Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe after all we’ve projected
A child in a manger
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliness hero, wrapped in his mothers shawl
Just a child
Is this who we’ve waited for?
Cause how many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Bringing our gifts for the newborn savior
All that we have whether costly or meek
Because we believe
Gold for his honor and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he’ll suffer
Do you believe, is this who we’ve waited for?
It’s who we’ve waited for
How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me
All for me
All for you
All for me
All for you
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
We're pressed on every side by troubles, but we're not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We're hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we're not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
I love this verse because it's packed full of promise & hope. It has been a rough December for me. The ole scum dog has really been working hard in my life. Either by depression, business or strife BUT I must remember that Jesus has overcame this world & he has made a place for us with Him.
It's getting so close to Christmas & I'm not ready but I've decided that's ok. I want to stop & remember what this season is all about. Not about parties, gifts, decorations & lights but it's about Jesus choosing to come to Earth as a man & to suffer for each & every one of us. A lowly baby in a lowly stable but such an oh so HUGE God!!
I love this verse because it's packed full of promise & hope. It has been a rough December for me. The ole scum dog has really been working hard in my life. Either by depression, business or strife BUT I must remember that Jesus has overcame this world & he has made a place for us with Him.
It's getting so close to Christmas & I'm not ready but I've decided that's ok. I want to stop & remember what this season is all about. Not about parties, gifts, decorations & lights but it's about Jesus choosing to come to Earth as a man & to suffer for each & every one of us. A lowly baby in a lowly stable but such an oh so HUGE God!!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Max Lucado must have been thinking about me when he sent this email out. Enjoy!!
A Message From Max
Christmas blessings, Friends!
If we don’t watch out, the holidays can stir the Scrooge within us. We make lists of what we want, drop hints about what we want, tell Santa what we want. This season of economic stress can make us even more tight-fisted and hard hearted. So how can we un-Scrooge our Christmas? Simple: let’s continue the great Christmas giveaway. By seeing Christmas, not as the time to receive, but as the time to give. Let’s imitate the stargazers, the mysterious magi, who went great lengths to give great gifts.
Why does scripture showcase their story? Part of the reason is Herod. If the New Testament has a Scrooge, it is the jealous King of Israel. When he heard that the wise men were in search of a king, he grew suspicious and angry, ordering the slaughter of every child under the age of two.
And the stargazing Savior-seekers? We don’t know much about these men. We don’t know their country of origin or their nationality. We don’t know the size of their caravan. The crèche on the front lawn suggests a trio of magi. But we aren’t given a number. The stargazing element surprises us, as does the fact that these are Gentile astronomers seeking a Jewish Messiah. A curious assortment on a curious journey.
…the wise men went their way. Once again the star appeared to them, guiding them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:9-11 NLT)
They made no requests. No favors. No petitions. The wise men wanted only one thing: the privilege of giving gifts to Jesus. What a contrast: hard-hearted Herod on one side, the gift-giving wise men on the other. We’d like to be numbered among the wise and generous, wouldn’t we?
Here are three ways to un-Scrooge your Christmas:
1. Help a needy person in a foreign country. The wise men did. They issued international aid to a peasant family. We can do the same.
2. Extend a hand to the needy in your area. In Bexar County, where I live, 1 in 4 children suffer from food insecurity. That is to say, they aren’t sure about their next meal. Chances are, there are needy in your area as well.
3. Assist a struggling family in your neighborhood. Don’t think for a minute that your neighborhood has no families in trouble. People who have never faced depletions are doing so. People are upside-down in their mortgages, concerned about their careers, anxious about their fixed incomes. You can’t solve their problems but you can be a kind neighbor. You can bake some cookies, bring some groceries…you can be the presence of Christ in your neighborhood.
May you experience the joy of Jesus this Christmas!
Max
P.S. And if you’re able to remember UpWords Ministries in your 2009 year-end giving, we’d be very grateful. Your help enables us to provide, via radio and internet, spiritual encouragement to millions each year. Donate here.
A Message From Max
Christmas blessings, Friends!
