Broken

So, we sang that song in church again a few weeks ago. You know the one. "Brokenness, brokenness, that's what I long for. Brokenness is what I need." As a woman of faith, admittedly a word of faith woman, I believe that when Jesus said that He came to heal the brokenhearted, He meant what He said. When He said He would make me whole, He meant it. When the Bible speaks of shalom, it speaks of nothing missing, nothing broken. And that includes me. If God said it, that settles it. That's why I don't sing along with that verse in that song. At least until that day, a few weeks ago.

Maybe I'm just a Johnny-come-lately, and maybe you already had this one figured out, but let me share what Christ taught me about what "brokenness" really means.

Jesus was the most put-together Man to ever walk planet Earth. Gentle, yes. Humble in heart, yes. Broken, absolutely not. He knew Who He was. He knew His purpose. He knew what belonged to Him in God. He never complained that He was born in a stable. He never wailed about His poor upbringing in Nazareth. He never felt sorry for Himself because people didn't understand Him or that some even wanted Him dead. But one dark night in an olive grove, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, faced the meaning of brokenness. On His face, sweating blood, He cried out, "Take this cup from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will. Not my will, but thine be done." And that, dear friend, is true brokenness.

Brokenness is not feeling sorry for myself. It is not wallowing in the events of the past that have hurt me. It is not wearing my "wounds" on my sleeve, looking for sympathy from people when I refuse to let Christ heal those wounds, just like He promised. I can be made whole and be completely restored by the Restorer of Broken Walls, and still suffer a time of brokenness. Not a broken life. Not a broken psyche. Not a broken heart. A broken will, a broken will.

When life deals blow after blow, punching the lights out of what I thought my life would be, I can say, "Not my will, but thine be done." When Satan is allowed to sift me like wheat, I can stand tall in the power of the Holy Ghost and say, "Have your will, my God. Not my will, but thine be done." When I'm tired and worn out and think that I can't give one more ounce of myself, I can recall the Word that says, "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." And somehow, supernaturally, I will be able to give and love and nurture and care for others for one more day. Not in my power, but in His. Not my will, but His be done.

We talk some good talk when we say that we want the Lord's will done in our lives. But that divine will won't ever be accomplished until our own human wills are broken. That is true brokenness.

True brokenness stands up in the middle of the violent winds and the raging storm, hair blowing in the hurricane that is life, and screams, "Jesus! I wouldn't do this for anyone else but you!!!!!"

"Not my will...but thine be done."

Brokenness, brokenness, is what I long for. Brokenness is what I need. Today ... brokenness is what I've got.

"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr...A Modern Day Moses"

Today we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. While doing my daily Bible reading, beginning the book of Exodus, I began to draw a parallel between Moses and Dr. King. I thought that surely I'm not the only one who ever entertained this idea, so I went on a search. Sure enough, I wasn't the only one."Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the Moses of the 20th century", said Charles E. Mock of the National Baptist Convention. At a Martin Luther King Jr. annual awards dinner, Charlton Heston said, "A great many people think of me as Moses parting the Red Sea but if the 20th century ever had a real Moses who led his people to the promised land that man, of course, would be Dr. King." (2004 Jewish Post of New York) These are only two examples among many that I found.

Dr. King himself must have felt this kinship with Moses as well. At a rally in Memphis, he said, "I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up the mountain. And I've looked over. And I have seen the promised land. And I may not get there with you, but I want you to know, tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land!" Compare this to Deuteronomy 34: 1-4. "Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the Lord showed him the whole land - from Gilead to Dan, all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. Then the Lord said to him, "This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it." Both men saw the promised land .... both men never got there.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., graduated from Morehouse College (B.A., 1948), Crozer Theological Seminary (B.D., 1951), and Boston University (Ph.D., 1955). The son of the pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, King was ordained in 1947 and became (1954) minister of a Baptist church in Montgomery, Alabama. He may have had expectations of leading a middle class, quiet lifestyle, but God had a different plan. He grew up mostly protected from segregation but he had a different calling on his life. Not that he didn't know what was right and wrong. His father was an example to him. His dad refused to patronize a shoe store that made blacks be served only in the back of the store. He also corrected a white police officer who called him "boy", declaring that he was a man. (Detroit News, Jan. 16, 2006) His son Dexter Scott King said, "Greatness was thrust upon him, and for some internal reason or external destiny he did not turn away." Just like Dr. King, Moses saw the oppression of his people in Egypt. Fleeing for his life after killing an Egyptian, Moses was living a quiet life, married, having children and tending the flocks of his father-in-law Jethro when God interrupted his life and called him to service. And he did not turn away.

