Category: Christmas

Embrace Daily Bible Reading

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For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

How often do you read the Bible?

Do you open His Word every day or only when you happen to have the time?

Have you made devotions a daily habit?

Morning, noon, or evening – whenever you have carved the time each day?

I can remember wishing I wanted to have devotions. This was years and years ago. When the children were small.

I consciously wanted to dive into the Bible, but that desire never materialized as I always pushed it off for later.

About five years before my family fell apart, God mercifully dropped into my head, creating a desperate need to know Him more.

I craved His wisdom. His mercy. His strength.

I began to get up earlier than the others, sitting with God and His word.

Reading through the Bible, I became familiar again with God’s heart and His faithfulness over the ages.

Looking back now almost 16 years later, my time with God has been an anchor during the aching years of my life.

Where would I be without God? Certainly not sitting upright, wearing my crown as God’s daughter.

Come with me this year and read through the Bible.

Journey with me as we navigate His word.

Me, I’m reading straight through. Genesis through Revelation.

Last year I read through choosing some from the Old Testament, a Psalm or Proverb, and a New Testament portion each day.

Other times I’ve read the Bible chronologically.

And another year it was the New Testament only with Psalms and Proverbs.

What’s your decision? Pray about it then jump right in when you know which plan to choose. The year’s still young, so you can easily catch up.

I have many listed on my Media page (link below), but there are hundreds of choices other places. There are even audio versions from the YouVersion Bible app.

The precious Bible is easier than ever to access – you just have to choose to do it. So let’s go!

You won’t regret it. 🙂

Amy’s Bible plans: Click on Media, scrolling down to Bible Plans. Choose from Psalms/Proverbs/NT; Chronological; Genesis through Revelation (Bible straight through); 365 Bible ( OT, Psalm/Proverb, NT).

Photos by Kristaps Ungurs, Aaron Burden, Joel Muniz, & Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Christmas Perfection

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:10-12

What do you picture Christmas to be? Specifically yours?

You know. The anticipation. What’s the picture in your head?

Children all accounted for and pleasant. Smiling, dressed in their new outfits, perfectly calm and cooperative.

Husband abiding dutifully by your every wish – after all, your ability to orchestrate the perfect Christmas cannot be doubted.

Your parents playing the proper grandparent role, doling out hugs and kisses to one and all.

The family traditional meal perfectly prepped. Your Grandmother would be proud.

Presents all wrapped, waiting for the excited hands to tear open. Everyone will love them as you spent your time thoughtfully shopping along their tastes and needs.

All family members happily sitting together at the lovely Christmas Eve service, complete with candles and carols, accompanied, of course, by the organ.

Finally, your home is clean, laundry caught up, and even the mail has been filed away.

This Christmas scenario seems like a one in a million lottery draw, creeping to align with one of God’s lesser creation miracles.

When what you picture doesn’t materialize, because it just won’t, what is your reaction?

Do you try harder the next year after your disappointment the year before?

Pout and grieve parts of the actual day away?

Or smile and stand tall anyhow?

Jesus wasn’t born among perfection.

So actually, an imperfect Christmas is holy. Right?

We try to create memories for our family. But the picture in our head is ours alone. Not theirs. Not God’s.

Prep and plan. But pause and pray more.

If your family is not all present, Jesus is still born.

If someone comes to dinner in a bad mood, Jesus is still born.

If your church forgoes real candles for fake battery imitators, Jesus is still born.

If all your presents are absolute flops, Jesus is still born.

We celebrate only because of Jesus.

We celebrate our love for others because of Jesus’ love for us.

Remain focused on Jesus, our baby in the manger.

He came to free you from sin. And from any chain that binds you up while you’re still here.

And that includes our unrealistic expectations of the day, others, and yourself.

Photos by Keith Tanner, Ksenia Yakovleva, Mike Cox, & Patti Black on Unsplash

Grateful to Your Toes

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And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you. Ezekiel 36:26-27

A Christmas Carol is a popular Christmas classic penned by Charles Dickens well over a hundred years ago.

One cannot comprehend the panic Scrooge felt as he walked with the Ghost of Christmas Future, unless one has made sinful choices such as Scrooge.

Because Scrooge was so selfish, he was blind to anything but himself.

Increasingly becoming aware of his sin only that night.

The consequences of his actions finally spoke louder to Scrooge than his fleshly habits.

Finding him in the graveyard, he sees the man’s name so ridiculed in death pages before: his own.

