I Need You, God...HURRY!

Photo by Allison Smith

This is a picture of my daughter's cat, Moe and her dog Fiona and as you can tell, Fiona is in need of help, fast! Many times we call out to God to help us in our need and we add..... and hurry!

Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly,

Lord, to help me. But as for me, I am poor and needy;

come quickly to me, O God.

You are my help and my deliverer;

Lord, do not delay. (Psalm 70:1, 5 NIV)

As I read the scripture from Psalm 70 I was reminded at how many times I say “Hurry God, save me, come quickly”! I was poor and needy, have you ever been there? Other versions of the bible say afflicted or oppressed and needy! Most of us if we have lived any time at all can understand having a great need for the Lord to hurry and help! One commentary said “Great trials should bring fervent prayers”! My prayers are never more fervent as when I am found in the middle of a crisis.

My daughter Nealy and my granddaughter Cati “happened” to arrive at church early on Christmas morning because they were scheduled to sing. Upon arriving they were taken back to see that there were no cars in the parking lot. Wondering what was going on they made a few phone calls, only to find out that there was only one service and there was no early service. Our Pastor’s wife “happened” to be early also and see them in the parking lot and let them in to the church. Thinking that they would have more time to practice they began discussing the song and who would sing what part. As they sat in the cold sanctuary, an old man walked toward them. He too had shown up for the early service. Our Pastor’s wife Cindy told him that it would be about an hour before the service started but he could wait. The man appeared to be distraught and confused so Cindy and my daughter asked if they could pray for him. As he almost robot like trudged to the alter my daughter saw the deep pain in his eyes as she, Cindy and Cati knelt to pray with him. After praying for a few minutes my daughter asked him what he needed since she could see his deep hurt. She explained, that she knew pain in her own life and could feel that he also had a great need. At that, the man began to weep and tell of his deep sorrow. His wife had passed away only weeks before, his own health was failing and to top it all off, his children were at his house that day going through his wife’s things and fighting as to who would get what. This man was needy and poor of spirit and of need of our caring Lord and deliverer. Because God is always on time, the man left with a hope that only God could give.

Nealy and Cati sang their song without as much practice as they would have liked but with a new song in their heart! They had called on God to come quick and help this one who was poor and needy and he was delivered into hope! The blessedness of the God who works all things together for good for those who love Him! Many times I have asked God to come quick on behalf of my sweet Nealy, all the while asking “Why?” Why should she have to endure so much pain. We will never know the answer to all the whys but I do know my sweet daughter looked into the eyes of this dear man and saw his pain because of the pain she has been facing for so long. Come quick Lord, I love you because you are my help and my deliverer!

Oh, my daughter tells me that Fiona is okay after her spat with Moe!

This One Day...Perhaps Means a Little Bit More!

Photo by Allison Smith

I got up while it was still dark and as usual turned on the Christmas trees while I waited for my coffee to brew in my new Keurig coffee maker. I did so with a little sadness because even though I will probably leave them up for another week or so today is the last day the twinkling lights will mean as much. Tomorrow the glow will be gone because this one day will have passed. This one day that many have planned for, saved for and dreamed of will go into our Christmas memories as decorations go back into boxes to be stored until next year.


Tomorrow things will start to get back to normal, we will dig out directions to our new gadgets and maybe try them out to see if they work, we will try new coffees in our new coffee maker, and put the magnet from Riley on the back of the car that says "I (heart)Dogs"! The diets will start, fitness programs will begin and new bills will start coming in the mail. Christmas cards with their greetings will be read again and put away, Christmas pictures will be put into frames for display and Christmas money will be spent in less time than it took to put it in the special made money cards.


As this one day ends with the setting sun I am reminded of a quote I read a few days ago, it comes from the wise sayings of my favorite "green man"! The Grinch!


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!


Yep, Mr Grinch, it means so much more! It means family, it means love but mostly it means Jesus! It means what the angels said to shepherds abiding in the field over two thousand years ago.


