The Reason for the Season

It's that time of year again where we find trees in living rooms, wreaths on doors, strings of lights on light posts, and continuous [cheesy-which I happen to love] Christmas movies on every single night [thanks to the Hallmark channel]. It's the time when people go from store to store, checking their lists and checking them twice. It's the time when you spend hours cooking an extravagant meal for your loved ones, when temptation of throwing in the towel is just beneath the horizon when you realize that the oven was never turned on in the first place. Through the chaos of it all, I think it's important that we stop in the silence of the Christmas music, hustle and bustle of shopping, and the aroma of the holiday meal so that we can focus on the reason for the season. 

When we turn our minds to the reason for the season, we come face to face with our beliefs. Maybe you resonate with many beliefs or maybe you aren't sure what you believe in. It makes me think of one of my favorite Christmas movies, "Miracle on 34th Street". The reoccurring theme of the movie is "believe". Dorey Walker and her daughter, Susan, are skeptics of the man who travels around the world in one night with a nice and naughty list in hand with every child's name listed. The movie follows the relationship they have with Kris Kringle, the Macy's Christmas Santa, and the controversy the city of New York faces when it comes to believing without seeing. 

Last Christmas, the series I wrote was the Cast of Christmas, but this year, I'm going to change it up a bit. Instead of going through only the Nativity Story, I want to write about the core of the holiday season...believing. No matter what religion we practice, our actions often stem from our beliefs. A couple years ago, I was asked to write out a list of my beliefs and honestly, I had a hard time with it. So I'd like to challenge you to sit down and write out a list of your beliefs. It can be about life in general. It can be about faith and religion. It can be about the holiday season specifically. Let's focus on believing this holiday season. It may be difficult and in fact, you may find that it's easier to write about what you don't believe in. 

My inspiration for this topic came from the book, "Letters from a Skeptic: A Son Wrestles with His Father's Questions about Christianity" by Gregory Boyd and Edward Boyd. Just like Dorey and Susan in Miracle on 34th Street, this father-son duo ask some difficult questions and explore the depths (or lack-thereof) of their beliefs. I'll be sharing bits and pieces of their challenging conversation in hopes to begin discussion and aid in the strengthening of beliefs. It's amazing what the end result can be when we question, explore, and believe. I would say that Dorey, Susan, Gregory and Edward would all agree that through the wrestling, joy and hope can be born. 

Bible Reading Plan: Ezekiel 16-30

Mini series - The Cast of Christmas - Day 1 Mary

I'm so glad you stopped by!

Today is the first day of my mini series, "The Cast of Christmas". I figured since we're only 5 days away from Christmas, I would spend this week getting to know the people (cast) involved in the Christmas story. God picked each and every person for a reason to be a part of this spectacular event. I believe we can learn something from each person. So get a cup of hot chocolate, sit back and join me on this mini series of getting to know the cast of Christmas.

 

 

Imagine with me for a moment...you're a young teenage girl, probably 14 or 15, maybe younger (guys, try and pretend you're a girl, I know it may be hard ;). You're going through puberty. Zits on your face and roller coaster emotions. You live a pretty ordinary, hard working life of cleaning, cooking, working around the house, drawing water and more. Then one day, you are visited by someone you've never seen before. Someone very unique. An angel.

 

The angel tells her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28). You don't really understand who this person is and why the extravagant salutation (Luke 1:29 paraphrase).

 I mean it wasn't an ordinary happening for an angel to visit you.

 The angel continued to say, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end" (Luke 1:30-33).

 

Woa. Talk about a tad bit overwhelming. Plus, there's a problem. You're a virgin. There has to be some mistake. So you speak up..."How can this be, since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34).

Good question.

The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible for God" (Luke 1:35-37).

 

You think, "Hmm good answer, I can't argue with that" and reply with a firm, "Behold the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word" and the angel left (Luke 1:38).

 

Okay, imagination time is over now. I would think that must have been overwhelming for young Mary, but then again, maybe not. She wasn't married. She found out she would be pregnant with the Son of God. That had to be a little bit frightening, at least I would be.

