It's Christmas Eve and I am on a plane. I'm on a plane reflecting on how special this day is or rather how special this eve is. This special eve is when we celebrate when Jesus was born, when love came down and stayed. I know this to be true because I have seen it all around me in the midst of a busy few days.
I saw it in my mother in law's eyes as she looked admiringly at my father in law as he spoke. I heard it in my son in law's voice as he spoke to my daughter right after she wrecked his car. I saw it when my daughter left her breakfast on the table again to go feed her sweet baby girl. I saw it on my father in law's face as he gave us a deli tray to take home for dinner and it made him so happy. I saw it when Lucy gave her baby sister a tender kiss on the head. That is also a Christmas miracle.
I also saw it seven years ago when Stormy came with us to her first Christmas Eve service when she was eight years old. She bravely went to sit by Bryant for the Children's Christmas story. She heard the most beautiful story that has ever been told, the story of when God gave us his son and love came down and stayed. He taught us how to love when He held nothing back. He gave us himself.
Visited the Mariner Church in sunny California recently while visiting my daughter. It had been awhile since I had been to a church other than Johnson Ferry and I found myself somewhat guarded on the way there, not to mention late. Would this pastor be sincere and more importantly sound in his teaching or would he be Christian light or worse, Christian wrong? This is important. After all, my young grandson, Wyatt and his parents are attending there!
Well, it wasn't SBC. The recycled bulletins were no bigger than a tri-fold wallet and I'm pretty sure I saw someone come to church in a swimsuit cover-up. They give new meaning to casual dress! There was a huge outdoor space with a bounce house for the kiddos and the welcome team had big picket signs that said, "Hi" and "Welcome". I have to admit, it was very welcoming. There was a huge push from the pulpit to join, "Rooted" which is a newcomers Bible Study that they hope will transition people to a life group. There was a testimony video from a young woman trying to find meaning in yoga (didn't find it) when someone invited her to church and she prayed for the first time. Hint: I need to invite the woman in my exercise class to come to church with me.
Even though I was in the parents with babies section and not the main auditorium, I found the worship to be great and the message to be spirit filled and doctrinally sound. Whew! We were invited to enjoy complimentary red/white/blue bullet Popsicles in the open green space, which I found refreshing. I even came home with an awesome verse to share with my kiddos- Proverbs 13:20. Check it out. I saw with my own eyes how this church is reaching their lost community. The church is creating a relaxed, inviting place for people to come and meet Jesus Christ. The church was packed on a Saturday night so it seems to be working. I pray they and we will continue to lift up Jesus Christ because He alone is worthy and the reason we are here.
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up. that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. John 3:14
Like most everyone in our class of boomers, Eric and I are dealing with parents who are aging and ailing. We are doing the best we can to care for them with the limitations of still having three school aged children in our house. Carpooling and doctor visits don't go together very well. Although Eric's mom is 80 yrs. old, it became clear that she needed surgery to address one of her health issues. Because of her age, surgery was a last resort. We prayed and had our children and class pray for her surgery. We were anticipating a difficult recovery, trying to come up with how we could help her post surgery. Eric was planning to go stay at their house if needed, etc. In short, we were dreading it.
Well, she not only came through the surgery, but she and my father-in-law who is 86 didn't even need Eric's help coming home from the hospital the day after surgery! She is strong enough to walk upstairs to her own bedroom and is doing very well. This is not what we expected! And why not? Why were we not expecting her to do well? Didn't we pray for a successful surgery and a quick recovery? Our faith is so small. It's embarrassing. We are thankful all the same, really thankful. So glad that God knows how small our faith is and our carpooling schedule and comes through anyway.
For greatishis love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. Psalm 117:2
Congratulations to me! I successfully completed reading through the Bible. It took me not one year but one year and 8 months which is not great. The plan was to complete it in one year, but I fell hopelessly behind. Instead of feeling defeated and starting over in January like I've done so many times before. I decided to press on and keep rolling the calendar back on my Biblegateway app. While I had read and studied much of what I read before, there were sections that I had never read, ever. If I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, then I needed to read all of it, not just the interesting and familiar parts. I learned that there really is nothing new under the sun. God is good and man is sinful. God loved his children so much that he disciplined them to bring them back to himself and to show them their need for a savior. This happened over and over and over in the Bible. We are weak and sinful but He is strong and merciful. I realized that there is so much truth in the first song I ever learned as a child. You may know it.
