus. To this criminal, this man who rightly deserved punishment, Jesus said, "You will be with me in paradise."

When we lay it down, put to death that something, we walk away full - full of Jesus - full of hope and a future when God's new heaven and earth are realized. But we must leave our something nailed to the cross; let it die it's proper death so that we may gain new life through Christ.

What is your something that's so hard to lay down?

Christmas Moments: A Humble Trust

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”

Luke 2:6

I read the verse and had to pause for a second as I thought about what it said.
“…while they were there, the days were accomplished…” So many times I have seen movies or heard narratives about the two weary travelers arriving in Bethlehem, exhausted and worn out from their long journey. Mary, on the verge of giving birth, sits upon the back of a donkey, grimacing in pain as Joseph desperately knocks on door after door only to be turned away with the words, “We have no more rooms!”

With one last final attempt of finding lodging for his laboring wife, Joseph begs an innkeeper for a place to sleep. The innkeeper quietly tells him that they can rest in the stable out back. Joseph gladly accepts and gets his wife settled in. Not too long later, a little baby’s cry pierces the night as baby Jesus takes His first earthly breaths as He makes His bloody and watery entry into this earth.

 Taking a look at this verse again, I cannot help but wonder just how long did Mary reside in that stable before actually giving birth to her Son? Assuming hundreds, maybe even thousands of people arrived in Bethlehem around the same time, the tax process would not have been completed overnight with that many people to count. Did Mary and Joseph have to wait in line, day after day, until it was their turn to be counted?

 It is only speculation on my part, as with any of these stories that people have written about the birth, seeing that we only know a small part through what the Bible explains to us. Maybe God wanted Mary to learn something while she waited for her little one to arrive. She was already a humble girl, having meekly taken on the task of carrying God’s Son in her womb. She never questioned the angel’s words in any way, only to politely ask “How shall this be seeing I know not a man?” After the angel kindly answered her, Mary’s humble reply clearly said, “I am surrendered to do whatever God wants. My life is His.”

Whether it was that night, a day later, or even a week later when baby Jesus was born, God’s timing was perfect in the arrival of His Son. Everything worked out exactly to God’s plan, and through it all, God taught the chosen mother of His precious Son, that He was in control, and even though the circumstances and place may not have been her first choice, she could trust Him through it all. If she could learn that lesson before the birth, then she would be able to put all the unknowns of the future of this precious Baby at the feet of Jesus’s Father, and trust Him to see her through all the trials that lay ahead which would lead to Jesus’s ultimate reason for even entering the world….the cross.


About the author:

Cara Simmons is a wife, mother of five, and an author of Christian YA adventure fiction. She's enjoyed writing short stories since childhood and telling them to whomever would listen. From monkey tales to stories of kidnappings, and orphans, Cara wove exciting adventures that thrilled her listeners. In 2007, Halo Publishing International published the first  book of her trilogy, The Orphans of Mordecai's Castle: The Haven followed by book two, The Leviathan in 2009. Her final book is presently in the editing process and Simmons hopes to see it published by the end of 2012. To learn more about Cara and her books click here.

 

Christmas Moments: Finding God’s Truth in Simple Ornaments

"Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near."

Isaiah 55:6

Our tree is up and as I sit and admire it, I can’t help but reflect on the ornaments, so many having a sentimental value. Isn’t this one of the treasures of a tree: sequined snowflakes our children made, souvenirs from trips with friends, school children’s gifts to their teacher (I have loads of these!), and others we’ve gathered through the years. It would seem impossible to choose a favorite. 

Yet each year I anticipate where I will hang two such favorites. One is the baby Jesus, fashioned as a tiny soft sculpture, nestled in a basket. My cousin made this and the sweetness of the baby, finger in its mouth, makes me smile whenever I look at it. To me it is the essence of Christmas and I am always careful where to hang it. It gets an up-front center stage placement on the tree. As such it reminds me where Jesus should be in my heart, especially as the other distractions of the season swirl around me.

The second ornament is a small sign. It reads: “Wise Men Still Seek Him.” This was a gift from a colleague. It too denotes the central message of Christmas and this one I place so visitors to my home might notice it quickly. I consider it a soft nudging to challenge us all to consider that truth.

Too often in today’s world many people would have you believe God has become irrelevant. They seek wisdom in the form of the latest technological gadgetry. They shake their heads at politicians, somehow surprised how they fail. They rush around looking for something, too often unaware of what that something is. Indeed, we all fall prey to this temptation, this forgetting of who is the center and what it all means.

