Blessings

I bless you all with joy and peace. It is a thing about peace that cannot be duplicated. That true shalom that comes from God can move you through a world of obstacles and keep you sane. It can keep you grounded when things are over the top -in good or in bad. Peace is really what we all want, but many times we search n the wrong places not knowing what true peace looks like.

When I was young we sang songs at my church of real joy and true peace. We sang as kids not really understanding the meaning. As I got older I know those snipets of real joy and true peace and long more for both. There comes a time when we all must face the realization that no one can provide joy or peace, that no job can give joy or peace. Oh yeah it can provide financial stability and comfort, but real joy and true peace . . .my, my.

Paul says it best: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:4-9 NIV).

Merry Christmas!

Joy this Season

It is all coming down down to this. Christmas Eve. What are you doing? Are you running tired from the hussle of the shoppers? Are you fretting tomorrow because you couldn't get what you wanted for someone - or that you won't get what you want from soneone? Are you cooked out?Shopped out? Traffic blocked out? Wow. Are you lonely? sad? upset? hurt? mad? What state of mind are you in today? Did you have to work and now are trying to get gifts wrapped? Are you trying to find one more gift so you can upstage someone else? So many reasons for giving gifts. So many ways to miss this season.

As believers we get so distracted so quickly. We don't take time to consider the birth of Christ. Oh we may slide in Luke 2 but to think about that event of the birth of Christ and to sit in wonder of what Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection means to us individually is really something to contemplate.

I would think that we could work to help bless another because of the blessing we have received. We could contemplate this if we placed a higher priority on the real meaning if this season. Stop what you are doing and allow yourself a time of bliss in this season. Let the words "Merry Christmas" take on a new meaning of life and joy. That is what I wish for you -life and joy. Mery Christmas! type to you later.

Hold On

Hold tight. If it is snowing - enjoy how the covering of everything makes it all seem new. If it is raining- watch how the plants enjoy the nourishment. If the sun is not shining remember that it can shine in your heart because of God's love. Enjoy this season, don't sweat the small stuff. Don't fret that you did not send cards this year (I didn't either). Don't worry that the gift you wanted to give was too much for your budget, if others can't appreciate the thought don't worry about anything else.

Enjoy the season. Enjoy the reason for the season - Jesus. type to you later.

Things that Make You Smile

There are things that cause my heart to smile: the love of family, the majesty of mountains, the days when all falls right, when a sermon has found its target, seeing my family. I'm sure there are things that cause your heart to smile in spite of whatever you may be going through. Those things help provide that silver lining to the storm clouds that hover.

Ahhh yet there is something else. . . the peace of God that surpasses all understanding You cannot beat that. Is that peace that moves you in, around, and at times even through anything! With that peace nothing can take you down, turn you out, destroy you. Without that peace, your stuff is hit. Well you understand. So, the question becomes - How can you get that peace? For starters, have a real talk with Jesus. Oh yeah it sounds so cliche-ish but it is so real. Just talk. I know you have done it, but this time do it in the context of all the things that make you smile. It is because of God that you have smiles.

We are moving closer into a season that should be the happiest but is the saddest, most depressing for many people. Let this time be a time for you to give to another through the peace given you. Let this time be a time of joy flowing from you into others. Let your smiles flow over. I bless you with receiving the joy and peace that only comes God. type to you later.

"Cry After" God

When was the last time you "cried after?" You know- cried after someone? Cried after a loss? Cried after? I mean cried. There have been times that I wasted precious tears - although at the time it really did seem important. Keep always in mind that every loss deserves a grief. Okay let's move on.

The other morning the Lord showed me how that energy could be used for something more powerful. Learn to want that relationship with God more than those relationships you have. It doesn't dismiss those relationships but enhances your spiritual well being. Learn to "cry after" God. Hmmmm. Have you ever "cried after" God? It's that same idea as the song inspired by Psalm 42, "As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after you. You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship you."

To desire nothing more but to be in God's presence, wow! Look at how many things we long for and many of them mean us no good. But to be in God's presence, to move in God's will. . . yes.

This season, learn to "cry after God." Don't worry about anything else but focus on hearing from and then obeying God's will for your life. Try it. You will find peace and so much more. type to you later.

Let's Just Take in the Season

This is a season. Yes, it is a season of joy and celebration of the birth of Jesus. No, it is not the season of "what else can you buy?" Step a little closer. You see, there is more. If you can get excited about the love that One has so much for His people that He sent His son to redeem the people, then you can get excited about who you are and your heritage. You can bask in that love.

My son called me a few days ago. He thanked me for always trying to make this time of year a joy for him and others. He had been reminiscing on his younger days. We then talked about how the joy of this time is usually mulitplied because it is the time of the year. Now, what would happen to each of us in our own community if we all contiued spreading that joy? As the late F.G. Sampson (my former pastor) used to say, "glad you asked." You see, there are so many people hurting and they need just a look, a touch, a smile, a sincere inquery into how they are doing from us. They need a touch from God. You are that extension of God's love. You are the one to say, "it is real," it will get better," "there is hope." And there are times that you too need a touch. When the community of believers 'touch' one another in prayer and love there is healing, there is hope. There is hope!!!

This is your season! Your season of rebirth, of rejoice, of rediscovery. Accept this season as your gift from God and rejoice in what it brings.

End of the Knot

As I was crocheting I had to take loose a section in order to change a pattern. I loosely balled the yarn and began to start afresh. Somewhere along the way the yarn tangled greatly so I started slowing pulling the big knot apart. After 7 or 8 minutes I received to pull the single strand. When I did the yarn flowed for a while until it was a small knot.

Isn't life like that? Too often we find ourselves pulling, pushing, trying to wrestle ourselves from some entangling situation or another. Ahhhh! But when we can stop and hear that voice saying "this is the way, walk in it," (Is. 30:21) we can find that one strand that moves us through the knot until there is none left.

Listen - and then follow. type to you later!

Find Your Joy

Let this season be one in which you find your joy. Don't rely on another for your joy, it must come from within. Go ahead . . . that is your mission. Enjoy this day!! type to you later.