It's Christmas! Hurry up and slow down.

Luke 10: 38-42

Martha was a woman of means. She loved her family. She cared for her friends. She was courageous. She welcomed the needy. She could have been any one of us during the busy Christmas season. We get together to exchange ornaments, cards and gifts. We enjoy food and more food. We are constantly on the look out for that perfect gift for that special person. We plan dinners and schedule family visits. Our shopping list is long. Our days are jammed with activities.

Like Martha, our minds are occupied with doing things. Somewhere along the way, we've lost sight of necessary time with Jesus. When we don't fill that time properly, the result is bitterness and resentment. We are offended that Aunt Sue didn't remember to bring the salad dressing. We can't believe that Cousin Jill forgot our present. And, where is Uncle Steve? He promised to be here. We get stressed and anxious trying to do it all in a hurry with everyone.

Let's not.

This Christmas, don't get so busy with doing and doing for that we miss the blessing of enjoying. Stop moving. Be still. Rejoice. The sabbath was a gift of rest. Christmas is the time set aside to remember the earthly beginning of the gift of salvation. Delight in the Lord's presence. Do NOT miss it.

(Based on notes from December 7, 2008 sermon delivered by Pastor B.)

Mundane and Not Exciting

My evening described in just a few words. Cleaning, laundry, dishes, and lectures were the mundane items. None of them were exciting. I would have much preferred to be studying and seeking treasure from God's Word. Instead, I was folding t-shirts and underwear. I have a hard time getting excited about chores. I'm not good at them. I haven't (even after all these years) figured out how to do them efficiently.

But, the sense of work done keeps me coming back. I know it's a never ending job. There will always be one more piece of laundry, one more dirty dish, one more crumb on the floor, one more leaf to rake, one more blade of grass to mow, one more, one more. I like having clean clothes and dishes. I like having a floor that your shoes don't stick too. So, I'll keep doing as many of these things as I can.

By the way, I got a new penguin this week. I'll post him as soon as I get him photographed.

(Lord, thank you for the things that should be done. My heart could get into a lot more mischief if I didn't have those things. I get into enough as it is. Guard my heart and keep my focus on You. In Jesus' name, Amen.)

Powerful Prayer and Inspiration Locations

Today God reminded me of how powerful He really is. I've been struggling with stress at my job and I've asked the ladies in my Sunday School class and the prayer warriors in Wednesday Prayer Meeting to remember me as I deal with the situation. God is faithful. He has answered the prayers of His children. I have been able to concentrate and get tasks completed in face of the stress and struggles. I've been able to come home each day with a tired body but a calm spirit. My heavenly Father God is incredible.

Where do I get my moments? I draw inspiration first from God's own Word, the Bible. That's the reason I have sixty gazillion little scrap pieces of paper with a reference written down on each one. (I have no doubt that some of them are duplicates.) Next, I draw from the feeding I get from my fabulous Pastor who uses the Bible as his primary resource. For day to day pick-me-ups, I visit Our Daily Bread Online and Proverbs 31 Ministries Blog Online. I have various study guides and topical books although I am careful to read these in the light of scripture. It seems that just because something claims to be a Christian book it might not be so on the pages.

There are so many other books, songs, people, things, etc. that God uses to make a moment in my life. I am truly blessed.

(Lord God, thank you for holding me together during this time. I know it's not over and I can't see the end but I know that YOU can. That's all that really matters. Bless each one that has lifted me up in prayer this week, please. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.)

Work Routine

I forget how quickly I get caught back up in the work routine. I'm amazed how much energy my job takes some times. My kids think I just sit in front of a computer and play... Resolving issues, researching future projects, and keeping the current systems going requires a lot of focus and energy. It's been a good couple of days back. I thank God for the renewed appreciation He has given me.

My daughter brought home an assignment for me. I was to describe what I thought would be qualities that she would pick in her "perfect" mate. Then, I had to describe what I would pick for her in her "perfect" mate. She had already made her list of qualities. I didn't get to see her list until after I had finished mine. Incredibly, we had several things in common. She took it for granted that her perfect mate would have a sense of humor and I took it for granted that he would have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the only begotten of God.

Well, sleep is trying to take over so I'll be going for now.

Close and Comfortable

I'm thankful for another uneventful day. Grocery shopping is done, at least for awhile. Although with a teenage son, grocery shopping will never be done. Just about the time we get it all put away, he's already finished a bag of chips, a cup of pudding, an apple, etc. And then we start all over again.

I love these days when God is so close and comfortable. I just have to be careful to not take Him for granted. His presence in a thunderstorm, His presence in the quiet, His presence in our laughter - these all are big, little things.

Well, we've finished the first week of school for this year. It's been a success! It's such a hectic time when all of us are getting ready for back-to-school. So for us to have survived without inflicting personal injury makes it a success.

I'm looking forward to sleeping in a few minutes tomorrow! Good evening.