Falling on his face, he begs the Ghost of Christmas Future for a second chance.

Scrooge is agonized beyond anything he’s felt before.

He recognizes he is literally doomed.

Doomed forever and ever unless given a second chance.

A second chance as a changed man.

Begging the Ghost, he claims to have changed.

Begs and pleads with all his might.

He finally understands his truly bleak future written by his choices lived his entire adult life.

Stop and imagine yourself. What if that was you?

Do you have sections of your life ugly to God?

So ugly you deserve eternal damnation, too?

We all do. All of us deserve death.

But Jesus. His birth, death, and resurrection bring us hope as we place our trust in Him.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

Let’s return to the question at hand: what ugly parts of your life do you still need to give to God?

Why haven’t you? What’s stopping you? Are you even bothered by them?

Scrooge wasn’t for most of his life. But when his eyes were opened, he was horrified.

Release your fleshly desires to God. Release your sinful ways, hurtful to so many.

Scrooge never cared about hurting others, but he did when he finally got it.

We don’t have the luxury of seeing future consequences of our sin.

But we do have the gift of God’s redemption. And second chances.

When Scrooge finally pried open his hands, he released his bitterness. His anger. His selfishness.

And in return he was given new eyes. And boy was he happy!

Releasing those burdens caused Scrooge to well up with joy unlike anything he had ever felt before.

Just like us, when we are forgiven by God.

Covered by Jesus, we are made new. Forgiven. Hopeful. Loved.

Bring your whole self to Jesus, this Christmas. Ask Him to show you any part you’ve neglected to give to Him.

Gather up your courage, give Him that ugly part, too, and welcome the healing He promises to bring.

Like Scrooge, you’ll be grateful all the way down to your toes.

Photos by Elin Melaas, David Abrams, Jez Timms, & Elliott B on Unsplash

Our Christmas Gift

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Do you find it odd our entire world celebrates Jesus’ birth?

Our secular world who seeks to elevate themselves more often than not?

Sure, you could argue Jesus’ birth has morphed into Santa, presents, and reindeer.

But even Santa is based on Nicholas of Myra, a fourth century bishop who left gifts for poor children.

Maybe the world isn’t totally lost. Yet.

How can you help your friends and family see the baby Jesus instead this Christmas?

Through you. Your witness. Your focus.

Jesus is the reason for the season. Overused phrase, yes, but it’s so true.

When you think for just a moment how deeply God loves you…..

When you ponder why God sent Jesus to earth…..

When you stop and realize how desperately you need our Savior…

You’ll discover the true meaning of Christmas.

Jesus came to earth just for you.

God missed His relationship with you that much.

He missed you and desperately wants that relationship back.

He wants you to trust Him. To love Him. To realize how much you need Him.

Because His plans for you are so good. The very best.

And to communicate that love, God set Jesus’ birth in motion.

That’s how much He loves you. All of you.

Begin to replace the commercialism of Christmas with the celebration of Jesus.

God’s peace on earth will come to your corner.

Your “why” you celebrate will alter everything. Real peace and real joy for once.

Let’s replace all the trinkets nobody needs. The gifts people return. Events we feel compelled to attend.

Replace it all with an increased devotion to Jesus, thanking Him for His gift. Himself.

Rely on Him for your peace as you dwell on the love He has just for you.

Let your celebrations stem from this and all of the gifts, events, and chaos will become worship to God.

While the world has lost the focus of Christmas, let’s keep ours, shifting back our focus to God and His precious gift of Jesus for you and for me.

Photos by Tristan Maness, Max Beck, Matt Botsford, &  Alda González-Cuevas on Unsplash

Christmas Rush

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Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men! Luke 2:14

Why is it this time of year seems to cause armfuls of stress?

Anyone else feel the pressure to buy everyone and their dog the perfect gift?

Anyone else feel pressured to provide all things to all people, creating perfect Christmas card memories?

And why is that?

Keeping up with the neighbors. Our friends. The entire world.

Expectations of ourselves, others, and the day.

What’s interesting is Jesus’ birth was so not complicated.

Mary and Joseph did not make the perfect reservation weeks in advance for the best room.

The angels did not record their songs, capturing the perfect moment for their social media.

The shepherds did not rehearse their reaction for perfect timing, nor did they have a Christmas outfit to celebrate the new King.

Everything just happened.

Mary and Joseph found what they could.

