Expectations

     Well it's Christmas Eve.  I was out earlier today delivering a few presents to friends around town.  I was expecting heavy traffic but to my surprise, it wasn't bad at all. We went thru the Schlotzkey's drive thru and our dog, Jack, wasn't expecting anything but he got a free piece of ham.  It's now his favorite drive-thru..lol.
     People sometimes have high expectations of how the holiday season will be and reality disappoints them. We watch Christmas movies that have the huge tree with countless presents under it and the huge buffet of food at the pleasant family meal. Then we start comparing our situation with that make-believe world. Focusing on what we don't have instead of feeling blessed with what we do have can lead to a negative feeling for the holidays. We can instead make the most of things as Charlie Brown did with his Christmas tree. He was happy with his one ornament on the few sprigs of a tree he had. His positive perspective was from knowing he had good friends that loved him.  Linus even shared with him the real meaning of Christmas.
     Don't set yourself up with expectations on how things are going to be.  Just live in the moment and enjoy it.

Caroling

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     Look at this great crowd of FBF carolers and this doesn't show all of them. Sorry we didn't get the carolers by the door in the video.  There were 40-50 people who volunteered to spread Christmas cheer to me and other blessed folks last night.  They sang Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Excelsius Deo, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. How special and loved it makes one feel to enjoy such a wonderful moment. Showing the love of Christ to others is what Christmas is all about.  Thanks to you all. 

Peace on Earth

     Often when asked, people will say they want 'peace on earth' for Christmas. That is what Jesus brought to us with His birth.  He reconciles us with God as our mediator by paying our debt of sin with His blood on the cross.  His peace comes from your faith and submission to His will.  Anxiety and frustration replace the feeling of peace when we try to do things our way and not His.  Reading your Bible will guide you and get you back on that peaceful track. You can have His peace today, there's no need to wait.
      Here are a few truths about His peace that I copied from intouch.org.     

• God is in control of everything. Without this assurance, the world is a scary place.
• He loves me and will see me through every circumstance, no matter how difficult or painful it may be.
• To have Christ’s peace, I must surrender my life to Him. When I hold onto my ways and plans, I’ll experience turmoil.
• I have a limited perspective and understanding of my circumstances and God’s purposes for allowing them. His goals for me are greater than my immediate comfort.
• The Lord promises to work all things out for my good. He is continually working to transform my character into Christ’s image.
• I must live in sync with God, walking in the Spirit and promptly confessing and repenting of sin.
• Scripture is my foundation for peace. It increases my trust in the Lord’s goodness, assures me that He keeps His promises, and reminds me of His sovereignty over every situation.

Time Flies

     I think 2 and a half is the cutest time of a child.  It's certainly my favorite age. Several of my friends have a child at this age right now.  They're all adorable and are starting to show their own unique personalities. One in particular reminds me of myself and that's a little humbling.  She told her mom the other day, ''Just chill out. You hear me?''  Yes, we have the same sarcastic, blunt gene in our DNA.
     When I was this age, I threw my gum on the kitchen floor.  My mom told me to pick it up. 'No' was my firm reply. She spanked me over and over after each of my refusals to pick it up.  She put me in the corner till I was supposed to be ready to pick it up. I outlasted her patience with me..lol.  She drug me over to the gum, forced me to pick it up and then drug me to the trash can to dispose of it.  This story is according to my mom as I, just like Oliver North, do not recall. It certainly doesn't sound like me at all...haha.
      Although you may be tested to your limits in certain moments, enjoy this all too precious time in your child's life.  As my friend's blog, http://www.underherwings.blogspot.com/ , says time is fleeting for each one of us.  Savor the time with your little one, quiet or chaotic.

O Lord, make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!
 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! 

Psalm 39:4-5

Come A Long Way

     Okay, I'm going to date myself here but who remembers when Walmart was in the Indian Hills shopping center?  It seems so long ago. Walmart has come a long way since then and me too.  As a young teenager, I used to hide behind racks or go to another part of the store while my mom looked at the clothes.  ''Angelia, come look at this.''  Seriously?  She could have shown me the cutest thing ever and I would have hated it just because we were in Walmart.  My perspective changed when I was on my own and footing the bill.  Ha.  As I'd show things I'd bought, I didn't hesitate to say it was from Walmart.
     The value of a dollar is a good lesson learned.  Kids often think they're going to have their parents lifestyle and pay grade as soon as they move out.  Not so, it takes time and hard work. Where stuff comes from shouldn't really matter, either you like it or you don't. It's all susceptible to moths, fire and wear n tear.  Some things are worth the extra price for quality.  I'd rather tell about a bargain than tell how some brand label took my last dollar.  Manage your money and purchases wisely because there's only so much in the bank.