Yet nestled in the branches of my Christmas tree I believe are the answers: Jesus

is the something, and the words “Wise Men Still Seek Him” is the admonition. The good news is He’s just waiting for us to find Him. He isn’t hiding. Instead, He calls us to Himself. And every Christmas He comes again to see if we have indeed grown at least that much wiser.

About the Author:

Teresa M. Norris is a retired teacher and author of the book, Almost Home – How I Lost My Mother Without Losing My Mind: A Faith Journey. Further holiday reflections, including one on her Christmas tree’s star, can be found at her website:  http://teresamnorris.com/blog.html.

Thankful Thursday: His Name

"God exhaulted him to the high place and gave him the name that is above every name..." Philippians 2:9

Thoughts of ordinary names never entered our minds when we had children. Our children weren't common. They were gifts from heaven - nothing short of the miraculous - and their names would reflect our hopes for their future.

God names us, too. He calls us by a name that reflects His purpose for us, our heavenly character. He's done this since the beginning of time: Abram (exalted father) became Abraham (father of multitudes), Sarai (contentious) became Sarah (mother of nations). He renamed Jacob (holder of the heel) Israel (God contented), and changed Saul (prayed for) to Paul (humble).  Do you wonder what God calls you?

Regardless of our names (birth or God-breathed) scripture says there is no greater name than the name of Jesus: 

"... when he [God] raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything.." (Ephesians 1:20-22) so "...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2: 10-11

On this Thankful Thursday, I give thanks for God's miraculous gifts:

1. Aaron Daniel (Exalted and knowing God is his judge)
2. Torrie Ana (Victorious and full of grace)
3. Jesus, Yeshua, Emmanuel (God with us).

For Jesus is my salvation, mercy with a face, my holiness, and worthy of all praise!

These lyrics by 33 Miles, just moved me today:

"Salvation has a name, mercy has a face.

Holiness was crucified and He rose to give us grace.

 Jesus our holiness,worthy of all praise!"

 
What are you thankful for today?
 

Come and Dine

"On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines." Isaiah 25:6

The clang of an old farmer's dinner bell, the tinkling cattleman's triangle from the back stoop, a mother's familiar voice calling to her children playing 'round the neighborhood. All different yet the same as they beckon family to the dinner table.

Gathering for dinner at the summer cottage was always a delight. Sun kissed cheeks freshly showered, gathered together at the Lion's Claw table ready to satisfy their hunger after a day at the shore. But instead of digging in with both hands, we paused to give thanks. We didn't fold our hands or bow our heads in prayer as you'd expect. Rather, we raised our voices in song, inviting one another to Come and Dine not only at our table, but Jesus' table.

“Come and dine,” the Master calleth, “Come and dine”;

You may feast at Jesus’ table all the time;

He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,

To the hungry calleth now, “Come and dine.” *

We had so much to be thankful for. We still do. Much more than food. Much more than family sharing a name or a home. Much more. We have a God who became man, who lived among us because He loved us; who died for us. Who lives again, for us. Who satisfies our every hunger.

Our God beckons us to dine with him. He's reserved a seat for each of us at his banqueting table with the choicest foods, the most exquisite wines, topped with His never ending love. He will not call us with a clanging dinner bell, the tinkling of a cattleman's triangle from the back stoop, or a shout from across the back lawn.  No, our God is a gentleman. He whispers in our hearts and holds out his arms and simply says, "Come."

Are you hungry?

Lord, you beckon us to join you at your banqueting table where you satisfy our every need; where you fill our souls with manna from heaven.

*Come and Dine by Charles B. Widmeyer, 1907 (Public Domain)

All Because of Jesus

"Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south." Psalm 107:2-3

Faces. Faces of beauty. Eyes. Eyes smiling, crying, searching. Lips. Lips praising, praying, sharing. Hands. Hands clapping, opening, rising. Hearts. Hearts beating, loving, longing. Lives. Lives touching, moving, changing. Story. Story forming, sharing, leading.

 

       All because of Jesus.

 

The active, ever-present God meeting each one as individual. Individual in shape and form. Individual in need and want. Individual in talent and beauty. Women, writers, speakers, leaders uniting to tell their stories. 

 

     All because of Jesus.

 

Humbling. Heart-breaking. Inspiring. Motivating. Empowering. Stories confessing brokenness. Stories sharing joy. Stories leading us to the One who seeks and saves. Stories of the One offering us something new; a new name and a new life.

All because of Jesus.

 

This was my weekend. Surrounded by 650 women gathered from around this country, representing 44 states and four countries who had a Jesus story to tell. A story unique in it's delivery and circumstance yet universal in it's message: Broken. Touched by the open hands of Jesus. Changed forever.  

All because of Jesus.

 

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20