The angels broke out in song when they could no longer hold back.

The shepherds simply ran to the manger, wearing what they had on at the time.

And Jesus came amid it all.

Peace on earth is more than a silent night.

Peace on earth begins in your heart, surrendered to God and God alone.

When your heart is His, nothing else matters.

His peace can reign within, no matter what else churns around you.

Do the Christmas things. Have fun while you’re at it.

But keep God’s peace above all else.

Because nothing else matters, but Him.

Photos by Deep Doshi, Raymond Petrik, Tj Holowaychuk, & Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash

Emmanuel

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To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17

What if Jesus never came?

If there was no Silent Night, Holy Night.

No Away in the Manger.

No O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

No Merry Christmas.

Life would be pretty different, wouldn’t it?

No hope for us as we are Gentiles.

Not under Jewish law, which would most likely still be the case for the Apple of God’s eye.

The Jewish people.

As Gentiles, we’d probably believe in some pagan god.

Like the Romans or Greeks had.

Sounds depressing.

Shall we dive even deeper?

What if God didn’t even exist?

Like literally, God is not here, there, or anywhere?

If all this life is for nothing?

That when we die, that’s it?

Pretty awful, isn’t it.

Let’s try it.

Are you upset today?

Nobody cares. Nobody to help you. Nobody to give you any peace or hope.

Confused about life and need advice?

Again, nobody cares. Nobody to help you. Nobody to give you any advice at all.

Feeling badly and need healing?

Nobody cares. No hope there. You are stuck suffering for quite awhile.

Want people to do what you want?

Try yelling. Whoever yells the loudest gets their way.

Want something?

Push and shove your way to the front. You deserve it.

Hate the truth?

Is there even truth?

Lying is normal because there is no standard of right and wrong.

Diving deeper still, there is no moral absolutes because there is no God creating order out of chaos.

A life where anything goes.

Chaos is the order of the day.

Every man for himself.

I can’t take it anymore.

Aren’t you just relieved?

We don’t ever have to experience a world without the existence of God.

When we are upset, need advice or healing, God is right there.

In fact He’s always with us.

And He paved the way for our eternal salvation when He sent Jesus on Christmas.

Emmanuel. God with us. Forever

Photos by Erwan Hesry, David Beale, Annie Spratt, & Josh Boot on Unsplash

Christmas Crazy

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You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

What is Christmas?

What is your initial reaction to the word?

Pressure? Joy? Anticipation?

I’m guessing you feel all three.

I’ve always LOVED Christmas, but my word.

Pressure to shop, wrap, and mail the perfect gifts.

Pressure to plan and host multiple large Christmas dinners.

Pressure to keep up traditions like making grandma’s cookies, gather everyone for Christmas Eve church, and find festive holiday wear.

And don’t forget that family photo. Or scheduling everything when kids have very busy schedules.

Ugh.

It’s too much, isn’t it?

Where did this all come from?

All the pressure to perform.

Pleasing people instead of pleasing God.

Christmas plans are not all bad.

In fact, they’re mostly amazing. They’re purposeful. Full of future memories.

Activities, presents, baking, and creating memories are not what’s bad.

Those things become sour when you remove your focus from God to the season’s needs instead.

When you shift your focus from the baby in the manger to the gifts under the tree. Or the lack of gifts under the tree.

If you recognize that sour feeling start to bubble up, it’s time to prioritize your super long and detailed list.

Start by asking God what He wants for you this Christmas.

Think about your gift list, but don’t obsess.

Bake some cookies, but sneak some in from a friend or, gasp, a mix.

Embrace your new holiday meal of lovingly baked premade lasagna or chili from the crockpot.

Do you even remember each gift from your childhood?

Nope. Your kids won’t either.

Memories are created when surrounded by love and family.

If you focus too hard on making everything perfect, the memories might be soured by your attitude. Or lack of joy.

Christmas is a time for joy.

Joy for our Savior’s precious birth.

And joy from our precious families.

When Jesus was born, all he had was his family.

We don’t need all the stuff in order to make Christmas memorable.

All we need is family and Joy to the World the Lord has come.

Really ponder what God has done for us by sending Jesus into our world.

Nothing else even matters.

Photos by David Beale, Dan Kiefer, Josh Boot, & Bruno Martins on Unsplash

Mary’s Emotions

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But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

As mothers, we feel deeply.

Natural or adoption, the moment we hold that child in our arms, our hearts forever change.

