On to the New Year

Christmas came quick this year. The day moved slow and easy, long and deliberate, just the way I like it. And now the new year is upon us; 365 more days to live -hopefully. What will we do with them?


 Job 19:25-27 says this:
I know that my Redeemer lives,
 and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
 I myself will see him
 with my own eyes-I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!


Not that what I'm about to say has much to do with that verse necessarily...but it got me to thinking.

Seeing something with the eyes can make the soul break open wild. And wild, well that's kind of been what I've always been. God made me that way. I just used it for my purposes instead of his.

I don't believe God ever drew a line in the sand and said, "Don't cross this."  But I do believe he drew that line just to see how far we might go for him. I have always chosen my own way. How about you? I wouldn't dare to put even a toe over to the wild side of God's dash and still here I sit questioning how to fully, wildly live. I'm convinced the only way to know...is to step over.

"I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey his voice, and that you may cling to him, for he is your life and the length of your days. Deuteronomy 30:19-20


Heavenly Father,
My next 365 days...Use me. There is no greater purpose in life. You are my creator and I am your masterpiece gently molded by your hands. The road has been long and rough. I chose not the direct path, but the long winding one with many forks, all because you created a wild soul within me. There was something for me to learn and I have learned it. You are my God and I have faith you will go with me. I am willing. My eyes are open, my ears are not deaf. I have no excuse. I am capable because you have made me that way. You are a powerful God. Please Lord, show me the way. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen

Here in the next year, this is how I will fully, wildly live- eyes aware of the world around me and ears listening to the voice of God.

How will you live wild?

The Candle

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death

a light has dawned.  Isaiah 9:2

                                             JESUS

                     The last candle to be delivered tonight.
                    May His light shine forever in your hearts.

Sweet Love

While it's still dark, he walks to the edge of the bed and searches out her face. He bends, and lightly  brushes his lips on her cheek. He moves slowly to her ear and softly whispers, "I adore you" -then he turns towards the door for work that beckons.

Of all the words he's ever spoken to her, it's those three that keep coming back. Over and over again.

                                                    I love this man...
                                                 

The Look

Love this photo! I don't think anyone else noticed what was going on but I am so happy I caught the moment forever. I clicked that button at just the right time.

Cooper slowly puts his arm around Mikah. She turns to him and says "what do you think you're doing?" To which Cooper just smiles. He doesn't say a word. He must be practicing for future years when he has his first real girlfriend. The look on Cooper's face is priceless to this mama's heart. I see it now, playing out just the same in about 10 years at a movie theater. That exact look as he shyly puts his arm around his girl.

I won't be there to see that one- but it'll be here before I know it. Until then- I'll love the innocence in this photo. It melts my heart. I love, love, love it!

Time is a wasting.

 Old man winter reminds me...

 I gaze out looking at the line where heaven meets dirt. The big orb shines light in the night sky and every detail is seen in every dead tree, every barn and silo outlined against the midnight blue and there is no other color. The world seems right with children giggling in the background as I notice all God's beauty in the shadows. The car moves fast and the landscape always changes and nothing stays the same. Time moves quickly and there's no grabbing on, no stopping father time.

Seems just yesterday I had my first pains and now have had two more since. The pain that lasts long and brings life. The pain that takes breath away only to witness a first breath taken. Yes, pain brings life in all situations.

Like Jesus dying on the cross. A painful death brings us life everlasting.

The Bible says...

-All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

-But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

-For the wages of sin is DEATH, but the gift of God is eternal LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Roman 6:23)

-If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.(Romans 10:9)

-Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.(Romans 10:13)

Jesus...the only one to pay the price for our sin.

Your first breath brought you life here on Earth, let His last breath give you life eternal in heaven. After all, it is the reason he was born.


Weird sometimes to talk about life and death. But the crows feet and laugh lines no longer need a smile to appear. They are permanent reminders of the years gone by. Don't waste anymore time. Will you pick up your cross and follow him?
 
