"The Plight Before Christmas"

I heard the following poem on the radio program of Crown Financial Ministries and thought it was very thought provoking.  Every year I find it a struggle to keep Christmas in perspective when the world around me says "You and those you love need more stuff!  So shop till you drop!"  Somewhere in the midst of all the 'stuff' we can loose the real joy of what Christmas is meant to embody- the joy of the birth of Jesus Christ, family, and friends.  This Christmas, I want the gift of shared relationships.  More than anything I want to be still and enjoying those I love and to spend time savoring my Savior.   If you are anything like me- you may struggle a bit with the shopping list and the to-do-list.  Praying this poem helps you too!

“The Plight Before Christmas.”

'Tis the month before Christmas and all through the house,

Our two teens leave gift lists for me and my spouse.

They scribble and write, compose and compare,

In hopes that St. Nick has some big bucks to spare!

But Dad with his wallet and I with my purse,

Realize things have taken a turn for the worse.

Gone are the days of toy cars and doll beds,

When visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

It's CDs, and sweaters, and watches and rings,

Computers and Play Station Games of all things.

More rapid than reindeer the items ring up,

We'll have to get second and third jobs to keep up!

So I think for a minute, and then start to smile--

The answer's been with me, there all the while.

Then I gather my children and with hugs and a kiss,

I remind them it's not about presents and lists.

It's about friends and family, and laughter and love,

And the blessings we're given from God up above.

In the midst of the frenzy and the lure of the mall,

We shouldn't forget..the greatest Gift of all.

And then I'll exclaim 'ere I turn in for the night,

"Happy Christmas to all, and... may we all get it right!"

Our thanks to Mary Beth Weisenberger of Continental, Ohio for reminding us to keep Christ in our Christmas.

The Word Became Flesh...

"In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.  He was present originally with God.  All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.  In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men.  And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]. "

John 1:1-5

"There it was-the true Light [was then] coming into the world [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] that illumines every person.  He came into the world, and thought the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him [did not know Him].  He came to that which belonged to Him [to His own-His domain, creation, things, world], and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him.  But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name."

John 1:9-12

"And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth."

John 1:14

Dear friends,

I hope you enjoy reading the above passages.  Savor them for they are filled with hope for the heart and soul.  Imagine the very Word (the Logos) of God breathed into human flesh and sent to redeem you and me.  Jesus could have come into our worlds like a thunder cloud- loud, visible and fierce.  But instead He came softly, quietly and gently in the form of a precious baby. 

I can hardly wrap my mind around the fact that God in the flesh tabernacled (I love that word!) around men.  He pitched a tent and stayed awhile.  How precious is that?!  I want nothing more than God to tabernacle in this flawed, sinful, body of mine today.  Just pitch His tent right smack dab in the middle of my life and just stay awhile (and not just awhile- always).  Why?  Because this tabernacling God dispels the darkness of sin.  Because He is Life and Light- full, overflowing, abundant Life. 

My prayer for you and I is that we will allow the Lord's Christ, the Light that dispels darkness and illumines every person, to gentty and softly reveal His majesty and glory to us this Christmas Season.  He, beloved, is full of grace and loving-kindness and truth.  We need Him so desperately for in Him is Life and Life to the full.

May you receive Him anew and afresh!

Loving the Light of the world,

Lori

Opening His mouth he began to teach them...

I have been reading the Sermon on the Mount for weeks now. I have focused on Matthew's account of this powerful teaching from Jesus. I absolutely love the way the writer begins the sermon:

"And opening His mouth He began to teach them, saying..."

Matthew 5:2

These words sent my mind directly to Isaiah 55....

"So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."

Isaiah 55:11

The word 'accomplishing' means "to do, to make, to accomplish, to complete. This Hebrew verb conveys the central notion of performing an activity with a distinct purpose, a moral obligation, or a goal in view." To give you a further illustration, the word 'teach' in Matthew 5:2 is written in Perfect Tense which "represents an action that was completed in the past but has continuing results."

Stay with me for a moment and allow me to make two points.

1. God's word is relevant for today. Although God's word was spoken in the past it still has continuing results. God's word still has purpose for today and will have forever.
2. God's word, when read, meditated upon, taught etc., will accomplish what God desires for it to accomplish!

God's word still has significance and application for our modern day lives. It can (and will) work in and through us to accomplish God's purposes so that you and I can live sanctified lives. Lives that are set-apart to accomplish God's purposes in this world for this generation. Based on the truths of God's word- He will succeed in what He sets out to accomplish!

When I have the opportunity to teach God's word I tend to be to be fearful. Because of my respect and reverence for Scripture and the power it carries in no way do I want to misrepresent its teaching. Therefore, I have a healthy level of fear when teaching others. Although I play a very small role in this teaching process (God and his Spirit plays the bigger role), I have learned that when God sends forth his word- it accomplishes and succeeds. Coupled with my healthy level of fear, I possess an even healthier level of trust in God. I believe that once I put the words out there- He will accomplish its intended purpose in and through others. Those of us who teach or share God's word have a huge responsibility to be students who dig deep and work as best we can to represent the Scriptures correctly. Once we have done this- we must trust God to accomplish his purpose.