Mary, the mother of our Lord, was no different.

She had the same emotions we do, ranging from complete joy to absolute sorrow.

Starting it all, she was asked by God Almighty to obey.

And she did.

She obeyed God even though it could have meant banishment from her community, family, and friends.

She didn’t know Joseph would agree to stay.

But God had it all planned.

Mary’s mothering role continued as her relationship with Jesus grew.

Imagine her teaching him how to walk.

How to tie his sandals.

How to politely greet an adult.

Mothers are protective of their children, often to the extreme.

Ever heard the term Mama Bear?

You understand.

Was Mary even more protective of Jesus because of who he was?

Did she know when Jesus would begin his ministry?

I imagine when he began, she helped him when she could.

Mothers are proud of their children, and I’m sure Mary couldn’t have been prouder of the man Jesus became.

Do you think she knew he would have to die on a cross?

Even if she did, I’m sure she was not prepared for the immense grief she experienced, watching her precious boy slowly die in that awful way.

Mary experienced the awe of an angel asking her to obey.

Mary endured the pain of watching her son painfully die.

Mary signed up to be the only mother Jesus had on earth.

I’m guessing she knew what it would entail, yet could not comprehend the depth of emotions she would feel.

But she obeyed, knowing God would always stand by her side.

And just like Mary, God will always stand by your side, too.

Photos by Joshua Reddekopp, M.T ElGassier, Eric Froehling, & il vano on Unsplash

Choosing Joy

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Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. Psalm 16:9

I just love Christmas.

Always have.

Love my candles in each window.

They’ve evolved into not only battery operated, but put themselves on and off with their timer.

Absolutely brilliant.

I laugh as the kids and I used to rush around at dusk, plugging in all of our candles.

Numbered in the 30’s at least as we had so many windows on all sides of our classic house.

It took a few minutes, but was well worth the trouble.

The effect was stunning.

Sometimes we’d hear a crash and someone, usually me, would run up with a dust pan and brush, cleaning up the shattered bulb, putting in a new one.

Baking cookies with my grandmother also comes to mind.

We’d spend a Saturday each fall making a few different kinds.

Sampling so much cookie dough, we would barely finish a shared mini pizza for dinner.

Priorities, people.

After my children were born, they’d join us in her kitchen, standing on chairs, spilling sprinkles everywhere.

Christmas Eve services and special sit down dinners are also tops on my list.

Only stayed up one time for the 11 o’clock service with my grandparents.

Happy I did that, but once was enough!

As we gather more and more Christmas memories, time with family becomes even more tender.

Joy spills forth with the mere thought of this time of year.

But what happens when families split or members decline Christmas invitations?

One can tend to pout. To dwell on the one difficult circumstance instead of the hundreds of happy ones.

Yes, it can ruin everything.

So what if your holiday doesn’t look like you want?

Doesn’t look like you pictured or planned?

Will you let that reality steal your joy?

Or will you let the disappointments fall away like water on a duck’s back, concentrating instead on the reason for our Christmas season?

Because Jesus came to earth, you can have pure joy.

Because of Jesus, you can have peace in your heart. Like anytime you ask.

Because Jesus was born and ultimately died for you, you can have life eternal.

Nothing in this world can match the joy of Jesus’ birth and what it signifies for you and for me.

Mere disappointments pale in comparison.

This Christmas, focus on Jesus’ love for you instead.

When you fix your eyes on Him, the cares of this world will fade away.

Not finding the perfect gift, decorating your tree at the last minute, or opening canned cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning do not matter the least little bit.

Only Jesus matters.

Focus on Him, putting your worldly cares and disappointments in their place, beneath the altar.

Let your face reflect your decision to choose joy for this season.

Jesus is born! What more could we possibly need?

Photos by Debby Hudson, Anshu A, Anne Nygård, & Jon Flobrant on Unsplash

Christmas Morning

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I can hear their whispers.

All four children clamoring down the stairs to celebrate Christmas.

The anticipation.

The presents.

The moment.

I climb out of bed, putting the cinnamon rolls into the oven and popping on the local classical radio station.

As the children open their bulging stockings, carols fill the air while we sniff the first smells of cinnamon.

They delight in their gifts.

Just one more, mama, please, they beg.

They climb onto our laps as we enjoy their stocking gifts with them.

No, not from Santa, but from family, god parents, and others.

The timer goes off and I run to the kitchen, little feet padding after me.

