Melissa's mom, Jane, moved in with Jesus this morning.
It was very sudden, very unexpected. Please continue to pray for the family as they work through this and everything that they need to do now.
Thank you.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Prayer Please
Hi all, would you please pray for my sister-in-law's mom? She had what appears to be a heart attack tonight and is in really serious condition.
Please pray for Melissa as well, as she is 8+ months pregnant and we are all concerned for her and the baby as well with all this stress.
Thank you.
Please pray for Melissa as well, as she is 8+ months pregnant and we are all concerned for her and the baby as well with all this stress.
Thank you.
Monday, December 13, 2010
God's Timing
Yesterday after church a lady came up and introduced herself to me. This is the first person who has really talked to me at church (I've been there four-five times), which has seemed odd because the impression I had was that it was a friendly church. I had even put in on my attendance form thingie that I was interested in small groups, but never heard back from anyone. Which, since I am a good Christian, made me mad. But when I prayed about it God was quite clear that He had it all under control and I needed to not get my panty-hose in a knot (can I say that on my blog?). So I tried not to and eventually realized that last month would have been a terrible time to get involved with church or anything else more than the bare minimum anyway since I was so busy with getting settled and everything!
Anyway, apparently yesterday was God's good timing to begin getting me involved. I had seen this lady on the first Sunday I was at church, and I knew she had seen me too, but we hadn't talked to each other. So, yesterday she made a beeline for me and then invited me to their small group's progressive dinner! Naturally, I couldn't say no. So, suddenly I was dropped into this group of people and now next week when I go to church I'll actually have someone to say "Hi" to! There probably won't be any more small group meetings this month, but in January I will be able to go. And I am happy with that. It is just nice to have a bit more of a connection.
And it is fascinating for me to see how god is bringing all these little things together. He knows the time and what I can handle and what I can't. What I need when and how to bring it about. it is amazing to watch Him work. And a privilege. But also a little scary (in a good exciting way), since I can see that He is lining things up, but I can't see what He is lining them up for. Faith is such a fun journey!
Anyway, apparently yesterday was God's good timing to begin getting me involved. I had seen this lady on the first Sunday I was at church, and I knew she had seen me too, but we hadn't talked to each other. So, yesterday she made a beeline for me and then invited me to their small group's progressive dinner! Naturally, I couldn't say no. So, suddenly I was dropped into this group of people and now next week when I go to church I'll actually have someone to say "Hi" to! There probably won't be any more small group meetings this month, but in January I will be able to go. And I am happy with that. It is just nice to have a bit more of a connection.
And it is fascinating for me to see how god is bringing all these little things together. He knows the time and what I can handle and what I can't. What I need when and how to bring it about. it is amazing to watch Him work. And a privilege. But also a little scary (in a good exciting way), since I can see that He is lining things up, but I can't see what He is lining them up for. Faith is such a fun journey!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Christmas
So, I'm sitting here looking at my nativities. Feeling just a little blue. There's no snow outside and I'm missing my normal Christmas routines and extended time with family and friends. But I'm also thinking about the gift that Jesus gave at Christmas.
You see, I've been sick with the flu for the last three days. And by sick, I mean if I got of the couch or even sat up on the couch that was a major victory. Haven't been out of the apartment. Haven't done any decorating or Christmas baking. The tree isn't bought and decorated yet. And time is running out! There are only two more Sundays of Advent! And I don't even have my wreath set up! (yes, you can read that in a wail)
True, the presents are wrapped and close to the spot where the tree will go and there are Christmas decorations spewed all over my living/dining room. Most of them are nativities. They are the only thing that I collect. And I do have a unique collection.
I even have two snowmen who traditionally join one of my nativity sets (that's the one with the four wisemen, several shepherds and angels--it's from my great-grandma and it is definitely at least two sets put together and I love it!--I added the snowmen, because as we all know, Bethlehem is full of snow in December and the snowmen arrived on skis and had a snowball fight with the shepherds).
I wonder who those shepherds were? What were their stories? Did their lives change after meeting Jesus in the manger? What about the wisemen? How many were there really? Was it just a representative delegation? What did they do after they went home? Did they think about Jesus and wonder how He grew up and what happened to him? Did their story change other people's lives?
And of course, there are always Mary and Joseph. Poor Joseph, didn't know what he was getting into when he got engaged to Mary. Dishonored in Nazareth for accepting a pregnant woman as his wife. Taking a VERY pregnant girl on a donkey to Bethlehem and then later having to set off for Egypt in the middle of the night. Delivering a baby in the middle of the night after a long day's journey on foot. Trying to make ends meet in a new town for a wife and child. He must have been a man of honour. But I doubt he was as refined and couth as we make him out to be. He was a small town carpenter. He wasn't rich. He was just a simple man. A simple man who took God at His word and obeyed. It can't have all made sense to him. He must have struggled at times to keep believing that this baby who kept him up crying in the night or had the most awful smelling dirty diapers was really God. But as far as we know, he still willing stepped into the unknown holding God's hand and doing the impossible. I'm sure Egypt wasn't a part of his five-year plan. But he abandoned himself to God.