Go For It

     How many of us can claim to put the 'pro' in to 'procrastination?'  Don't we all look like the top kitten when something like the cluttered garage or the backlog of gifts to be wrapped is mentioned.  You think, yea I know it's there but I'll get to it later. Woah, to the daring soul who might ask you when you're going to start the put-off project. 'When I get good and ready' might be your answer.  Overwhelming is usually the best way to describe tackling such a feat.  When the time is either right or is up, you will get it done.  What a great feeling of accomplishment that comes with it.  Does your smile now resemble the kitten on the bottom as you shout 'woohoo'?
     This time of year can be stressful but don't let procrastination self-inflict it on you.  Get done what you can today, as that happy 'finished' smile awaits to be worn.

His Power

 


     Don't you think we overestimate our own power and strength? Then why do we often underestimate God's power in anything?  Do you pray with the belief that He will make it happen, according to His will?  If you have received an answered prayer, then you know how powerful He is first-hand.  Our own weak minds can't fathom how some things we want to happen can come true so we don't even ask for them. Why do we have to know how?  We don't. We can just know and believe that nothing is beyond His power. 
     A friend of our missionary friends in Mexico has been kidnapped in the last couple of weeks.  Even tho we know he is in the hands of the enemy, we trust that God can change their hearts and release him. As we pray without ceasing for this man, we must not doubt God's power in this desperate situation.
     When we say it's 'impossible', God says 'Im possible.'

Matthew 21;21-22  '' Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

How To Show Love

    Okay, so this should be one of the most loving times of the year, right?  Did you feel that way as you were stuck in the long line of holiday traffic or at the family get-together with unnerving relatives?  Not speaking personally here..hehe.  Sometimes we need a reminder on how we can show our love to others. We are told to even love our enemies but we wonder 'How?'  The caption above gives 10 ways to show love, with scripture to back it up.  If these weren't do-able, they wouldn't be in the Word.  By the way, these are good year-round. 

   L-love O-others V-viewing E-eternity

Lean On Him

''Only as we face one faith-stretching challenge after another and experience God’s faithfulness will we learn to depend on Him instead of ourselves.'' from intouch.org


     Are you grateful for both the good and bad times in your life?  We are supposed to be but it is tough. The quote above answers the question, 'why is this happening,' rather well. The trust we learn from trials helps us when the next one comes. Trust should be an additive quality but we often deduct from it with our arrogant hearts.  If we would only humble ourselves, we would realize how weak we really are. Our lives are about so much more than our desires but about His will for us.  Depending on the Lord is your greatest strength.

Cirque du Soleil

     As Billy Joel would say 'Oh, what a night.'  We went to see this show at Verizon arena last night.  The weather was perfect at 65 degrees, which is highly unusual for December.  We had great seats to see everything.  I took my machine and enjoyed all night cough-free, an answered prayer. The show is a mixture of eastern and western chinese acrobatics. I highly recommend the show for both kids and adults. If you're wondering where all your strength, flexibility, and energy went, these performers stole it while we were all standing in the DNA line..ha. No, really the training they must do is probably overwhelming.
     A few of my favorite acts are as follows but everything was great and amazing.  There was a ring that hung down from the ceiling.  A woman hung from that ring by her neck, her arched back, and her feet.  She did all this while twirling and flipping around in midair.  Part of the stage setup was a wall with two small rectangular trampolines in front of it. The guys would jump off the top of the wall, down to the trampoline, and then walk up the wall like Spiderman...so cool.  There was a juggler that kept 4-6 balls going while doing all kinds of acrobatic tricks on the stage floor. There was also a couple that did a love story kind of act as they swung around on long fabric that came down from the ceiling like ribbon. The woman, so strong, held the man in midair by one arm. There was a jump rope team that formed a 7-4-1 person pyramid that jumped without breaking formation.  It's all just 'wow' throughout the whole show and this is just a snipet of it all.
     After the show, since I was doing so well, we went to IHOP. A blueberry crepe and coffee were the perfect ending to a wonderful night.  Praise to Him who showers me with blessings every day but this night was a downpour of goodness.