Scooping them onto plates, my helpers carry them to the dining room table.

Toddling to the table, the littlest one climbs up.

We pray. It’s Christmas.

Diving into the sweet goodness, conversation erupts.

As they excitedly discuss their stocking gifts, we point them to the real meaning of the day.

“Why are we celebrating Christmas today, kids?” we ask.

“Because Jesus is born,” one replies.

“Yes!” we respond.

“What should we give Him? All I can give Him is myself. I have no present!” my eldest responds.

“Son, that’s all He wants,” I respond.

Bowing our heads, we pray, thanking God for sending His one and only Son to save us from ourselves.

Fast forward a few years and I think back to times like this. Times when children were small and times were simple.

My eldest gave all of his money the year he was six to purchase bibles for those in need.

Literally all of his money.

This Christmas, think as a little child. A little child thinking only of one thing: Jesus.

May you put Him first as you celebrate His birth.

May you help others see Him as you celebrate this year.

And may you return to your first child like love: Jesus.

May Jesus cover all of your thoughts, purposes, and actions today and always.

Photos by Kira auf der Heide, Erica Marsland Huynh, Max Beck, & Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash

It’s a Wonderful Life

Published on by amylinnea4 Comments

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Is it?

Is your life wonderful?

George Bailey’s life was.

But He didn’t see it.

All he saw was what he didn’t have.

He chose to view life through that lens.

The lens of what he didn’t have instead of what he possessed.

He had little material wealth.

His job was stressful as a loan officer in a small town, riding through the depression and WWII.

Yet through his control and influence, he seemed to hold things together.

Until his Uncle Billy, who lost the $8,000 on Christmas Eve, sent George over the edge.

Because he viewed his life considering his many problems, he was filled with despair when control slipped through his fingers.

God proceeded to teach him a lesson by way of his guardian angel Clarance.

George began walking through his town as if he had never been born.

That messed with him as he no longer saw love by giving or receiving it.

No wife, children, job, or legacy.

Even his friends no longer knew him.

When George saw all of this, he realized what was truly important, beyond the money crisis gripping his soul.

He had a precious family who loved him.

He had multiple friends.

He lived in a wonderful town.

And he mattered.

What lens do you look through to see your life?

Do you look past your blessings, gazing only upon your problems?

Or do you look past your problems, focusing instead on your blessings?

Guessing we won’t wake up tomorrow, looking at our life as if we never were.

Also guessing we won’t have a dream tonight that, like Scrooge, takes us into our past, present, and future dependent upon our present choices.

But we can decide to repurpose our new year, looking to God for our strength, wisdom, and peace.

We can walk in George’s shoes, realizing how material possessions simply do not matter when love is absent.

We can remind ourselves how every moment in our lives is placed by God.

And that we matter to not only God, but dozens, if not hundreds of other people.

This new year, walk with your head held high.

Connect with others and in the process, you’ll connect others to Him.

There is nothing else to do that really matters.

Photos by David Beale, Honey Fangs, & Ryan Wallace on Unsplash

Hope for the World

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And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Psalm 39:7

Christmas means hope.

Hope for our redemption.

Without Christmas, we have no hope.

No hope for heaven as mere Gentiles.

And the Jewish law was incredibly hard to keep perfectly.

Christmas is our celebration of Jesus’ birth.

His birth ushered in a new era of hope.

Hope for our broken world.

When Jesus came, the world was steeped within itself.

The Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah.

But when He came, many did not believe.

In fact, they crucified Him as an imposter.

He didn’t look like what they expected.

What has God done in your life?

When He answers your prayers, does it look like what you expected?

Is it possibly different than you thought?

Ever feel convinced your answer isn’t God since it looks different?

Keep pursuing Him.

God’s heart poured out on Christmas Day when His Son was born.

His Son, Jesus, was born for you and for me.

He was born to fill the world with the hope of salvation.

And God’s answer to the world looked different than what His people expected.

What type of hope do you need this Christmas season?

Is it material?

Relational?

Physical?

Jesus came to bring Himself into the world.

He came to sever the barrier between God and His people.

He came to crush the neck of Satan.

And He did all of that and more.

Look upon the baby Jesus, sleeping in the manger.

Think about the hope we now have because of Him.

Thank our Father for sending Jesus, keeping us in His thoughts.

God wants the very best for you.

The very best was sending His only Son.

Jesus is simply everything.

