Beginning Again

The shopping is over, the cookies have all been given away -- with traditional recipes tucked away for next year. The presents have been given and the children enjoying a few days off before the school resumes . . .

The new year awaits us! A dawning of the unknown, yet irresistable future. How we meet this coming year is often time tainted with how the last one has gone. Some of us hope to "turn over a new leaf." Others of us face the year wading though some kind of grief or loss. Some of us face it with rejoicing and expectancy. While others may be tempted to dread its coming.

No matter what, there are a few non variables with which we can face this coming year. Life. If you are reading this -- you have life left in your body. Hope. Yes, if you have life, there IS always hope. God. For God IS!

His coming in human form gives us the marvelous way to eternal life.  We don't have to face this new year alone. We can trust in, and rely on His present, and eternal existence. His Presence doesn't falter -- even when we cannot feel. His Power doesn't diminish -- even when our strength is gone. His love remains unfailing -- way past our human comprehension. 

He knows our fears, our thoughts, our regrets, our longings, our desires, our dreams -- and He isn't in a panic, nor is He nonchalont about this whole "world thing." He is God. His thoughts are above ours -- His ways above ours -- His All seeing eye viewing way more than we can even imagine -- and HE is WITH US!!!!

Lean on Him, rest in Him, surrender to Him -- and know no matter what comes or goes, God is.

Take it with You

"God's in charge -- always. ZionsGod is God for good! Hallelujah!" Psalm 146:10 The Message

  

Rejoice!

He is come! Light to our darkness, joy in our sorrow.

Rejoice!

He is come! Peace in our turmoil, hope for tomorrow.

Rejoice!

He is come! Life everlasting, salvation for all.

Rejoice!

LOVE is come!

His name is JESUS!

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


Isaiah 9:6

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

All My Gold

All of six years old, my youngest son came to me one day showing me his treasures. One of his prize possessions was a “golden” horse candlestick. (I remembered having two of them at one time, but years and moving had managed to “relocate” the other one!) He also had some crystal jewels—I think perhaps from a wedding — as well as a “golden” birthday piece of memorabilia from his past birthday celebration at a well-known children’s pizza establishment. (Take a guess!) While their actual, earthly value would have been extremely low, they meant a lot to him. These were his collections — valuables of his own.

Not long after he had spoken with me about his “treasures” I heard his sister in his room one day. “Why do you have this in here?” she was asking. She couldn’t figure out why he had a golden horse candlestick in his room. “It’s ok,” I told her. “Those are his treasures.”

It was nearing Christmas. We had put up the tree, decorated the mantle, and, on a special little table all it’s own, we had placed the nativity set. It had colored lights and pine needles around it — and our youngest son was especially intrigued. He had moved the wise men closer in — actually right in front of the manger — but, I didn’t bother to fix his rearranging. It didn’t hurt anything — and that was the way he saw them placed, so . . .

One morning, the snow came down heavily, causing “no school.” Everyone was home, most busy with whatever they could find to do. Britton came out of his room and headed for the nativity. In his little hands he held all his treasure — the candlestick, the memorabilia, the crystals . . . But it was what he said that grabbed the hearts of those of us who heard him. Laying it down on the little table he said, “I want to give ALL my gold to Jesus.”

He laid it all down on — right by the wise men — and ran off to play.

All his gold — given to Jesus. All his treasure — laid right on the table. Later, I looked closer. Two of his “jewels” were right on baby Jesus! I had to smile — he certainly wanted to make sure Jesus had them.

While the gold wasn’t “real” and the crystals weren’t “genuine” to my son they were the very best treasure he had. In the whole scheme of things the heart is what matters. All we have, all we are given freely and willingly to Jesus — that is the gift He desires. And . . . Shouldn’t we think about what He wants? After all, it is His birthday!

Take it with You

“After they had heard the king they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”

Matthew 2:9-11

Jubilant Joy

Christmas had come to Indiana. My parents and I were Christmas shopping and into the seemingly “everlasting search” to find a parking place. This, as you know has its own set of challenges – especially during the holiday season! I was quite a bit younger than I am now, yet even so, there is a scene stamped vividly in my memory. We were slowly driving down a row, when all of the sudden, a car whipped around and sailed into a parking place. The next thing we knew, someone else had jumped out of their car, and was really “giving it to them” verbally. The funny thing was, there was another parking place open – not too far away – but any joy this person may have had was long gone and anger was blinding them to opportunities right in front of them! As I recall, the open parking place was even closer to the store!

It seems like the busier we get, the more crammed our schedules become, the more gifts we feel we have to “buy” – the further we seem to stray from the “jubilant joy” Christmas still contains. “The Spirit of Christmas” brings jubilant joy! Announcing His birth – the angel certainly couldn’t whisper. “The angel reassured them, “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!” Luke 2:10&11 (NLT) And although the “telling” began with one angel – it couldn’t stay that way for long! Luke 2:13 tells us, “Suddenly the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.” (NLT)

The “jubilant joy” couldn’t be contained! The shepherds went of RUNNING to find out for themselves that what the angels were saying was true. They found the source of the “jubilant joy” Himself, Jesus, humbly wrapped in white strips of cloth, lying in a manger full of hay – just as the angel had said.

