The Christmas Tree

We Went to a Christmas tree farm yesterday where we were gifted with a tree! Our son diligently cut down a tree and carried it to the truck, a large tree. It is a beautiful tree and a very thoughtful gift. Our oldest son and his wife were with us and they picked out a tree too, so it was a fun family event. Our tree went on top of  my Land Rover with both our kids on the roof wrapping rope around it to secure it. My husband joked with them, saying they should be on the roof and the tree in the car and they both loved that idea!
As a family we have many years of Christmas memories picking out the tree, and we've always gone together as a family to get it. All the boys walking through the trees trying to decide on which tree would come home with us for Christmas. And, then we  decorate it together, and listen to Christmas music. It's a nice time together.
This year, we came home, and set the tree up and brought all the boxes in. We watched a Christmas movie. We are going to decorate the tree tonight when more family comes over to visit, and listen to music!
My husband and I have found that we are so grateful for the relationships we have with our children. It is such a joy to be with them, and see their lives grow and flourish.  We want to decorate the tree with them and enjoy life with them. We want to be a part of the life they now have, who they are. More than anything this Christmas season, we want all of them to know Jesus and what He has done for them.  Jesus, the King put on human flesh for our children so they could have eternal life. Jesus the King became a child, so my children could be saved, and He wants a personal relationship with each one of them. Jesus, died on a tree made into a cross, so my children could have an abundant life, so I could have life. Isn't this incredible? Without this, I wouldn't have my children, my sons, or my daughter! The very life I live everyday would be non existent.  Relationship, the ability to engage in each others hearts, would not happen, if it weren't for Jesus!
Say That Again, Jesus, You gave your life on a tree for me, for my children, for others. I give you my all!

The Santa Clause

Its the time of year that we are discussing Santa a lot. My kids don't believe in Santa, but they sure do have a lot of questions. My daughter came home from school a couple days ago, a little confused. She wondered how her teacher could have received a phone call from Santa if Santa is not real? She told me that the phone in her classroom rang, her teacher answered it and said "hello Santa!" they had a wonderful conversation with each other about all the children in the classroom. When her teacher hung up she told all the children that it was Santa from the North Pole and he had them all on his list! My daughter turned to her friend, who happens to believe in Santa and informed him that Santa in not REAL! This is not the first time my daughter has destroyed the fantasy world of other children. Our neighbors, two little girls, are firm believers in Santa. They were visiting us and happily telling us of all the gifts that Santa would be bringing them for Christmas. Our daughter bluntly and firmly informed them that Santa was a lie and he does not exist.  She told them that all the presents they received most likely came from their parents!  The two little girls burst into tears, and I apologized to their mother.  My daughter simply couldn't understand why this was an issue! Why do children want to believe in something that is not true?
Her question has haunted me, why do any of us want to believe in something or anything that is not true? Yet, so many of us do. I have had so many false beliefs, and I still do have false beliefs that I stumble through. But, at least now I can recognize them. But, there was actually a time that I just chose to believe a lie, because it was easier. I chose to live a life of denial because it hurt to live in truth. Just like the two little girls, it was very painful to hear the truth about Santa Clause. And, for them, it is easier to live in a world of fantasy.
My daughter is on a mission to set her friends free! She's kind of abrupt about it, but for some reason she feels like it's important. At times, I have wanted to stop her, because I feel like parents aren't going to appreciate my daughters passion. But, then again, it is her passion and her mission, who am I to get in the way? She knows a truth, and it is the truth, why should I stop her?  The truth sets us free. So, she is speaking freely, and I'm happy about that, as painful as it may be for some. She has Jesus in her heart and she knows this season is for celebrating Him.
Say That Again Jesus, You are the one that breaks through the lies and sets us free!

The Unbelief

The story of Thomas, the guy who had to actually touch the wounds in the hands of Jesus and in His side before he could believe that Jesus was alive again, is a lot like me.  Except, sometimes I can touch, see, and still not believe! As I prayed for God to reveal truth to me, He has revealed to me that there are just some things that I simply do not want to believe! It can be right in front of my face, all the evidence right there, but my unbelief is stronger than my belief. So, my prayer is changing, and I am asking God to give me the Spirit of belief, and with that Spirit of belief, I too will heal the sick, raise the dead, and have the power of His Spirit in such a way that there will never be any unbelief!
Thomas believed as soon as he touched the wounds of Jesus, that's all it took! And, then Jesus said, "So, you believe because you've seen with your eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing."
He closed my eyes last week and asked me to walk by faith. He asked me to believe! And, I have had to pray for Him to heal my unbelief! To believe, at all times, to be sightless and walk  along His path with my hand in His hand. His leading, His calling, His way. Only He can see the future, but I will believe it turns out well, for the outcome is eternal.
Say That Again, Jesus, Believe, and heal my unbelief. 

The Right Here!

