Merry Christmas to All

I'm choosing to do this the night before Christmas Eve because I really don't want to be on my computer for the next few days.
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Nothing quite compares to Christmas, it somehow just stands alone.
It's been a great week for our family however very different. Yes, Chrissie got engaged (still have to blog that, no words yet). Michael, the fiancee, came to spend a few days with us and was loads of fun. He left today to go back to Florida to spend Christmas with his family. My brother's family got snowed in in New York City while on vacation but thankfully have made it home in time for Christmas. My parents got to come spend a few extra days with us this year. They usually go to my brother's house til Christmas Eve but with them in New York we got them a little early which has been awesome. There's been lots of cooking, baking, buying, family time, friend time, but most of all Jesus time. I was determined my gift to Him this Christmas was making sure we had that time together every day even in the hustle and bustle. I was determined He would not get crowded out and I am much better for that.
There's also been plenty of sadness this month. Six of our church family members have had to deal with loss of loved ones, some unexpected, others not. Doesn't really matter though, it still hurts. A family friend of ours lost 2 of their family members within days of each other. They both lost their fathers...unfathomable heartache, can't even pretend to relate. I know it's hard at any time but the Christmas season just seems like it would be the hardest, I don't know. I just know that my prayer for them is much comfort and renewed faith.
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, can't wait. My kids, even at their ages, still go with their Dad to prepare the candles for the candlelight service at church. I love that service. It's not only beautiful but very sacred. It always impacts me in such a huge way, don't know what I would do without it.
With a daughter engaged I've done a lot of "this is the last time for this", "the last time for that"...very very wierd feeling. It will no longer be the very same for our family but I know it will be good, just different. Remember me talking about getting used to change, yep I'm trying. It did feel like I was sending one of my own away today when Michael left so I guess that's a good sign. I just love that God created us for relationship and even at times when I've wanted to shut down so there would be no more hurt, I just can't. He created us to be in relationship with people. And as I was telling someone the other day, instead of dwelling on the "lasts" and the change taking place, I'm going to choose joy because I know that God is a great and mighty God and He is going to do great and mighty things in our midst.
Praying a very blessed Christmas for all. Keep the main thing the main thing, His name is Jesus...God with us. Praise Him!

Monday Morning Perspective

We wrapped up our Christmas series yesterday. Eddie preached that Christmas message with such passion and boldness, loved it so much.
Most of you who have known me even for a little while know how much I love this season. Like Eddie said, we love the decorations (I can be as over-the-top, cheesy as anyone), we love the presents, the food, the shopping (or at least I do, not so much Eddie), just all of it. But he is so right when he said that the real thrill is Jesus. He's the gift that never wears out, tarnishes, goes out of date. He never gets old, His mercies are new EVERY morning. He really is the thrill not only at Christmas but ALL year long.
I love how Eddie closed us out with talking about how the wise men were warned not to go home the same way. When we have truly met with Jesus, we won't go our same way either. As new believers, we experience a new life, the old has passed and the new has come. As "old" believers we have the joy of gaining a new perspective, a new attitude, a new way of thinking. I think I need that just about every day. I love that the Lord loves us just the way we are but He loves us too much to let us stay that way. I am so thankful that He is always working on me, chiseling away the stuff that doesn't need to be there whether that be habits, toxic relationships, wrong attitudes, things that can cause others to stumble. My prayer is that I will come to Him each morning, and after spending time with Him revealing Himself, will be changed, that I will go throughout my day "a different way" because of Him.