If we don’t watch out, the holidays can stir the Scrooge within us. We make lists of what we want, drop hints about what we want, tell Santa what we want. This season of economic stress can make us even more tight-fisted and hard hearted. So how can we un-Scrooge our Christmas? Simple: let’s continue the great Christmas giveaway. By seeing Christmas, not as the time to receive, but as the time to give. Let’s imitate the stargazers, the mysterious magi, who went great lengths to give great gifts.
Why does scripture showcase their story? Part of the reason is Herod. If the New Testament has a Scrooge, it is the jealous King of Israel. When he heard that the wise men were in search of a king, he grew suspicious and angry, ordering the slaughter of every child under the age of two.
And the stargazing Savior-seekers? We don’t know much about these men. We don’t know their country of origin or their nationality. We don’t know the size of their caravan. The crèche on the front lawn suggests a trio of magi. But we aren’t given a number. The stargazing element surprises us, as does the fact that these are Gentile astronomers seeking a Jewish Messiah. A curious assortment on a curious journey.
…the wise men went their way. Once again the star appeared to them, guiding them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:9-11 NLT)
They made no requests. No favors. No petitions. The wise men wanted only one thing: the privilege of giving gifts to Jesus. What a contrast: hard-hearted Herod on one side, the gift-giving wise men on the other. We’d like to be numbered among the wise and generous, wouldn’t we?
Here are three ways to un-Scrooge your Christmas:
1. Help a needy person in a foreign country. The wise men did. They issued international aid to a peasant family. We can do the same.
2. Extend a hand to the needy in your area. In Bexar County, where I live, 1 in 4 children suffer from food insecurity. That is to say, they aren’t sure about their next meal. Chances are, there are needy in your area as well.
3. Assist a struggling family in your neighborhood. Don’t think for a minute that your neighborhood has no families in trouble. People who have never faced depletions are doing so. People are upside-down in their mortgages, concerned about their careers, anxious about their fixed incomes. You can’t solve their problems but you can be a kind neighbor. You can bake some cookies, bring some groceries…you can be the presence of Christ in your neighborhood.
May you experience the joy of Jesus this Christmas!
Max
P.S. And if you’re able to remember UpWords Ministries in your 2009 year-end giving, we’d be very grateful. Your help enables us to provide, via radio and internet, spiritual encouragement to millions each year. Donate here.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
[AC] Advent Conspiracy 2009 Promo Video
My friend Susan knew I'd appreciate this so she told me to check out her blog and this website. See what you think!! Thanks Susan!!!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
I have decided that it is true, I am a scrooge.
I really really despise what this world has done to Christmas. It is so commercialized. To be honest I wouldn't care if I didn't even have a tree up. The kids always decorate for Christmas anyway. I put off shopping until the very last minute and the tree and decorations come down Christmas night.
See, I am a scrooge! But as I got to thinking about it I realized that I don't live for this world. The reason I live was born so many years ago on that cold night, in that inadequate stable. It was enough for Jesus though. He came to save the lost, in whatever state we may find ourselves in. So, while I may not be a big fan of Christmas I am a big fan of CHRISTmas!!
I really really despise what this world has done to Christmas. It is so commercialized. To be honest I wouldn't care if I didn't even have a tree up. The kids always decorate for Christmas anyway. I put off shopping until the very last minute and the tree and decorations come down Christmas night.
See, I am a scrooge! But as I got to thinking about it I realized that I don't live for this world. The reason I live was born so many years ago on that cold night, in that inadequate stable. It was enough for Jesus though. He came to save the lost, in whatever state we may find ourselves in. So, while I may not be a big fan of Christmas I am a big fan of CHRISTmas!!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Christ in Me
by Max Lucado
Like Mary, you and I are indwelt by Christ.Find that hard to believe? How much more did Mary? No one was more surprised by this miracle than she was. And no one more passive than she was. God did everything. Mary didn't volunteer to help. What did she have to offer? She offered no assistance. And she offered no resistance. Instead she said, "Behold, the bond- slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).