Because of Him, we have hope for all things.

Which is everything.

Thank you, God, for pursuing us.

We are incredibly grateful and forever in debt.

May we remember Your hope that spilled at Christmas.

May we remember Your defeat of Satan as you rose from the dead.

And may we always keep You close within our hearts.

Photos by Max Beck, Tanner Mardis, Greyson Joralemon, Yannick Pulver, Inbal Malca, & Sebastian Fröhlich on Unsplash

Advent Devotions

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I can remember one year, when my children were little, they memorized Luke 2, King James Version of course, because the language just seems fitting with the season.

They recited it before we opened presents.

Such a powerful story we seem to think little about as it is so familiar.

In honor of our Savior’s birth, I assembled some previously written devotions especially for this precious season.

Feel free to read them all in one sitting or spread them out until Christmas Day.

Shepherds
Wise Men
Interrupting Plans
God’s Chosen

Read Luke 2 again.

Ask God to give you fresh eyes to see His story written for you.

Christmas is coming!!!!!

Photo by S&B Vonlanthen on Unsplash

God’s Chosen

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

The angel Gabriel had just disappeared, leaving her with God’s request.

Mary was left standing in the middle of the room, trembling after her encounter with God’s holy angel.

Steadying herself by grabbing a chair, she collapsed into it, wondering if she had imagined it all.

Gabriel had appeared to her, proclaiming God’s need for her to be the Lord’s earthly mother.

“How could I say no?” Mary thought. “I want to do whatever God wants me to do, but I’m scared. Really terrified, actually. What will people say? Will they believe me?”

Mary said yes to God.

She had no idea the ramifications of her acceptance into God’s will.

Her life was over as she knew it, but obeying God was more important to her than anything else.

Did she have periods of doubt?

Of course.

Did she have moments or even days of regret?

Probably.

She’s human.

Imagine yourself.

Imagine the whispers of your friends, the people you’ve grown up with your whole life.

“Did you know Mary’s pregnant? She’s not even married!”

Overhearing these comments would not sit well in her heart.

She probably cried as those pregnancy hormones raged.

And it probably never stopped.

The whispers.

The comments.

She was permanently labeled.

And not in a good way.

Mary could have listened to those lies, allowing them to define her.

But she knew they weren’t true.

All she had to do was look upon the face of God’s son Jesus, the sweet boy running around her house.

All she had to do was ask God to remind her of His purposes for her.

All she had to do was choose to believe God’s identity for her instead of the world’s.

How about you?

What identity do you embrace that is not from our loving God?

What whispered lies or comments do you bring into your heart, believing them instead of God’s truth?

Be like Mary.

Realize you will be talked about.

Realize you have no control over other people.

But realize once and for all Whose you are.

Straighten your crown and stand tall.

You are God’s beloved.

Chosen.

And deeply loved.

Photos by Sebastian Fröhlich, Josh Boot, Ander Burdain, & Seoyeon Choi on Unsplash

Joseph and Mary

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And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt. Matthew 2:14

God interrupted their plans.

Big time, yes?

Joseph and Mary were ordinary people living a simple life doing normal things.

They had normal plans.

Get married.

Start a family.

Carve out the best possible existence with the resources they had.

They were not unlike all of us.

But God stepped into their lives, interrupting the journey they thought they would take.

God didn’t completely alter their plans, just changed it up, adding a baby, shepherds, Wiseman, and fleeing into Egypt in the middle of the night to avoid certain death.

But eventually, they settled into that semi-normal life they originally sought.

Normal if you can call it that while parenting the son of God.

What has God interrupted in your life?

This year has been full of interruptions.

I know, the interruptions aren’t from God, or are they?

Has God awakened your desire to know Him more?

To trust Him more?

Has God opened your eyes to see how much the world needs His good news?

Has your trust in God deepened as normal life has somewhat changed?

While God has not announced life altering declarations to you through an angel, He has allowed our lives to change.

Maybe only for a season, but they have been changed.

And because God holds all things, the past, present, and the future, in his Hands, we can trust Him through all of it.

I believe God has spoken to you through this time.

But you must listen.

Listen to His whispers of encouragement when you are filled with loneliness.

Listen to His domination over fear when you are filled with anxiety.

Listen to His great love for you when you feel abandoned.

Dig into the Bible, worship Him with praise, and purpose your mind to focus on Him and what you know He wants you to do.

Mary and Joseph did that.