I've Got It, Okay

     How in control of things do you feel?  We often feel we are indestructable.  We push the limits of our weak strength.  How do you feel when you're realize you're not in control?  It's hard to let someone else be in charge or submit to decisions we don't agree with or understand.
     When it came to driving, I was the squirrel in the picture above. I've told you before I often drove fast but I haven't disclosed that I rarely wore a seatbelt. My reasoning was that I felt more in control and less hindered without a seatbelt.  People often asked or begged me to wear one but to no avail.  I once had a wreck with my boss in the car.  He asked me before we started on our trip if I was going to put my seatbelt on. No, I'm ok.  After the wreck, when the cop asked if we were wearing seatbelts, my boss said he was and let me say that I wasn't.  Oh how God's protection covered me all those years. The control I thought I had was just an illusion.  It was actually an act of grace from God towards me.
     So now that I can't drive, you won't catch me without a seatbelt. The passenger seat sheds a whole new light on the value of a seatbelt. [giggle]  Thankfully, my protection is still most provided by God's hands. He is in control of where you are and the situation we are in.  Isn't that comforting?  We shouldn't be reckless or foolish in our ways because as much control as you think you have over things...you are not in control, God is..

Decisions

     Are you a good decision maker?  Some decisions need to be thought over with ample time but other decisions need to be made with a quick response.  Often people want to pass the buck and have others decide for them.  I think this can develop into a bad habit.  Some of the most important questions in life are only left for you to decide.
     One day I was on my way home after work.  There is about a two mile stretch of interstate between work and my exit to go home. I was headed east-bound when I noticed a tractor-trailer tire was bouncing towards me from the west-bound lanes.  I don't know where it came from but I knew I had to think fast.  I could slow down and maybe it would pass in front of me? But I couldn't go in reverse if need be.  Or I could speed up and pass it before it got to me?  If I speed up and we meet, it'll be quick and over.  I had about 5 seconds to decide how this story would end.  The tire was now in the median.  You would think it would fall over but no, it didn't.  I floored it, as you might expect if you know me very well.  The tire passed behind me somewhere and no other cars got hit either.
     The fatal tire will hit each of us someday and we most likely won't see it coming.  Your time is now to make decisions about your life and your eternal destiny.  Don't wait too long!

HEY!

     'Hey' can be a powerful three letter word.  It can be a nice greeting to someone when you can't remember their name...hey there.  It can be a sharp, direct attention getter.. HEY! I'm talking to you. It's probably one of the loudest words I can say because it's one syllable and it doesn't require alot of air to deliver its punch.  I'll give two stories on 'hey', with and without effect.
     One cold winter day in Springfield, I decided to go to the local grocery store, Price Cutter.  I noticed after I got in the van that my scooter's battery was low. I thought it would be fine since I was just going to be in there for a few minutes. I parked in the space right in front of the sliding glass doors. When I came back out, it had begun to snow. I hurried to get the van open and get inside.  Well, no such luck.  My battery would only get my scooter half-way up the ramp.  Back down and try again..not any better. Okay so I just needed a push. I started out with the polite 'excuse me' as I tried to wave down people as they walked by.  I began to think I was invisible. So as the colder and more snowed on I got, the shorter my temper got.  The next shopper got a sharp 'HEY' from me and I got a push up the ramp and out of the snow.
     Another time, I was to stay overnight in the hospital to have a sleep study done.  They put me in a room with someone else.  I didn't know who they were or what they had but I did find out they snored louder than a freight train. I started out with 'shhh', then to 'SHHH!', and then ultimately 'HEY, BE QUIET.'  It was all of no use. The sleep study was a failure because I got no sleep all night.
     Do you hear God's whispers or is He shouting 'HEY' to try to get your attention?

No Coincidence

     If you haven't read 'The Hiding Place' by Corrie ten Boom, its a must read. The wisdom she gained as she struggled thru Nazi concentration camp is still inspiring lives today. The quote above tells us how nothing is a coincidence but a part of God's bigger plan.  Have you questioned why you've endured a long sickness or heartache or any hardship?  It's to teach you something and show you your need to lean on His everlasting arms. Have you ever stopped to think of what life would have been like without certain people? The Lord knows who we need to come into our lives or who to let out at just the right times.  Only God knows where our future is headed so let us embrace each experience and person He gives us as a way to learn His desires for us.
 Proverbs 3:6  'in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.'
 Proverbs 4:11 'I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.'

Let the Games Begin

     Last night was such a fun time at the Women of Faith's ornament exchange party.  Before I tell you about it, I want to give praise for going 4hours and 20 min without my air machine. Awesome, especially since I've been coughing for 2 weeks.  Okay, now about the party.  We started out with singing Christmas carols, then a missionary update letter from Lesley and then soup/salad from the Olive Garden. I didn't eat because of my cough but everyone else seemed to really enjoy it.  In the past, we've ate at a restaurant and then gone to someone's house.  Having it at the church's fellowship hall was so much better.. no distractions, less traveling and we could be as loud or quiet as we wanted.
     The ornament exchange game...oh my goodness, these women are ruthless..lol.  If you think I'm competitive, watch out, these ladies are on a whole other level.  There was more wheelin' and dealing than Chicago's own Blagojevich could dream about. It was all in fun, even the 'trash' talk. I think everybody ended up happy with their ornament they took home. I know I did, even tho one of my best friends was the first to steal it from me.  Three of us formed an alliance and dealed till we all got our desired ornaments.
     What a great night all around. Looking forward to next year's party.

