Christmastime

Well, it is that time of year again. Its Christmastime. I've done all my shopping, and I'm planning to drive to my dad's when I get off work at 7am. I was thinking tonight about the complexity of the blessings and challenges of Christmas. I have been told that Jesus was most likely born in springtime, and that December 25th is just a random day that we have picked to theoretically celebrate His birthday, and with all the commercialism, Santa Clause, and plain old greediness that accompany the holiday some would argue it would be better to not celebrate the holiday. I'm going to look at the reverse side of the coin for this post. When I think of Christmas my mind goes in many different directions from the beautiful Christmas lights, to the crowded stores, to spoiled children asking for overpriced, unnecessary gifts, to families who only dream of being able to have gifts, and to children who only dream of having a family. It is a time of year when some people go out of their way to be nice, while others fight and argue and wrestle to get the last hot gift item for the year. It seems to be the best and worst time of year all rolled into one. At no other time of year do the needs and pitfalls of mankind seem so obvious, and the hurt and pain in the world is so deeply felt. The homeless and heartbroken and the over-privileged and greedy all people need the Savior. They need Jesus. While this time of year seems to bring out the worst in most people, it is such an opportunity to show God's love, to smile in the checkout line, while everyone else is grumpy and rude, to take in someone you know who has no place else to go, to cry with those who are hurting, and best of all to share the story of Christ's birth and the reason He came to earth at this one time of year when the taboo on talking about God is slightly less. Its one of the few times of the year that some people go to church, the Christmas programs and songs that give people a little nugget of God's truth and His word, and create a starting point for explaining God's gift to man. I see Christmastime as evidence of man's need for God and of God's amazing ability to turn the sinfulness of man into an opportunity to witness and bring glory to His name. So to quote the most commonly known verse from most church Christmas programs "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill to men."

Recap of Last Week

Well, last week was a fairly eventful week. Of course I worked more than enough hours. Outside of the basics of the week I had oportunity to get together with some friends throughout the week. Sunday, I went to church and after went out to eat at Hardees with a family from church and Connie R. Wednesday, after work, I watched Heroes at Sowers' house with Nikki and Dave. Thursday, after an unfortunate situation with a CLEP test, I enjoyed some good conversation mixed in with a meatloaf dinner, made by a new friend, and a few games of Boggle. Friday, I did some decorating. I worked on turning my upstairs rooms into a winter wonderland, a task which proved to be more difficult than I originally thought. I hope to post pictures of it if I ever finish :). I also made some homemade pizza! I had been craving it for about a week. I had Ben over and we ate pizza before going to a rather aweful play. After the play, we made up for the bad play by playing the wii and watching a movie. I love eventful weeks surrounded with friends! There you have my week in a nutshell. I hope your week was good as well.

Thanksgiving Day Thanks

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. Psalm 107:1, 118:1, 29, 136:1,3 This year I spent a big portion of Thanksgiving at the house of some very dear friends. It was a day smiles and tears, stories and fellowship. All surrounded with fabulous food, including Thanksgiving burritos! It sounds weird, but so amazing, (its buttered lefse with mashed potatoes and stuffing inside.) I also worked both of my jobs this Thanksgiving. In fact, I am at work now. During and after the events of today, I started thinking; what am I thankful for this year? If I were to list all of the things I am thankful for this post would never end, but I am going to list a few things. I am thankful for: the house God has provided me this year, the fact that my car still runs very well, that I have very special friends who love and care about me, and I got to spend part of the day with some of them, that in a time when we are constantly hearing about the bad economy, God has provided me with more jobs than I can even handle, that God gives mercy, strength, and peace when we need it most, and lastly for this list, I am thankful that God has blessed me with people in my life who are important enough to miss, and have left lasting impressions on my heart and life. Praise be to God! Happy Thanksgiving. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

The Play's the Thing

Last night, I was able to attend the Sleepy Eye high school production of "It's a Wonderful Life." Leah, from The White Woods, played a main character in the play. It was a fun evening, and the cast gave an excellent performance. The romantic scenes between George and Mary were sweet. The famous line, "Every time a bell rings and angel gets his wings" was delivered by a very cute little girl with curly blond locks. Although the idea of this 2nd class angel being sent down to earn is wings, is not the picture of Biblical accuracy, the play does display the reality that your life, and the choices you make, have a big impact on the lives of the people around you. It was a very enjoyable evening, and I would encourage anyone reading to catch one of the remaining showings, if possible. Performances: Saturday, November 21 & Monday, November 23 at 7:30pm. See Leah's blog The White Woods for some behind scenes & preparation posts regarding the play.

Painting to the Glory of God

Last weekend Cheryl from my church sacrificed 8hrs of her Saturday to help me transform the look of my upstairs room. We pulled down a border, spackled, scraped, primed, and double coated the walls in paint. All the while I talked her ear off again (same thing happened the previous weekend when I was helping her run a table at the women's expo.) believe it or not the blue was actually darker than it looks in these pictures. It was alot of work, but the company and the results made the effort worthwhile.