Not that both men didn't have some fears, insecurities and self-doubt to overcome. Dr. King had to surrender his expectations of the way he thought life was going to be to heed the call to become a leader in a movement bigger than himself. He had to muster up boldness, willingness and surrender to his God to go forward. Moses questioned his own abilities. Low self esteem said, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3: 11) Doubt asked, "What if they don't believe me?" (Exodus 4: 1) Lack of any confidence in himself said, "I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." (Exodus 4:10) Fear screamed, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it. " (Exodus 4: 13) Both men trusted in their God, heeded the call on their life and obeyed.

On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in August of 1963, Dr. King gave his famous "I Have A Dream" speech. In the shadow of Mount Sinai, Moses read the commands that were written by the very finger of God to the people. Both men presented the way to a better life. The way to peace and prosperity. Both men's words are still being ignored.

So what does this mean to us, on January 18, 2010....thousands of years after Moses and decades after Dr. King? Have we reached the promised land? I believe we have come a long way but I also believe that we have a long way to go. Racial prejudice lay behind more than half of the 7649 hate crimes reported to the FBI in 2004. I personally see racial profiling in action in my community when motor vehicles are pulled over for traffic stops. There is still a huge disparity between blacks and whites in America. And appalling and ugly as it may sound, it grows like a festering sore in many of our churches. Sunday morning is the most segregated morning of the week. Despite my attempts at educating those that don't know any better, I have heard white Christians say that black people like being on welfare and are just too lazy to work.

So back to...what can I do? I must become intentional about improving relationships that I have with those brothers and sisters not like me. I am blessed to be in a fellowship that is very diverse and is quite intentional about being so. I must understand that the church that Jesus regards as after His own heart is diverse and very colorful. Look at what Heaven will be like: "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb." (Revelation 7: 9)

I must teach my children and model for them that racial prejudice is wrong. I must believe that every person has worth as an individual and that they are entitled to dignity and respect, regardless of race or color. I must strive daily to eliminate racial prejudice from my thoughts and actions. I must speak up when I see racial prejudice by others. Like Moses and Dr. King, I must trust in my God, obey His word and never turn away from what I know is right because of fear or rejection. I would like to be a part of that "beautiful symphony of brotherhood" that Dr. King spoke of in his speech. The one where "we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day." And as I hold your hand, my white brother or sister, and with my other hand, hold yours, my black brother or sister, may we all give the world a little glimpse of what Heaven will really look like.

"And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." (Exodus 3: 9-10)

Genesis 3

Short and sweet today. Notice that Adam said, “I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid.” (Genesis 3: 10) One would think that he would have been afraid because he directly disobeyed God’s command. Nope. He was afraid because he was naked. Naked = Exposed. Adam got caught and he was afraid. He was exposed.

Are we more concerned about being caught in our sin and exposed, than we are with the fact that we’ve disobeyed and disappointed God?

Food for thought.

A Christmas Story

I'll start by explaining what we were doing in a Chinese restaurant on Christmas Day. Nineteen years ago, I was pregnant with my fourth child, Kyle. My three oldest were gone for the first time ever on a holiday, spending the day with their Dad. Chuck and I were alone. All of our holiday celebrating had taken place on Christmas Eve. We decided to go out for dinner, quickly finding out that this was not going to be as easy as it sounded. Who knew that there wasn't one restaurant open on Christmas Day? Don't people have to eat on Christmas too? Just sayin'.

After driving all over the proverbial half-acre, lo and behold we found a place to eat. Much to our delight we learned that there ARE establishments open on Christmas Day...Chinese restaurants! I remember feeling a little like a loser. As I looked around the room at the other patrons, I remember wondering what their stories were. How does one find them self in a Chinese restaurant on Christmas Day? No family? Family doesn't want anything to do with you? Or, like Chuck and I, maybe they had celebrated the day before. Whatever the story, there were a lot of folk in that restaurant, on that Christmas day, nineteen years ago. And every Christmas Day since then.

