Tag Archives: Jesus

December 13, 2014 · 12:32 am

CHRISTMAS: To Celebrate or Not?

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I’ve given Christmas a lot of thought this year as there’ve been articles circulating Facebook and the internet for several months about Christmas being a pagan holiday that originated with the celebration of the birth of a sun god, and that the Catholics broke away from the Roman pagan sun-god roots and declared December 25th a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus instead. And much more. (I apologize for this being a little long, it’s a complicated subject.)

Then there’s the one of a tree taken from the forest and being covered with silver and gold. Of course, most think of Christmas trees, tinsel, ornaments, etc. I read those verses before in Jeremiah 10:3-5 and looked them up again. It speaks of the god(s) of that culture, a wooden statue carved in the image of a being or an animal then literally overlaid with melted silver or gold, and Ta-dah, it’s a god! (Insert tongue in cheek here) These carved images were actually worshiped. I agree, if I did that with a tree, or anything, I would definitely offend God.

I do understand the articles. People who write them have strong convictions and I don’t hold that against them whatsoever as I have my own strong convictions. That being said, I’ve been trying not to rationalize Christmas, but rather weigh out the celebration of Christmas as Jesus’ birthday against not celebrating it at all, and took a close look at what Christmas means to me. Continue reading →

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Filed under Awed by His Love and Grace, Christmas, Following Christ Has Changed My Life, God and Jesus

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November 10, 2014 · 12:14 am

It’s From the Pile of Ashes that Diamond Dust Sparkles Best

imageDear Sweet Girl,

There’s so much I wish someone had been there to tell you when you were a small child, and in your teens. Since no one seemed to care much what went on in your life then, I decided to write to you to tell you what I would have told you at eighteen years of age. I hope you don’t mind the intrusion.

First of all, you aren’t worthless and you aren’t a failure. No. You. Are. Not.

You are lovable, you are lovely, you are loved! Continue reading →

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Filed under A Broken Childhood, Child Abuse and Neglect, God and Jesus, Hope, Inner Sruggles and Heartache, Life Lessons, Living for Jesus

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November 5, 2014 · 10:07 pm

The University of Higher Learning

Off and on I have shared with you a few of the hardships I have experienced the last 3 years.

The death of my son. Then immediately after his death I needed more emotional support than ever, but instead was further alienated and impacted by terrible family drama, followed by the estrangement of a precious family member. Shortly after that I experienced an ankle injury that took 8 months to fully heal. I thought I was out of the woods once my ankle healed, but no. Sitting around waiting for my ankle to heal led to my back atrophying and further caused issues with a previously existing back injury, which then led to over six months of sciatica (also referred to as psychotica because of its ability to drive a reasonable person to utter insanity).

After some time I could commiserate with Job’s predicament.

Throughout the hard times I asked, begged, and sometimes in frustration demanded healing and relief. I cried buckets of tears. I wanted, needed, an escape from the agony and the heartache. I wanted a speedy recovery, a prompt delivery, anything, to get me past the immediate pain. Continue reading →

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October 2, 2014 · 11:58 pm

The Locked Gate

imageLife is just like this sometimes. Our path goes smoothly for a while then suddenly there is a locked gate ahead looming large before us, a blockage in our path that won’t allow us to pass without stepping way out of our comfort zone and making some sort of sacrifice. In life we can’t exactly go back to what life was before we arrived at the locked gate; we have three choices. We either give up, or sit by the locked gate and hope someone with the key will show up soon, or we must get uncomfortable, sweaty, messy, and possibly wet. We must get out of our cozy place and get to a place where things are out of sync with our earthly comfort and understanding to get around the locked gate. Continue reading →

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September 16, 2014 · 2:32 pm

Overlooked Everyday Miracles

imageEvery day we walk past the miracles. They are everywhere, all around us, but we barely notice because we are inundated by hurries and worries. And each day, these miracles beg us to recognize them and praise their Creator.

“Look!” In their splendid array of shades and allure, flowers call for our attention.

“Observe us,” every animal, bird, and insect cries out, each with its own unique design and character.

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“What about us?” the fantastic, mesmerizing undersea world beckons.

“Gaze at us,” the stars speak through their brilliance.

In their silent beauty, the majestic mountains, seascapes, and sky remind us they are worthy of our appreciation.

“We are each ingeniously and resourcefully placed on earth for His, and for your, pleasure,” they seem to say. Continue reading →

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July 17, 2014 · 12:21 am

Find Rest in Him

 

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There is someone who loves you enough to not only help you unpack,

but to take your heavy burden off your shoulders and back…

God Continue reading →

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Filed under Everydayliving, Following Christ Has Changed My Life, God and Jesus, Hope, Inner Sruggles and Heartache, Living for Jesus

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June 10, 2014 · 3:28 pm

When Things Get Tough, Hang in There

imageDo you, like me, sometimes

wonder why God even created you?

‘…For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works,

And my soul knows it very well. Continue reading →

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Filed under A Broken Childhood, Awed by His Love and Grace, Following Christ Has Changed My Life, Inner Sruggles and Heartache, Life and Relationships, Loss of a Child

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May 9, 2014 · 12:31 am

You Can’t Go Wrong Pleasing God

imageI was just yesterday talking to a friend. We were discussing a study she was doing and how she suddenly realized that we all wear masks. We try to please others by becoming who and what we think they want us to be. I agreed there is much truth in that. As a former people pleaser, I aimed to please those close to me, often at my expense. Continue reading →

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April 20, 2014 · 11:46 am

He is Not There; He is Not Dead!

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Here are two Gospel accounts of the resurrection.

Mark’s account:

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. Continue reading →

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Filed under Awed by His Love and Grace, Following Christ Has Changed My Life, Holidays and Special Days, The Impossible, The Miraculous

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April 18, 2014 · 4:23 pm

Mission Accomplished

imageWhat are the final words of a tortured, dying man who has just accomplished his great mission?

                            “It is finished.”

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30 NIV

Those words alone should be enough to tell us that Jesus died on that cross for a planned purpose.

For 32 years I have suffered from chronic pain off and on because of multiple car accidents. Blinding migraines that give me the sensation of my skull being crushed and an icepick stabbed in my eye (usually left eye), neck aches that feel like I have a screwdriver pushed into the lower back part of my skull, and low back aches that feel anywhere from like my back is on fire to sharp sciatica Charlie horses that last for months.  Too often the pain has been so excruciating, that I cannot imagine dying hurting any more.  If I was to die from the torturous pain I described above, I seriously doubt  “It is finished.” would be my final words.

Those were Jesus’ words because He accomplished what He was sent on earth to do.  Humanity owed a debt to God we had no means with which to repay.  Jesus’ assignment on earth was to be God’s redeeming payment on our behalf.  And He followed through with it; Jesus paid our debt.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13  Jesus’ death was the proof of God’s love for us.

Please let us remember that Jesus’ dying words were for our sakes. Let’s remember that this weekend in humble adoration to the King of kings and Lord of Lords.

Continue reading →

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