Who Really Plans Your Day? (Revised)

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:1 Well, its Friday morning. We are nearing the end of the week, and I was thinking over the events of this week so far. Monday, I forgot what time I worked, and ended up being a 1/2hr late. Tuesday, I intended to print off a card to take to a visitation, but I was out of ink. Later, I went to the visitation to be a comfort and encouragement, and wound up crying more than the family, and did not have much to say. Wednesday, I tried to put ink in my printer to print off the card, and I think I managed to break my printer. (I'll have to look at it when I am not tired and frustrated to be certain.) I intended to go to a funeral on Wednesday, but after a long night of working and an hour of sleep I realized I would not be able to make it through the funeral and work. Thursday, I got off of work at 9 and intended to get up and lift weights and go to kickboxing class. Instead I slept for a few more hours, and got up in time to go meet a friend for dinner, followed by work, which I wasn't scheduled for until Thursday morning. Do you notice a pattern? As I was thinking about my week, and all my plans that had changed, and been frustrated, I was reminded that I am not the one who plans the events of my day. Similar to 2 Corinthians 1:15-22 I make plans with good intentions to follow through, but my yes is only yes if God wills, and my no, is only no, through Him. So many times I plan to accomplish my To Do List, and I fail. I am so grateful that God is the one who determines what needs to be done in a day. God's plan is perfect and never fails. No matter how many tasks are left unchecked on my list at the end of the day, His list is complete. And, He who works in us both to will and to do (Philippians 2:13), will always cause us to accomplish His will. Have you ever thought about that when you were running 10 steps behind yourself, trying to catch up, and everything seemed to be falling through the cracks? God is Sovereign. He causes all things to work together for good. Romans 8:28. He works all things after the counsel of His will. (Ephesians 1:11.) And so no matter what we did not accomplish in a day was always meant to be undone that day. We have no reason to worry, or be concerned (for you Cheryl), about the items left on the list, because God chose for us to not accomplish them. The same is true at the beginning of a long crazy day. As you look at your plans and think, "There is no way I can possibly accomplish all that I need to get done today." I would submit that we are always able a prepared to accomplish everything we need to get done in whatever day we are in, by the grace of God. Although, there is often quite a difference between what we need to do and what we think we need to do. We may have some days that our To Do List matches God's Will Be Done List, but even then it is God who works in us both to will and to do. (Philipians 2:13). "But He is unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does. For He performs what is appointed for me, and many such decrees are with Him." Job 23:13-14 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 And yet another change of plans. I have to go before finishing this. More to come. Additions in blue. James 4:14-15 Proverbs 16:9 (Proverbs 19:21) Psalm 33:10-11 Proverbs 16:1,3, &9

Sorrowful Blessings and Peace That Surpasses All Understanding

Wednesday night and into Thursday, I had the privilege of sitting in a hospital room as a man from my church, one of the best examples of consistent faith and love for God I have ever known, Stan, was brought home to be with God. There is nothing like the passing of a Christian. The combination of joy and sorrow. (1Thessalonians 4:13-18) Knowing that this person you have come to know and love, who has helped you to grow and to understand God and His will, and has made such an impact in the lives of others is not going to be around anymore. It is sad and sorrowful and yet joyous and beautiful to know that this same person is now with God. (2Corinthians 4:14-18 )He is face to face with the Saviour and can finally shed all the trials and struggles of this world and is like Him, because he can see Him as He is. (1John 3:2) I also had to give a little inside laugh and a smile as I heard my pastor pray, " we confess we are a little jealous."Because I had been thinking the same thing. And, I thought it many times after my mom died. How happy I was that she was there, and how much I wished I could just join them, and yet what a great joy and privelege to have opportunity to be used by God! I am so glad God has given us verses like these (2Corinthians 5:-9). I marvel at the wisdom of God. The amazing way He intertwines sorrow, joy, and peace. In our times of ease and prosperity we can and should give thanks and praise to God(1Thessalonians 5:18), and it is precious and gracious and beautiful that God allows us, sinful as we are, to praise His name. And yet, how much more amazing and precious and beautiful to see a person who has just lost the most important person in their life in the middle of their sadness and grief and tears, give thanks to God for that life. To acknowledge and praise His wisdom in both giving this life and in taking it away. I sat in that room and watched and listened as Connie, Stan's wife, talked about God's timing and power and how God was giving her peace (Philippians 4:7). As she sang with sincerity and peace about how God is not only God in happy times, but also sad, and how God makes the bad things in life good (Romans 8:28). I also witnessed this wonderful Christian woman as she stayed with her husband, despite exhaustion and lack of food. All the while encouraging the rest of us in the room to go lie down or eat something. The love God gave her for others overflowing even in her sadness (John 13:35). If you would please be in prayer for Connie, and the people around her as we grieve with her (Romans 12:15), and as we pass on our comfort to her (2Corinthians 1:3-4) And pray that God would use Stan's death to bring glory and honor to His name, just as He was gracious enough to do with Stan's life. 1Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will no fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.