We decided to make this a Christmas tradition. We haven't missed a Christmas Day dinner at Wong's Garden .. not once. I remember the first year we took Kyle. He was only nine months old and I'm putting it nicely when I say that his behavior was abominable. Most years it was just the three of us. There was one year when my daughter Kelly joined us because she and I had spent the afternoon in the ER with strep throat, and she didn't go to her dad's house. My brother joined us one year, our son Brian another. But Chuck and Kyle and I have faithfully taken our egg drop soup together at Wong's for nineteen years. Last night was no exception.

The scene was the same. In the far corner was a large family, adults and little ones. Many tables were full with couples and foursomes. There was a line for carry-outs. The Christmas tree was up. It's been the same tree every year. A large statue of Buddha sat in the same corner as always. Kyle remarked that he couldn't understand how anyone would worship Buddha. Good question. Christmas music was playing overhead. WNIC...100.3. Waiters and waitresses bustled about and seemed particularly busy and disorganized this year. The owner was helping out and took our order.

A couple of tables away sat an elderly women with gray hair, at a table for four, all alone. She caught Chuck's eye first, and he said that he would really like to pay for her dinner. I asked him if he was sure that she was alone. He was sure. He had checked it out. She was actually done eating and getting her traditional carry-out containers to take home. Our hearts were touched by the sight of her, alone for dinner on Christmas Day. Now I can vividly recall years when we were counting our last dimes to make sure we had some money to carry on our tradition. In those days we would be cut short until the next pay day for sure, but we weren't going to miss this dinner. And there were years we barely had enough. Yesterday, to God be the glory, He is so faithful...we had enough to buy this women's dinner and ours. So it wasn't about sacrificial giving. But it was definitely about something.

When the owner took our order Chuck explained to her that we would like to pay for the elderly women's dinner. No problem. We watched from a couple of tables away when she explained to her that her bill was taken care of, but we couldn't see her face. Here's where it gets good. She bundled up her coat,taking her carryout containers in hand, and proceeded to go out the door. One of the waitresses started screaming for her to come back! She thought the lady was skipping out on her bill! The table next to her started yelling, "No, No, the boss lady said that someone paid her bill!" Whew! Out the door she went.

Once she was gone, "boss lady" came to our table to ask if we were a relative of the woman. Now if we were, don't you think we would've been sitting with her? Just sayin'. Anyway, she told us that the lady had begun to cry when she found out that someone had paid her bill. It turns out that her husband passed away two weeks ago, and her son was a no-show for this very Christmas dinner. Sweet Lord Jesus!

I mean that! Sweet Lord Jesus!! Over two thousand years ago, God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, Jesus. Jesus ... Immanuel...God with us. Over two thousand years later, on a cold Christmas night in Michigan, He is still God with us. He was God with that elderly woman. And He showed her, up close and personal, how much He cares for her. What I didn't tell you is that we almost didn't go to dinner last night. We almost got carryout. But something inside of me was saying that we should go and not break the tradition. Oh, thank you for the promptings of your Holy Spirit!

Do you see how our God cares so deeply and personally for each and every one of us? He knows how many hairs are on that grieving woman's head. Her name is engraved on the palms of His hands. His voice spoke from Heaven. He chose to come to her intimately, in the middle of a Chinese restaurant filled with strangers, and tell her... "I love you daughter. You are not alone. I am with you." And I'm humbled and so intensely grateful that He chose to use our little family to bring His message.

When all was said and done, "boss lady" told us that she had told the woman that God was looking down on her. I don't know if "boss lady" is a believer, if she just said the word "God", if she's a Buddhist, or what. But she gave "God" the glory and so do I. She also told us this, "I have never before seen people like you."

Oh, boss lady, I have never before seen anyone like my Jesus!


"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."

Can God Interrupt Your Life?

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1: 38)

I don't know about you, but I don't like interruptions. Ask anyone that knows me well and they will be sure to tell you that I'm a little obsessive-compulsive. I usually have a plan, organized and well thought out, and I set my mind to get it done. I'm not just talking about big projects. I'm this way with the day to day activities of my life. Lord knows, don't call me before 11AM. I'm busy, don't you know. I do not like interruptions.