My stinky dog has sore joints. She's been limping, and it's starting to be more of a challenge for her to get in my Land Rover. She's been a little down in the dumps the last couple of days and she's been sleeping more, it hasn't been fun for her and I feel sad for her. I think she is going to need some pain killers.
I think I've been having sympathy pains for her, because my hips have been in pain for almost a week now. It's been a challenge for me to walk as well.  And, this morning, I awoke with a migraine right on the edge, threatening to take me. The last week and a half hasn't been fun for my body, and it's not looking good for my stinky dog either. I guess on the plus side for me is, I got a lot of rest. As I told a friend this morning, with my eyes being unable to open last week, I slept a lot. They were hurting because the tear ducts were blocked and my eyes wanted to stay closed most of the week!
As I was driving down to our ministry this morning and reflecting on the last week and a half and talking to God about my health and about my Dog, He told me to read Psalms 42. So, I just finished reading Psalms 42, I read it in the Message again, and this part was especially true for me last week: "I'm on a diet of tears-tears for breakfast, tears for supper. All day long people knock at my door, Pestering, 'where is this God of Yours?'
And then further down he goes on to say: "When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of you....Chaos calls to chaos to the tune of whitewater rapids You breaking surf and Your thundering breakers crash and crush me. Then God promises to love me all day, sing songs all through the night! My life is God's prayer."
Where is my God? He is in all that I do, all that I think, in the pain, the joy, the trial, the triumph, the lesson learned, the walk taken, and the light that makes my path. Where is my God? He is right here, wrapping His Robe around my ageing body, holding me in His arms, directing my ways. Whispering in my ear, giving me my thoughts. making Himself known. Where is my God? He is scouting the path before me, hedging me in today, battling the enemy, clothing me for the battle, loving me deeply, rooting Himself deeper and deeper within me, using me. Where is my God? Right here!
Say That Again, dear God, You are right here!

The Wine skin

In my devotional this  morning I read about Jesus saying that one cannot put new wine into old wine skins. The wine skins represent the package our faith comes in. We as Christians wear out our purposes and the next generations don't relate to them.
When Jesus came, He came to fulfill the law, and to usher in a new age. He came to fill the new wine skins  But, the Jewish community was locked in tradition, the old wine skins, they didn't like it when He confronted their traditions. What about now in the church I attend, or the church you attend? If tradition is confronted, are the old wine skins offended? Have new wine skins come in and tried to fill old wine skins, bringing in new wine, not conforming to tradition, inviting a new wind, new lightness, a different view?
Did Jesus conform to tradition or was He a non-conformist? I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with tradition, I like tradition, but when it becomes the law, a tired old wine skin  breathing wrath on the new wine skin, then possibly it's a problem?
I grew up in a church full of old wine skins! And, Jesus, I want to be a new wine skin. A strong package wrapped in You, full of the power of Your spirit and Your love. I do not want to conform to anything or anyone but YOU. I want to adapt to You, be led by You, surrender to You, and be unified to Your body. Oh Jesus, Say That Again to me please, continue to make me a new wine skin!

The Saint

Before  I came to Jesus, life was not to pretty. All my troubles were bundled up and kept inside, they tumbled inside my mind and caused havoc. They caused illness, and pain, and destruction. I was angry, bitter, and self-destructive. No, life was not pretty, I wanted to die....
"You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air....and were by nature children of wrath. Ephesians 2:1-3.
But, then, Jesus rescued me. He Captured me in His Hands. He made me a Saint, His Saint. Ah, He forgave me, He gave me an identity, He cleaned me up for good! And, when I sin, He picks me back up, and says, "I forgive you, Saint, I love you. You are now of my divine nature. The old is gone, the new is here."
I am born again! In Christ. Once a sinner, but now a Saint, united with Christ! "You were formally darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light." Ephesians 5:8
Jesus, my soul is in union with you, spiritually alive and identified with you, Your Saint. Thank you for this gift. Say That Again, Jesus, You have rescued me and made me a Saint!

The Hiding Place

As a child I use to hide under the dining room table on top of the chairs, but as I got older I realized that I had not chosen a very good hiding place and I simply began to hide within my mind. It was far more effective and creative! But, then, as I grew closer to Jesus and His desires I realized that hiding within my mind was not His way and was not truthful, and thus began the process of letting go of being my own hiding place and running to Him as a place to hide.
In Psalms 32 this morning I read about God being my hiding place: "You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance." verse 7
As I hide in Jesus,  He keeps me from the troubles of this world, and while I am with Him, He surrounds me with courage. He gives strength. He provides refuge. A place to breathe and receive living water. Renewal, revival, courage,  hope, and perseverance.
I like that I have a place to hide, it feels safe. Being in the arms of God, Captured in His Hands, feels safe to me. I need to hide there, away from trouble. I need to know that when I venture out into our world, I am hidden IN Christ. He has me covered, delivered, saved, redeemed, renewed, and loved!
Say That Again, Jesus, I am hidden IN You!