"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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:10-14 NIV)


Lord, I thank you for this beautiful season of the year when families come together to celebrate but more than that, I thank you that you bring a daily celebration in my heart. A celebration of your love, your salvation, and your hope. I thank you that though images of you lying in a manger will find their places in boxes, that I will find you every morning in the pages of my bible and as I pray. I praise you Lord for your presence in my life all year and not just on this one day! Amen



Sent from Jeanie!

The Delightful Weed!

Years back, on our way to work, we were surprised to see a giant weed growing out of the median decorated with one Christmas bulb. Of course it brought a smile to our faces as well as our fellow travelers. The thought that someone would have the imagination and take the initiative to place the colorful ornament on this left-over weed was amazing. As the days and weeks before Christmas went by, more and more things were added to the little “tree”. As Christmas neared the tree was decorated with garland, lights and even had presents under it’s funny branches. With each addition, the more this glorious scene thrilled my heart and I wasn’t the only one, this tree and it’s story made the local paper.

As I was out a few days ago, I went by that median that had brought so much joy and remembered the light that these branches brought into those dreary winter days. A scripture that I had just read came to my mind.

Isaiah 11:1-2 which says:
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse, from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him---the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

Jesse was the father of David and, as you may know, Jesus comes from the family of David. Jesus is the Branch Isaiah prophesizes about in this scripture. I relish the thought of the Branch that came from Jesse! This One who was born of Mary and laid in a manger who was Immanuel (God with Us)brings Joy to me. I see the ornaments on this Branch, wisdom in shiny reds, understanding in beautiful greens, I see power in brilliant purple and I see the garland of the Lord resting on Him. I see ornaments that proclaim Hope, Joy, and Forgiveness. Then I must thank the Lord for this light that still shines in this weary heart of mine and remember how Jesus came into our world so many years ago to save us and give us everlasting life. He was the Light as well as a Delight!

I will never forget the amazing weed that became a delight to all who traveled by it and certainly as I think of it I will be reminded of The Branch of Jesse and the eternal delight He brings

Who's a Flake?

Raining again today! I am tired of these gloomy days especially this close to Christmas! Why not a beautiful snowy day with the sun twinkling off of each flake. Who's a flake? Did someone just call me a flake? Okay, guilty as charged, I guess God, the creator, by the way, know whether we need snow or rain or for that matter sleet, hail or wind! He sends it all to nourish the earth as he sends his word to nourish us.





Many times as I write this blog, I doubt if there will be anyone who reads it! More than once I have asked God if He even wants me to continue to scribble my thoughts and send them out into "cyberspace". As I pray over a post that just doesn't seem to flow right, I wonder if God, in His wisdom, has put a STOP on my Prayer Chair ramblings. So far, as I push the PUBLISH button I have done so feeling that He at the same time pushed the LIKE button. When I get discouraged, He never fails to send one of you (faithful readers) to encourage me in this journey or like today, He delivered my encouragement through His word from Isaiah, one of my favorite books of the Bible!





"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 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. (Isaiah 55:10, 11 NASB





As I go forward into this new year, I always want it to be His words that nourish us, for His word will never return empty. I praise God that, in these writings, He allows me to be me. Sometimes, well most times, words come from my....craziness but sometimes words actually come from my pain or someone else. I find many thoughts come from sixty-four years of living and struggling, at times, to trust my beautiful Lord. I hope my ear always listens for what he would have me write because in that way, I know His word will never return to Him without accomplishing what He desires!





P.S. Since it stopped raining and at the prompting of my furry friends, I decided to take a small walk outside with them. My Lucy (girl) promptly followed Rocky (boy) and actually lifted her leg on the tree. My mind began to whirl, could there be a blog in this scenario? Perhaps accepting who God has made you to be or maybe embracing your gender! Could there be a scripture to..........? Sorry, I got carried away!! Hmmm? ...or did I? Check in tomorrow to see! Love you all, Jeanie






Sent from Jeanie!

The GRINCH!

The last thing you want to be called this time of the year, especially, is selfish! Self centered is another bad one or how about self indulgent? Makes me shiver just to think of it! These terms remind us of "Scrooge" or worse "The Grinch"! How about "all the other reindeer" who because of their self righteousness shunned "poor Rudolph"? Nope, I hate the sound of any of those descriptions! Yet, the great truth I received from God today dealt with all those SELF words.

