Christmas Cards Praying

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 

always in every prayer of mine

for you all making my prayer with joy,

 because of your partnership in the gospel

from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, 

that he who began a good work

in you will bring it to completion at the day 

of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:3-6 (ESV)

For the past 3 evenings, we have taken 5 Christmas cards each night and have prayed for the individuals who sent them to us. It's been a vivid reminder of God's blessings in our lives and that of the family and friends who sent the cards. 

I must share that as we have prayed each night, each of us have recalled specific acts of kindness that we have received from these precious people. It's like opening up the "blessing vault and finding great treasure." The enemy would have us become so busy that we neglect prayer and supplication for others. 

As to how you utilize the Christmas cards, that will depend on you and your family. There is not a right or wrong way.  Some families pray when they first receive their cards in the mail. 

My challenge to you and your family is to begin TODAY! 

The Many Names of the Blessed One

   Ah, Master, I will use them.

   Rabboni, I will pray.

Good Shepherd, I will not abuse them

   However far I stray.

   Redeemer, you have bought me

   Back from slavery.

How could I scorn the Son that taught me

   Light and how to see?

   This day of circumcision,

   This covenantal day,

Names you our future Resurrection

   Life and Truth and Way.

   Ah, baby, head so heavy,

   Lay it down, I pray.

Soon you will raise it strong and steady

For the crown of Christ in Glory ---

  Perpetual Christmas Day!

[Source: Preparing for Jesus,

The Third Day of Christmas, page 144]

Christmas Poem, Paul Gerhardt, 1653

   O Jesus Christ,

   Thy manger is

My paradise at which my soul reclineth.

   For there, O Lord,

   Doth lie the Word

Made flesh for us, herein thy grace forth shineth.

   He whom the sea

   And wind obey

Doth come to serve the sinner in great meekness.

   Thou, God's own Son,

   With us art one,

Dost join us and our children in our weakness.

   Thou Christian heart,

   Who-e'ver thou art,

Be of good cheer and let no sorrow move thee!

   For God's own Child,

   In mercy mild,

Joins thee to Him; how greatly God must love thee!

[poem from Preparing for Jesus; The Second Day of Christmas, page 140 & graphic courtesy of www.christmasbackgrounds.com]

an American Kid by Go Fish

Tonight, as I was blogging, I came across this song by Go Fish.  I dedicate this song to the many beautiful kids and young people who stand for the Lord Jesus Christ and who are proud of their nation. Also to all our military men and women serving our great nation along with all their families who make great sacrifices for our freedoms.  My family is most grateful for your service.  Please click here to get a blessing.

The Threat from International Law - It's Very Real!

We receive on a regular basis communication from folks at www.ParentalRights.org. Please click here to read this very important article. Either myself or Rob will be writing a series of articles at our blogs.  Stay tune and steadfast in prayer.  We're living in serious times.

Immanuel - God With Us

Matthew 1:23

This week, I rediscovered the song, "Immanuel," 

by Michael Card. 

Then I saw this rendition of it on 

You Tube. Click here to listen.

Christmas Joy

I follow a particular blog entitled, "Windows to My Soul." I clicked on it this morning and was blessed by Vicki's most recent entry to her blog, "Yes, Virginia, There Is A Scrooge, But." Click here to read it.

The world's joy is temporal but the joy that Jesus gives is eternal. A familiar way to spell joy is Jesus-Others-You. When in balance that is true JOY!

In the 4th verse of the traditional German Carol, "How Great Our Joy," we find find these words.

This gift of God we'll cherish well,

That ever joy our hearts shall fill.

How great our joy! Great our joy!

Joy, joy, joy!  Joy, joy, joy! 

Praise we the Lord in heav'n on high!

Praise we the Lord in heav'n on high!

Now dear ones, that is a lot of joy. Oftentimes, the joy comes once we head in the direction toward the source of true joy, "King Jesus." 

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God. Luke 2:20

Starting Anew!

How many times, we begin with great intentions and become derailed? I can answer in the affirmative because that explains how I'm feeling right now as I'm posting this entry to my blog.

Instead of enjoying the joy of the season, I'm bogged down and feeling out-of-sorts and just frustrated. My Mom used to say "the faster I go, the be-hinder I get." Oh Mom was right!  Blogging has its advantages. I am able to think out loud via my writings, thus gaining a fresh perspective.