They could have run away screaming from what God asked them to do when He stepped into their lives, interrupting their best laid plans.

But they didn’t.

They chose to trust in Almighty God and then obey.

Do the same.

Trust Him for your everything and then obey Him, knowing you are fully loved and fully known by God.

Photos by Annie Spratt, Maria Shanina, Josh Boot, & David Beale on Unsplash

Christmas Peace

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Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

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Peace on earth.

That’s the Christmas message.

Peace on earth.

Jesus was born on this earth to bring peace.

Everlasting peace.

Forever.

Christmas is a time when the whole world takes a breath.

Slows down.

Pauses.

Peace on earth.

Previous wars have stories of cease fires a bit on Christmas Day.

Peace.

Families come together, remembering the reason for the season.

Peace.

Gifts are exchanged in good will towards men.

Peace.

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Is there peace in your world this Christmas?

How peaceful are you?

What is your focus?

If your world is not a replication of Norman Rockwell, oh well.

Don’t let that steal your peace.

If your family relationships are not what they should be, oh well.

Don’t let that steal your peace.

If your job, finances, or location are not what they should be, oh well.

Don’t let that steal your peace.

If you’re unhappy with yourself, unmet goals furthering the decline of your health, oh well.

Don’t let that steal your peace.

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Christmas time has developed into the most stressful time of the year instead of the most wonderful time of the year.

Because there is no peace when you focus only on providing the perfect Christmas.

Enjoy not finding that amazing gift.

Find humor in your un-sprinkled cookies.

Because I can guarantee you this:  the stable where Jesus was born smelled a whole lot worse then those burned cookies in your oven.

Peace on earth.

Focus on Him.

The rest is just icing on the cake.

Or cookies as it is in my case.  🙂

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Photos by Marcus Wallis, Diego PH, Josh Boot, Yeshi Kangrang, Kira auf der Heide, Alex Ware on Unsplash and me.  🙂

Interrupting Plans

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“for I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Joseph and Mary had big plans.

They were simple folk with regular plans.

Get married and build a life, working hard to produce an honorable Jewish family.

Probably were going to stay in town, as folks didn’t regularly move away from their communities.

I can imagine Mary collecting recipes from her mother, gathering the skills needed to run her own household.

Joseph, too, honing his carpentry skills, collecting tools, starting on their forever house.

They had plans.

Plans that were normal, thoughtful, accepted, and logical.

Accepted.

Then God stepped in.

He changed their plans.

Radically.

Disrupted their entire future.

Joseph and Mary went from knowing how their future would proceed to trusting God with everything they had.

Went from predictable reliable plans to an unknown, scary future.

Scary, yes, because now they had no one but themselves.

And God.

Their friends probably thought they were crazy.

And their family hopefully believed them, but the Bible doesn’t record their reactions, so who really knows?

All we know is both Mary and Joseph said yes to God.

They trusted His words and each other.

They chose to walk a difficult journey because they KNEW God had ordained it.

They were confident God would be with them always.

That they were IN His plans.

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And what about you?

What has God interrupted in your life?

What plans of yours has He changed?

It’s irritating, I know, when things change.

Guessing Mary and Joseph weren’t always in great moods about the whole thing.

But they kept going.

They remembered they were in God’s plan.

That God Himself was in control.

And you, too.

When God interrupts your plans, you fall back into His.

His great plans for your life.

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Like Joseph and Mary, allow God to interrupt.

Accept His perfect plan for your life.

And take comfort knowing He wants the very best for you, His child.

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Photos by Alex Gindin, Roman Kraft, Luca Baggio, & Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash

Scrooge

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Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 12:28

Ever read A Christmas Carol?

My eighth graders read it with me this month.

I know we’ve all seen the movie or the play twice or a dozen times.

We know the story well.

But have you actually ever read it?

It’s so much better.

The text portrays the struggle like no movie can.

The struggle between selfishness and generosity.

Between hate and love.

Good and evil deep in one’s soul.

The wrestle between habit and change.

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The text opens depicting Scrooge as a vile human being.

He’d rather kill the poor than shove meager crumbs their way.

He looses the love of his life because his “golden idol” has replaced her.

It takes trips to his past, present and future to finally change Scrooge’s heart for good.

Stave 4 depicts his future.

His soul is overcome with grief at how his sorry life is forgotten, all his worldly gains vanishing into the hands of thieves.

His grief is profound, even gut-wrenching.

