This year my daughter gave me the best Christmas present on earth. You might be surprised to learn the gift was a simple piece of paper. It was simple in its form, yet to me it was a work of art. This paper gave me a glimpse of how an eight-year-old views Christmas.
On lined notebook paper she drew Jesus (picture a man with a beard and pink slippers) and herself (complete with fancy beaded braids in her hair). There was a church and a cross (which is interesting since our church meets in a school). There was also an acronym for JESUS CHRIST.
Just amazing!
loves Everyone!
Special
so not Useless
not Surprisingly awesome!
I love Jesus Christ
Heavinly (heavenly)
Righteousness
lets everyone go In heavin (heaven)
Soooooo thankful I have him!
I love to go To Church!
She said she wanted me to know that she understood Christmas is about more than just presents. (However, I didn't see her turn down any gifts when we celebrated our family Christmas early!)
Thank you, sweet girl, for reminding me how amazing, awesome, righteous and special Jesus is. He truly does love everyone and wants every single person on earth to go to heaven. I, like you, are so thankful I have Him!
A special college-rule sheet of notebook paper will be the gift I remember from this Christmas (although the pink flamingo necklace she bought me at school was a close second)!
Scripture: John 3:16-17
"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your only Son to earth. You sacrificed your Son so that we may have the opportunity for eternally life through Jesus. Thank you for the best present we could ever receive: the gift of Your Son. He is awesome, amazing, special and righteous!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Letter from a Friend (Part 1)
Yesterday I received a letter from a friend. I met this woman more that 20 years ago when I was on a missions trip in high school. Over the past 20 years, we’ve kept in touch through cards and letters. However, lately we’ve lost touch. I was shocked to read her letter about how difficult this past year has been.
Over a year ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer and received chemotherapy. A few months later she found out she had Acute Leukemia. Again she underwent chemotherapy and has spent most of this year in the hospital.
I couldn’t believe she had gone through so many issues with her health recently. She admitted that she’s asked the question, “Why did this happen to me?” I’m sure I would ask the same question if I were in her situation! Her answer surprised me.
She said this experience has actually brought her closer to God. She said that through this ordeal, God has been her strength and that He’s been with her the whole time. She knows He has a purpose for her life and she wants to be faithful to Him through this time.
Her answer made me realize that when we encounter difficult situations in life we have two choices: we can blame God or we can cling to Him.
In my opinion, there is no stronger testimony on earth than watching someone cling to God during a trial. Anyone can praise God during the good times, but it takes true faith to give God control and trust Him during the storms of life.
Other people in my life are going through storms right now. I have friends with cancer, a friend with ALS, a friend who’s a single mom (not by choice), friends in financial crisis, and the list goes on. As I watch these people live their lives trusting in God, my own faith grows exponentially.
You see, they are living as Christ desires. They are exemplifying the passage in James chapter 1 that says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may become mature and complete, not lacking in anything.”
Perseverance and faith are two difficult words for me. They are easier said than done in my life! Watching how other Christ-followers live out these verses truly encourages me. There is so much more to say about this topic – more to come in part 2!
Scripture: James 1
Prayer: Lord, I want to praise You during the good times and the bad. I know I will encounter trials in my life, and I want to depend on You in the midst of them. Help me to live in such a way that others will see my life and glorify You. When I am experiencing a storm, I know that this testing of faith will ultimately develop perseverance. I want to be mature and complete in You!
Over a year ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer and received chemotherapy. A few months later she found out she had Acute Leukemia. Again she underwent chemotherapy and has spent most of this year in the hospital.
I couldn’t believe she had gone through so many issues with her health recently. She admitted that she’s asked the question, “Why did this happen to me?” I’m sure I would ask the same question if I were in her situation! Her answer surprised me.
She said this experience has actually brought her closer to God. She said that through this ordeal, God has been her strength and that He’s been with her the whole time. She knows He has a purpose for her life and she wants to be faithful to Him through this time.
Her answer made me realize that when we encounter difficult situations in life we have two choices: we can blame God or we can cling to Him.
In my opinion, there is no stronger testimony on earth than watching someone cling to God during a trial. Anyone can praise God during the good times, but it takes true faith to give God control and trust Him during the storms of life.
Other people in my life are going through storms right now. I have friends with cancer, a friend with ALS, a friend who’s a single mom (not by choice), friends in financial crisis, and the list goes on. As I watch these people live their lives trusting in God, my own faith grows exponentially.
You see, they are living as Christ desires. They are exemplifying the passage in James chapter 1 that says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may become mature and complete, not lacking in anything.”
Perseverance and faith are two difficult words for me. They are easier said than done in my life! Watching how other Christ-followers live out these verses truly encourages me. There is so much more to say about this topic – more to come in part 2!
Scripture: James 1
Prayer: Lord, I want to praise You during the good times and the bad. I know I will encounter trials in my life, and I want to depend on You in the midst of them. Help me to live in such a way that others will see my life and glorify You. When I am experiencing a storm, I know that this testing of faith will ultimately develop perseverance. I want to be mature and complete in You!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Shades of Gray: Part 2 (The Filter)
Last night I encountered another “shades of gray” moment.