Unlike Mary, we tend to assist God, assuming our part is as important as his. Or we resist, thinking we are too bad or too busy. Yet when we assist or resist, we miss God's great grace. We miss out on the reason we were placed on earth-to be so pregnant with heaven's child that he lives through us. To be so full of him that we could say with Paul, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal. 2:20)
What would that be like? To have a child within is a miracle, but to have Christ within?
To have my voice, but him speaking.
My steps, but Christ leading.
My heart, but his love beating in me, through me, with me.
What's it like to have Christ on the inside?
To tap his strength when mine expires or feel the force of heaven's firesraging, purging wrong desires.
Could Christ become my self entire?
So much him, so little me
That in my eyes it's him they see.
What's it like to a Mary be?
No longer I, but Christ in me.
From Next Door Savior
by Max Lucado
Like Mary, you and I are indwelt by Christ.Find that hard to believe? How much more did Mary? No one was more surprised by this miracle than she was. And no one more passive than she was. God did everything. Mary didn't volunteer to help. What did she have to offer? She offered no assistance. And she offered no resistance. Instead she said, "Behold, the bond- slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).
Unlike Mary, we tend to assist God, assuming our part is as important as his. Or we resist, thinking we are too bad or too busy. Yet when we assist or resist, we miss God's great grace. We miss out on the reason we were placed on earth-to be so pregnant with heaven's child that he lives through us. To be so full of him that we could say with Paul, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal. 2:20)
What would that be like? To have a child within is a miracle, but to have Christ within?
To have my voice, but him speaking.
My steps, but Christ leading.
My heart, but his love beating in me, through me, with me.
What's it like to have Christ on the inside?
To tap his strength when mine expires or feel the force of heaven's firesraging, purging wrong desires.
Could Christ become my self entire?
So much him, so little me
That in my eyes it's him they see.
What's it like to a Mary be?
No longer I, but Christ in me.
From Next Door Savior
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Winter Blues
I get the winter blues every year but this year seems worse! As Aimee came in for our nightly talk last night (she lays with me for about an hour, and sometimes just sleeps there!) we got to talking about some things going on in her life and I told her I will miss this next year when she is at college. I honestly think that is most of my problem this year.... this senior year is killing dear ole mom!!
Cole usually walks in and calls Aimee a loser, hugs me good night and off he goes to his room. He spends most of his time in his room. Aimee is usually by my side, so I think I will get a little (hmph) lonely next year!
Cold weather, wind and snow do not go well with me! It makes me want to just stay in bed with my head under the covers. I have dealt with depression in my past and at one point was medicated for it. I was on meds for about a year, I can say I have done well since then but there are still times when I feel the dread looming over me. I fight it off as best I can and with the help of God it usually works. Ed is so sweet about it, he tries his best to make things better when I get down. Usually he just drives me crazy cause I just want to be left alone but he also knows that is when I get worse so that is why he persists and I love him for it!
I am all settled in for the night! I am going to attempt to fix supper, although nothing sounds good, then I plan on watching Kentucky Basketball!!! Ed has to teach confirmation class tonight and the kids have youth so I get some alone time and cuddle time with Chopper!! It is going to get WAY cold tonight so stay warm!!
Chopper
Cole usually walks in and calls Aimee a loser, hugs me good night and off he goes to his room. He spends most of his time in his room. Aimee is usually by my side, so I think I will get a little (hmph) lonely next year!
Cold weather, wind and snow do not go well with me! It makes me want to just stay in bed with my head under the covers. I have dealt with depression in my past and at one point was medicated for it. I was on meds for about a year, I can say I have done well since then but there are still times when I feel the dread looming over me. I fight it off as best I can and with the help of God it usually works. Ed is so sweet about it, he tries his best to make things better when I get down. Usually he just drives me crazy cause I just want to be left alone but he also knows that is when I get worse so that is why he persists and I love him for it!
I am all settled in for the night! I am going to attempt to fix supper, although nothing sounds good, then I plan on watching Kentucky Basketball!!! Ed has to teach confirmation class tonight and the kids have youth so I get some alone time and cuddle time with Chopper!! It is going to get WAY cold tonight so stay warm!!
Chopper
Monday, December 7, 2009
Control
I have been struggling a lot lately with my kids getting older & making their own decisions. I worry that they might not make the best decisions, but today as I was having a talk with my Abba Father, or Daddy I was reminded that it's not about what I want for my kids but what His plan is.
