All is not lost

Last night we attended our city’s Christmas tree lighting celebration for the first time.  There were local public-schooled kids that sang before the tree lighting and it was all very festive.

Since it was a city event and not a church event, I must admit I was very surprised the first time I heard the name Jesus sang in one of the songs, but they not only sang one song about him, they sang several.  It was heartwarming, to say the least.

In this time of religious “freedom” when it as though all religions except Christianity seem to be freely accepted, it was such a wonderfully special experience for me, a Christian, to be able to hear songs about my Lord being sung without shame out in public.

I am so happy that all is not lost!  As long as we have breath in our lungs, we can still praise the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Thank You, God, for the precious gift of Your Son that we are celebrating this season.  May we never forget what you have done for us.

jamie

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Dreaming into the New Year…

This is the week after Christmas.  Most of the gifts have been given.  Gatherings have almost all been attended.  Snacks and candies have been savored and devoured.  I hope you all had moments of happiness during this Christmas season.

At my house this week, everyone is home.  Work, school, and outside responsibilities are on hold.  Time for recharging, intentional play, togetherness, and snuggling reigns supreme.

It is easy during this week of winding down and relaxing with the ones I love most to feel as though anything can be accomplished.  (A couple of naps will do that for you!)  So many ideas, goals, and dreams flood my mind, and I feel an eagerness to bring everyone along.

I understand; however, that once school, work, and church begin again, we will once again be on a schedule that will dictate a lot of our time.  How I long to hold tightly to this time of unadulterated togetherness!

My goal for 2017 is to make more time than ever before for dreams.  Things I wish I could do more often need to be scheduled into my days.  Ideas need to be spoken out loud, so that everyone can have a say and come up with ways to flesh them out.  Goals need written out and planned, so they can be accomplished.

I don’t often do the whole “New Years Resolution” thing, but it is a good idea to reevaluate things once in a while.

If you’ve got some dreams or ideas you’ve been thinking about, I encourage you to speak them out loud and begin the process of fleshing them out.  And if some of your dreams, like mine, include more time to sit on the couch (or a blanket in the yard) beside a family member for some quality time, that’s ok.

If the Lord has been urging You to do something new, take some time to talk it out with Him and commit.  Anytime He gives us an assignment, He always equips us to carry it out.  That’s a fact.  So, maybe it’s time to simply trust, say, “Yes, Lord,” and step out in faith.

I wish you all a very happy and safe New Year!  I pray that in 2017 we all grow closer to God and feel His peace and His presence in our lives more than ever before.  I pray that we share His love with those around us, and pass out forgiveness and mercy generously.

God bless you,

jamie

The Christmas Star

The first star I saw in the sky tonight was amazingly bright.  I said to my kids, “Look!  It’s the Christmas star.”  My daughter asked, “How do you know?”  My answer was simple, “It’s Christmas.”

The wise men saw a star in the East and followed it to the Christ child. Matthew 2:10 says, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”  

I am rejoicing with exceedingly great joy tonight as I am reminded that the child they saw was the One who came to bring me salvation!  He came to bring salvation to us all.

I thank God tonight for that star’s reminder that our Savior came for each of us.  His love for us is so great that He sent His only Son to this earth–for us.

Thank You, Lord, for our Salvation.  Thank you for our Savior, which is Christ, the Lord.  Thank You for choosing to give us eternal life with You.  Thank You for the hope and the promise in that star.  Lord, help each one reading this feel the hope of Your salvation upon them, as well.  You are a good, good God.  I praise Your Holy name!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night,

jamie

God with us

Is. 7:14:  “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:  Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” 

Luke 2:8-14:  Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you:  You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

 

Merry Christmas!

jamie