The Ultimate Gift

My family and I went to a "walk through Bethlehem" on Saturday evening. I'm sure my parents would say I've been to one before but in my adult life as a child of God I have never been to one and it was pretty amazing. It was at a Church very close to our house and you litterally walked through the town of Bethlehem. We had a guide and everyone we stopped to talk to had a script, the story was, there was a rumor going around town of a baby born in a manger just like the prophets had spoke of many many years prior. When we finally got to the stable and saw the new born sleeping with "Mary and Joseph" watching over him, there was no script, no words to describe the scene. It was just hope. This story is not just a story, it's real but actually visiting and seeing the recreation made it more real than I ever would have thought. They didn't end the night with Jesus birth but went on to the cross and then to the empty tomb.

Jesus humbling himself as one of us and then choosing of his own free - will to die for all of us was the ultimate gift, one that knows no measure. One that can never be re-created, never be copied. His death was the ultimate sacrifice and His resurrection was the ultimate gift. It means that death is defeated, Satan has no power over us who are God's children, it means we are free...even if we don't feel it at this moment we are free and we are supposed to be working out our Salvation with Jesus every day of our lives.

My family and I aren't exchanging gifts this year. I'm sure the kids will get gifts from aunts and uncles and grandparents but the 4 of us aren't doing gifts. The reality is we don't have the money. At first I was a little disappointed and my husband wasn't a happy camper but the more I was thinking about it, the more I realized there's nothing on this earth that I need. God has provided for every single need I or my family might have. There's nothing in this world that I really want. No fancy earrings, no new clothes, new shoes. So maybe not doing gifts isn't that strange after all. All of the presents in the whole world will never measure up to what Christ did for me that day on the cross. If you need it to be more personal think of it this way..

As Jesus was carrying that cross up the hill He thought of you. He said, "I'm going to do this today because many many years from now there are going to be children that need me, so I'm going to do this today and then many years from now they will look for me and when they look for me they will find me and then they will know what I did for them.

That's the ultimate Gift you can think about this Christmas and then you can begin to celebrate Christmas every day because Christ's gift goes on and on, not just one day a year or one month out of the year, it's eternal, it's forever.

Today, I'm thankful for the Ultimate Gift...nothing else will ever compare to what Jesus continues to do for me every. single. day.

A lesson in roses

I love flowers. They make me happy with their bright colors and gentleness about them as they start growing. We live in town-house/apartment buildings, the lady that lives right next to us has a GREEN thumb. She has flowers everywhere. Every spring she plants them all over her part of the yard and she has hanging flowers. Her house is beautiful. I've tried a few times to mimic her flower planting skills but my husband and I always seem to put way too many tall flowers in our very small flower box, they never turn out right.

One day my husband was working on a house (his job is salvaging old historic houses and refurbishing them) He's very good at it. He was working on a house that had been empty for a long time and had an almost dead rose bush in the front yard. He asked permission then began digging it up. When he brought it home I was less than pleased but I let him plant it.

This was several years ago, the rose bush came back to life and produced some beautiful roses, my husband has a green thumb and knew just what the rose bush needed. This summer has been hot and humid and down right oppressive. It got hot so quickly, my roses took the full brunt of the heat. I thought the bush had died. I was sad and planned to plant some more roses when ever I could find some time, then one day I opened the blinds to the front window and found this...

Little pink roses with several other buds waiting to open. The rain we've had over the last few weeks brought my roses back to life. I was so excited I wanted to share with you. I believe there's a lesson in these roses..

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

the old has gone, the new has come! 2nd Corinthians 5:17.

It doesn't matter who you once were, that part of you is dead. It doesn't matter what you were in the world, you're dead to the world and being made new in Christ every day. It doesn't matter what anyone from your past thinks of you, God sees you as His most prized possessions, His precious child. His opinion is the only one that matters. My roses were dead, God brought them back. God brought me back too, and I'm going to continue telling the story, I'm going to continue shining my light, just like these roses are going to continue to grow and thrive. They just needed water, I just needed the touch of my Father and the Living Water.

That's Grace.

Imagine

Close your eyes and imagine with me...

You're walking down a long hallway. This hallway seems like it has no ending. In each arm you're carrying five huge suitcases. On you're back you're carrying an overflowing backpack. You're shoes feel like 50lb weights on your feet but still you walk. You walk because you're afraid if you stop you'll fall and not be able to get back up.

There's no one else in this long hallway with you, you're completely alone when all of a sudden you see something up ahead. It's a man, you begin to look down as you pass him, not wanting to make eye contact, embarrassed with all the luggage you're carrying. As you pass him, time seems to stand still, you peek at him through you're eye lashes as he smiles at you with the kindest most loving smile you've ever experienced and you can't help but turn your head towards him. He touches your arm gently and in almost a whisper he asks if he can help you carry something. "You've come an awful long way, can I help you with something so you can get to your destination faster?"

Embarrassed and ashamed you start to hurry past him saying "no, I can carry this on my own. I may need something in here and I'm not sure I can trust you."

