Christmas season

Christmas parties,Operation Christmas Child, Christmas Caroling, Christmas Cookies and Exchanges, Christmas Trees/Decorations/Shopping/Gifts make for a busy month.

I had the pleasure of leading one of our devotions this week. I got to relate Luke 2:8-20

I often think that we read the story so much that we don't really focus on it. What character are you? I considered the shepherds this year....dirty outcasts...chosen by God to see the angels, hear prophecy , see for themselves the fulfillment and the tell others the Good News. Let us not forget what we are to do..shine!

Merry Christmas!

Luke 2:8-20 (The Message)

An Event for Everyone

^8-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

^13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

^15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

^19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

brother and sister

This is my eldest brother; Steven. He is a single Dad and last year became a grandpa. He is supposed to be doing the"c" in YMCA, but as a lifelong dyslexic it is difficult to spell in air. Plus I think he also might think "s" is for Steve.
We stopped in Wilmington to pick up Pat. Here is Omar the pig.
Atalayah in Myrtle Beach, SC(State Park)
Brookgreen Gardens, MB,SC
different approaches
oops some poses are very similar....
same stride
Got him to be silly
we got some BOGO's for Medieval Times...Angela and Vinny went with us.

I haven't spent a week with my brother in a long time. Sometimes, I wonder how much we really retain of our patterns and lifestyle from youth. I find that although life has taken us down some very different roads, we aren't much different 50 and 47 years later. Of course he and I have quite a bit of history together...it is comforting to know that our sibling bonds are still very secure. I had a really good time. Next post will be with brother #2.

Peeved

I am amazed at our court system. Democracy at its best? I don't think so. I love due process and innocent until proven guilty...really I do. My problem is with the buddy-buddy system. I have been subpoenaed 4 times now for the same case. I get there before 9AM. I sit quietly, waiting for our turn...for justice. First time, defendant's lawyer, out of country-continued, 2nd time- defendant's witness not present, 3rd time- Defense lawyers arrive after 10 and slow court calendar !!! Can't wait for the 4th.

Can't there be a more efficient use of tax payer's money? Can't we charge lawyers late fees? I paid $7 parking, spent 4 hours of my life the other day. I was getting a wee bit hot under the collar.

There really has to be some kind of accountablity here. What if something needs attention promptly... no wonder there are more crimes committed; offenders have more time to be free to do what they want. It will be 6 months since the offense and first court date next time I go.

I have noticed that the judges are getting a little annoyed with their time being wasted as well. How hard can it be to line up the cases, I look at the calendar, I know when to be there. I understand that some lawyers have multiple cases in different courtrooms, but at least sign in and let the court know if you are going to continue or dismiss so people can go to work. If I worked at a 9-5 hourly job, I would have lost $21 to parking and 12 hours of pay. I am only a witness, what about the victim and attaining quick justice? These are misdemeanors for goodness sake!

So, that is my rant for the week!

(also, why would Obama associate himself with Letterman? Why does Michelle O go on Leno? How much are we paying for that security detail and transport?)

Kingdom Come - Hillsong United

Bible Study

This year I have been involved in a Bible Study at a drug rehab facility. The women that come, come from all backgrounds. We are different in so many ways, and yet the one way that counts; we are the same. We are all SINNERS. We all have a gift of MERCY and GRACE offered to us. Many have taken up on that, having FAITH in JESUS and HIS work on the CROSS.



This opportunity to serve came up about a year ago. The study group changes, sometimes weekly, it is truly dynamic. Some women graduate, some relocate, some just drop out of the program. God and His SPIRIT are working there in a mighty way.



Some questions that come up:

How do I know when I am saved, I have prayed the salvation prayer many times and then mess up again?



How do I know what pleases God?



What is Faith?



What kind of "soil" am I? How do I know?



How can I surrender fully to God?



How do I NOT put a man in God's place in my heart?





Really good questions, really good conversation. A transparency that sometimes gets lost as we "mature" in Christ and go to Bible Study with other "mature" Christians.

Real struggles, really big life issues, real seeking of answers and deliverance.



Not all are there for a real study, sometimes I am not sure what their motivations are...BUT I don't really care...because we are sharing the Gospel, the GOOD NEWS with these women AND because we are providing child care for their kids....to their children as well! Praise God for the opportunity to serve Him and love others, some who are at their lowest point. We get to point them to a LIGHT that will guide them in LOVE and TRUTH!



So, I am so very thankful this morning. I know is God is working, I know that Satan is working...BUT the VICTORY is in CHRIST, whom I serve!

conversations...

I have no idea what we talked about, but Irina is certainly more energetic than the rest of us!

Elizabeth's 18!

Romans 12:1[ Place Your Life Before God ] So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (the Message Bible)

I can't quite grasp the fact that my children grow up so quickly. I am amazed at them and how God has developed them physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Each different, a different paces; predictible yet so individualized! My LizB turned 18, has graduated High School, enrolled in Community college...has goals; is maturing...my heart wonders if we have done our best. Is she prepared? I can only trust in the Lord, ask for wisdom and pray she does the same. There are a lot of distractions in this world...but fixing our eyes on the Lord and His purposes will keep us from veering too far from the course. I am so excited for her;blessed to be part of her life. Thank the Lord for His loving-kindness, grace and mercy!