This coupled with a godly husband who helped me evaluate my schedule for the rest of the week and into the weekend, showing me that I had way too many things planned. Tomorrow, I'll call this particular friend and reschedule.

I must caution myself as well as each of you, we cannot rely on our emotions to speak truth to our minds or souls.  I read Lamentations 3:21-26 from the Amplified Bible.

Please allow me to share these incredible verses with you.

21 - But this I recall and therefore Have I hope and expectation:

22 - It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. [Mal. 3:6]

23 - They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and

 faithfulness. [Isa. 33:2.]

24 - The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. [Num. 18:20.]

25 - The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God's word].

26 - It is good that one should hope in and wait quietly for the salvation (the safety and ease) of the Lord.

At the beginning of Jeremiah Chapter 3, verse 1, I read, "I AM [Jeremiah] the man who has seen affliction under the rod of His wrath." Jeremiah was called the weeping prophet and was called forth by God early, read Jeremiah 1:4-9. He experienced tremendous amount of persecution. Interesting fact that I didn't realize until I read the Introduction of Jeremiah in my Amplified Bible is this quote, "More is known about the personal history of Jeremiah than about any other prophet in the Old Testament." This statement should bring tremendous amount of comfort to both you and I. Why? God has a plan even in our difficulty and still are benefiting from Jeremiah's life these many centuries. In fact, "Nothing is too difficult for our God." Indeed this brings me great comfort as I ponder what that really means.

Take time to read the book of Lamentations especially the verses that I have listed. Dear ones, we can start fresh and anew right now. Do not allow the enemy to play havoc with you. We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ, our Lord, read Romans 8:31-39.

I am determined to start anew right now!  How about you? 

Great is Thy Faithfulness!

A Basket of Christmas Books

One of our traditions that we have around our house at Christmas is the placement of all of Christine's Christmas books in a festive basket in her room for her to read as well as to be read to. Each year, we add a book or books to her collection. Now that she is older, of course, the selection of books has changed. However, she still likes to have some of her earlier books nearby. 

These books are like old friends and as we ready the books to be placed in her basket, our family is able to draw from a reservoir of priceless memories. It's something that Christine looks forward to every year. We keep the Christmas books put away during the year so as to make it even more special when they are rediscovered.

I, too join in this tradition by placing many of my favorite Christmas books inside a decorative basket near our sofa or love seat whereby providing an interlude of reflection and renewal. For the past 16 years, family members along with friends have added to my special collection of Christmas books. In the evening, when our tree is all decorated, I like sitting on our sofa, sipping hot chocolate, or a hot tea and reading a selection from my basket of Christmas books. I must confess that's so easy to get side-track or allow the entrapment of this time of the year to detour me. Or in some cases, allow the stress to overtake me and steal my joy. It is vital for me to have a visual reminder to gently redirect me to be intentional in my celebration of Jesus' birth and His second coming.

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Matthew 1:23 (NKJV)

Merry Tossman 2008!

If you believe it's time for the secularization of Christmas to end. Then here's an opportunity for you and I to participate in this Christmas Campaign that Focus on the Family has launched.  It's call "Merry Tossmas." Tonight I signed the petition and learned of stores that are more friendly towards Christmas.

Please click here to read more this new holiday hat Stuart Shepard launched last year to combat stores that have marginalized Christmas.

Give Me Jesus

Although I never met Ruth Graham personally, her life impacted my life. We have several of the Grahams books. Now since she has gone home to be with Jesus. I will treasure them all the more.  

Click here to listen to the tribute to her by Fernando Ortega. She was an incredible godly wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Eternity will bear witness as to the fruit of her labor. What a tremendous legacy she leaves for her family and the many lives she touched around the world.

Thank you Ruth for being a faithful servant of God!

While You Were Sleeping - Casting Crowns

Here's another poignant song. We dedicate it to all our men and women in our Armed Forces. Thank you and we appreciate each one of you!

Click here to view it on You Tube.

It's About The Cross!

Here's another Christmas song by the Go Fish Guys.

Please click here to view it on You Tube.

Christmas with a Capital "C"

Last December, I posted the link to "Christmas with a Capital C," by the Go Fish Guys. Here's version 2 of the same song.

Please click here to view it on You Tube.