Well, imagine being Mary. Her marriage to Joseph had been arranged by her parents. The contracts were negotiated. She was considered a married woman and was called Joseph's wife. She was very young. Jewish maidens at that time were considered marriageable at 12 years and 6 months of age. Can you even imagine? Mary was somewhere in the one-year waiting period where it would be demonstrated that she was faithful to her pledge of purity. If she was found to be "pure" after this one year, Joseph would come and in a grand processional march, take her to live with him as his wife. If she was found to be pregnant, therefore unfaithful, their marriage could be annulled. She and Joseph had never had sexual intercourse and Mary herself was faithful. We don't know exactly where she was in that waiting time period, but I imagine she was planning her life with Joseph and anxiously awaiting their wedding day.

So Mary's going about her day and BAM! the angel Gabriel appears to her. I don't know about you but I don't get too many angelic appearances coming my way and I'd be a little taken aback, to say the least. He tells her that she is highly favored and specially honored by God. And that she would have a Son. She can't imagine how this could be since she was a virgin. Literally it means "since I do not know a man." She didn't doubt the angel's words but merely wanted to know how such an event would be accomplished. The angel told her that the Holy Spirit would miraculously bring this about. And he adds, "nothing is impossible with God."

There would be such misunderstanding in the community. Tongues would be wagging at the well. This could result in Mary being stoned (Deuteronomy 22: 23-24). Joseph's heart would be broken. What would he do when he found out? She could've refused. She could've fought with the angel. She could've asked for time to "pray about it." But it is at this very point that Mary says the most amazing thing. "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Because of this interruption in a normal day, Mary's life would never be the same. And frankly, neither would ours. Mary's life could be interrupted by God.

What about you? Can God interrupt your life? Can He step into a normal Tuesday and ask you to allow Him to rearrange everything you know as normal to further His purpose in your life and the lives of other people? Sometimes the rearrangement is small. Like stopping your daily routine to give encouragement to a friend who calls. It only takes a few moments. Sometimes it's a little bigger and you are made aware of a need and you sacrifice some finances to help or He is asking you to get involved at your church. And other times what God asks is life-changing. A complete turn in the direction that you thought your life was going. You are asked to take care of an aging, ailing parent. Your child is in big trouble and needs you to set aside your own life and pour into theirs. A marriage is floundering and you are asked to model a "gentle and quiet spirit" and do all that you can to make that marriage work. You are asked to honor that covenant of marriage. You may get stripped of finances, comforts and things that you hold onto in this life and God may ask you to make your life all about Him. God may close doors in your ministry or your church and be telling you to move on to uncharted waters. To try something you've never done before. To trust Him with the unknowns in your life. And to leave the consequences of your obedience to Him.

I don't know what your interruptions are. And maybe you don't either. Start paying attention. No event is insignificant in God's eye-view. Be aware of every circumstance that you encounter in your everyday. Ask yourself, "Is this a divine interruption?" Will you argue? Will you refuse? Will you have to take forever to "pray about it". Don't get me wrong, we must pray, but I believe that Christians very often use this as an excuse for not accepting the interruptions of God. If Mary had argued, delayed or refused we wouldn't have Jesus! She was part of an awesome plan that God had for her life. She was chosen to be divinely interrupted that day. To have her life turned upside down. To face unbelievable circumstances. For Him. Can we say, today, if we are divinely interrupted, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said?"

Anticipating interruption,

Donna

The Word Is Alive

Donna Golen Schultz said, "But I'm worried". And He said, "Do not worry." So I said, "But I need to be concerned." And He said, "Be anxious for nothing." I said, "But I need to know." And He replied, "I know the end from the beginning...beginning to end. Trust Me." Amen.

That's what I posted as my Facebook status this morning. They're not just arbitrary words, made up in order to have something pithy to say on a Wednesday morning. And today I realized just how not-arbitrary they are. I was reminded once again of just how vitally important knowledge of God's word is in walking through this life.