 

Even though it may have been scary for her and she was afraid of what her parents might think, as well as her community, she confidently obeyed (verse 38). She didn't say, "Can I think about it and get back to you?" or "No, I don't want to carry the Son of God, that's a lot of pressure!" She said, "May it be done to me according to your word." Wow. Props to Mary. Not only that, she believed in the fulfillment of the Lord (Luke 1:45), she praised God (Luke 1:46-47), and she recognized the magnitude of what was coming through the child she was carrying (Luke 1:48-55).

 

So what can we learn from Mary?

I don't know for sure, but I'm thinking that in the beginning she didn't completely understand how everything was going to work out. Also, despite the pressure she may have felt from the responsibility of bearing the Son of God, she still said yes. She trusted in God's promises and thanked Him for what He's done and what He will do. How does this translate to us? Well, when God tells us to do something, we should reply just like Mary did, even though we may be overwhelmed or have questions. We should trust that if He starts something, He will bring it to completion, even if we are just an ordinary, teenage girl. He takes ordinary people and uses them for the extraordinary.

Philippians 1:6 says, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

 

Check out this song from Mary's perspective.

"Be Born in Me (Mary)" by Francesca Battistelli

 

 

 

If you're following along with the year long Bible reading plan, today's scripture is Ephesians 4-6.

 

Stop by tomorrow and learn more about the next cast member of the Christmas story!

Carry the hurt

 

Illness. Death. Depression. Financial issues. Divorce. Disappointment. Loss.

We've all we've been burdened by one of those or maybe all of them.

I think it's safe to say we're hurting people.

 

Lately, I've read a lot about people suffering including Christians. I think some people think that Christians live an easy, happy life, but the truth is, everyone faces hard times. Christians just realize that they have a Savior they can lean on. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 says, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."

 

Not only have I read about suffering people, I know suffering people. Not only do I know suffering people, I see suffering people. People on the corners with signs crying out for help. People in hospitals wishing they were anywhere but there. People counting out pennies just to get food for their family. People in their homes yearning for a loved one to be with them.

 

For all these people, my heart hurts for them especially for my friends, Alisa and Jaime. It seems like holidays only make this hurt intensified and I just wish I could take it away. Although I can't take it away, God tells me that I can do something..."Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ," Galations 6:2.

 

Angie Smith talks about this verse in her book, Mended. The Greek word for burdens is "baros" which is translated into "heaviness, weight, burden, trouble". She says, "Baros is the type of weight that is only of this world - the difficulties that come from living in a fallen world as a fallen person and with fallen people. It includes a sense of weight that is burdensome." It's crazy how Christmastime brings joy, but a lot of times we experience a heaviness. Is your heart heavy for someone right now?

 

Christmas is often labeled as the "season for giving". I think we should be giving throughout the whole year, but anyway, if you know someone who is suffering right now, share their burden with them. I know that may not sound like a fun time, but it's what we are called to do. You may not have money to give or a spectacular gift, but you can give them your time, a listening ear, and a prayer. It's okay to feel heavy for someone. God gave us emotions for a reason. He has given us experiences for a reason too. Maybe you can relate to someone who is suffering right now.

 

2 Corinthians 1:3-8 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of your comfort."

 

With that being said, reach out to those who are hurting right now.

Share your experiences. Give your love. Offer up prayer.

They will be comforted and you will too.

 

Today's scripture for the year long reading plan was 2 Corinthians 1-4. Yesterday's was 1 Corinthians 15-16. If you would like the full plan check it out here or shoot me an email and I'll send it to you!

 

A bunch of randomness

Hey everyone!

Sorry I haven't been as consistent as I was last month. With Christmas around the corner and my 2 new, lovely medicines that are causing me some pain, I've been either busy or resting. Anyway, I wanted to stop by for a little bit and let you in on some of the stuff I've been up to...

 

painting DIY 3D wall art...

and more painting...

 

creating...

 (This little guy is a SUPER simple DIY Rudolph made out of a piece of wood, lightbulb, paint, glitter and branches. Maybe this is silly, but it was a fun little project.)

and decorating!

 

Also, I've been nominated for the Liebster award again! My new blogger friend, Cat, over at This Little Life of Mine nominated me. She is such a sweet woman of God with a moving testimony. I ran across her blog a couple weeks ago and told her about Alisa and Jaime's story. She even blogged about their story-so sweet! Please go check out her blog...you won't regret it! Thank you so much Cat! I nominated some blogs for this award a couple months ago and if I would have known you then, I would have nominated you in a heartbeat!