 

To see this hard to watch video first go to the sidebar to the right and pause music.

                                     Before it's too late.

                                        

Always learning something

I learned something tonight.

 If you have something nice to say you shouldn't wait to say it.

It took days but I finally caught them at home...so I thought.

A woman answers and I tell her good evening and hand the candle over wishing Merry Christmas. I tell her I'm wondering if she has a marine in the family that visited her about a year ago. She says no but the lady that lived here before passed away in March and she moved in in June.

I catch my breath this is not how I thought it would go. I tell her "oh, I wanted to come by and just tell her the story of something that touched my heart when that marine was here on this porch." I stand there collecting my thoughts. Saddened I hadn't come by before to tell the woman about her grandson. Not that it would've drastically changed the woman's life if I'd told her sooner but I bet it would've lifted her spirit. I bet it would've made her feel good, a little less lonely perhaps. But, she is gone now.

If you have something nice to say, say it.

So I wish Merry Christmas to the woman at the door again and tell her I pray the light of Christ warms her heart tonight.  She says thank you and as I turn to go I notice a tear in her eye. I think maybe she really needed this tonight and that is what I hope...but maybe she just noticed the tear in mine.

Hard to believe Jesus would do such a thing.

Sometimes it's just not easy.

If I could count the number of times I let Him go the shame would rise on my cheeks, burn red hot like crimson. Foolish girl I am day by day. He is there and he calls me back home.

Far fetched...that's what some might say about the idea of a man dying on the cross for them and then rising again to make a place. I have wondered myself. Here is what I have to say about that-

I am not who I used to be. A young girl with no dream to carry in her heart going down a path of destruction just waiting for the world to fall down around her, and it did.

Who I am now, after years of turning away and coming home again, a woman with a dream ready to take on the world for Christ.

I've spent years, 11 to be exact, walking around doing things on my own with a thought that wrestles constant. "Don't you know the way"...

It's hard to always have that nagging thought. The conscience that says I'm here waiting when you finally come to your senses. Yes, being a christian is hard. The Man upstairs NEVER lets go even if you think you want him to.

That's a tough spot to be in, isn't it? But, why would he let go?

 God in the flesh...came down.

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death-
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
-Philippians 2:6-11

Why would he let me go? Beaten and bloody this man, my Lord, Jesus Christ hanging on a cross crying out in agony because of me and for me.

So hard to believe a man would willingly take that on for me, a wretched sinner day by day. Yes, so hard to believe. A man born to die.

The Marine

I pass the house everyday on my way home. The scene played out as I drove by maybe 30 seconds tops. It's burned into my memory for well over a year.

A marine fully dressed with white hat and white gloves standing on the porch of his Grandma and Grandpa. He opens the door for them and waits for each to sit before he does. There on the front porch in the beautiful summertime sat this marine straight up and down erect back not touching the chair behind him as he visited.

I remember passing thinking how proud they must be of this man and as I drove by my softened bones grew rigid-proud to be an American. I think about that moment all the time. I don't know why. I remember thinking I too would want to sit on the porch show him off proud. So tonight I will deliver 'the Light of the world candle' to those grandparents and tell them what I saw and how it made me feel. I want them to know.

I pray for that proud marine today. I know not where he is or what he might be doing - but I still see him marine tall.

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IS COMING

Some don't feel the eager anticipation of Christmas. For whatever reason they hurt and have shadowy places in their heart. They don't see the light coming in the distance. I say we don't  just wait for Grace to come. I say we bring some of that light to the world. Would you like to join me?

Each night December 1st-25th knock on a door, light a candle, and give it away. Pray the light of Christ will warm their heart tonight.

Is anyone else in?

If you hear a knock, answer that door. The Light is coming! Can you feel it? Can you see it? Christ is coming; the Light of the world is on His way...



The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.---Isaiah 9:2  it goes on to say in verses 6&7...

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


 I am 100% EXPECTING God to show up! Want to join?