I just realized something recently, yesterday as a matter of fact. I don't really like asking people for help or even prayer. It's not that I view it as a weakness to ask for help, but rather I don't want to bother people with my problems. There is always someone worse off than me and I don't need to bother them with my trivia. This is pretty much my life philosophy. I am more than happy to pray for others and love serving in the prayer room but why am I so reluctant to share my requests? Do I believe that prayer is my power source? Yes, I wholeheartedly do. I am constantly reminded that apart from God I can do nothing so call on him pretty much constantly.
The night before my daughter's surgery, it finally dawned on me that it might be a good idea to contact the prayer room and ask for prayer. I must have rationalized that since it was for my daughter and not myself, it would qualify as important. Her doctor had also scared me sufficiently about the procedure so I was not looking forward to it. I'm not the bravest one in dealing with medical issues. A strep test on one of my children sends me out of the examining room!
I am so glad that I humbled myself and asked for prayer from my friends and my church. Knowing that others were also praying on behalf of our daughter was the sweetest kind of fellowship. And they worked! She came through the surgery just fine and is recovering nicely all because of the prayers of our faithful friends. Thank you friends! I may call on you again.
On love
There are two kinds of love: we love wise and kind and beautiful people because we need them, but we love (or try to love) stupid and disagreeable people because they need us. This second kind is the more divine because that is how God loves us: not because we are lovable but because He is love, not because He needs to receive but He delights to give.
Words to live by indeed. C.S. Lewis would fall into the former category as one of the wise people. Unfortunately, he is deceased and I never made his acquaintance. Too bad, because I could really use some of his wisdom in exactly how to love the stupid and disagreeable people that are in my life. I find myself to be far from sanctified and not as delighted as God is to give. I am appalled at how far I am from being sanctified. I am selfish and small and impatient, ugh.
But the answer I came to is to love them. Of course I must pray for this love because I do not possess it. Pray. Everyday. Thankfully, I can pray as much as I want and God never tires of hearing from me. In fact He wants me to pray to him. Does this make stupid people cease from doing stupid things? Judging from what I've read in the Bible, no. Not by a long shot. I'm so very thankful that God is love and that He delights to give, even to stupid disagreeable people like me.
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:16, 17
On board now to jet back to Atlanta and home. Nothing like seven nights of sharing a European version of a full size bed with an active sleeping teenager to make one anxious to sleep in your own bed. It was roughly seven years ago while visiting Spain when we received the news that our family was chosen to adopt our younger three children. This sweet child who became my daughter one year later, came with me to share the love of Jesus with the people of Spain. Amazing.
God alone can do things that we cannot not dream about or imagine and this was certainly true on our mission trip to Spain. We saw 273 people come to put their trust in Jesus Christ in a country that is known to be hardened and dark toward Christ. Somehow God used face painting, bracelet making and country and western line dancing to draw people to himself. I'm reminded that God used a donkey to speak to Balaam in the Old Testament so this shouldn't surprise me.
We were sad to say goodbye to new friends made here in Spain and from our home church. There are some really awesome people at Johnson Ferry! We all bonded this week over sharing the love of Jesus with the people of Spain as we put on festivals every night in town plazas and eating gelato on the way back to our rooms every night. I've never eaten so much gelato! Chocolate Croissants for breakfast isn't bad either if you ask my daughter.
Gothic cathedrals, beautiful alleys and vistas were all around us and magnificent to look at, but they
could not compare with the beauty of the gospel that has changed each one of our lives. It was why we had come.
While I had heard about the hardened hearts of the Spanish people, I got to experience first hand the difficulties Christians have sharing the gospel. Trying to share why our group was there with a woman on a bus, I was flatly rejected and how! She told me that she was very happy to have no religion to tell her what to do. She went on to tell me that she was free to do as she pleased and furthermore, we have nothing to offer the Spanish people. I could see that she was still blind and that it was only the Holy Spirit who could draw her to God. I came away praying for this woman and incredibly grateful that my eyes have been opened to the truth of Jesus Christ though I have done nothing to deserve it. Amazing.
Stormy, my 14 yr. old daughter and I are leaving on a mission trip to San Sebastian, Spain this coming Friday. Are we packed? Not quite. I dislike packing and it is one of the few areas where I procrastinate, that and getting ready for bed every night. Is anyone else with me? I do however have my cowboy hat and three sets of colorful and coordinating shirts and bandanas ready to line dance my heart out for Jesus. Imagine my surprise at my first trip meeting when I found myself line dancing to the song, "God Bless Texas". God Bless Texas indeed. For a proud Texas, this was too good to be true. We've come long way baby! We even had a deacon come give us lessons a couple of times. I'm pretty sure this sanctified the dancing.