Ouch!
I know His ways are much higher & better than mine but I tend to want to control... Well most everything!! As I was praying & discussing this with Him I was reminded of Moses. I really, really like Moses for a number of reasons. He, like me, argued with God, tested Him & so forth before he just trusted Him. This is something I struggle with! Anyway, God spoke to me & reminded me that when Moses' mother couldn't hide (control) him any longer, she released him into the Nile & what happened??? He sent Moses back to her!
In Exodus 2 it tells the story of Moses birth. His mother hid him for 3 months (i.e. Christy trying to protect her kids & make their decisions for them). When she could no longer hide him, she released him into the Nile where Pharaoh's sister intercepted him. She couldn't nurse him so Moses sister asked if she would like for her to go get one of the Hebrew women to nurse him. She said yes & he was returned to his mother to care for him until he was old enough to go back to Pharaoh's daughter.
I need to learn to let God have my kids & trust that I have instilled the proper values in them to make the right choices. But I choose to pray God gives them wisdom beyond their years to let them know when the choice they are about to make isn't in the will of God. I pray that he directs their steps & that they not look side to side but keep their eyes focused forward.
Ouch!
I know His ways are much higher & better than mine but I tend to want to control... Well most everything!! As I was praying & discussing this with Him I was reminded of Moses. I really, really like Moses for a number of reasons. He, like me, argued with God, tested Him & so forth before he just trusted Him. This is something I struggle with! Anyway, God spoke to me & reminded me that when Moses' mother couldn't hide (control) him any longer, she released him into the Nile & what happened??? He sent Moses back to her!
In Exodus 2 it tells the story of Moses birth. His mother hid him for 3 months (i.e. Christy trying to protect her kids & make their decisions for them). When she could no longer hide him, she released him into the Nile where Pharaoh's sister intercepted him. She couldn't nurse him so Moses sister asked if she would like for her to go get one of the Hebrew women to nurse him. She said yes & he was returned to his mother to care for him until he was old enough to go back to Pharaoh's daughter.
I need to learn to let God have my kids & trust that I have instilled the proper values in them to make the right choices. But I choose to pray God gives them wisdom beyond their years to let them know when the choice they are about to make isn't in the will of God. I pray that he directs their steps & that they not look side to side but keep their eyes focused forward.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
CHRISTmas
This time of the year both is very joyous for me and drives me nuts!!!
Everyone is SO busy trying to get things ready for Christmas and so worried about what people are calling it that they forget the meaning of Christmas! No, I do not like that they are calling it "Happy Holidays" or a "Holiday Tree" but I also think that we as Christians are supposed to be witnesses buy our actions. While, it is a sad thing we do not have to get in such an uproar over it. We need to just carry on with CHRISTmas as we know it.
The birth of Jesus, our Savior.
I was so overwhelmed when my kids told me they wanted to take a part of their Christmas money and support a child through World Vision, and not to just start the support but to pay for a year upfront. That is 360.00, which is most of their Christmas to be honest. We have support a child through World Vision before. We will sit down as a family and pick a child to support from Africa, because most of you that know me know that I have a heart for Africa.
I hope you all stop and take the time to read the CHRISTmas story this year as a family and spend some time thanking God for His ultimate sacrifice!!
Everyone is SO busy trying to get things ready for Christmas and so worried about what people are calling it that they forget the meaning of Christmas! No, I do not like that they are calling it "Happy Holidays" or a "Holiday Tree" but I also think that we as Christians are supposed to be witnesses buy our actions. While, it is a sad thing we do not have to get in such an uproar over it. We need to just carry on with CHRISTmas as we know it.
The birth of Jesus, our Savior.
I was so overwhelmed when my kids told me they wanted to take a part of their Christmas money and support a child through World Vision, and not to just start the support but to pay for a year upfront. That is 360.00, which is most of their Christmas to be honest. We have support a child through World Vision before. We will sit down as a family and pick a child to support from Africa, because most of you that know me know that I have a heart for Africa.