Let me explain! I pride mySELF at not being PROUD! No, that's not what I meant to say! Actually, I have to say that about sums it up. I think I am humble sometimes because I have SELF doubt. I have mistakenly thought that lack of SELF confidence is humility. I have deemed SELF degrading as righteous! Not a very pretty picture, huh? Well, try seeing it from this side of the mirror!

As I go into this next year I want to get the SELF out of everything I do and say! Who gave me the right to tell God that somehow he made a mistake when he made me. If I lack SELF confidence, good I need God confidence anyway. If God tells me something to do, who am to doubt Him or the servant he chose to do it (Me)? And above all who am I to degrade God's creation....me? Help me Lord not to be SELF centered, SELF absorbed or SELFish! The world would cheer me on if I am SELF motivated, a SELF starter or SELF confident but Lord teach me to put You into those "qualities"!

I love Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life" but right out of the hat he hits you with a statement that I have to repeat to myself often "IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU"! That's where we get it all turned around, it isn't about us or SELF it is about serving Jesus Christ who came to this earth to serve and die for us. He washed the diciples feet as a servant and told them to do the same. There was only SELFlessness in everything Christ did while he was here on earth!

Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. Luke 9:23

I Heard the Bells!

 

Since the horrible shootings in Connecticut last week, it has been hard for me to think about the things I normally think of this close to Christmas.  I found myself thinking about this tragedy often instead of gifts, Santa or even Christmas songs that usually sends me singing to the top of my lungs.  Last year I wrote the following blog about the song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".  I thought it fitting to post it again at this sad time.


I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day!

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"
I have heard this song many times without knowing it's author or the story behind the words. During the time of the Civil War Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the words to this carol after the death of his beloved wife Fanny and after a crippling injury his son received as a soldier in horrible war.
The year after Fanny's death he wrote in his journal "a Merry Christmas say the children, but that is no more for me.". By the next Christmas his oldest child Charles was severely wounded in the horrible war between the states. The Christmas of that year, 1863, Longfellow made no entry into his journal, thinking it was better to keep silent.u It was Christmas day of 1864 that he wrote the words we now sing.
I am reminded today of those who would say, with the next to last stanza, "and in despair I bow my head", declaring that death does not take a holiday. Hardships do not lessen and in our midst there are those who hurt so badly they proclaim with Longfellow, "There is no peace on earth, for hate is strong and mocks the song, of peace on earth good will to men".
My heart is encouraged by the last stanza which proclaims "God is not dead nor does he sleep" "the wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth good will to men!"
Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:4).
Lord, give peace to the broken hearted, give rest to the weary because I know you care about those who hurt today! Amen!

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV)

Sent from Jeanie!

Hallmark Overload!

I’ll hava bluuuue Christmas without you! You’ll be doin’ alright with your Christmas of white but I’ll hava blue, blue blue blue Christmas!


Some of you will recognize this song sang by my favorite crooner Elvis Presley! I enjoy every Christmas song he sings even his "Blue Christmas" but this time of the year, experts begin to warn of "blues" that hit many people without warning, the "Christmas Blues". As one who suffers from depression all year long, I can tell you my condition can be greatly exasperated this time of the year.


I tend to be a "Hallmark" wanna be kinda girl! You know those happily ever after kind of people portrayed in the movies. I watch those movies knowing fully how they will end. Christmas will reign in hearts of sweethearts, mistletoe will save the day and children, puppies and the homeless will find new homes! I tear up just thinking about it.


So many times we play those perfect Christmas’s in our heads until we think if we have anything less we have failed. I am so guilty of this kind of thinking. My husband will tell you that I, so predictably, begin to want more than I have about this time of the season! My gift giving falls short of what I wanted to give, my decorations should have been better and why didn’t I learn to play the piano so I could sing Christmas carols at family gatherings. I call this “Hallmark Overload” and I’m not sure “Chocolate Overload” could play a part also. What’s the answer to these dreaded feelings of “Why can’t Christmas be as great as Hallmark portrays it?” Though I think that we cannot ignore real clinical depression that may come this time of the year and treat it seriously, I think we can take positive steps to fight off these "Blues".


