Messiah Come, Be Born In My Heart Anew!

This reckoning of the past with the future--this looking ahead anticipating His arrival--but looking back at what happened in a lowly stable over two thousand years ago--brings us to a crux--the crux of now--this minute--this moment--will I invite Him in to my heart again?

There to rule and reign and have full control of my life, my thoughts, my actions--

 or will I leave Him stranded out in the cold of my hardened heart?  

So tonight, Father, I ask You to come into my heart afresh, anew--

Cleanse me of anything that is foreign to faith in You.

Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.

I will start over with no past to bind me.

I will fly free to explore the heavens you left in all your glory,

To come, a meager babe, like me in so many ways,

And yet divine,

A n d   Y e t   D i v i n e!

As Christians we speak of being 'born again'

Tonight I want Him to be born again

Right in the middle of my heart.

Come, thou long expected Jesus.

Come, Messiah, Come

Be born In my heart anew!

"There is something extraordinary about Christ being born in your heart, isn't there?  There is something special and unique about having Jesus live within you.   And although you may not be wealthy or wise in the eyes of the world, the very riches of His kingdom have been promised to you. The Word of Christ can dwell in you richly, giving you His very mind. And if you remain available to Him, He will use you to accomplish His wise and mighty plans in this old world.  Like Mary, you have something to sing about this Christmas season!  Because God has chosen you.  Because you've been blessed.  Christ the King has been born--not just in a stable, but in your heart." Excerpt from A Christmas Longing by Joni Eareckson Tada

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My Wish For You

Today is the first Sunday of Advent--a time to look forward to the coming of the Messiah, to dwell upon His richness versus our poverty, his righteousness against the backdrop of our sin, his wholeness in comparison to our fractured hearts-- His peace surrounding our fretting.

My prayer for you and me during this holiday season is that we would remain stress free, that decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, and buying would just be a casual by-product of an otherwise "meaningful, take time to stop and rest and enjoy your family more than ever" kind of holiday.

I have always been kinda "over the top" as far as wanting each room decorated--nothing fancy or expensive--just wanted to do it for the kids and grandkids--and that is okay--unless I get my focus on that more than spending time with the people I love, especially Jesus.

This year I am going to take it slow and easy.  If a room gets decorated--fine--if it doesn't fine--last year I worked for weeks getting the house ready for my family--Even painted a big canvas that said, "I'll be home for Christmas--you can plan on me"

Well, guess what--we had a huge snowstorm--our power was out for several days and our family never came "home" for Christmas--we celebrated at my brother's house and they never saw all the work I had done in those weeks before Christmas.

That has placed somewhat of a different light on all the time I spend decorating.  I will do what comes naturally and easy this year BUT with God's help, my goal is to spend more time with my Savior--more time anticipating the joyous celebration of His coming.

I wish you Peace--

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

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Good News!

Don't you just love it when your mailbox has nothing but good news in it? No circulars, no bills, no junk mail--frankly, we don't have many days like that around here anymore.

 But, think for a moment if you will, if every mailbox of any kind, any kind of delivery service, were only filled with the good news of Jesus Christ today.

Well, I can't fill every mailbox, but I can fill just one outgoing mailbox (blog, if you will) with the news that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.

I love what John said in the very last chapter, the very last verse of his book about Jesus--It goes like this--

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.          John 21:25

Just for today, I like to think it could be said--
If every one of the things that Jesus did were written down, I suppose that every mailbox in the world could not even begin to hold them.
If you would like to know more about this Jesus who cares so much for you, why don't you consider starting with the book of John in the New Testament.  Here is a link to it.

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Holiday Nostalgia

I love Christmas decorations. Today as I placed a berry wreath on the back door and went over to take a picture of it, I noticed that my reflection was in the glass.

 I thought that might make an interesting "selfie," as they call pictures people take of themselves with the main purpose of sharing them on the internet.

 After I looked at it--I liked it--mostly because the reflection of the glass hides lots of wrinkles and double chins--smile. I also liked that the composite of the face looking into the distance with an antique-like look, the white door and the in-your-face red berries is such a contrast.

I couldn't help but get nostalgic just looking at it--the picture of me getting older, all of the memories stored in that one head--the memories of good Christmases, of ones that weren't so good, of Christmases spent with loved ones who are no longer with us--of children and grandchildren who are now grown--well, I am a big old softie I guess-but it really made me nostalgic.

I hope you make many wonderful memories this holiday season.  Memories that will make other holidays painful--painful because it hurts so bad but feels so good to remember.

On this earth, today is all we have.  We are not promised tomorrow.  This holiday season hold all of those you love ever so close.  And take a picture of yourself and share it.  It's fun!

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Loud Applause!

I love this portion of scripture from Isaiah 55.

…So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.  "For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,  And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.  "Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, And it will be a memorial to the LORD, For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off."

This whole portion of scritpure is just wonderful but after finding the leaf shown above, it got me to thinking.

Can you imagine how much noise a tree with thousands of leaves like these would make in a big wind?  And they not only clap their hands--they give Him a standing "O" at all times.

I surely don't want the trees of the field to outdo me in praise so today I will sing, clap, shout, dance and praise with a loud voice.  I will worship the Giver of Life, Jesus Christ, in all His glory and splendor.

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