Since I just nominated a couple months ago, I'm going to wait a few more months to nominate again so that I can nominate new bloggers :)

These are the questions Cat asked me, so here's your chance to get to know me a little bit better :) I hope it's somewhat interesting! Haha.

 

1. Why did you start blogging? I started blogging because I felt that God put it on my heart to share with others what He has taught me. Honestly, I had always hated the idea of "blogging" before and was totally against doing it...God has a funny sense of humor haha.
2. Favorite Movie? Gah that is SO hard...how bout I list 3? A Walk to Remember, Remember the Titans & Accepted - this should tell you that I like Nicholas Sparks books/movies, football and comedies. What can I say- I'm a girl of variety!
3. Favorite holiday tradition? I guess it would be decorating the tree and listening to Christmas music. What's even better is when the tree is all finished and we can sit back, drink some hot chocolate and enjoy our masterpiece.
4. Who is your role model? I know this may be a Sunday School answer, but I would have to say Jesus. I have many people I look up to, but even though they are wonderful, they aren't perfect and the only perfect person is Jesus. He sets the example of how we should live.
5. Movies or a book? I think it just depends on my mood because I like both. Right now-I would say movies.
6. Do you have a favorite scripture? Just like my favorite movies, I have a tie of 3 or 5 or even 25 favorite bible verses. I'll just go with 3 right now- Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 4:1-6
7. Where is your favorite place for vacation? Here's another tie..(I guess I just can't make a decision haha) Vegas & Destin, Florida-Vegas just has so many things to see & I like the weather. Destin is just gorgeous-nothing like crystal clear water and white sand!
8. Are you ready for Christmas? Oh I'm ready for Christmas! I'm always ready for Christmas, but the real question is, am I prepared? No way. I have so much to do and so little time. I knew I should have gotten started earlier.
9. Do you have any pet peeves? Hmm...tapping!! It could be nails tapping on a table or a foot tapping on the ground, whatever- it drives me nuts haha.

Now that I've filled you in, I figured I'd share some encouraging words. It comes from the Bible, so rest assured that these words are 100% true.

 

 

Mmm...I love that. God is with me (& you!) He is mighty to save (mighty-oh yeah!). He takes great delight in me/you (woa!). He quiets me/you with His love (He sure does!). He rejoices over us with singing (wow-I feel special!).

 

Rest in these truths & may they bring you peace.

 

Today's scripture for read-your-Bible-in-a-year plan was 1 Corinthians 12-14.

If you would like a copy of the plan, check it out here or send me an email!

 

 

 

 

 

Day 20 In Him we find...

Well it's been another 10 days of my series, "In Him we find...". This month has flown! In case you've missed any of the series or just need a review, so far here is what we've found:

faithfulness

healing

freedom

holiness

confidence

endurance

Heavenly Father

sacrifice

rest

conviction

repentance

refreshment

lovingkindness

power

everlasting love

wise counsel

transformation

refuge

 

Talk about an awesome list. God is good!! Can I get an "amen"?! :)

 

 

"You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." ~Psalm 16:11 (NASB)

 

Today, I went Christmas shopping with some friends and even helped one of my best friend's put up her Christmas tree. Let me tell you, we were so excited walking down the aisles filled with ornaments and ribbon, not to mention, admiring the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree. It was during this shopping trip and putting the tree together, where we felt joy. Childhood joy. Christmas is definitely my favorite season and I'll admit, this is the first time EVER that I'm in the Christmas spirit even before Thanksgiving. It's got me thinking though...

 

How can a season or holiday give me such joy? Of course, this is the holiday where we celebrate our Savior's birth, which is wonderful! Don't get me wrong. We should celebrate His birth, because it is such a wonderful story. However, my Savior is living. He is with me all the time. He never leaves my side. It's not Christmas lights that give me joy, but it's the one true light, Jesus, that gives me joy. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, "rejoice always". I should rejoice all the time...not just at Christmastime. It's not the season that we should find joy in, but we find true joy in Him.

 

In Him we find joy.

 

Today's scripture for read-your-Bible-in-a-year plan was Acts 4-6.