Of course I had it all wrong when I was drawn to signing the two of us up for the trip. I was thinking that my 14 yr. old would love line dancing. Not this 14 yr. old. That would be way too much perceived attention on her. Instead she is choosing to do face painting and make balloon animals for the children that will hopefully come to the street fair. She is the artistic one in the family so it makes some sense. I have a feeling this isn't the last thing that will surprise me on the trip. Flexibility is our motto on this trip and it isn't a bad one for everyday either.
I would love prayer for our team of 32 as we go. Our goal is to attract attention with street fairs in the plazas so that our ministry partner, Manny Fernandez and the pastor and members of the local church will be able to share the gospel with them. We hope to have opportunities to share the love of Jesus with them. We hope to have good weather for the street fairs. The 15 line dancers hope to attract cheerful, positive attention and not go down in the plaza.
You can follow our trip on the link below. Scroll to San Sebastian Spain Trip:
Class member's sharing favorite scripture passages
Led by Holly Lundberg
Deuteronomy 31:8The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
Deut 31:16Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Joshua 1:9This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
1 Sam 22:33It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
Ps 10:17You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry
Ps 16:1-2Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.
Ps 23:4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Ps 31:24Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
Ps 34:4I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Ps 40:1-2I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Ps 46:1-3God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
Ps 55:1-2Open your ears, God, to my prayer; don't pretend you don't hear me knocking. Come close and whisper your answer. I really need you.
Ps 55:22Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Ps 56:3-4When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
Ps 63:8My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Ps 68:19Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
Ps 73:26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 90:12Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom
Ps 91:4He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart
Ps 107:6Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress
Ps 147:3He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Proverbs 10:12Love covers all wrongs.
Isa 26:3You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isa 26:4Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 40:30-31Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 41:10Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isa 41:13For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 43:18-19Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Jer 17:17But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
Jer 29:11For I know 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 33:3Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Lam. 3:22Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
Micah 6:8But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.
Matt 6:25-30Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
John 14:1Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me
Rom 8:31-32What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Rom 8:38-39And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Cor 1:3-4All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Cor 4:16Therefore we do not lose heart. Through outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Cor12:9My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
2 Cor 4:1ffTherefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. …. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed
2 Cor 14:16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Galatians 6:9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Eph 3:20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us
Phil 4:6-7Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
2 Thess 3:3But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
1 Peter 5:7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I Peter 5:10The God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast!
Heb 13:6The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
Heb 4:14-16So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
James 1:12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 5:11Sometimes it's hard to see through our tears. But even when we can't see, God has promised to be there - loving us, strengthening us, giving us what we need to face each day. No matter what happens, God will hold you close and see you through because you are so precious to Him. God cares, cares right down to the last detail.
1 John 5:14-15This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Two and half weeks ago, I had the sad experience of watching my daughter, Kristen and her family move far away from me to California, no less. California is not known for its conservative stance on anything, especially in the God fearing department. This surely can't be the state that God would send my daughter who has been questioning her faith and not attending church. I mean, aren't we in the Bible belt here in Georgia and California is definitely NOT. Turns out, God is alive and well in California and does not need a belt or any other item of clothing to accomplish His will. Sad to say, I was shocked, pleasantly but really shocked when my shy daughter went to church last Sunday with her infant son. Earlier in the week she had made the contact while taking her son to the church's Mother's morning out program, Take a Break Tuesday. The people and the facility won her over so she decided to attend the church on Sunday. While there she signed up for a 10 week New Comer's class starting last night! This week she invited a new friend she just met to go with her to church. Next week, I fully expect for her to sign up for the mission field! This is my child who previously had been content to watch North Point on-line and never could find the motivation to attend in person, something we have been praying for.
Eric's first thought was that the church might be a cult of some sort so we checked it out on-line and it looks great! It's actually a Bible believing church that is extending love to my daughter and drawing her in to know more about Jesus Christ. Clearly Eric and I still have a ways to go in the faith department. Her husband didn't go with her but we will continue to pray for his heart to be open to going with her one day soon. After all, "With God, all things are possible"!
As followers of Christ, we are not promised anything, unless you count trouble. In this world you will have trouble. I can think of better promises and believe me I see plenty of trouble every day, but thankfully we also have moments of unexpected joy. These moments come when you are least expecting to feel joyful and from the most unlikely sources, but they will come. Just this week, my heart welled up so much I thought it would explode when I watched my two youngest recite Bible verses from memory at the Church Bible Drill Monday night, without my help at all! That should last me a long time! Also, my flowers are green and coming back from the weird snowy weather we had a few weeks back. A gardener I am not and will never be, but seeing green instead of dead frozen flowers makes me so happy!