And Mary. She's always portrayed so perfectly. This innocent girl who just obeyed. I wonder how many nights she cried herself to sleep over this "gift". How much did she miss her mother when she was giving birth? And trying to raise this little boy. Did she fight with Joseph? You know, over things like wiping his feet before he came in the house, or forgetting to pick up something at the market on his way home from work. Did she ever just need to get out of the house and away from her toddler? To talk to an adult! Did this dear, sweet, submissive, obedient girl ever rail at God (even just inside her head) for making her an outcast in her hometown? For making her community shun her as a sinful woman?
God's gifts can be so uncomfortable. I mean, really, who wants to be dishonored, lonely, forced to flee your home, travel (9 months pregnant) on a donkey for a few days, leave home and family just when you need them most? Where do people get the idea that life should be easy for Christians? Or that they shouldn't have to give up their comfortable lives to obey God? Or indeed, that God should lay out His plan clearly so that we can see that it doesn't have flaws and that He hasn't forgotten to provide for every need, before we step out in obedience?
It isn't easy to step out in faith when those you love and trust most think you are insane or lying or sinning even! But what miracles lay around the corner for us and the world if we do?
You see, I've been sick with the flu for the last three days. And by sick, I mean if I got of the couch or even sat up on the couch that was a major victory. Haven't been out of the apartment. Haven't done any decorating or Christmas baking. The tree isn't bought and decorated yet. And time is running out! There are only two more Sundays of Advent! And I don't even have my wreath set up! (yes, you can read that in a wail)
True, the presents are wrapped and close to the spot where the tree will go and there are Christmas decorations spewed all over my living/dining room. Most of them are nativities. They are the only thing that I collect. And I do have a unique collection.
I even have two snowmen who traditionally join one of my nativity sets (that's the one with the four wisemen, several shepherds and angels--it's from my great-grandma and it is definitely at least two sets put together and I love it!--I added the snowmen, because as we all know, Bethlehem is full of snow in December and the snowmen arrived on skis and had a snowball fight with the shepherds).I wonder who those shepherds were? What were their stories? Did their lives change after meeting Jesus in the manger? What about the wisemen? How many were there really? Was it just a representative delegation? What did they do after they went home? Did they think about Jesus and wonder how He grew up and what happened to him? Did their story change other people's lives?
And of course, there are always Mary and Joseph. Poor Joseph, didn't know what he was getting into when he got engaged to Mary. Dishonored in Nazareth for accepting a pregnant woman as his wife. Taking a VERY pregnant girl on a donkey to Bethlehem and then later having to set off for Egypt in the middle of the night. Delivering a baby in the middle of the night after a long day's journey on foot. Trying to make ends meet in a new town for a wife and child. He must have been a man of honour. But I doubt he was as refined and couth as we make him out to be. He was a small town carpenter. He wasn't rich. He was just a simple man. A simple man who took God at His word and obeyed. It can't have all made sense to him. He must have struggled at times to keep believing that this baby who kept him up crying in the night or had the most awful smelling dirty diapers was really God. But as far as we know, he still willing stepped into the unknown holding God's hand and doing the impossible. I'm sure Egypt wasn't a part of his five-year plan. But he abandoned himself to God.
And Mary. She's always portrayed so perfectly. This innocent girl who just obeyed. I wonder how many nights she cried herself to sleep over this "gift". How much did she miss her mother when she was giving birth? And trying to raise this little boy. Did she fight with Joseph? You know, over things like wiping his feet before he came in the house, or forgetting to pick up something at the market on his way home from work. Did she ever just need to get out of the house and away from her toddler? To talk to an adult! Did this dear, sweet, submissive, obedient girl ever rail at God (even just inside her head) for making her an outcast in her hometown? For making her community shun her as a sinful woman?
God's gifts can be so uncomfortable. I mean, really, who wants to be dishonored, lonely, forced to flee your home, travel (9 months pregnant) on a donkey for a few days, leave home and family just when you need them most? Where do people get the idea that life should be easy for Christians? Or that they shouldn't have to give up their comfortable lives to obey God? Or indeed, that God should lay out His plan clearly so that we can see that it doesn't have flaws and that He hasn't forgotten to provide for every need, before we step out in obedience?
It isn't easy to step out in faith when those you love and trust most think you are insane or lying or sinning even! But what miracles lay around the corner for us and the world if we do?
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