What happened then? Guess what – they didn’t leave there quietly living out the fact they had seen the Messiah! They couldn’t keep it to themselves! They had to share it! “Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished . . .” Luke 2:17&18 (NLT)

I well remember when our fourth child was born. It had been a difficult waiting period – as he was “overdue.” By the time he made his appearance, all of the family was very happy, but none can compare with the priceless look on the face of our daughter. She had just turned six, and thankfully, someone snapped a picture of her when she saw her baby brother for the first time. Her mouth flew wide open, and her eyes were “big as saucers.” This was no baby doll; this was a real, live baby that had somehow shown up to be part of their family! Her expression is one of amazement, and joy.

When Jesus was born, wherever that news was taken, believed, and met with acceptance – there was joy. Jubilant joy! When He was eight days old he was taken to the Temple to be dedicated to the Lord. Simeon was led by the Spirit that day to be there. When Simeon took Jesus in his arms he praised God first. Then he blessed Joseph and Mary and said to Mary, “This child will be rejected by many in Israel, and it will be their undoing, but he will be the greatest joy to many others.” Luke 2:34 (NLT)

At this Christmas time – let’s RECEIVE Jesus. We can let Him know our hearts are open to Him and He can make His home in us. He is welcome – we want Him to be our Jubilant Joy – our Savior – the Lord of our lives.

 By Janene Dubbeld/FGG

Take it with You

“The angel reassured them, “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!” Luke 2:10 (NLT)

Time For a Drive

We drove through the darkness, eyes peering out, looking for something strangely familiar, yet, always and a bit different from yard to yard. Our ooo’s and ah’s echoed, leaving breath marks on the windows. . . Christmas lights.

I suppose some would say we are wasting gasoline – but how can making a good memory be wasteful? Besides, the peace and beauty served its purpose well. It relaxed our minds and brought back into perspective some of the peace of Christmas.

Shining out through the blackness of the night were the Christmas lights. Some shone pure white – reminding us of the purity of the Christ-child who came into this world to remove the curse of sin. The multi-colored reminded us of the hope instilled deep within the “Who” of baby Jesus. The lights themselves sharing warmth which called for a cup of hot chocolate, and smiles shared.

The Light of the World – that’s Who He is. He illuminates our pathway when we let Him. Lives in our lives when invited. Desires to give to us the warmth associated with His Light, the purity He represents, the Love He is.

So, take a few moments. Grab the hand of your wife or husband with one hand, and keys to your vehicle with another. Pile in the kids – or “take a date.” Drive through the neighborhoods and look – look at the gorgeous Christmas lights and be reminded – He is the Light of the world – and He wants to be Lord of yours.

Light of the world – how could it be

The Light of the world – came to be Lord of me.

The darkness I knew – the blackness of sin

Forgiven, forever – when His Light came in.

To know Him and know how He came to this earth

Left Heaven and came – by a virgin – His birth

I’ll open my eyes to the Light that He is

And let Him be Lord of all that I am.

Light of the world – I ask You to be

Light to my darkness – and Lord of me!

By: Janene A. Dubbeld

For God’s Glory

Take it With You

"The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkeness couldn't put it out." John 1:5 The Message

Christmas -- a Spirit of Giving

Remember when you were just a little thing – it seemed like the spirit of Christmas was receiving didn’t it? Perhaps it was a shiny red bike, or a certain kind of doll. Or, maybe it was simply to have the good fortune to retain a stocking void of coal! At any rate, there is usually at least one thing a child wants for Christmas. Oh, sure, we strive to teach them that it truly is “More blessed to give than to receive,” but it usually takes a few more years of maturing before the reality of that verse really sinks in.

It’s true though, just the same. The Spirit of Christmas is giving! We hurry and scurry to buy things to GIVE. We bake and re-make to have something to GIVE. We hide things and grin – hoping they won’t discover what’s hiding under the quilt – it was too awkward to wrap . . . and we who are doing the “hurrying” and “baking,” the “hiding” and “grinning” are ever so anxious to see them receive it – or watch them open it . . . why? Because we’ve found out the secret – the secret the Father started on that first Christmas so long ago – it really is more blessed to give than to receive.

Sometimes our “giving” requires something on our part. Perhaps we take on a part time job for the holiday season. Maybe it is the gift of time – time spent at a craft table – time spent in the kitchen – or for some (bless their hearts) time spent at a sewing machine. Whatever it requires – it always seems worth it doesn’t it, when we are able to reach our goal, and give away what we worked so hard for.

A few years ago, I was trying to make ends meet at Christmas time when I heard a phrase that stuck with me. Someone said, “The best gift you can give away is a part of yourself.” So, I started thinking about that idea, and since I love to write, I started in writing poems for different friends. Guess what? They loved it! It took a lot of “brain power” and “heart felt love” and that meant something more than what my limited resources could have possibly provided.

To stop a moment and ponder what it really cost the Father for Him to give His gift makes me literally shake my head in wonder. He truly was giving the gift of Himself when He sent Jesus, to earth. He didn’t even send him to a palace where things were lovely – and there was always enough of everything. He didn’t even make sure the nursery had a plush new crib waiting his arrival. When Jesus came – God sent him humbly so we would never question – He came as the Savior for all.

Christmas is a season for giving. In all my years of gift giving, I’ve never had someone push my gift away and say, “I don’t want a gift from you.” (Maybe some of you have experienced the pain of such rejection.) The Love of God the Father has known the pain of that rejection – knows it still – every day. Whenever someone refuses to allow Jesus to be Savior and Lord – they are rejecting the gift of the Father. The gift of His love. The gift of His sacrifice. The gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. He truly is the greatest gift of all. Receive Him freely today!

By: Janene Dubbeld/FGG

Take it with You

And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive.”     Acts 20:35