Spending time with new Eat Pray Love friends also brought unexpected joy this week. There is nothing like hearing the faith stories of fellow believers to remind me how active God is in the lives of people. It was just what I needed after the unpleasant jolt of finding out my sweet daughter is moving across the country away from me. God knows me so well! I don't deserve His grace and kindness.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chron. 16:34
Sometimes you mess up, even when you are trying to help. This was brought home to me recently when trying to help my mom and step dad. It has become increasingly clear that they need help so I planned to make a trip to do just that. I actually like house cleaning and organizing especially compared to bill organizing and garage cleaning which my two brothers were going to do. Unfortunately, this would prove to be my undoing. I arrived a woman on a mission. I worked for two days going through every cabinet, closet, box, bag, shelf, and floor space, looking for items to donate or throw away. You can see where this is going. At the end of the second day, the house looked great, better than it had in years! My mom was grateful and happy. I was happy. All was right with the world. We celebrated by going to Whataburger!
This happiness would last until the next morning when she couldn't find where we put her cereal, her hand towels or her white bench. The calls kept coming after I returned to Atlanta until one ended with her hanging up on me in a horrible huff demanding that I replace her white bench. This was not good, not good at all. I can't ever remember my mother hanging up on me!
The only thing I could do was apologize, profusely. I decided to do this in letter form so she couldn't hang up again. All I could do now was pray and wait. How could I be so insensitive? This was the sort of thing that brings families down, donating hand towels that incidentally belonged to my grandmother.
Well, the story has a happy ending. I received in the mail the most precious letter from my mom telling me that she could never stay mad at me, that our relationship was more important than things. In the letter she quoted the song, "Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before" that she told me she learned from my grandmother. I realized forgiveness is just about the best gift you can give or receive from another person. I do think I'll skip the organizing on my next trip and just take her to Whataburger!
Along with thousands of other East Cobbers, my children and I found ourselves going nowhere fast trying to get home from school last Tuesday during the expected or unexpected, depending on your source, mini snow and ice storm. Thankful that I had arrived safely to their school to pick them up on slippery roads, we prayed as we headed for home. I knew it would be slow going and dangerous, but we were going slower than slow. We had already been in the car two hours and were nowhere near home, it was starting to get dark and more importantly, I had to go to bathroom. The time had come for action! I parked the car on a side street, we got out and started walking toward our house. Did I have a coat on because it is winter? Yes I did. Did my children have their coats on because it is winter? No they did not. Will they remember this bad decision? probably not.
Feeling very much like Maria Von Trapp as she and her family were climbing the Swiss Alps, we started walking in the snow. The kids were even dressed alike with their uniforms on! We were not singing. I did have my GPS on my phone so at least I knew where we were and how to get home. Technology is good. We had been walking about an hour or more when a good Samaritan in a pick up stopped and asked us if we needed a ride. My youngest and coldest said yes! I sized him up to be safe so we piled into his very warm truck. He took us as far as he could go without sliding down the hill himself and we walked the rest of the way home. Praise be to God who provided a snow angel to rescue us! He had provided for us before we even said our prayer.
The rest of the week went downhill from there. The kids were out of school for three days which resulted in too much time with siblings and neighbor kids. Let's just say a snow man was beheaded, causing tempers to flare and umbrellas to fly in my garage, not good. My daughter meanwhile used the time to sew a dress out of a table cloth, a little Scarlet O'Hara! That's more like it!
I am thankful God provided a Snow Angel in a pick up truck when we needed a ride. I'm also thankful for my husband who rescued me from dealing with my son over the umbrella incident. God is good, all the time.
This year has started out with a bang! So far in our family, we have managed to run one vehicle into a fence in the church parking lot and one of our pipes burst last week in our basement after the ridiculously never before seen low temperatures in Marietta, GA. I for one am ready for spring. Oh, and last Sunday, as I was driving to take my daughter to Bible Buddies, my son was yelling from our driveway at the top of his lungs that he hated me. This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Thankfully, I have our class and church to come to on Sunday morning. Though you will probably not pay for the fence or the burst pipe, somehow seeing you in SBS, week after week gives me joy and encouragement. None of you have told me that you hated me which is also nice. We are all on this journey of life and it's easier when we do it together. God knew this! And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
We have some new faces in our class that I hope to get to know in 2014 and I hope you do too. Let's welcome them and make 2014 a great year.