I hope you all stop and take the time to read the CHRISTmas story this year as a family and spend some time thanking God for His ultimate sacrifice!!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
He lives within you
He Lives Within You
by Max Lucado
The virgin birth is more, much more, than a Christmas story; it is a picture of how close Christ will come to you. The first stop on his itinerary was a womb. Where will God go to touch the world? Look deep within Mary for an answer.
Better still, look deep within yourself. What he did with Mary, he offers to us! He issues a Mary-level invitation to all his children. "If you'll let me, I'll move in!"
Proliferating throughout the scriptures is a preposition that leaves no doubt- the preposition in. Jesus lives in his children.
John was clear, "Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them" (I John 3:24 NIV, emphasis mine).
Christ grew in Mary until he had to come out. Christ will grow in you until the same occurs. He will come out in your speech, in your actions, in your decisions. Every place you live will be a Bethlehem, and every day you live will be a Christmas. You, like Mary, will deliver Christ into the world.
God in us! Have we sounded the depth of this promise?
God was with Adam and Eve. God was with Abraham. God was with Moses and the children of Israel. God was with the apostles.
But he is in you. You are a modern-day Mary. Even more so. He was a fetus in her, but he is a force in you. He will do what you cannot.
by Max Lucado
The virgin birth is more, much more, than a Christmas story; it is a picture of how close Christ will come to you. The first stop on his itinerary was a womb. Where will God go to touch the world? Look deep within Mary for an answer.
Better still, look deep within yourself. What he did with Mary, he offers to us! He issues a Mary-level invitation to all his children. "If you'll let me, I'll move in!"
Proliferating throughout the scriptures is a preposition that leaves no doubt- the preposition in. Jesus lives in his children.
John was clear, "Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them" (I John 3:24 NIV, emphasis mine).
Christ grew in Mary until he had to come out. Christ will grow in you until the same occurs. He will come out in your speech, in your actions, in your decisions. Every place you live will be a Bethlehem, and every day you live will be a Christmas. You, like Mary, will deliver Christ into the world.
God in us! Have we sounded the depth of this promise?
God was with Adam and Eve. God was with Abraham. God was with Moses and the children of Israel. God was with the apostles.
But he is in you. You are a modern-day Mary. Even more so. He was a fetus in her, but he is a force in you. He will do what you cannot.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
What's in a name?
I had to laugh last night at our Crazy Love study when I asked someone to mark where we left off at so we know where to start at next time. My sister said "Malachi" only she pronounced it Ma-locsh-i. I laughed, & said what?? She said someone had once said it that way. So that got us talking about the "big" words in the Bible.
What do you do when you come across a name you can't pronounce? Andi said she will call them Mr. M (if it was Malachi for instance). I've heard people say so & so. I've also heard people call them by a very common name like Fred. I know for me if I just skim by the name the passage looses something. The names make it personal & are there for a reason! I often hear radio segments where the speakers pronounce names different than what I do & sometimes I have to really think about what they said.
We get so used to things being OUR way that we sometimes don't realize that OUR way may just not be the right way! Well, darn it. I don't know about you but I like things my way. Sometimes a little too much I do believe! That's been a hard struggle for me in waiting on God's timing cause I want it when I want it & how I want it, by golly! But I am learning to "Be still & know that He is God" & although I'd sometimes like to know the plans for me, I trust him to work whatever HE needs to through me!
What do you do when you come across a name you can't pronounce? Andi said she will call them Mr. M (if it was Malachi for instance). I've heard people say so & so. I've also heard people call them by a very common name like Fred. I know for me if I just skim by the name the passage looses something. The names make it personal & are there for a reason! I often hear radio segments where the speakers pronounce names different than what I do & sometimes I have to really think about what they said.
We get so used to things being OUR way that we sometimes don't realize that OUR way may just not be the right way! Well, darn it. I don't know about you but I like things my way. Sometimes a little too much I do believe! That's been a hard struggle for me in waiting on God's timing cause I want it when I want it & how I want it, by golly! But I am learning to "Be still & know that He is God" & although I'd sometimes like to know the plans for me, I trust him to work whatever HE needs to through me!
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