Being a veteran at depression and “The Christmas Blues” sometimes, I have to praise God (even if I don’t feel like it) for all He has given me! Even as I type these words, I had to stop and do my own praising! “I praise you, Lord, that you have given me this awesome privilege of writing to people I know as well as some I don’t know about your goodness, your awesomeness, and the remarkable hope you give all of us. I have to think of those less fortunate than me, those who mourn this year over fresh graves, for those who can only hope next year will be better and for those who don’t know you or your saving grace. I praise you Father, for loving us so much that you were willing to send your one and only Son as a helpless baby, who would one day die for our sins.


I praise you for my family who in spite of my annual “Christmas Blues”, “Chocolate Overload” and the dreaded “Hallmark Overload” love me anyway! I praise you for helping me, a “Hallmarkaholic” to see the hope that can only be found in you! I praise you, Lord that in the midst of depression, I need only to whisper your name to "feel" that hope even if just a glimmer! I praise you, Lord, when you say "Be still and KNOW that I am God!

We Are Adopted!

This morning I gazed upon an angel! No, I’m not talking about Larry, I’m talking about our sweet Riley! I say she is an angel because she is still sleeping and lying there snuggled in the blankets I can almost see a halo! She came for a “sleepover”! She brought five movies, her Christmas Pjs and a change of clothes. That is much simpler than it used to be when diapers, bibs and bottles came with her. Soon she will wake up and Grandpa and Grandma’s life “as we know it” (leisurely coffee drinking and relaxing) will change. Riley will soon be seven years old and she goes a mile a minute, last night she even asked if I could take her a ride on the tractor when morning came. That’s why I am being very quiet, as to not disturb her, since it is frigid out side and this “bed head” I don today does not need to be frozen into place.



Like any birth we knew Riley was coming, we even knew she was a girl and it seemed we waited forever for her to be born. While waiting to adopt Riley, Christa and Todd made many plans for her, as did a very anxious Grandma and Grandpa! Daddy wanted to make sure there was enough money to raise this little girl, Mommy wanted to everything perfect in her nursery and well…. Grandpa and Grandma wanted to get lots of love time! Finally Riley arrived and within hours we were all there to greet this precious new addition to our family. I was amazed at the love we all instantly felt for this one so new. This one who was not born of our flesh but was definitely born into our hearts. She immediately carried the name of her parents, she was instantly an heir to all they have. She was swept into a family of brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins! It’s absolutely amazing how that happens! She has been such a blessing!



I read today anew about another adoption that took place after it was planned for a very long time ago.



How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. Ephesians 1:3-5 (Message)


I cannot fathom the creator of the earth having me on his mind! He actually focused His love on us and made plans to adopt you and me into His family. Can you imagine our Heavenly Father taking pleasure as He planned? Yet, for how long do we run from Him not accepting his offer of adoption, that he gave through His Son, Jesus Christ? As Riley became heir to her family’s love and possessions, as heirs of Jesus Christ we become heirs of eternal life! We need only to accept Him!



This year as we open gifts and celebrate family, think of the gift of love that God, the lavish gift giver, sent to us as a babe in a manger. Emmanuel! God with us!

Well, have to get dressed, we are going for a tractor ride!



　

Martha, Martha CHILL!!!!

...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!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42 NIV 　

Martha: Hurry up Mary, we have to get all our Christmas trees up before our company arrives! And how about that bathroom theme, I put you in charge of coming up with something!

Mary: Martha, relax our guests, just long to enjoy the season with those they love and remember Jesus who came into this world as a babe.

Martha: Mary, you know my goal is yet to be reached of a tree in every room. And the baking, do you realize that our company is almost here and you have yet to make a single cookie? Mary, can’t you stop reading the bible for just a minute so we can hurry to Walmart to get some more decorations, I don’t think we have enough and without the that dried fruit I can’t make those fruit cakes everyone loves. While you are just sitting there, get online to find some of those “Gift in a Jar” ideas!

