Christmas Morning Visitor

On Christmas morning, as I was waking up and trying to clear my head enough to get out of bed, I heard the sweetest sound outside my window before my feet even hit the floor. It was a faint chirp, one that I have heard countless times before that is my reminder that my Savior is near. What a beautiful Christmas present for my Jesus to let me know that beyond the busyness, the presents, the gatherings, the family and the fun, that HE is always near.

Here with Us

It's still a mystery to me

That the hands of God could be so small

How tiny fingers reaching in the night

Were the very hands that measured the sky

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Heaven's love reaching down to save the world

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Son of God, Servant King-

Here with us

You're here with us

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" —which means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:23)

God's Gift to me

God is so good to me! Many know that one of my favorite verses comes from Isaiah 61. When I returned from my in-laws on Christmas Eve, the box above was on my back step, and this precious necklace was inside! I immediately began to cry because it reminded me in such a huge way how much my Savior loves me that He could dare use me again and call me "an oak of righteousness" Such a sweet gift from loving human hands to represent an even more loving Savior.

Come to Me Like Little Children

I think so many times we miss out on the fun of LIFE because we "grow up"!! Mike and I love to be little kids with our children!! I love how Mike is illuminated! He literally "shines" for Jesus!

Purify Me Lord!

The surprise of the snow was such a sweet kiss on my cheek from the Lord! If you will remember from a few posts ago how aggravated I was that I couldn't get a clear picture of the snow! As I watched the snow fall and cover everything in its path, God reminded me of Jesus and how His redeeming blood covers each believer in Him white as snow!

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Is. 1:18)

The cool observation that God gave me was that even though everything was covered, the same unclean things still lay beneath. It is the appearance of the snow that gives everything purity. That is exactly how the redeeming blood of Jesus is for us as His beloved children! We are still sinners, but in spite of ourselves, God, when He looks upon us sees the righteousness of Jesus covering us just like the snow!

22"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference" (Romans 3:22)

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Keep Following

The road is hard at times. Sometimes the path is not clear. There are times when all you feel like all you're doing is climbing uphill...keep following...one step in front of the other...keep following.

God never promised us that life on this earth would be easy. In fact, He promised quite the opposite for those who follow after Him. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

What God has asked of all of us who are in Him is to trust Him. Trust that the One who created us and knows every hair on our heads and "knows the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

God is for us not against us. (Romans 8:31) He just calls us to believe and to follow. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)

Keep following...Keep following...Keep following

Picture Isn't The Same As The Experience

Ahh...the first snow of Winter. In the South, if we get a few flurries, we are jumping up and down and praying for school to be out. As I was driving, I stopped three different times to get a picture of the snow. My camera is not the greatest, so this picture doesn't do the beauty of the snow justice at all, and I could describe it all day long and you would never get the true picture of it's innocent beauty.

As I was trying to get the picture, God reminded me of my relationship with Him, and the desire that I have for others to have an abundant, overflowing relationship with Him too. What I am learning is that, like the picture, I can describe it in the most intricate detail to help you experience it, but unless you experienced yourself, something is lost and somehow less.

I have to be careful with my own children and their walk with the Lord as well. Their relationship with Him will never be through osmosis. Their relationship with Jesus can't be based on ours. They have to experience Him firsthand.

So, the next time you see it snowing, don't rely on a picture for it's beauty...experience yourself!! He will blow you away if you seek Him.