Obviously, I get a bit excited over the promise of the continuing work of God's words. I am utterly thankful that as I open my Bible God's word still has a profound affect on me. I have read the Sermon on the Mount over and over again and each time it pierces my heart in a different way. Jesus' words challenge me to live, love and serve differently.

I recently purchased a new Bible to replace the one I had been using since 2001. You probably won't believe me but I mourned the shelving of this old friend, my NIV Life Application Bible. The pages inside were worn and the binding was falling apart. This dear friend was filled with notes and discoveries I had made as we journeyed together. This precious book, for almost 10 years, served as one of the greatest links to the building of my relationship with Jesus Christ.

As I think back on the years I have spent learning and growing through the pages of my NIV Life Application Bible, I could just weep in remembrance of the way God sent forth his word in my life and actually accomplished something! I now laugh over the fits I often threw when I didn't want to comply with his direction or commands. Many times I acted like a toddler throwing a tantrum (maybe that has something to do with spiritual milk verses spiritual meat!). When the day was done I agonized over not just listening and obeying in the first place!  The heartache I could have avoided if I had just listened and obeyed. Yes, another lesson learned the hard way.  But through it all my testimony still stands: "God truly sent forth his word and healed me!"  Through this NIV Life Application Study Bible, "Jesus opened his mouth and began to teach me" and I'm so much better for it! This Thanksgiving I am thankful for the power of God's word!

Allow me to encourage you towards God's word. My prayer is you will begin or continue a love relationship with God through his word. Be open to it's accomplishing work!

Blessings for a Happy Thanksgiving!

God's Habit

Hello to all,
I came across a verse I wanted to share today.

"If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that's why you're worshiped."

Psalm 130 (The Message)

I hope this sweet reminder refreshes your soul today. I believe it is God's habit to forgive. Not only does he make it a habit to forgive but he actually delights in the very act of forgiving. When was the last time you thought about a God who stands ready- waiting- to offer you forgiveness? I believe he longs to forgive.

Knowing this, why would we linger in the asking? Brennan Manning in his book, The Rabbi's Heartbeat, tells his own story of delaying in truly accepting God's forgiveness and love. Manning tells of the Impostor within himself who whispered, "Brennan, don't ever be your real self anymore because nobody likes you as you are. Invent a new self that everybody will admire and nobody will know." So, he did. This is how he describes it, "For eighteen years I proclaimed the good news of God's passionate, unconditional love- utterly convicted in my head but not feeling it in my heart. I never felt loved."

Could it be that accepting God's lavish forgiveness, this habit he has, would mean to truly believe to the bone that God loves us? Could it be we delay in asking for forgiveness because we can't imagine ever forgiving ourselves? For, if God can forgive us why would we not forgive also?

Manning goes on to finish the chapter like this:

"Come to Me now," Jesus says. "Quit projecting onto Me your own feelings about yourself. At this moment your life is a brusied reed and I will not crush it, a smoldering wick and I will not quench it. You are in a safe place." You are loved.

Maybe today you are in need of some grace. What are you waiting for? God stands ready. He is your safe place. Don't walk- run to him!

Blessings,
Lori

My Prayer- Psalms 119:32

"God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.

Give me insight so I can do what you tell me- my whole life one long, obedient response."

Psalm 119:32 The Message

Assorted Menu

Hello friends,
I only have a minute but had to give a few updates- so this post is sorta lkie a buffet-it has a little bit of everything!

---Please join me in giving God some Praise...we are 1 Indian orphan away from having all 40 new ones sponsored and 30 recommitted to for their 3rd year. Praise him loudly grils! He deserves it!

---Back to school for many today! The Drain children fared well other than one 10 year old boy's hair woes. That is a whole post of its own!!! ha!

---I am knee deep in the Word (my favorite place) preparing for a ladies retreat this weekend! I sure would appreciate your prayers.

---Lastly, please lift up a friend for me who is in the hospital. I would be most blessed by your intercession!



And, just because I love each of you so much I endured typing from my phone to post and several misquito bites!

Love to all,

India Orphans

Hello friends,
I couldn't wait to share this picture with you! These are the orphans in India that I have written about several times. Please notice the group has grown! There are 28 new babies joining this crowd! Praise be to God! I hope you notice the 'thumbs up' we are getting in this picture. Aren't they darling? Words aren't enough to describe the joy these sweet faces bring me.

Some in the picture are without parents, some have one parent, and some have both parents. All are unable to be cared for by either their parent(s) or relatives due to finances or life situations that the parent(s) or relatives are in that are unsafe for the children. So, they are brought to the Nash Campus at Redemption Ministries in Chirala, India and are cared for here. They receive not only basic needs (food, clothing, shelter and medical care) they also receive an education (reading, writing, and math) and on top of all that and most importantly- they learn about Jesus Christ and his lavish love for them.

I must share a very proud Mommy moment with you. One of these sweet babies was sponsored by my daughter, Shelby. She worked some this summer for her father and saved her money. She gave up almost her whole summer savings to sponsor one of these sweet children. She had $20 left to spend on herself. What is so neat about it is she came up with the idea all on her own. Chad or I never asked her to sponsor a child- nope- it was her idea! So proud of my young lady! I'm sending her a 'thumbs up' today for allowing God to use her to impact the life of another!

There are several more children who need sponsorship. Once sponsorship is received they are brought into their new home. And, it's only $20 per month per child. Let me know if you are interested!

Blessings to all,
Lori