Mary: Sister, settle down, it will all turn out we already have plenty of decorations and food. You know that the bible says we can’t live by "cookies" alone but by every word that comes from the Lord!

Martha: Chocolate, Mary, you know we need more chocolate to make plenty of fudge and chocolate covered cherries. We can’t forget the live Christmas greenery I want to put on the porch to welcome those who come. Hey, Sister, I think I saw Chia Pets at Walgreens we need to get a few of those for gifts and while you are there get that CD with Burl Ives singing "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" will ya?

Mary: Martha, I just can’t get over the fact that God sent his son to save the world! I want to read it over and over again!

Martha: Hurry Mary, I want to buy something very clever to use for name tags so we will all know one another. Oh, Mary must you be so slow, we have so much to do and it is nearly time for the Mall to close!

Mary: Martha, Martha you should know, the only thing that matters is that Jesus will be here! And as far as name tags, I think we will all recognize Him! Well, if you can stop long enough to see Him!

The names have been changed to protect the…..guilty!

I must confess that for way too long I have been "Martha" in the little narrative above! I love to decorate for Christmas, I enjoyed making my home look like Christmas has arrived. But sometimes in my desire to bring Christmas, I, like Martha, forget the guest of honor. I am harried, stressed and mostly disgruntled because things never turn out the way I expect them to because my eyes are focused on the wrong things.

Lord, help me to lift my eyes to you and remember afresh the reason we celebrate and who should be glorified for His gift of salvation He brought to the world!

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26

Martha: Hmmmm? I wonder what kind of gift I would give someone who named the stars one by one?

　

　

This is God's Year to Act!

One Christmas Eve, it came my lot, so to speak, to work that 2nd shift. My mind was on the activities going on at home, the traditional things that happens each year except, sadly, I wasn't there. The evening had been pretty quiet since patients were sent home, if at all possible, the day before Christmas. Only emergency surgeries would take place for the next couple of days, only the very sick would spend their Christmas in the hospital. As I was pondering all I was missing at home, my pager went off and I was called to the emergency department. As I made my way down to the emergency room, I wondered what it could be since even this area had been slow all night. I was instructed to give a breathing treatment to an older woman sitting upright in the bed not looking at all like she was in distress. In fact she was dressed brightly and wore bright makeup and Christmas earrings. I assessed her breath sounds, which sounded clear, asked the normal questions concerning her reason for coming to ER but received only vague answers until we began to talk about Christmas. We chatted mostly about cheery things and how bad it was that we both were in this place on this special night. Doubting the doctors orders a bit, I prepared the treatment, which the lady readily took. I then wished her a Merry Christmas and was out of there. As per protocol, I reported to the nurse my assessment of the patients condition. Out of earshot of the patient, I shared my opinion that the patient seemed perfectly fine to me. "Oh, she's one of our regulars at Christmas time" she said in a matter of fact voice. "Regulars"? I asked. "Yeah, Gladys lives alone and has no one at Christmas time so she usually shows up here, we think, just to be with people". "We could have as many as three or four this evening". "Gladys is just one of many", her voice now lower and sadder.

My heart sank as I thought of my complaining. I at least had a family to share Christmas with this year. Christmas Day would be full of laughter, love and sharing of gifts. How much I had taken for granted.

As I recalled that Christmas Eve several years ago, I thought of what Jesus read from the Scroll in the synagogue at the beginning of His earthly ministry. He read from the Book of Isaiah which foretold His coming.

Our beloved Savior stood as he read from the scroll.

God's Spirit is on me; he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, "This is God's year to act!" (Luke 4:18, 19 MSG)

... "You've just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place." (Luke 4:21 MSG)

Have you ever needed good news? Have you ever felt poor if not monetarily, poor in spirit? Have you ever felt like a prisoner to horrible circumstances or maybe blind to what God can do for you, if you only ask? How many at this time of the year feel battered and bruised or burdened by life's heaviness?

The good news is this is the year! God is ready to act in your life, Jesus is ready to come to where you are this Christmas season!

You may be lonely like Gladys, or you may be surrounded by people yet still lonely! Last year may have been your worst yet but grab the hand of the Messiah he alone has the Good News!

Sent from Jeanie!