After the kids go to bed in the evening, I enjoy watching a little TV to wind down. The problem is that there are few shows that are appropriate to watch.
My favorite shows are legal dramas. Watching them could be considered permissible. Okay, maybe some of the storylines are questionable. Also, some of the characters are involved in inappropriate relationships. The shades of gray started to appear in my mind like a swatch of paint colors.
First Corinthians 10:23 ran through my head. “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive.”
As I thought about this verse, I realized it could be a valuable filter for so many things in our lives. Just as a furnace filter stops junk from getting in our home or a dryer filter catches the lint before it pollutes our clean clothes, this verse could be a filter for decisions in our lives.
We could think of this verse before we overeat, before we choose a movie, before we speak or before we make a financial decision. We could use this verse as a filter for almost anything in our lives.
You may be wondering if I watched that legal drama I mentioned earlier. I did choose to watch it. However, after a few minutes the storyline turned “off color.” I turned it off. I knew where the show was headed and I didn’t need that negative influence in my mind.
This morning I made coffee. I used a filter to keep the unwanted grounds out of my delightful hot drink. Later today I’ll drink filtered water from my fridge. I guess if I’m taking precautions to filter what goes into my body, I should also filter what’s going into my mind.
I have a challenge for us today. Write out 1 Corinthians 10:23 and tape to your fridge, phone, TV, checkbook or any other area of temptation. Use it as a filter for your mind. It will be interesting to see what seeps through this filter – and what doesn’t!
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10
Prayer: Lord, I know I have a choice as to what I put in my mind. Please help me to use 1 Corinthians 10:23 as a filter for decisions I make. I want to make choices that glorify You. Please give me the strength to choose the things that are beneficial and constructive according to Your will.
After the kids go to bed in the evening, I enjoy watching a little TV to wind down. The problem is that there are few shows that are appropriate to watch.
My favorite shows are legal dramas. Watching them could be considered permissible. Okay, maybe some of the storylines are questionable. Also, some of the characters are involved in inappropriate relationships. The shades of gray started to appear in my mind like a swatch of paint colors.
First Corinthians 10:23 ran through my head. “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive.”
As I thought about this verse, I realized it could be a valuable filter for so many things in our lives. Just as a furnace filter stops junk from getting in our home or a dryer filter catches the lint before it pollutes our clean clothes, this verse could be a filter for decisions in our lives.
We could think of this verse before we overeat, before we choose a movie, before we speak or before we make a financial decision. We could use this verse as a filter for almost anything in our lives.
You may be wondering if I watched that legal drama I mentioned earlier. I did choose to watch it. However, after a few minutes the storyline turned “off color.” I turned it off. I knew where the show was headed and I didn’t need that negative influence in my mind.
This morning I made coffee. I used a filter to keep the unwanted grounds out of my delightful hot drink. Later today I’ll drink filtered water from my fridge. I guess if I’m taking precautions to filter what goes into my body, I should also filter what’s going into my mind.
I have a challenge for us today. Write out 1 Corinthians 10:23 and tape to your fridge, phone, TV, checkbook or any other area of temptation. Use it as a filter for your mind. It will be interesting to see what seeps through this filter – and what doesn’t!
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10
Prayer: Lord, I know I have a choice as to what I put in my mind. Please help me to use 1 Corinthians 10:23 as a filter for decisions I make. I want to make choices that glorify You. Please give me the strength to choose the things that are beneficial and constructive according to Your will.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Shades of Gray (Part 1: The Dilemma)
Last week I had a dilemma. The funny thing was that I didn’t even realize I had a dilemma until I read my devotions for the day. I was innocently reading in 1 Corinthians 10 when I stumbled upon some verses that I really needed to hear that day.
First I’ll list the verses and then I’ll explain the dilemma. Paul says, “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”
Later in the chapter, Paul goes on to say, “Do not cause anyone to stumble … for I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”
As I read those verses, I knew that God wanted me to abstain from doing something later that evening. I realized I was going to be faced with a situation at an office Christmas party where I could do something permissible, but not necessarily beneficial or constructive. I could choose to do something permissible and possibly cause someone else to stumble, or I could abstain with a clear conscience.
As I read the verses, it occurred to me that God placed those verses in front of me on a day when I was going to have to make a choice. I Corinthians 10 just happened to be the chapter I was reading that day, but it was no coincidence to God. He ordained those verses and scheduled them even before I knew I needed them.
I am going to write more about this topic, since I feel it’s an important subject. Shades of gray color our world, but God wants to guide us until we see in black and white. I have a lot to learn when it comes to this area, do you? Let’s study God’s Word together.
Scripture: I Corinthians 10
Prayer: Lord, prepare me for what you want to show me about shades of gray. I want to see things from Your point of view. I want others to draw closer to Christ when they are around me. I don’t want to confuse anyone by the choices I make in gray areas. I know You have a plan for my life and You want me to honor You in every decision I make. Please open my heart and mind as You show me the gray areas I need to change.