12 Christmas Prayers

       I read the Daily Bread today and it posed the question of what would you ask for if God directly asked you, like Solomon, what you wanted from Him.  That's a tough question and I doubt I would be as wise as Solomon. Good health seems like a good answer but it's a temporary solution for part of this life. Aren't we already promised that in our new bodies in heaven?  The 12 prayer requests above not only help us, helps us with others and gives thanks to our Lord.  We ask for guidance from above and here the verses tell us exactly what we need from Him.  God is transforming us every day into His likeness and these verses guide us by beginning with 'let us be' what He desires for us. These 12 prayers will help us to reach our ultimate goal of eternity with Christ, while we wait here on earth.

We Need...

     Have you heard the song that goes 'this world is not my home, I'm just a passing through'?  We should avoid getting drawn in by worldly characteristics in ourselves. The caption above illustrates how we are not to be of this world but to be and portray ourselves as different Godly women. These qualities like tenderness, kindness, refinement, faith, goodness, virtue and purity are simple ways to set yourself apart from worldliness.  The worldly qualities mentioned above are self-serving and temporary. Women of the world are a dime a dozen, don't you wana be a rare gem? 

You Matter

     Do you ever feel unimportant?  Wonder why you're even here?  Emotions and thoughts in our heads can lead us down a road of low self-esteem.  It's a destructive path of falsehood.  Each one of us was made by God with a purpose in mind. Exodus 9:16 ''But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.''   Psalm 33:11 ''But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.''  You may not yet know or understand what exactly He has in mind for you but one thing for sure, is that you matter to Him.  Luke 12;6-7  ''Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.'' God provides, protects, heals, and comforts each one of His children because they are important to Him.
     This world can make you feel overlooked even when you're trying to make a difference. Even if your good deeds go unnoticed or unappreciated, they're not irrelevant.  Colossians 3;23-24 ''Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.'' 
     Don't feel small or unimportant, YOU are a significant and relevant part of His plan.

Smile

     Psalm 37; 1-4  ''Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;  for like the grass they will soon wither,like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.''
     When I read the first part of this verse, I think of the Occupy WallStreet movement.  They are not only fretting over those they think are evil but causing chaos themselves.  I see it as a waste of time and would rather see them actually 'doing something' good.  Leave the payback to God and He will give you your desires
     The second part has to do with jealousy of wrong doers.  When we work hard for something and get it, it puts a smile on our face.  If we see people with more than us, its easy to want that too.  How they obtained it is important tho.  You can admire and respect those who didn't follow crooked paths to get what they have and to get where they are.
     Psalm 37 goes on to say that we are not to turn to anger and that the wicked will be destroyed.  By God's hand and wrath, not ours. The meek will inherit the earth so consider what little you have in earthly terms as much in heavenly terms....our treasure is in Heaven.

Patience

    Okay, so according to this caption I've often not had the ability to be patient.  As I get older, I think I'm less patient but give more grace so it kind of evens out.  I'm what you might call a situational-dependent patient person..lol.  I've learned patience in some areas of my life but not so much in others.
    One day my dad came up to Springfield to bring me back here for a few days off.  I don't remember why I hadn't eaten but I was starving.  We stopped and got a Subway sandwich to go.  I literally, as you will see, inhaled it.  I couldn't eat it fast enough to satisfy my hunger.  Well, about 5 miles down the road I started needing to cough.  My dad pulled into the Walmart parking lot on the north side of town. Do we need to go to the hospital, my dad asked.  No, just give me a minute, I'll be fine.  This same conversation went on for the next thirty minutes.  Even tho I didn't know my lips were now turning blue, I agreed we needed to go to the ER.  It was on the south side of town.  My dad drove 80mph thru town.  We got there safely, PTL, and he carried me in.  I told them I just needed respiratory because I had choked and couldn't breathe.  My oxygen was now 65... should be in the upper 90's.  They sent everybody in except respiratory.  I was more than impatient and frustrated.  Then guess who they sent in?  A chaplain to read me my last rites!  I said with all the breath and spunk I could muster to, 'get the heck out. I don't need a chaplain, I need respiratory.'  He left and the respiratory team eventually came. I cut to the chase and told them I needed a bronchoscopy ASAP.  They suctioned out what you could visably see as lettuce, ham, tomato, bread, etc.  So as you can see my patience and attitude were shot down by panic.
      Lesson learned.....don't get so hungry that you eat too fast and get choked.  Take your time and have a lil patience.