You walk for what seems like hours and suddenly see the same man up ahead "Is he following you, you wonder..." You lug the suitcases, the heavy backpack and the weighted down shoes up to the man and he offers again to help you, you think for a moment..ok you can carry one suitcase, you say, but be careful these are fragile. The man smiles but doesn't say anything and you start to wonder who He is, who is this man who seems so kind and gentle.

Each step you take becomes more painful as you are overloaded with suitcases and each step the man turns to ask if he can carry something, but you refuse.

Suddenly he turns to look at you and asks you to open each case, he wants to see what is inside (of course he already knows) Completely embarrassed, ashamed and scared you start opening each suitcase.

Fear
Doubt
Anxiety
Past hurts
loneliness
Pain
Distrust
Self hate
Self Doubt

As you open the cases tears start falling. He turns to look at you after examining the contents of each case, you look back at him and his clothes start to change, his face lights up more bright than you've ever seen, his clothes become a brilliant robe, his eyes show more love than you've ever experienced.

Beloved, it's Me, don't you know, do you have any idea how much I want to take these things from you. Why do you carry them, why do you insist on carrying them through life. I've called you, you are mine and yet you still hold on to them. Please give them to me, I can show you a love you've never known. I will help you, if only you would let me. I love you, these things are in the past, I've loved you your whole life. Let me have your past and I will guide you to a future you have never imagined.

You begin to argue "But God, what if I need these things, what if I experience more hurt, I need these things to shield me. I need to hold on to them, it's all I've known. Who am I without my pain? What if I mess up? What if?

My love, you will mess up. You're human. You will have hurt, you will have pain. If you let Me have your past you won't have to face the future alone, you will have hope and I will give you peace. I will NEVER leave you, no matter how much you mess up. I will NEVER let you go. I've loved you and protected you you're entire life. I'm not going to stop now that our life together is just getting started. Trust Me, I will show you who you are.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

You don't have to imagine anymore, because this is real. This is me. This is you. I'm tired of going through life carrying my baggage. Satan will hate you for this but God is bigger. Give your baggage over to God, and when it comes back give it over again. You give it over until you are not weighed down anymore. Let Him give you rest.

Love Him First

Good Morning Friends, I'm posting over at Woman to Woman today, hope to see you there!

Fire fall down

I've been reading 1st Kings in my quiet time latley and I've heard some people talk about the story of Elijah but have never actually read it for myself...until today.

Elijah goes to Isreal and confronts their king about all the trouble he's been causing God's people. He decides to organize a little bbq (smiles) in which all hte people gather two cows they are going to sacrifice to God and their gods. They cut the cows up and Elijah tells them to call on their god to set the alter on fire. Isreal does everything they can think of to call on their god. They dance around, yell and even cut themselves and still nothing happens. Then Elijah sets up his alter, he has to rebuild it because it's in shambles from trying to call on Isreal's god. He then instructs the people to start pouring water over the whole thing so that only the One true God can set fire to this thing. After it's soaked to the brim he prays a simple but heartfelt prayer. "God please let it be known, show them Lord, open their eyes that You are real and their One and only God" all of a sudden God rains down fire and everything burns into flame, not just the alter but the wood, stone, soil and the water. 1st Kings 18:16-39

I have idols in my life. Things that turn my attention away from God. Things that I don't really need, distractions. Things of my past that I wish would just go away. Anger issues, the desire to have a house. Wanting a house in itself isn't wrong but the fact that sometimes it's all I can think about, the want consumes me if I'm not careful. The boulders I can't move on my own, the shyness, the weight issue...there are tons of idols. Lots of "gods" that we don't realize are in our lives until it's too late.

I find myself wishing that God would just get rid of them, just open my eyes and help me clean everything up. Then I start thinking well maybe He won't, maybe I'm stuck with this struggle for ever...I wonder if you have something like this in your life? Do you think He won't help you?

The point is, what makes you think He won't? What makes me think He won't? We were made for victory and the truth is He is very capable and very willing to rain down His all consuming fire on the idols and gods in our lives so HE is the only thing we can see.

Do you have something that needs to burst into flames? Let Him have it today.

An open heart

A couple weekends ago we visited with my mother and father in law and went to Church with them. The Pastor's service was pretty amazing and definitley had me in tears.

His messege was "When God's word meets an open heart". Maybe this messege seems a bit simple to some but stick with me. He had a demonstration of 3 plastic cups - the solution in the cups was considered to be "an open heart". The water poured in the cups was considered to be Gods word and when Gods word was poured in to the open heart there was a huge explosion of power and the open heart overflowed.

This can be said of a heart that doesn't know Jesus and comes to Church for the first time. God's word meets this persons heart and BAM! there's an explosion and all of a sudden God is more real than anything they've ever known. I remember a time not so long ago that this was me. My heart was open and desperate to learn more about God. Taking in whatever I could get at the time. There was a huge explosion in my heart and the power that came out was amazing and could have only come from God.

This can also be said of a "seasoned Christian". Someone who has known the Lord for a while. Someone who has gotten comfortable in their faith. Someone who is just coasting along but doesn't realize they are coasting. I've been realizing through the grace of God that my heart has been closed off. That I've been coasting along. I've become comfortable in my walk and before I knew it my walk has become a crawl and God seems further away than ever before.

Thank God that when one of His sheep get lost along their way He goes out to find him or her though and that's what He's been doing with me. Gently calling me back and waiting for me to respond. I think that's why this messege from an unknown Pastor spoke so deeply to my heart. God was asking me if my heart was open to what He wants for me. At the time my answer would have been no but now it's a definite YES. Yes Lord my heart is open and I'm listening now. Work isn't always easy but it's definitley worth doing.

Whether you're a new Christian, seasoned Christian, or not a Chrisitan at all but are curious ~ ask yourself if God is trying to tell you something and then ask yourself if your heart is open to receiving it. When God's word meets an open heart the power that comes from His word is amazing.

Dare to be different

I can't tell you how many times I've told my self  "I wish I was more like her" I wish I had her hair or her looks. I wish I could get my nails done all the time like she does. I wish I could have the same talents as they do. But God meant for us to stand out. We are a holy people meant to stand out and shine for His glory.

Isreal wanted to be just like everyone else. They wanted a king. "But the people refused to listen to Samuel. No! they said. We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us to fight our battles."  1st Samuel 8:19

They wanted a king to fight their battles, to jump their obsticles for them so they wouldn't have to do the work. God wanted to be their king and God tried time and time again to let them know they were to be set apart. They were special.

There's a reason why I don't have "her" looks or "their" talents. I'm set apart. We all have a purpose. We're different, different passions, different talents because that's exactly how God wants us to be. Everything that I have is perfect for me and according to His perfect plan.

If you're different (which you probably are, smiles) that's a good thing. Embrace the uniqueness and let it stand out ~ chances are God will use it for something amazing. I wonder what God would have done with the Isrealites had they embraced their uniqueness instead of trying to be like everyone else.

A boulder

I have a boulder. A huge ginormous rock that I can't move.

On my own.

This rock grew in to something that will only be budged by God. Panick attacks. I can't speak in public. To people I don't know. I can't walk with my head up eyes to the sky in confidence because I fear someone will laugh at what I say, or do. Someone will judge me. This boulder leaves me in fear with something to say and no way to say it. It takes me months and months to get used to someone and after I do I can talk to them almost without hindrance.Even when I feel safe I feel like I have to limit my words and dance around whatever subject we're talking about.
I can't just speak without fear. Before God got ahold of me I couldn't even leave the house. I was afraid all of the time so I hid. God has shown me I'm still hiding. In my head. I've made leaps and bounds from where I was. But it was only by God that I was able to do that.

How do I break this boulder. How do I forget all that happened. The answer is simple.

Let go. "My child, I love you. I love you so much. Too much to let you stay in this circle of fear and doubt. Lay it at My feet and I will take care of it for you. Let go, Mandy, trust Me. I am with you."

Let go of the past. Let go of the perceived control I have. Let go of the hurt. Let God take it and take control. I realized this weekend that this boulder was still controlling my life. I can't do what He wants me to do without first getting rid of the boulder and He's trying to take it but He can't unless I let Him.

So Lord right now I let you take this boulder. I lay it down at your feet. I don't want it anymore. I don't want to be controlled by this any more, I'm a new person, I don't want this thing to define me anymore. I'm sorry for holding on to it for so long, when you are clearly wanting to take it.

I let go.

Enough for the day

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6.

Latley I find myself worrying about the future. Will we have enough money in 2 weeks to buy groceries. Will we have enough gas in the car to get through until the next payday. What will happen if/when our car needs repairs. These worries are about money but there are other worries in my life, such as will my kids see Jesus through me and want to accept Him in their hearts too, and will we ever get a house. Also how do I get out of my shyness, I want to be who Jesus wants me to be NOW not wait, not have to work for it just NOW.

Then the Lord said to Moses, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. Exodus 16:4.

The Isrealites worried, they worried about EVERYTHING. Every day God provided them enough food for that day. Only on the 6th day were they instructed to pick extra because God told them to rest on the Sabbath. As I was reading this God and I shared a moment. He showed me that I worry about tomorrow a lot. While I'm worrying about tomorrow I miss what's right in front of me. His blessings for today. I miss the fact that He provided us 50 free diapers from my mom searching craigs list on a whim. I miss that He showed me my husband actually sits down and prays and has his quiet time with God every day.

Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, tomorrow has enough trouble of it's own. We're supposed to live right now, God knows what we need and He will provide. We shouldn't spend our days in worry that's how we miss what's right in front of us.

So my prayer every day has grown in to this: Lord provide for today. I want to rest in your strength today, your love today. Give me enough food for today, enough safety for today. I don't know what will happen tomorrow but you do so I trust You and rest in You. Thank you for providing for this day. I won't be overwhelmed with the needs of tomorrow, I look to you for today. Thank you Jesus.

Do you have a need you're looking to for the future? So much so that you're missing what's right in front of you for today? Take it to God in prayer, ask Him to take that worry so you won't miss what He has for you today. I don't want to miss a single blessing He provides today.

A picture of love

I'm posting over at Woman to Woman today about God's love. Please come join me. Have a blessed weekend friends.