The Dawn of Redeeming Grace!

The original paper found with Silent Night or Stille Nacht which Mohr and Gruber penned that night so many years ago.

Did you know that in 1939 Montgomery Ward assigned Robert May the task of coming up with a story for a coloring book that they would sell in their store. Out of that assignment came "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" and later came the song we know and love. Did you know that a thirteen year old boy named Jimmy Boyd was the first to sing "I Saw Mama Kissin' Santa Claus" in 1952? This song topped the charts two years in a row during the Christmas season. It was banned by the Catholic Church for being too suggestive until young Jimmy went to the Bishop of Boston and the next year the ban was lifted. Because of instant access to information on the net, even I am able to find this kind of trivia about some of these songs we know and love. I also loved to read about the beloved Christmas hymns that fill the air this time of year.

I read today of the history of Silent Night which was a poem written by Joseph Mohr in 1816 but was put to music by Franz Gruber in 1818 when Mohr went to his little apartment in Orberndorf, Austria to have his poem made into a song he could present that night for midnight mass. Because the organ in the church was not working the composer grabbed his guitar to pick out the melody and eventually hummed the beautiful song we love to sing every year. The song originally "Stille Nacht" became popular throughout Europe but finally worked it's way to America and became Silent Night!

As I looked at the lyrics of this beloved song, I think of the wondrous night that would have been, the miracle of new life as thrilling as that is, could not match this night. In the first stanza my mind can picture the Silent Night, the Holy Night.

Silent night, Holy Night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace!

But in the second stanza it is anything but silent! It is the record in Luke that describes the angels that came to the shepherds announcing the birth of Jesus!

Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born;
Christ the Savior is born.

God in his loveliness had chosen lowly shepherds to be the first hearers of the good news. If I had lived back then I may have very well been counted among this motley crew! How blessed they must have felt to receive such an honor. How humbled I am that God sent His good news to me in my sinful state. Grace came down to the shepherds then as it comes down to us even now.

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth;
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Praise God for that dawn of redeeming grace!
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth;
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth;

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

Luke 2:13-14

Sent from Jeanie!

The Grand Puzzle!

Today I plan to shop for a perfect Christmas puzzle, an annual event at our house! It is very relaxing to me to sit down and find where each piece goes. My husband on the other hand lasts about a minute and then he is done. He always threatens to get a hammer and a chisel and force the pieces into place. I find a hammer very distracting when I am trying to relax. Some of my kids and grandkids are like me and can sit for hours working to make the picture come to life.

The bible is a great puzzle with all the pieces, waiting for us to place into it’s proper place. I have been reading the bible since I became a Christian, over forty years ago but in the past two years I have put more effort into placing each piece of the puzzle. My heart is blessed every day as the picture becomes more and more alive to me. When one more piece slips easily into it’s proper place (without a hammer mind you). For many years I was reluctant to read too much in the Old Testament because I was sure OLD meant OLD and wondered if I could find much there other than a great scripture that I would pull out from time to time. As I put my heart and mind to the task of deliberately putting the pieces together, there are not words to describe the blessing I have received from seeing the whole picture fall into place. More precious is the thought that I, in my life time, will never find all the pieces until I go to heaven and then I will see in whole what I can only see in part now.

Just think about a puzzle for a minute. When I start putting a puzzle together, I look for all the pieces with a flat side, these pieces are for the frame around the puzzle. That is the way the bible is, so let’s imagine that we place the flat side pieces completely around both the old and new testaments. Now, let’s go to work!

Even as I study the Christmas story there is so much that was foretold in the old testament like John the Baptist for instance!

As odd as John might seem to us with his clothes made of camel hair, his meals of locust and wild honey and home in the desert he was spoken of in Isaiah 40!

“A voice of one calling in the desert, prepare the way for the Lord make straight paths for him”. Isaiah 40:3

John is a piece of the glorious story told at this time of the year and fits perfectly into the puzzle! Remember, even his birth was a miracle as found in Luke 1. An angel went to an old priest named Zechariah, and told him his wife Elizabeth, who was barren and way past childbearing age, would have a son. He was to be called John, according to the angel Gabriel who would say about the pregnancy “With God nothing is impossible”.