Preparing for Advent

As we enter the Christmas season, are we preparing ourselves for Jesus? Or will we be caught up with all the hustle and bustle of the season that our focus becomes skewed? My challenge to myself as well as to each of us is that we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus' birth.

One way in particular is the celebration of Advent. Thanks to Rob's Mom and researching the subject, I have become a little more knowledgeable on the subject. I must confess that I still have a long way to go. However, the joy of Advent is learning as you go.

Last year, I picked up a ParentLife magazine at church during the month of November and it had an excellent article about Advent by Lisa Whelchel (who starred on "The Facts of Life."). Here is an excerpt from that article.

"It is exciting to have someone special come visit, isn't it? That is what Advent is all about. The word Advent means " to come," and refers to Jesus coming to earth as a baby. Advent is about looking forward to celebrating the day when God stepped into history as a human being.

. . . As you incorporate Advent traditions into  your family celebration, do not neglect to point your hope toward an even more exciting visitation. Advent is also a good time to prepare your heart and life by looking inside to see if there is anything that needs cleaning up as you look forward to the appearance of Jesus' second coming! May the preparation and the visitation, the 

seeking and the finding, the promise and the fulfillment, bring you and your family much joy this Christmas season."

[A personal interjection - We spend a lot of time celebrating the Jesus' first coming His birth, and rightly so. Lisa's exhortation and gentle reminder for each of us to prepare our hearts and to look forward to Jesus' second coming is worthy of our consideration and self-examination.]

At the conclusion of the article, she explained how to utilize an Advent Wreath. I have taken the time to type out her explanation just as it was written in her article because I found it helpful and I am certain you will, too.

Advent Wreath

Join in the celebration with an Advent Wreath. This circle of evergreen reminds us of God's forever love, a love that has no beginning and no end. Four candles --- three purple and one pink --- stand amid the greenery. A white candle stands in the center.

The first purple candle is called Prophecy or the Hope candle. It invites you to thank God for the hope you have in Jesus, the prophesied Messiah.

The second purple candle is called Bethlehem or Peace. In Bethlehem, the Prince of Peace was born so that sinners could be at peace with the holy God.

The pink Shepherd's candle, or Joy, celebrates the good tidings of great joy that is for all people: Christ is born!

The final purple candle is called Angel or Love. Joining with the heavenly hosts that first Christmas night, we say, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!" (Luke 2:14).

Love entered the world through the birth of Jesus, represented by the white Christ candle. Jesus came to die as punishment for our sins. That is amazing love --- a love worth taking four weeks to think about.

Purchase an Advent wreath or make one with a circle of evergreen and five candles. Light the first purple on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. On the next Sunday, light both the first and second purple candles. Two Sundays before Christmas, light the first two purple candles as well as the pink candle. Light the last purpose candle with the other three on the Sunday before Christmas. On Christmas Day, light all four candles and the white Christ candle. As you light each candle, talk about what it represents and how its meaning can fuel your family's excitement for what Christmas is really all about."

Advent 2008 Schedule

* 1st Sunday is November 30

* 2nd Sunday is December 7

* 3rd Sunday is December 14

* 4th Sunday is December 21

* Christmas Day

Please note there are various ways to celebrate Advent. I thought this particular explanation could benefit families who might be celebrating Advent for the first time.

Throughout the Christmas season, I shall be sharing many thoughts, ideas and reflections with each of you. Some will be original while some will be similar to what I have shared in this posting.

Please check in often because you will not want to miss any of our Christmas Celebration.

Come,Let Us Worship the King!

[Advent & Advent Wreath Explanations copied from an article by Lisa Whelcel, November 2007, ParentLife magazine (Lifeway publication), pages 32-34]

Life's Discoveries

As I make my journey into "blogging," I continue to discover like-minded sisters in Christ. This morning, I clicked on the blog, "Windows to My Soul," and read Vicki's posting for Tuesday, November 18 entitled, "Truth: Revealed or Recycled?" 

Please take the time to read the whole entry. I know that you will be equally encouraged as I was. Thank you Vicki for sharing your thoughts, heart and journey with each of us.  Click here to read the whole article.

Thanksgiving Day's Reflections

    

Happy Thanksgiving 2008

"O give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; 

make know His doings among the peoples!

1 Chronicles 16:8

What a wonderful day we have had. We started off being able to bless another family with a Thanksgiving flag. Perhaps next year, we will have a new one with more of a sacred theme.