I used to pride myself on the fact that I had purposeful quiet time with the Lord each and every morning, no matter what. There's nothing like caring for a 20 month old who wakes up at varying hours of the morning, to show me that my times are in someone else's hands. Most mornings are not spent with my cup of coffee (or two or three), in sweet communion, one-on-one with my Savior anymore. Most mornings, my intake of the Word comes from a precious devotional book, read while Ashton's drinking her morning "bubba." But that has not stopped me from talking. From the time I wake up, I am still talkin' to the Lord. He never fails to answer me. Just so you know, I don't hear the audible voice of God. I sure wish that I did. He speaks gently to my Spirit and He always speaks His Word. That's my point.

I realized that if I hadn't lived on a steady diet of God's Word for the last so many years, someone or something else would be speaking to me in the difficult seasons of life. Oh, it might be my own selfish, self-centered, easily carried away mind. Often, it would certainly be the voice of the Enemy, because I wouldn't know that he is a liar and the father of lies, so I'd take it all in. If I didn't have God's Word hidden in my heart, I'd have nothing and no one to speak truth to me. I remember reading more than once about Christians who were in prison, their Bibles confiscated, surviving and sustained by the Word of God that was stored up on the inside of them. They didn't need the physical Bible, because they had the Word hidden in their hearts.

"For the word of God is living and active." (Hebrews 4:12) Because they're not just words on a page, but God-breathed (2 Timothy 3: 16) straight from His lips to your heart, you will hear Him speak just the right word at the right time for the situation where you need to hear from Him the most.

Jesus said in John 14:26, "..the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." How can I be reminded of something that I've never heard before? Because the Word of God is stored up on the inside of me, the wonderful Holy Spirit sees me at my point of need, and reminds me of just what Jesus has taught me. Of just what Jesus has spoken to me over the years. He reminds me of what the Truth is, in a world that is so filled with lies and deception. In chapter 15, Jesus said, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you." When His words remain in me, I can ask for wisdom, guidance, comfort, strength to endure, and He will give it me! I believe that He gives me those answers more frequently than not through the Truth that is in His Word.

In Psalm 119:92 the psalmist said, "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." If I had not made the study of God's word my utmost delight over the years of my walk with Him, I surely would've perished many a time, in many an affliction. I would have followed the other voices. I would've given up in despair. I would have sinned. But in the midst of trouble, even when I can't get to hold a Bible in my hands, that living and active, God-breathed Word can be carried on the wings of the Holy Spirit, straight to my heart and bring a peace that passes all understanding.

I cannot entreat you any more earnestly than I am today to know and love the Word of God. Study it. Meditate on it. Live in it. Bathe in the living water. Don't take it for granted. There may come a day when you won't have it physically in your hand but you will know it firmly in your heart. It is sustenance. It is strength. It is power. It will carry you on eagle's wings through any situation, circumstance or condition. "Do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." (Joshua 1: 8)

I pray that you will fill yourself to overflowing with God's living and active Word today and everyday. You'll never be sorry. I'm not!

Well...here's what I'm thinking!

As most of you know, I'm on what my pastor wants to call "a sabbatical" of sorts. I don't know if I'd call it that, because I'd rather think that I'm on assignment. My role has changed in this season of life from Bible teacher/church ministry duties to full-time wife, mom and grandmother once again. My life seems to have come full circle. Many were sad and gave me that "poor, poor you" look when I announced that I'd be stepping aside for awhile. You know that look. The one that makes you feel bad even when you're not feeling bad? The one that folks give you when you really are feeling fine about what's happening in your life, but they just refuse to believe you when you say that it's all good? That look.

Life isn't perfect these days. There are clearly some things going on that are off-kilter. I am not at liberty to share all of the gory details because they are private family stuff, but suffice it to say that some days are more difficult than others. But I will say one thing, and you doubters, believe me when I tell you, It's All Good! Once again due to God-approved circumstances, I am seeing His almighty hand at work in the lives of myself and those I love. I am witnessing the visible fingerprints of my invisible God on a daily basis.