Goodness Abounds

I'm sitting here on a cold Saturday morning and very thankful that it's warm on the inside. My boys have returned from the lockout, one in the bed and one playing video games. My girls are still tucked away under the covers and my hubby at the gym. My brother called to say he and his family arestuck in New York City. They went for a quick vacation before Christmas and because of the snow storm can't fly out tonight and will probably be there til Tuesday. Like I told him, what better place to be snowed in during Christmas than NYC? I love it there but especially during the holidays.
Not too much going on today but at the same time a lot going on. My heart is full to overflowing this morning. I am so grateful of all the ways God has worked in my life and the life of my family. He has been so busy with all of us and most of it I am ashamed to say I don't recognize til I force myself to sit down and be still and quiet and start reflecting. He has been so good to us. I read a blog the other day that talked about how we shouldn't be the kind of person who looks at all the good God has done and think "oh no something bad has to happen soon because there's been to much good". I must admit I am like that at times. It's just hard to fathom so much good when you feel so undeserving but I am determined to just reflect on His goodness and be thankful.
I know that the days ahead are sure to be busy and things are always changing. I'm not one that just thrives on change, I love tradition, but I have learned to embrace change because when I trust God change never seems to be as bad as I thought it would be. It keeps life exciting. With change comes new opportunities, new relationships. I also know that when we give things and people to God He always gives back in a much more special way. Most of it is about trust and not dragging my feet as I go, just let go and let God.
I know this seems like a lot about nothing, mostly rambling. As things clear up maybe my communication will clear up a bit. Just felt the need to release a little of what's been held in but mostly just grateful to see God's hand all over the place recently. Praise Him for that because without that I don't believe I could keep taking the steps forward that need to be taken and with a joyful heart. Have a blessed Saturday and stay warm.

Monday Morning Perspective

Part 2 of our Christmas series was fabulous. Our passage was Matthew 1:18-25, His Arrival. Eddie spent the first part discussing the situation that Joseph faced as a righteous man. We saw through the message how there was tension between the law and love. The law told Joseph to do one thing to Mary but the love he felt for her told him to do something else. I love how Eddie pointed out how oftentimes we too are faced with the legalistic side of things and how judgmental we can become verses what love and grace tell us to do. Oh for the balance in our lives to have standards and stick by them and at the same time fall on the side of love and grace when dealing with people.
I guess my favorite part was when Eddie pointed out how crucial the virgin birth is in our theology. That's a truth worth fighting for. It has everything to do with Jesus being the God-Man that He claimed to be. And I love how it was pointed out that "the name makes all the difference". There is no other name by which we may be saved...AMEN.
By the way, didn't the worship center look absolutely beautiful. It took my breath away especially when the lights were dim and the trees were lit and that huge beautiful tree in the baptistry...WOW! Loved, loved, loved the white poinsettias. Thank you to our decorators, never seen the sanctuary look so beautiful!
Music was incredible as well. I just love the way the Christmas songs were arranged. Missed 9:00 but 11:11 was awesome, way to go worship band!

My Kind of Day

Even though I am a hot weather kind of girl, it's Christmas-time so I love the weather. It's about 37 degrees on a Saturday. It looks like it's going to rain or snow any minute. We have a roaring fire going and all of the Christmas lights lit. Eddie has chili cooking on the stove and it smells great. I'm spending the day wrapping presents but my favorite part is having both of my girls with me in the kitchen. We are doing some baking, some for us but some for others. I love days like this. We are just all at home with nothing pressing and nowhere to be. Thankfully most of my shopping is done. I love getting it done early so the rest of December is more relaxing and stress-free. As much as I love shopping, I hate being out there with the mob of last minute shoppers stressing over what I have to get for someone. I want the rest of the month to be about spending some fun time with my family, focused on Christ, and enjoying all of the blessings that God has so richly blessed us with this year. He is good ALL the time.

Monday Morning Perspective

We had a true blessing during worship yesterday as well as the entire weekend with the performance of the "Living Christmas Trees". What a blessing that was! It was the first for our worship leader, Bill Howard and in my opinion was the absolute best. His touch was all over it, so professional to watch. Thank you to all who served to produce such a powerful worship experience. The timing and choreography, choir and soloists, props and lighting and sound, the energy and passion of all was such a blessing. To God alone be much glory. I can hardly wait for Christmas now, it put me in the right frame of mind and heart. Love you all and so appreciate everyone's hard work!