My prayer is, that I find more and more pieces to this glorious puzzle as I celebrate this season glorifying our wonderful Lord!

I hope to get my puzzle and finish it before Christmas hopefully without a hammer or chisel! I’m thinking of a 1000 piece-er this year! Join me in my search for the perfect pieces to the grand “Puzzle” this year!

　

　

SHALOM!

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. John 3:16

One of the things that I have pulled from my Christmas decorations is a little candle holder that says Shalom! I bought this on sale but instantly fell in love with it. It seemed just saying that word gave me a sort of kinship with Jesus since he most likely used this term as he greeted people he met on the street or perhaps customers that came to the carpenter shop that he and Joseph worked in. Shalom is a Hebrew greeting used to say hello or goodbye. Which would be good for me since I usually don’t know if I’m coming or going. It means I wish you peace not just lack of war but peace as between God and man. Another word for Shalom was completeness! Completeness! Don’t we all yearn for that kind of peace.

I remember one night a few days before Christmas when the kids were all little, Larry as well as most of our five kids were sick in bed with the flu and I alone was left to hurriedly shop for a few things for the kid's Christmas presents. I remember money was especially tight that year and to spread the little bit we had five ways would be a challenge. As I drove I felt more and more sorry for myself! It seemed that everyone had an arm full of packages, brightly wrapped.  Ladies floated down the street with their beautiful winter attire, white fur encircling their faces, everyone was happy and gay, and was singing and dancing in the street! Well, not that last part but it did seem like I had come upon the scene in one of those old Bing Crosby movies! I could almost hear Silver Bells playing in the backround as the busy shopper rushed home with their treasures. Lights glittered everywhere almost mocking me and my low mood and on top of all that it was beginning to snow so hard that I wasn’t sure I could make it to the stores to shop. I pulled into a parking place, put my head on the steering wheel and cried praying as the tears rolled! Why? Doesn’t my family deserve presents like other people? Why, now is everyone sick at my house, couldn’t it wait until after Christmas? When I lifted my sick, sorry, head the biggest snow flakes I had ever seen was falling from the clear night sky. All I could say was “beautiful” and as I opened the car door and got out the whole world seemed to stand still just for me. The snow had accumulated so fast that there was hardly a footprint to be seen, the heavy layer of snow seemed to envelope my little world at that moment so that it even muffled the sound of traffic and I FELT GOD!  I felt peace!  I didn't deserve it, but I felt wholeness and just as the giant snow flakes melted when they touched my face so did the self pity. I felt a oneness with God! I felt, SHALOM! I asked God to forgive me for my ungratefulness and for not seeing all his blessings. I thanked Him for caring for this "girl" even when I felt sorry for myself and especially for giving me something that could never be found in those beautifully wrapped presents. He gave me His only begotten son!

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.  John 3:16


We still wait until the last minute to shop, more out of habit than anything else but as we rush out to finish our shopping, I always remember when God blessed me with His presence that beautiful snowy night!

SHALOM!

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause

Larry with our grandson, Kellan! He has been blessed to look into the precious faces of nine grandchildren! Praise God!

...Peace on Earth Good Will to Men! Luke 2:14

As I dug through decorations this year, as usual, memories came from the boxes also. I pulled out a Santa and Mrs. Clause creamer and sugar bowl with and inscription on the bottom. It said Avon Collection 1983 which to most would mean little but it reminded me of one of the most difficult Christmas’ we ever had. I had taken on an Avon route and went door to door with my youngest daughter Mendy tagging along. I was selling all sorts of products from perfumes and lotions to Christmas decorations. I wasn’t much of a salesman but I did enjoy the people I met as well as being able to buy some things for us. But that isn’t why I remember the festive Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause. It was that year that “Peace on Earth” was hard to find in our lives.