I struggled so badly with the decision to set aside writing and teaching Bible study. I cried, and I fought and I cried, and I fought some more. But a couple of weeks ago, I had the biggest epiphany. I was sitting on the living room floor, surrounded by building blocks, xylophones, dolls and Dora stuff. Miss Ashton sat beside me and all of a sudden, I thought, "And I fought THIS?" Did I really fight the opportunity to spend each day with my precious granddaughter? Did I really fight against the closeness that is developing between her and her GiGi? Did I really fight against the honor of speaking the name of Jesus to her, even though she's still too young to understand? Was I really that selfish? Lucky I was already on the floor, because I would've dropped to my knees in repentance if I wasn't there already. With tears streaming down my cheeks, I asked forgiveness for selfishness and self-absorption. I asked forgiveness for ever thinking that anything in all the world was more important than this. I wouldn't have wanted to miss these days for all the world!

Standing around our Thanksgiving table I was overcome when I reflected and tried to communicate to everyone how thankful I am to my Jesus. Ministry is great. Even noble and rewarding at times. But what makes us think that ministry is only "out there"? That it's only serving at church, feeding the homeless, teaching a class, or working with teens. Ministry is your assignment wherever God calls you. It may be to a prison, a soup kitchen or even a far away land. But it can even be right in your own home, to those the Lord has given you to call "family". And right now there is nothing more rewarding to me than being a bride to my husband, a mom to my children, and GiGi to my Miss Ashton. My tasks include cleaning house, doing laundry, changing dirty diapers and kissing boo-boos. Pouring "tea" into little cups has replaced pouring over concordances and Bible lexicons. Reading a story out of a children's bible has replaced in-depth exegesis from accomplished commentators. But I wouldn't have it any other way. It's ministry. It's important ministry. It's my ministry for such a time as this.

Just so all of my other family members don't get their nighties in a knot...I am in love with each and every one of them too! I've always been accused of having favorites, but they're all my faves right now. Chuck is still my groom. He puts up with so much more than any man in his right mind should have to. Michelle is carrying our second granddaughter in a womb that modern science said suffered from infertility. I can't wait to meet this little one and hold her in my arms. I love her so much already. God is doing a work in Kelly like none other. He who began a good work in her is carrying it through to completion. I am so proud of her and how she is hanging on to Him through the waters and the rivers and the fires. No attack of the enemy is defeating her and she is strong in the Lord and the power of His might. My boys continue to warm my heart and make me laugh like no one else ever can. I love my son-in-law Jeff so much because he loves my daughter so well. I am also so thankful for the new people God is bringing to join this crazy family. More about that another time when I'm free to share.

Thanksgiving weekend is coming to a close. I guess Christmas has arrived. I'm not so much about trees and lights and presents and decorations. But I can tell you that I am SO about Jesus. He is my Savior, my Redeemer, my Rock, my Refuge and my Fortress. He has delivered, saved, sanctified, filled me with the Holy Ghost, and He continues to wash me daily with the living water of His Word. I think that this year a simple lit wreath will hang on the outside of the house. I'll put up a tree, put out a couple centerpieces and some things that I treasure, but generally keep it simple.

That's how it was a little over two thousand years ago when the night silence was broken by the cry of a newborn babe taking His first breath of earth's air. Don't you think that all of Heaven hushed as they stared over the banister, looking down at the stable, waiting for that first cry? They wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger. It was simple. It was pure. Emmanuel had arrived. God with us. He would live and breathe and grow until He became a Man. The Son of Man. The Son of God. His little feet would grow and fill man-sized sandals that would walk the dusty roads of Galilee proclaiming peace on Earth, good will between man and his God. This Man is the love of my life. He is my Knight in shining armor. Since I met Him, I've never been the same. He is the reason for each and every thing I am thankful for. He is the reason for my seasons of joy, He is the sense in my seasons of hardship, and He directs my seasons of assignment, wherever He may choose to place me. And this is where He has me right now. Right smack in the center of the reason for the season. Right smack in the middle of Him. Christ in me, the hope of glory, where I live and move and have my being.

Well...that's what I've been thinking. How about you? What are you thinking about this Holiday Season? I'd love it if you'd comment here and share some thoughts with me. I do love to hear from you.

"His descent from David roots him in history; his unique identity as Son of God was shown by the Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead, setting him apart as the Messiah, our Master. Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ! And I greet you now with all the generosity of God our Father and our Master Jesus, the Messiah." (Romans 1: 2-4 in the The Message).