At breakfast, we had pumpkin quick bread which was delicious. I found this recipe off the web along with a variety of ways to make pumpkin bread. This particular recipe caught my attention because the sugar quantity was reasonable.

Here's what we had today for our Thanksgiving Meal.  Both Rob and I prepared it together.

Thanksgiving Meal  

*  Baked whole chicken (stuffed w/celery, onion, garlic and a 1/4 cup of frozen peppers); used the Reynold's cooking bags which always do such a wonderful job and easy clean up.

*  Stuffing - modified the recipe off the back of Martin's Potato Bread Soft Cubed Stuffing; able to utilize the following fresh herbs ~ thyme, sage, rosemary, parsley (off our back porch); added a 12 oz package of cranberries in our double boiler. The cranberries added extra flavoring and coloring to our stuffing.

*  Gravy - Heinz chicken gravy in a jar; quick and easy; very tasty

*  Rolls - bag of 8 from Shoppers; we opted for easy and these do not have a lot of sodium in them. Smart balance butter, the kind with less sodium.

*  Vegetables - fresh mashed sweet potatoes (prepared by Rob; a fantastic job); steamed butternut squash, steam snap peas (in our double steamer); raw zucchini and carrots for Christine; 

*  Fruit - fresh cranberry relish that Rob had prepared; follow the recipe on the bag except we added less sugar; 100% Cranberry juice with Canada Dry Ginger ale mixed together for our beverage

We snacked a little while waiting but not a lot.  After Rob prepared what he needed to prepare, he and Christine watched the movie, "Pocahontas, Her True Story. I continue to put the finishing touches on our meal and added more of our Thanksgiving decorations to our table and around the house.  I had earlier lit some candles which made the whole house seem extra festive.

Then it was time for me to clean up and prepare myself for our meal. On my way upstairs, I shared with Rob and Christine that after our meal, that we would be making our Thanksgiving cards for each other.  At first, both Rob and Christine balked at the idea but quickly changed their minds as I sat out the stamps, ink pads, card stock, construction paper, markers, and special scissors. Rob did confess that it was quite therapeutic. What had inspired me was a card that I found earlier today that I had made for Rob and Christine 4 Thanksgiving ago. We each made 2 cards and now they are scattered throughout our house as a tangible reminder of our love for each other.

So many times, we think of ideas to do at Thanksgiving and perhaps we don't accomplish them or we even say, "I'll wait until next year."  It's also easy to be tempted to allow the snare of perfection to enslave us and detour in celebrating the NOW.  I can say with great certainty that we had an awesome Thanksgiving Day all day long.  We made a lot of wonderful memories all day along.

Late afternoon, my younger brother, John called to wish us a Happy Thanksgiving.  My older brother and his family were in Tulsa to celebrate with John's family.  I so appreciate their calls at Thanksgiving especially since both of our parents are in Heaven, it's very important that we connect at the holidays.  Keith shared that Mary, his wife wants to try to come to Virginia next year for Thanksgiving.  Wow, that would be totally cool!  John also shared that he has a business meeting in Philadelphia on December 11 and wants to try to connect with us around that time.  I'm personally praying that he would stay over and come to his niece's piano recital on the 12th of December. If we just get to see him on the 11th, that would bless this sister's heart immensely. 

You know how it is whenever you have a heart's desire and no one knows about it but when God answers it, you know He did it!  That is how I felt about my brother's extra attention earlier today. At times, the distance between Texas/Oklahoma and Virginia seems great but today such was not the case.  Praise God His answered prayer!

Later on, we called Rob's Mom. She was at Auntie Jackie's house along with other family members from Rob's side of the family. Mom was in good spirits. Our niece from California was in so Mom was able to see both Britta and her brother Stefan. Thanksgiving at Auntie Jackie is always a lot fun plus she an awesome cook.

We also were able to connect with Rob's Dad and Elaine. They had just arrived home. Rob was able to have a good visit with his Dad.

As we concluded our day, Christine watched the DVD, "The Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, a movie we had checked out from the library. We also checked out the book as well. We would highly recommend both the book and the DVD. We will be reading it to Christine this weekend.

God is good all the time and He is faithful period. Even when we don't understand or see what He has in mind, His ways are always best. We pray that each of you have had a blessed Thanksgiving today. 

Thanksgiving blessings from our family to yours!