I like the analogy that God is like mountains on a foggy day. You can't see him, you can't touch him, but you know he is there. Then when the fog lifts and you make the journey up to the mountain side, you see God face to face in a more clear and real way than ever before.
Even when we can't see God or feel God, when chaos, tragedy, or trivial worries distract us from God, any time, any day, any rhyme or any reason, God is always there surrounding us with hope, peace and joy.
Tomorrow is the last week of Advent, the time to focus on the love of God, love so clearly expressed by the baby in the manger.
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Advent Day 19
There is room at the manger for everyone. Happy people, sad people, rich and poor, young ones, old ones, you and me.
Our community has had more than its usual share of deaths recently. My church's "Pray for grieving families" prayer list increased by 6 names last week. Charlotte Smith, Oline Davis, Wayne Owens, Rosella Tahah, Chad Thompson, Bernice Eichling. The families of these people are grieving at Christmas time. There is room for them at the manger where they will find comfort.
We think we have to be happy and cheerful at Christmas. But really we can be whoever we are, feel whatever is appropriate, as long as we seek God and spend time at the manger.
Some of the new people on our prayer list do not attend church. I don't know how a person survives grief without a connection to God and the support of people with that same connection. One good thing about a small community is that support is available. All of the churches are praying for these people. Most community members, whether they go to church or not, take action to serve those in need. There will be visits, food, cards and all kinds of help offered. In a way, they are bringing the manger to the people who need it the most.
Blessings to you throughout Advent and I'll see you at the manger.
Our community has had more than its usual share of deaths recently. My church's "Pray for grieving families" prayer list increased by 6 names last week. Charlotte Smith, Oline Davis, Wayne Owens, Rosella Tahah, Chad Thompson, Bernice Eichling. The families of these people are grieving at Christmas time. There is room for them at the manger where they will find comfort.
We think we have to be happy and cheerful at Christmas. But really we can be whoever we are, feel whatever is appropriate, as long as we seek God and spend time at the manger.
Some of the new people on our prayer list do not attend church. I don't know how a person survives grief without a connection to God and the support of people with that same connection. One good thing about a small community is that support is available. All of the churches are praying for these people. Most community members, whether they go to church or not, take action to serve those in need. There will be visits, food, cards and all kinds of help offered. In a way, they are bringing the manger to the people who need it the most.
Blessings to you throughout Advent and I'll see you at the manger.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Advent Day 16
Joy is a fruit of the spirit, not a result of our gratification.
Joy is an intentional action.
Sometimes I am good at being joyful. I am tapped into God no matter the situation and I feel His joy.
But other times, even aware of God's presence, I get cranky because things just aren't going right.
Being in God's joy is much better so I'll work toward being in joy more than being cranky, with God's help.
Go, eat your bread with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. ~ Ecclesiastes 9:7
Wine is also a source of joy for me. I'm happy to have found this scripture.
...
Joy is an intentional action.
Sometimes I am good at being joyful. I am tapped into God no matter the situation and I feel His joy.
But other times, even aware of God's presence, I get cranky because things just aren't going right.
Being in God's joy is much better so I'll work toward being in joy more than being cranky, with God's help.
Go, eat your bread with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. ~ Ecclesiastes 9:7
Wine is also a source of joy for me. I'm happy to have found this scripture.
...
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Advent Day 15
The third week in Advent: JOY. We are half way through the season of preparation and it is time to celebrate. The Savior is coming soon. Rejoice.
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” Luke 1: 46-49
Mary sings for joy to the Lord as she anticipates the arrival of her son and savior.
What better way to express JOY than by this beloved Christmas song? The lyrics are in public domain. Yay!
JOY TO THE WORLD
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav’n, and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
I was going to put a link to a listenable version of this song but I couldn't find one that I like. Maybe you'll have better luck if you google "Joy to the World."
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” Luke 1: 46-49
Mary sings for joy to the Lord as she anticipates the arrival of her son and savior.
What better way to express JOY than by this beloved Christmas song? The lyrics are in public domain. Yay!
JOY TO THE WORLD
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav’n, and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
I was going to put a link to a listenable version of this song but I couldn't find one that I like. Maybe you'll have better luck if you google "Joy to the World."
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Advent Day 11
Carry these words with you today:
Stop, turn, look for God.
Maybe my constantly forgetting where I put something and therefore constantly looking for something is God's way of keeping Him on my mind. I am constantly asking for his help to find whatever it is I'm looking for. And then thanking Him when said item is located.
The theme in today's devotion is if you keep a look out for God you will be rewarded with many God sightings. I have a little different spin on it: if you live life, you'll have plenty of opportunities to call out for God's support.
Case in point, I have a class of 6 students in my pre-teaching class. My superintendent asked me if the class would "entertain" children on Monday night's parent night at school. Parents go to break out session and we (my class & I) are providing child care consisting of games, crafts, and activities. I told the kids about it and here were there responses:
The theme in today's devotion is if you keep a look out for God you will be rewarded with many God sightings. I have a little different spin on it: if you live life, you'll have plenty of opportunities to call out for God's support.
Case in point, I have a class of 6 students in my pre-teaching class. My superintendent asked me if the class would "entertain" children on Monday night's parent night at school. Parents go to break out session and we (my class & I) are providing child care consisting of games, crafts, and activities. I told the kids about it and here were there responses:
- I have to work on Monday after school until 10:00 p.m.
- I can't come because I am helping the FFA with the hot dog dinner for the parent night.
- I'll be staying at my mom's on Monday and I have to watch her two toddlers.
- My brother is having surgery on Monday and I don't know how long we are staying at the hospital.
- I'm not coming because I don't want to.
- If nothing comes up over the weekend, I'll be there.
I said a silent prayer.
Praise God for a good job, for kids who need His healing hand, for the opportunity to be a vessel for Him, and that He is always available. Dear Lord, help me be more available to you.
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