On a cold December evening in 1983, I waited for Larry to come home knowing he was going to be late because of an eye appointment that he would go to right after work. I fixed supper as usual and we waited for him to come home. As I heard him pull into the driveway, I was anxious to find out about his appointment since he had been battling iritis for a few weeks but when he came through the door the look on his face told me that something terrible had happened. He quickly rushed me into the other room, as not to upset the kids, to tell me that the eye doctor had given him the horrible news that he was losing his sight and had very little time before he would be completely blind. The ashen look on his face told me that a death sentence couldn’t have been worse for him at that moment. I had never seen my strong husband that beaten, a crack in his armor I had never seen but I was looking at a broken man. For the next few days he could hardly get out of bed, paralyzed by this terrible prognosis. I remember sitting on the side of the bed praying for him, knowing that I could not help him but it had to be God. As the days, that December, dragged on, he had the constant reminder of his plight as his eyes were kept dilated in order to heal them. As he struggled to work, this was a constant reminder that very soon he would not be able to work to support his family, he seemed to be a man without hope.

I noticed a change had taken place, one day close to Christmas when he came to me with a verse that he had “happened” upon! It was in Romans which says:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

To this day I call it Larry's verse because I believe that was the beginning of healing for my dear husband, it wasn’t overnight but I believe the Lord saved him from blindness. I also know it was the beginning of him really seeing and trusting the Savior and recieving the hope that only God can give. These days he still has bouts with this eye condition but he believes, the remnants of the disease that threatened his eye sight serves to remind him of the hope he was given that day as God’s word spoke to him about trusting.

So if you come to my house you will see Mr. and Mrs. Clause sitting out where I can see them as a reminder of the most difficult and best Christmas we ever had and the glorious truth that our God gives hope and joy and peace as we trust Him.

"Small One"!

This is my daughter's donkey Ruby Lulu!

Missy, Jenna and I sat glued to the little portable DVD player in the back seat of my daughters car. Jenna spends most of the twelve hour trip home watching this nifty little gadget play her favorite films. This particular evening we were watching “Small One”, a story originally written by Charles Tazewell but of course Disney had made it into a delightful little cartoon. A tear jerker none the less!

The story took place near the little town of Nazareth and it was about a little donkey named “Small One” who had become old and weak and could not carry his load anymore. He was loved by a little boy who had spent many days, throughout his life, playing with Small One. One day the father of the little boy decided that the donkey could not work hard anymore but cost money to feed him so he would have to go. Understanding his father’s dilemma, the little boy agreed to take the little donkey into town himself to find him a good home. With great hope the little boy set out for town.

Have you ever felt too old and weak, to be of any worth? Or perhaps old age isn’t what makes you feel worthless, maybe you are too young, too sick or too insignificant to feel worthy. I think all of us have been there at least a few times or maybe you are going through a season of feeling this way.

The boy optimistically went to town looking for a kind master that would take Small One and treat him well. But as he searched throughout the town not one person wanted the old donkey except the tanner who wanted to kill him for his hide. Knowing he could not go home with his friend, he was saying his last goodbyes before taking him to the tanner. As he wept (and as I wept) over the old donkey, a hand touched boy’s shoulder and he looked into the loving eyes of a man who wanted to buy the gentle donkey to carry his pregnant wife for a great distance.

Isn’t God merciful? Just as we feel we are ready for the scrap heap or the tanner, he sends us someone who lovingly reminds us of our worth. As I grow older, and as I listen to those who are even older than I am, I realize that it is the devils trick to have us give up. The author of lies, would have us believe we are worthless to everyone including God. How clever of Satan, since the gray hair on our heads usually indicates years of doing life and the wisdom that brings. Worthless? Fortunately, the bible says no such thing! Many who were of advancing age were called to do great things. Even as we read about the birth of Jesus we are introduced to an old woman, a widow, who stays at the temple day and night, praying and fasting, and about an old man named Simeon who was promised that he would not die before seeing the savior. Both of these “seniors” were there in the temple, by God’s design and will to see the baby and recognize Him as the long awaited Messiah.

As the little movie comes to an end you see the beautiful silhouette of Joseph leading the donkey on which Mary, the mother of Jesus, sits. Though this was a very simple story it rings true in my heart, God does not give up on us so why should we give up on what God can accomplish through us at any age or station in life. Small One, though old and weak carried the Savior to the world and so can we.