First I’ll list the verses and then I’ll explain the dilemma. Paul says, “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”
Later in the chapter, Paul goes on to say, “Do not cause anyone to stumble … for I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”
As I read those verses, I knew that God wanted me to abstain from doing something later that evening. I realized I was going to be faced with a situation at an office Christmas party where I could do something permissible, but not necessarily beneficial or constructive. I could choose to do something permissible and possibly cause someone else to stumble, or I could abstain with a clear conscience.
As I read the verses, it occurred to me that God placed those verses in front of me on a day when I was going to have to make a choice. I Corinthians 10 just happened to be the chapter I was reading that day, but it was no coincidence to God. He ordained those verses and scheduled them even before I knew I needed them.
I am going to write more about this topic, since I feel it’s an important subject. Shades of gray color our world, but God wants to guide us until we see in black and white. I have a lot to learn when it comes to this area, do you? Let’s study God’s Word together.
Scripture: I Corinthians 10
Prayer: Lord, prepare me for what you want to show me about shades of gray. I want to see things from Your point of view. I want others to draw closer to Christ when they are around me. I don’t want to confuse anyone by the choices I make in gray areas. I know You have a plan for my life and You want me to honor You in every decision I make. Please open my heart and mind as You show me the gray areas I need to change.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Reflections
I’m one of those people who likes to reflect. I guess you could say I’m a reflector. I’ve realized that there are both good and bad parts of being a reflector. The bad part is that sometimes I tend to dwell on or over-think situations and I can wind up making myself crazy. The good part is that I savor the pleasant memories in my life.
Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect. This year I decided to take reflection to the next level and reflect on Thanksgiving, the season of reflection. Are you lost? What I mean is that I decided to ask the kids to tell me their favorite memories of our most recent Thanksgiving so that we could savor them together.
My daughter surprised me by saying that there were two memories that stuck out from the weekend. The first memory was when her college-age cousin Brett took her out for ice cream at McDonald’s. The second memory was when her dad took her rock climbing at our local community center.
I have to admit it hurt my pride a little that neither one of her favorite Thanksgiving memories included me. As I reflected, though, I realized what a great blessing it is for my daughter to have two Christian males in her life who want to spend time with her. My initial selfish thoughts gave way to gratefulness.
One of the most valuable blessings in a girl’s life is to have positive male influences. This Thanksgiving, my daughter was blessed with two men who cared about her and wanted to spend time getting to know her better. These two men went out of their way to make her feel special.
Jesus told us that the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind. The second commandment is a similar one: love your neighbor as yourself. When my husband and my nephew spent time with my daughter, they were loving their neighbor as themselves. They were investing in a little girl’s life. They were putting the words of Scripture into practice.
As a mom, knowing that my daughter has men she can look up to is one of the greatest blessings I could ask for her. As I reflect on Thanksgiving, this is one of my greatest memories, and it doesn’t even include me!
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46
Prayer: Lord, I want to love You with all my heart, soul and mind. I want to spend time with You every day and lean on You during the good times and bad. Thank you that I can have a relationship with You. Please show me what it means (for me, in my everyday life) to love my neighbor as myself. I want to love others with a love that comes from You. Please open my eyes to the needs of others around me and show me tangible ways to love them.
Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect. This year I decided to take reflection to the next level and reflect on Thanksgiving, the season of reflection. Are you lost? What I mean is that I decided to ask the kids to tell me their favorite memories of our most recent Thanksgiving so that we could savor them together.
My daughter surprised me by saying that there were two memories that stuck out from the weekend. The first memory was when her college-age cousin Brett took her out for ice cream at McDonald’s. The second memory was when her dad took her rock climbing at our local community center.
I have to admit it hurt my pride a little that neither one of her favorite Thanksgiving memories included me. As I reflected, though, I realized what a great blessing it is for my daughter to have two Christian males in her life who want to spend time with her. My initial selfish thoughts gave way to gratefulness.
One of the most valuable blessings in a girl’s life is to have positive male influences. This Thanksgiving, my daughter was blessed with two men who cared about her and wanted to spend time getting to know her better. These two men went out of their way to make her feel special.
Jesus told us that the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind. The second commandment is a similar one: love your neighbor as yourself. When my husband and my nephew spent time with my daughter, they were loving their neighbor as themselves. They were investing in a little girl’s life. They were putting the words of Scripture into practice.
As a mom, knowing that my daughter has men she can look up to is one of the greatest blessings I could ask for her. As I reflect on Thanksgiving, this is one of my greatest memories, and it doesn’t even include me!
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46
Prayer: Lord, I want to love You with all my heart, soul and mind. I want to spend time with You every day and lean on You during the good times and bad. Thank you that I can have a relationship with You. Please show me what it means (for me, in my everyday life) to love my neighbor as myself. I want to love others with a love that comes from You. Please open my eyes to the needs of others around me and show me tangible ways to love them.
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