Lived to Love for Us

"Can you hear the baby crying? That's the sound of God denying himself taking on the form of man in flesh. Can you see the virgin weeping? Thats the pain required for keeping God's great promise to deliver us from death. Merry Christmas to all mankind. The King is coming just in time. Into the darkness light will shine so bright and beautiful. Merry Christmas to all!"

As this Christmas season came to life around us I couldn't help but remember the life that was brought into this world that is truly the reason for our celebration. God sent his son Jesus so that we could experience true life and in that learn to fully love.

The lights, the music, the gifts and festivities do bring to life so much happiness and giddiness during Christmas but the true joy comes because of the gift of Jesus Christ. 

Even in the darkness of this world His life shines. Today, on Christmas, I received the news that a precious little girl whom I spent many (yet so few) days with in Moldova was in a car wreck and her life was taken. My heart is broken because I know the joy and love that she brought impacted many and will be missed. I am thankful she now is freely dancing with Jesus though. His love and the promise of eternity exceeds the pain and sadness that we experience now.

Again, we live because of love. Jesus' love is more than we deserve but he loved us anyway. He entered into our lives just as we are. 

"God is not offended by our humanity. Instead, He came into our humanity."

 - Louie Giglio (12 Words of Christmas)

So Merry Christmas; may your life be fulfilled through his life and love.

“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!” Luke 2:10-14

A Christmas-y Night!

Tonight we finished the Christmas decorating, enjoyed a meal cooked by my dad, then ate homemade banana pudding while watching White Christmas.

I love this season! It is so busy but it is also full of wonderful traditions. Our big Christmas tree is now displaying the multiple collections of ornaments us kids receive over the years. So many of them are from my Nana. Lots are from my Memaw (which we still receive). Then some our from our parents!

Tonight we watched one of many Christmas movies that will be viewed these next few weeks! White Christmas is my favorite holiday movie. We watch it every year... and always sing along :)

I love Christmas. I love the lights and the decorations. I love the traditions and the celebrations. To me, it is all a constant reminder of the birth of our Savior.

{24 Days of Thanksgiving=Day 24}

The end of the Thanksgiving celebrations has come but it has been a wonderful few weeks celebrating this beautiful weather and the abundant blessings in my life. The thankfulness continues even into this Christmas season.

God's Word tells us to give thanks always and I am encouraged to be mindful of the many blessings I have. I absolutely love Thanksgiving. I love the baking and the warmth of a home during the slight chill. I love the reminder to be thankful and to recognize all that we do have.

It's a wonderful transition into the busyness of the Christmas season. Thanksgiving produces gratefulness and causes reflection. This time of year can be so hectic but Thanksgiving slows us down. I really believe God uses this time to prepare us for Christmas if we allow Him. Be thankful always. Don't allow the gifts and the shopping to consume you. Remember why we celebrate this holiday. Be thankful for the gift that God sent us.

That is why I am thankful on this day of Thanksgiving. God sent His Son into the world so that we could have life. Are we making it worthwhile? Are we remembering that every step of the way? He gave us His special and beloved Son because He loved us that much. Remember that during this season which really is all about the gift of Jesus.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

{24 Days of Thanksgiving=Day 11}

Did you recognize your freedom on this beautiful 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th year of this century? Did you remember those who have sacrificed their lives so that we could have freedom?

Our school had our first annual Veteran's Day service Friday at eleven in the morning. It was a beautiful site as boy scouts, who are also students from our school, proudly carried the flag across the yard, students read speeches, then everyone thanked veterans who humbly joined us so we could thank them for their service.

As I stood amidst this wonderful happening I remembered the ultimate sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us. We see and some know (I have an uncle who fought in Desert Storm and a cousin who is still enlisted) those who (have) fought/fight for our freedom. It is hard to let them go. Isn't it? They are taking a step into the unknown. They really our sacrificing their lives. What if they didn't though? Where would we be? It is a bit scary to think about.

You know what I think is worse? Thinking about life without the sacrifice of our Savior. There would be no life. But because of the hope we have in Him I can put on the armor of God and fight in this battle. I have a reason to fight. I can fight. I can live. I have freedom in God because Jesus laid down His life for us. For that I am thankful.

On the 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th year of this century I am thankful for the sacrifice of life by our soldiers but more importantly the sacrifice of our Savior.

P.S. Did you say a special prayer (or make a wish) at 11:11 on 11-11-11? :)

{24 Days of Thanksgiving=Day 9}

This day I am so thankful for prayer and for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I love sharing my thoughts and my day with Jesus. I love that I can share anything with Him and hear His response. I am thankful for the voice of the Lord that speaks to me.

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." - John 10:27

It is easy to "get caught up" in the business of our days and to ignore His voice speaking to us. When we are willing to listen and open our ears to hear He will be there speaking to us. He never stops speaking. We just stop listening. We tune Him out and tune the world in. How would you like for Jesus to "know" you though? Because He does. He says that we hear his voice and He knows us. It makes my heart happy to know that Jesus knows me. In the Greek "to know" means "to feel or understand." He feels what we feel. He understands us. He understands us better than anyone else. Our Father knows us and wants us to know Him.

"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."

- Proverbs 25:2

He has many mysteries for us to seek out so that we will know Him better... so that we will discover Him. Will we tune into what He has to say? I want to know Him better and hear what He has to say to me. I'm thankful that He does speak to me and that He hears me when I call upon Him.