At the end, Scrooge is found begging for the chance to change his future.

He is pleading with the Ghost of Christmas Future, desperate to know if there is still time to change what is to come.

To my eighth graders, I posed a question:

What if God showed you a movie of your future, based upon your character of today.

What would you see?

And I ask you.

Are the choices you make today creating the future God wants for you?

Or are you forging ahead on the path to death?

May it not be so.

Let us wake from our sleep, recognizing how much God can accomplish through us.

May we recognize the choices God brings to us and choose wisely.

And may God bless us, every one.

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Photos by Erwan Hesry & Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash

Mary

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Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38

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God asked Mary to do something for Him.

When God asked her, she responded with grace.

When God asked Mary to completely change her life and give up everything she knew, she said not my will but Your will be done.

Your will be done.

She accepted the responsibility.

She didn’t question His ways.

She declared herself the servant of the Lord.

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What would you have done?

I probably would’ve grumbled.

Or questioned.

Or declared myself unworthy.

When God asks you to do things in your life, how do you respond?

Do you respond like Mary?

Do you declare His will to be your will?

Do you believe He has the best plans for you?

Are you His servant?

Or do you declare your way is better than His.

May we respond like Mary.

May we respond certain of God’s faithfulness.

Certain God’s ways are higher than our own.

And may we place our full trust in Him.

And only Him.

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Photos by Josh Boot,  Alex Gindin , Milada Vigerova,& Gabriel Jimenez on Unsplash

Wise Men

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When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. Matthew 2:9-10

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Has God ever asked something of you?

And He’s been a little vague, but you know He is leading you in a certain direction?

So you decide to follow the direction He has for you, but it is certainly not fast.

In fact, it’s been a few months or a couple of years and you seem to be going nowhere new.

Are you still trusting Him?

Still believing what He has in store for you?

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When God leads you to walk down a certain path, it’s sure easy at the beginning, isn’t it?

You are fresh, full of ideas, and hope spills over in your heart.

Flash forward a couple of years.

You are a bit weary, irritated, and more times then you care to admit, you listen to lies telling you how foolish you are to keep trusting God.

Sound familiar?

Look at the wise men who came from afar, bringing gifts to Jesus.

History shows these important men traveled a very long time to their destination.

Months or years, historians differ in their interpretation of the time.

But here is the point.

They kept going until their journey was complete.

They were faithful.

Are you?

When God leads you down a path, are you faithful to Him?

God’s timetable is not ours.

His plan includes your salvation.

And the salvation of others.

Even when progress seems to be at a standstill, keep walking.

Keep trusting God in the process.

God’s answers for you are waiting.

But only if you keep following Him.

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Photos by Inbal Malca, Mariam Soliman & Jamie Templeton on Unsplash

Shepherds

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:16

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Ever wonder why all of heaven decided to announce the greatly anticipated Savior’s birth to lowly shepherds?

Shepherds were simple.

Lower than low.

They brought the lamb to the high priest for the sacrifice.

Shepherds served others.

They were usually uneducated, considered almost nothing.

Almost worthless.

Unclean.

So why did all of heaven revel this glorious announcement to shepherds?

Why not instead, go straight to the top?

Can’t you imagine the high priests wanting to know, too?

To witness the wonder?

After all, they were looking.

Weren’t they?

Maybe they would have missed it.

The birth of the Savior.

Maybe their noses were so bent in one direction, they would have missed it had they been on that hill with the shepherds,

Or reclining at their table with themselves,

Or conducting their nightly old testament reading,

Or wherever they were when the angels appeared to the shepherds.

Maybe they would have missed it no matter what they were finding themselves doing at that very moment.

Maybe that’s one reason God decided to reveal Himself to the shepherds first.

Humble shepherds, who were ready to receive what God had planned.

I’m guessing the high priests knew what God was planning.

They knew what to look for, because they were full of knowledge.

And themselves.

But since they knew what God was planning, they missed it.

They are still waiting.

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Are you?

Are you still waiting for God to move in your life?

Maybe He already has and is.

And if you blink, you might miss it.

Don’t be like the high priests who placed God into a box and refused to embrace His son.

Imitate the shepherds instead, who simply waited, trusted, and believed.

God wants all of you.

Give yourself to Him and watch Him move in ways you have only dreamed.

Are you ready to receive what God has for you?

Just like the shepherds?

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Photos by Jaka Škrlep on Unsplash 

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash