Hi friends,
Sorry for the silence on this blog lately. Life has been busy with a 5-month old, and preparing for a trip to Canada! We can't wait to be home for Christmas (we leave tomorrow! :) )
But I haven't forgotten about writing. In fact, I've been doing some work behind the scenes. Writer Jeff Goins offers an online course called ''Tribe Writers'' that I have been participating in, and I have also been trying to keep up with his ''Intentional Blogging Challenge.'' This has involved some thinking about the Why behind my writing, and some re-structuring of the How.
On that note, there will be a surprise coming for you in the New Year! Stay tuned to learn more about it in the weeks to come.
Until then, I wish you and your families a very merry Christmas, a blessed time of reflection and celebration of the Gift of Christ's presence.
''Frohe Weihnachten!''
-Kristyn
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Friday, December 13, 2013
God's 'BUT...'
'But...I'm no good at speaking,' Moses countered when God said He wanted to use him to rescue the Israelites.
'But...I am too young,' Jeremiah retorted when he heard God's call.
'But...I am the worst of all sinners,' noted Paul.
How many times do we offer 'Yes, but...' answers to God?
Have we ever considered that God has BUT's for us, too?
Take Samson's mother, for example. She is left unnamed in the Bible and mentioned only as the Wife of Manoah, who was unable to have children. But one day, ''the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, 'Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.' '' (Judges 13:3)
The very thing she was unable to do, God told her she would do. She was barren, but would conceive; she had not borne children, but would have a son.
How is that possible? As my husband says, 'Those are pretty big but's!'
I was considering what God's 'but' might look like today. What if an angel of the Lord appeared to my mother-in-law, suffering under the effects of her stroke, and said, 'Behold, your memory is gone and you have lost the joy of living, but you shall make great memories and engage once again with your family and friends.'
Maybe the greater miracle would be me hearing from the Lord, 'Behold, you are not always patient with her and it's a daily struggle to crucify your flesh, but you will be filled with my love and I will use you to help bring the restoration I died to make possible.'
'You are...but...'
God doesn't ignore our reality or ignorantly view our life circumstances through rose-colored glasses. No, he acknowledges, 'You are...' Maybe you are barren, maybe you are poor, maybe you are depressed, maybe you are looking for direction, facing a closed door, needing forgiveness, wanting friends, out of a job. You are...BUT...
The good news of this Advent season is that Emmanuel has come: GOD WITH US. He doesn't tower over us and laugh at our pain, mock our frustration, or remain silent to our questions. Instead, he became one of us in order to make the impossible possible.
Sinners, granted eternal life.
Those separated from God, brought back into relationship with Him.
Men and women whose good works are but filthy rags, being dressed in robes of righteousness.
'You are, but...'
We have our excuses, yet God gently responds with, 'But I love you. But I'm providing for you. But I'm guiding you and giving you strength. But I've called you. But I'm faithful. But you and your circumstances are significant to me - you matter.'
What is the 'but' you've been complaining to God about? And what do you think His BUT to you may be?
'But...I am too young,' Jeremiah retorted when he heard God's call.
'But...I am the worst of all sinners,' noted Paul.
How many times do we offer 'Yes, but...' answers to God?
Have we ever considered that God has BUT's for us, too?
Take Samson's mother, for example. She is left unnamed in the Bible and mentioned only as the Wife of Manoah, who was unable to have children. But one day, ''the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, 'Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.' '' (Judges 13:3)
The very thing she was unable to do, God told her she would do. She was barren, but would conceive; she had not borne children, but would have a son.
How is that possible? As my husband says, 'Those are pretty big but's!'
I was considering what God's 'but' might look like today. What if an angel of the Lord appeared to my mother-in-law, suffering under the effects of her stroke, and said, 'Behold, your memory is gone and you have lost the joy of living, but you shall make great memories and engage once again with your family and friends.'
Maybe the greater miracle would be me hearing from the Lord, 'Behold, you are not always patient with her and it's a daily struggle to crucify your flesh, but you will be filled with my love and I will use you to help bring the restoration I died to make possible.'
'You are...but...'
The question isn't who WE are, but who HE is.
Sinners, granted eternal life.
Those separated from God, brought back into relationship with Him.
Men and women whose good works are but filthy rags, being dressed in robes of righteousness.
'You are, but...'
We have our excuses, yet God gently responds with, 'But I love you. But I'm providing for you. But I'm guiding you and giving you strength. But I've called you. But I'm faithful. But you and your circumstances are significant to me - you matter.'
What is the 'but' you've been complaining to God about? And what do you think His BUT to you may be?
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
A Man Called Wesley
What we meant to do was simply pick up a document that his wife was translating for us, necessary for us to register our marriage here in Germany.
What we ended up doing was staying for almost an hour and a half, listening to him tell stories of fleeing the Communists in Czechoslovakia, ending up as part of the Army in the United States, and somehow landing in Berlin.
Meet Wesley.
He's probably 70-something, and one of those cute old men where there was no way we could refuse his offer to "stay for just a bit" and allow him to serve us something to drink while his wife was finishing up the official stuff. We were on our way home from a wedding, were tired, and had a to-do-list waiting at home, so the offer wasn't exactly tempting, but we ended up staying anyways. It seemed to mean a lot to Wesley for him to be able to share with us memories of important times in his life, even if his dramatic Czech-mixed-with-Schwäbisch-German-accent prevented us from understanding everything. He even pulled up his pant legs to show us war wounds. What a history! What a personality!
So after an hour and a half of us listening to his stories, he must of assumed we were really interested, so he ended up handing us this folder before we walked out the door. Inside were photocopies of most of his documents, certificates, and awards from his army days! Letters from the CIA and President, a picture of his uniform and badge, etc. What exactly we're going to do with all these pages now, we're not quite sure; but we felt honored that he would share with us and know it was encouraging for him to be given listening ears too.
He walked us to our car, leaning in the window of the driver's door as we buckled our seat belts and started the engine. He made us promise to come back sometime in the summer when we could have a picnic outside together, and "plan on staying for longer." Then he stood under the street light, waving goodbye in the fog until we were out of the driveway and had rounded the corner.
Oh, Wesley...
I'm reminded of the story in Mark 5, about a dead girl and a sick woman...
Jesus was asked by a synagogue ruler to come pray for his daughter, who was sick and dying. So Jesus went with him, and many people followed them. Along the way, a woman who had dealt with a bleeding problem for 12 years and had had no success with doctors came up behind Jesus in the crowd, and "touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed'" (v. 28). And what happened? "Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering."
It is interesting that the Bible records that "Jesus felt power go out from him," and turned around to ask, "Who touched me?" The woman was embarrassed but eventually identified herself, and Jesus tenderly said, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
Just after that, though, a messenger from the ruler's house came with the news that Jesus need not hurry; the girl had died. But "ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, 'Don’t be afraid; just believe'" (v. 36). He continued on his way, to find the house filled with people mourning. But he went into the girl's room, took her by the hand, and said, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!” Immediately she stood up and walked around, of course to everyone's astonishment!
In this story, I picture myself as Jesus, with "important business to take care of." I have things to do, people waiting for me, expecting things from me, and I want to do good. My plans are not wrong. But along the way, a sick woman appears, or maybe a man called Wesley. And the question is: do I let them touch me? Someone needs a hug, a prayer, a listening ear, encouragement, help. Do I continue on my way, or do I stop and turn around, looking the person in the eye and gently caring for them? The good news is, according to God's schedule, there's time for both. The rest of the crowd must have thought Jesus was crazy to continue on to the ruler's house when the girl was already dead. But Jesus knew he still had a mission.
In this season of Advent, the weeks of preparation before Christmas, let it not just be a time of preparing decorations, food, gifts, and programs. Instead let it be a season of preparing our hearts, making room for Jesus...and others. Let people take priority over things. Allow yourself to be touched by others so that God's healing, love, and joy can flow through you.
What we ended up doing was staying for almost an hour and a half, listening to him tell stories of fleeing the Communists in Czechoslovakia, ending up as part of the Army in the United States, and somehow landing in Berlin.
Meet Wesley.
He's probably 70-something, and one of those cute old men where there was no way we could refuse his offer to "stay for just a bit" and allow him to serve us something to drink while his wife was finishing up the official stuff. We were on our way home from a wedding, were tired, and had a to-do-list waiting at home, so the offer wasn't exactly tempting, but we ended up staying anyways. It seemed to mean a lot to Wesley for him to be able to share with us memories of important times in his life, even if his dramatic Czech-mixed-with-Schwäbisch-German-accent prevented us from understanding everything. He even pulled up his pant legs to show us war wounds. What a history! What a personality!
So after an hour and a half of us listening to his stories, he must of assumed we were really interested, so he ended up handing us this folder before we walked out the door. Inside were photocopies of most of his documents, certificates, and awards from his army days! Letters from the CIA and President, a picture of his uniform and badge, etc. What exactly we're going to do with all these pages now, we're not quite sure; but we felt honored that he would share with us and know it was encouraging for him to be given listening ears too.
He walked us to our car, leaning in the window of the driver's door as we buckled our seat belts and started the engine. He made us promise to come back sometime in the summer when we could have a picnic outside together, and "plan on staying for longer." Then he stood under the street light, waving goodbye in the fog until we were out of the driveway and had rounded the corner.
Oh, Wesley...
I'm reminded of the story in Mark 5, about a dead girl and a sick woman...
Jesus was asked by a synagogue ruler to come pray for his daughter, who was sick and dying. So Jesus went with him, and many people followed them. Along the way, a woman who had dealt with a bleeding problem for 12 years and had had no success with doctors came up behind Jesus in the crowd, and "touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed'" (v. 28). And what happened? "Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering."
It is interesting that the Bible records that "Jesus felt power go out from him," and turned around to ask, "Who touched me?" The woman was embarrassed but eventually identified herself, and Jesus tenderly said, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
Just after that, though, a messenger from the ruler's house came with the news that Jesus need not hurry; the girl had died. But "ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, 'Don’t be afraid; just believe'" (v. 36). He continued on his way, to find the house filled with people mourning. But he went into the girl's room, took her by the hand, and said, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!” Immediately she stood up and walked around, of course to everyone's astonishment!
In this story, I picture myself as Jesus, with "important business to take care of." I have things to do, people waiting for me, expecting things from me, and I want to do good. My plans are not wrong. But along the way, a sick woman appears, or maybe a man called Wesley. And the question is: do I let them touch me? Someone needs a hug, a prayer, a listening ear, encouragement, help. Do I continue on my way, or do I stop and turn around, looking the person in the eye and gently caring for them? The good news is, according to God's schedule, there's time for both. The rest of the crowd must have thought Jesus was crazy to continue on to the ruler's house when the girl was already dead. But Jesus knew he still had a mission.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
We Are the Reason
Yesterday I got hit for the first time with the stress of everything I want to get done before Christmas. I had all these great aspirations a month ago to be on top of things, but I have no idea where the time went! It seems like suddenly today is the deadline, and I still have parcels to send, a house to clean, food to make, presents to buy, gifts to wrap, and rooms to prepare for guests.
But I know that in the end all of that doesn't matter.
I thought that I usually do a pretty good job of not getting caught up in the stress and consumerism of Christmas time, but yesterday was a test of that! Yesterday evening though I had a refreshing, needed reminder. I was asked to sing for a Christmas Eve service this weekend, and we practiced the song last night - it's called "We Are the Reason."
I've finally found the reason for living
It’s in giving every part of my heart to Him
But I know that in the end all of that doesn't matter.
I thought that I usually do a pretty good job of not getting caught up in the stress and consumerism of Christmas time, but yesterday was a test of that! Yesterday evening though I had a refreshing, needed reminder. I was asked to sing for a Christmas Eve service this weekend, and we practiced the song last night - it's called "We Are the Reason."
As little children we would dream of Christmas morn
And all the gifts and toys we knew we’d find
But we never realized a baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives
As the years went by we learned more about our gifts
The giving of ourselves and what that means
On a dark and cloudy day a man hung dying in the rain
Because of love
Because of love
And all the gifts and toys we knew we’d find
But we never realized a baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives
We are the reason that He gave His life
We were the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live
As the years went by we learned more about our gifts
The giving of ourselves and what that means
On a dark and cloudy day a man hung dying in the rain
Because of love
Because of love
We are the reason that He gave His life
We are the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live
I've finally found the reason for living
It’s in giving every part of my heart to Him
And all that I do every word that I say
I will give all my life just for Him, just for Him
I will give all my life just for Him, just for Him
We are the reason that He gave His life
We are the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live
Jesus, You are my reason to live
You've heard the saying - "Jesus is the reason for the season." Yes, I agree, but Jesus came to earth because of us. Because of me...because of you.
Christmas isn't about checking things off our to-do-list. It's about what's already been done for us.
Have you accepted the gift of Christ?
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Traditions
Sunday lunch at Oma's after church: roast beef with homemade noodles and salad. That has become a tradition for us since moving to Germany. It is great to spend time with family on Sunday afternoons (and not need to cook!) Of course it isn't complete without coffee and cake too, and maybe a game of Uno or singing together. We've already built such great memories!
With the Christmas season coming up, other traditions come to mind too. Placing everyone's Christmas stockings out on the couch on Christmas Eve. Family coming in from out of town. Helping my mom set the table with our fancy dishware. Going to a church service. A girls' sock exchange. Playing with my nieces and nephews...and their new toys.
Now that I'm married and we're spending Christmas in our own house, we've been considering what type of traditions we want to establish. It's kind of odd to think about. How do you make traditions? They seem to be one of those things that just "are." One of those things that has always been, and will continue carrying on. But I know how easy it is for traditions to become meaningless. Often churches get criticized for being "too traditional" and not open to anything new, or stuck in their old ways. But I know the same thing can happen in families, or in the lives of any of us personally.
I heard a quote once: "Tradition is the living faith of the dead. Traditionalism is the dead faith of the living." And I think this makes a powerful point! Traditions in themselves aren't a bad thing––at one point, someone started them and it was a meaningful, symbolic expression of their faith (not just in a spiritual sense, but an outworking of what they believed to be important). The problem is when we adopt these traditions and they are not alive to us anymore. Maybe like going to church, or reading your Bible. Activities that once had a deep importance can easily be swallowed up by routine.
In the Bible, especially the Old Testament, God asked his people to establish some important traditions. Actually, he commanded them to celebrate. Exodus 12 describes how the Israelites were to celebrate Passover, in order to commemorate the day the Lord freed them from the Egyptians. Very specific instructions were given, and God clearly said, "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance." Exodus 23 talks about three annual festivals that were to be celebrated: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering. These festivals were to carry on through the generations in order to honor the Lord and remember what he had done. Exodus 12:26-27 says, "And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’”
Symbols and traditions are powerful, but they can be misunderstood or not used to their full potential if we don't understand the meaning of them. Thus the Lord instructed his people on how to teach their children and pass down traditions. Two years ago Mogi and I visited a Messianic Jewish synagogue for a church service, and it happened to be over the weekend of Purim (corresponding to the story of Esther and how the Lord delivered the Jews from the evil plot of Haman). This was one of the most alive churches we've ever been to! The meaning of what they were celebrating seemed just as real to this congregation as it would have in Esther's day. It was powerful to witness, and we couldn't help but be drawn into the celebration as well. This is what I call living faith! Yes, it's a routine, and yes, it's been going on for ages, but those who participate in the traditions today understand the significance and it still impacts their lives personally.
So I want to be intentional in what we do around Christmas time. I don't want unhealthy things to become traditions, nor do I want the season to pass by without significance, or memories. One thing we did this last week that we would like to carry on in the coming years is the celebration of Advent––the four weeks leading up to Christmas, symbolizing the anticipation that was in the air before the birth of Christ, and now anticipation for his Second Coming.
We gathered together as family, and Mogi read some Scripture as we lit the first Advent Candle:
A German *tradition* is to make your own Advent wreath (Adventskranz), so last Friday a few friends invited me to join them, and they taught me how to do this homemade craft. It was fun! It caught the creative spark in me, and so this week I've been doing other decorating.
I wanted to share a few of the ideas I've been working with, and I'd love to hear yours as well! Please feel free to post pictures or links or leave comments about what your traditions are, or ideas for affordable crafts. Unfortunately it is so easy to get caught up in consumerism during the Christmas season, so we've decided to spend less and be creative with what we already have. Here are a few of my creations (and again, please feel free to share with others you think would be interested in this topic by hitting one of the buttons below for Facebook, Twitter, or Email).
A simple display on top of our bookshelf: made from twigs from the forest, pine cones found outside, berries from our tree, cinnamon sticks, and a candle I already had.
I used cardboard from a cereal box, scissors, glue, a pen, and a stamp to make these stars.
The only thing I had to buy was a roll of wrapping paper for 99 cents.
And I used these to fill this vase! Sand from the back yard, again twigs, pine cones and berries, with my little cardboard creations. Oh, and ribbon.
This is sitting on the corner of our stairway, and hopefully provides a bit of a festive feel when you enter the house.
And then for another shelf I purchased mini lights and the little white decorative balls, again using twigs and ribbon.
My husband has even been grateful for these little things...apparently he always wanted to marry someone who was creative (which I didn't know until yesterday!) So I'm thankful for his encouragement :-) I think making homemade decorations will also become one of our Christmas traditions that our children can participate in one day.
So these give a bit of an idea of how we're starting off the season (even though fall is just ending and we don't have the snow that Alberta has right now!) But I'd love to know your thoughts! How does your family celebrate Christmas? Or even beyond the "Christmas season", what are meaningful traditions that you've experienced?
Praying that by paying attention to our traditions we can come to know Christ in a deeper way,
Kristyn
With the Christmas season coming up, other traditions come to mind too. Placing everyone's Christmas stockings out on the couch on Christmas Eve. Family coming in from out of town. Helping my mom set the table with our fancy dishware. Going to a church service. A girls' sock exchange. Playing with my nieces and nephews...and their new toys.
Now that I'm married and we're spending Christmas in our own house, we've been considering what type of traditions we want to establish. It's kind of odd to think about. How do you make traditions? They seem to be one of those things that just "are." One of those things that has always been, and will continue carrying on. But I know how easy it is for traditions to become meaningless. Often churches get criticized for being "too traditional" and not open to anything new, or stuck in their old ways. But I know the same thing can happen in families, or in the lives of any of us personally.
I heard a quote once: "Tradition is the living faith of the dead. Traditionalism is the dead faith of the living." And I think this makes a powerful point! Traditions in themselves aren't a bad thing––at one point, someone started them and it was a meaningful, symbolic expression of their faith (not just in a spiritual sense, but an outworking of what they believed to be important). The problem is when we adopt these traditions and they are not alive to us anymore. Maybe like going to church, or reading your Bible. Activities that once had a deep importance can easily be swallowed up by routine.
In the Bible, especially the Old Testament, God asked his people to establish some important traditions. Actually, he commanded them to celebrate. Exodus 12 describes how the Israelites were to celebrate Passover, in order to commemorate the day the Lord freed them from the Egyptians. Very specific instructions were given, and God clearly said, "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance." Exodus 23 talks about three annual festivals that were to be celebrated: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering. These festivals were to carry on through the generations in order to honor the Lord and remember what he had done. Exodus 12:26-27 says, "And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’”
Symbols and traditions are powerful, but they can be misunderstood or not used to their full potential if we don't understand the meaning of them. Thus the Lord instructed his people on how to teach their children and pass down traditions. Two years ago Mogi and I visited a Messianic Jewish synagogue for a church service, and it happened to be over the weekend of Purim (corresponding to the story of Esther and how the Lord delivered the Jews from the evil plot of Haman). This was one of the most alive churches we've ever been to! The meaning of what they were celebrating seemed just as real to this congregation as it would have in Esther's day. It was powerful to witness, and we couldn't help but be drawn into the celebration as well. This is what I call living faith! Yes, it's a routine, and yes, it's been going on for ages, but those who participate in the traditions today understand the significance and it still impacts their lives personally.
So I want to be intentional in what we do around Christmas time. I don't want unhealthy things to become traditions, nor do I want the season to pass by without significance, or memories. One thing we did this last week that we would like to carry on in the coming years is the celebration of Advent––the four weeks leading up to Christmas, symbolizing the anticipation that was in the air before the birth of Christ, and now anticipation for his Second Coming.
We gathered together as family, and Mogi read some Scripture as we lit the first Advent Candle:
I wanted to share a few of the ideas I've been working with, and I'd love to hear yours as well! Please feel free to post pictures or links or leave comments about what your traditions are, or ideas for affordable crafts. Unfortunately it is so easy to get caught up in consumerism during the Christmas season, so we've decided to spend less and be creative with what we already have. Here are a few of my creations (and again, please feel free to share with others you think would be interested in this topic by hitting one of the buttons below for Facebook, Twitter, or Email).
A simple display on top of our bookshelf: made from twigs from the forest, pine cones found outside, berries from our tree, cinnamon sticks, and a candle I already had.
I used cardboard from a cereal box, scissors, glue, a pen, and a stamp to make these stars.
The only thing I had to buy was a roll of wrapping paper for 99 cents.
And I used these to fill this vase! Sand from the back yard, again twigs, pine cones and berries, with my little cardboard creations. Oh, and ribbon.
This is sitting on the corner of our stairway, and hopefully provides a bit of a festive feel when you enter the house.
And then for another shelf I purchased mini lights and the little white decorative balls, again using twigs and ribbon.
My husband has even been grateful for these little things...apparently he always wanted to marry someone who was creative (which I didn't know until yesterday!) So I'm thankful for his encouragement :-) I think making homemade decorations will also become one of our Christmas traditions that our children can participate in one day.
So these give a bit of an idea of how we're starting off the season (even though fall is just ending and we don't have the snow that Alberta has right now!) But I'd love to know your thoughts! How does your family celebrate Christmas? Or even beyond the "Christmas season", what are meaningful traditions that you've experienced?
Praying that by paying attention to our traditions we can come to know Christ in a deeper way,
Kristyn
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christmas
Merry Christmas everyone! I'm so thankful for the gift of Christ, and that we can celebrate Him all year 'round, but be especially reminded of Him at this time.
Mogi and I are in Kentucky this week, visiting my sister and her family. It's been a great trip so far! Sledding (we really had a white Christmas, which was a treat for the Americans!), baking German cookies, singing carols, playing games. We decided not to exchange presents this year; instead, we gave the gift of presence. We were challenged by the Advent Conspiracy to:
Our visit was a surprise for our nieces and nephews. It was precious to see their faces when we came downstairs the first morning...shock mixed with excitement. I think time really is the best gift. We don't need any more stuff, and we want to strengthen these family relationships and take advantage of the time we have to spend together. Be inspired by the promo video from the Advent Conspiracy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU&feature=related
As I have said before, the Lord has laid on my heart the word joy this month. I was reading the popular 'Christmas passage' from Isaiah 9:1-7, and this theme jumped out at me again. Look at the promises that this son who was prophesied to be born fulfills: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light...You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you...you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them...he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace."
This is the God we serve! The God that became flesh and made his dwelling among us to show us his love. He is the one that offers true joy. This year may you choose anew the light of his presence; may he increase your joy; may the things that burden you be shattered, and my you come to know this Jesus in an even more personal way as your Counselor, the One who is mighty, your Father, and our Prince of Peace.
Christmas blessings!
-The Moglers
Monday, December 13, 2010
My Cup Overflows!
Wow, God is amazing! His love is extravagant and he has truly lavished it on us.
To start with, after making travel arrangements for over Christmas, we wondered a bit at our financial situation and acknowledged that we may have to be more cautious in the future. As we were discussing it the next day, Mogi said that he knows God will provide, because he always has. We agreed that he is completely trustworthy, and that he can provide in ways we don't expect or aren't aware of. Then...literally seconds after finishing this conversation, Mogi checks his computer and finds out that he'd received a donation to his German bank account. The amount was just over what paid for tickets! We were amazed and humbled. God is GOOD!
Then, the other night friends of ours in our apartment, who are moving, came down and said they were clearing out their fridge and asked if we needed anything. That led to them bringing down boxes and boxes of food from their pantry that we ended up disbursing to everyone else in the complex. There were items that I had planned on grocery shopping for the next day, as well as specialty foods that we'd never buy for ourselves. God is Jehovah Jireh - our Provider!
The blessings haven't stopped all week...a gift certificate to a restaurant, amazing fellowship with friends, challenging reminders at church.
In a discussion last night, one of our friends made an interesting comment. "Why do we talk so much about giving, and so little about receiving? Why do we emphasize, for instance, the 10% we're supposed to tithe, and not discuss the 90% that we get to keep?" It's a good question. Giving is good...necessary...important. But our culture at large, and I know I personally, seems to feel uncomfortable in a place of receiving.
We talk about Christmas as being a "time for giving," but is it really? One of the most famous Bible verses would suggest otherwise: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..." (John 3:16). God is the one who gave the ultimate gift, and Christmas is the celebration of the opportunity to receive this gift of Christ our Savior. All our gifts pale in comparison to this ultimate gift.
This is not to suggest that we shouldn't be giving; that's not the point. The question is, have we learned how to receive well? It's humbling to be the recipient of other people's generosity, but it's also a blessing. And there's no way we can give to others unless we've first received. 2 Corinthians 9 gives us principles for generosity:
To start with, after making travel arrangements for over Christmas, we wondered a bit at our financial situation and acknowledged that we may have to be more cautious in the future. As we were discussing it the next day, Mogi said that he knows God will provide, because he always has. We agreed that he is completely trustworthy, and that he can provide in ways we don't expect or aren't aware of. Then...literally seconds after finishing this conversation, Mogi checks his computer and finds out that he'd received a donation to his German bank account. The amount was just over what paid for tickets! We were amazed and humbled. God is GOOD!
Then, the other night friends of ours in our apartment, who are moving, came down and said they were clearing out their fridge and asked if we needed anything. That led to them bringing down boxes and boxes of food from their pantry that we ended up disbursing to everyone else in the complex. There were items that I had planned on grocery shopping for the next day, as well as specialty foods that we'd never buy for ourselves. God is Jehovah Jireh - our Provider!
The blessings haven't stopped all week...a gift certificate to a restaurant, amazing fellowship with friends, challenging reminders at church.
In a discussion last night, one of our friends made an interesting comment. "Why do we talk so much about giving, and so little about receiving? Why do we emphasize, for instance, the 10% we're supposed to tithe, and not discuss the 90% that we get to keep?" It's a good question. Giving is good...necessary...important. But our culture at large, and I know I personally, seems to feel uncomfortable in a place of receiving.
We talk about Christmas as being a "time for giving," but is it really? One of the most famous Bible verses would suggest otherwise: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..." (John 3:16). God is the one who gave the ultimate gift, and Christmas is the celebration of the opportunity to receive this gift of Christ our Savior. All our gifts pale in comparison to this ultimate gift.
This is not to suggest that we shouldn't be giving; that's not the point. The question is, have we learned how to receive well? It's humbling to be the recipient of other people's generosity, but it's also a blessing. And there's no way we can give to others unless we've first received. 2 Corinthians 9 gives us principles for generosity:
"6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work...10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."
"Blessed to be a blessing" - that's the bottom line. God has been revealing himself to us this week as the Giver - the generous, lavish giver. And I know his purpose is so that we can pass it on.
So I ask you...have you learned to receive? Have you received the ultimate gift of God's son and his offer of eternal life? It is only through him that we can be blessed so abundantly that we can abound in good works and be generous to others on every occasion.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
JOY
One word the Lord has put on my heart this month is joy.
Christmas-time is a season where we should be experiencing joy, but many people don't. "The holidays" are often filled with the most family tensions, the most suicides, the most discontentment. It's the end of a semester in schools, and there is the stress of papers and finals. There are travel arrangements to be made, presents to be bought, and events to organize. Many factors can contribute to lack of joy!
But Christ said he came to bring life...and life to the full (John 10:10). We sing "Joy to the World!" but do we really know that "the Lord has come?" What does it mean that our Lord has come? Isn't that the whole meaning of Christmas?
This Lord, our Lord, is called Immanuel, which means "God with us." Did you catch that? God...with...us. This is the only true source of joy!
"You made him glad with the joy of your presence." (Psalm 21:6)
"You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11)
It is only in the presence of God that we can find true joy! Not happiness based on circumstances, but the joy of communion with the Creator of the universe and the peace that only he can give.
We can announce joy to the world because the Lord has come, making it possible for us to "approach God's throne of grace with confidence." No more barriers! No more limitations! We have direct access to the presence of God.
I see myself so often still neglecting the presence of God, even though he abides in me. In my heart I want nothing more than to walk intimately with him, but I seem to constantly face sin and distractions. It is when I succumb to these things that I lose my joy, because I am living for myself again.
But my prayer, for myself and for you, is that this month we may recover the JOY of walking with Christ, daily in his presence. That we won't be pressured by the world's empty celebrations, but that we would deny ourselves and help "every heart prepare him room." That we would be agents of joy to our lost and hurting friends and families.
Celebrating God-with-us,
Kristyn
Christmas-time is a season where we should be experiencing joy, but many people don't. "The holidays" are often filled with the most family tensions, the most suicides, the most discontentment. It's the end of a semester in schools, and there is the stress of papers and finals. There are travel arrangements to be made, presents to be bought, and events to organize. Many factors can contribute to lack of joy!
But Christ said he came to bring life...and life to the full (John 10:10). We sing "Joy to the World!" but do we really know that "the Lord has come?" What does it mean that our Lord has come? Isn't that the whole meaning of Christmas?
This Lord, our Lord, is called Immanuel, which means "God with us." Did you catch that? God...with...us. This is the only true source of joy!
"You made him glad with the joy of your presence." (Psalm 21:6)
"You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11)
It is only in the presence of God that we can find true joy! Not happiness based on circumstances, but the joy of communion with the Creator of the universe and the peace that only he can give.
We can announce joy to the world because the Lord has come, making it possible for us to "approach God's throne of grace with confidence." No more barriers! No more limitations! We have direct access to the presence of God.
I see myself so often still neglecting the presence of God, even though he abides in me. In my heart I want nothing more than to walk intimately with him, but I seem to constantly face sin and distractions. It is when I succumb to these things that I lose my joy, because I am living for myself again.
But my prayer, for myself and for you, is that this month we may recover the JOY of walking with Christ, daily in his presence. That we won't be pressured by the world's empty celebrations, but that we would deny ourselves and help "every heart prepare him room." That we would be agents of joy to our lost and hurting friends and families.
Celebrating God-with-us,
Kristyn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)