Celebrate the Sunrise!

"...the sunrise shalll visit us from on high,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace." -Zechariah (Luke 1:78-79)

It's Christmas morning. Do you see that blush of light creeping through the eastern sky? It's the most spectacular Sunrise ever! Look how it spreads throughout the centuries, swallowing up more and more of the darkness.

"...the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned." Mt. 4:16

"In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Jn. 1:4-5

"Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" Jn. 8:12

Today, if Jesus Christ, the Light of Life, has put a flame of hope in your heart and a sparkle in your eyes, you have reason to celebrate!! Let's go and tell the world.

"Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you." Is. 60:1

The Imitation of Christ(mas)

Christmas is almost here again. And I think I hear the helpless wail of a baby. A baby in a cold, damp cave with the lifeblood of the universe pumping through His little heart. The baby who was not always a baby, and who never had to be one. (Much less enter the world in a dark, smelly cave.)

The God who allowed Himself to be confined in a human body because He so loved the world.

We know the story well, so well that it has ceased to amaze us. He lived here for thirty-three years, and then He died. Actually, He was murdered. And in His life and His death, He taught us how to live and die. But death was not the end of the story, and it will not be the end. He burst the bars of death, and hope surged through the universe. He ascended to the Father, and yet, through His extended body, He remained in the world. This Christmas, the weary world can still feel a thrill of hope because He still remains.

Christ, born in a stable two thousand years ago, still walks the dusty trails of earth. His Body is still present, ministering to those who are not afraid to call themselves needy. His hands still feed the hungry. And His feet still walk with authority into the darkest places on this earth. After all, what would you expect His hands to do? Where do you think His feet would go?

There are many of us who like to talk about being His hands and feet. But actually, we don't like the dark and the cold. We'd rather not feel the sweat or the blood that stood in beads on His forehead. Or cry the heart-wrenching tears of compassion. We'd rather not get close enough to the grime to pull someone out of it. We like our clean clothes and un-scarred hands.

And we don't want to give even the cup of cold water because...well...it's more comfortable in my recliner.

I am guilty. Lord, forgive us. Forgive us, change us, and equip us to be Your hands and feet to this world...those far away and those in our homes and on our doorsteps. This world You loved so much that You gave up the splendors of heaven itself.

Perfect Love Casts out Fear

"The Voice of God is a friendly Voice. No one need fear to listen to it unless he has already made up his mind to resist it."

--A.W. Tozer

Ode to My Love

(a sonnet)


True love that holds me up and gives me love

Who never leaves or fails in faithfulness;

Who rescued me and made me His belov'd;

One glimpse of love like this, and I confess

He is the King, and so I must believe.

'Tis dark without the glory of His face,

And to reject His touch is not to live,

For life and death both have a bitter taste.

But not with Him, for He is Life indeed;

Unending life is found in Christ who died.

From darkness and from sin forever freed,

Let me each day with joy be crucified.

Because of love the world is fresh and new;

My Lover true, may I be true to You!

You are the Light of the World...

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

--from "Go Light Your World" by Chris Rice


Jesus, please make us more like You!!

A Vote for Jesus!

So here is my Election Day post...a month late.

I think American Christians can easily cloud the vision of the Kingdom they are truly seeking in their desperation for a leader who shares their moral values. Let us not forget that Jesus taught us by example how to live in the world. He did not choose to usher in His Kingdom by political means, but rather by becoming a servant. The other day I found a powerful poem by a fellow blogger. (Thanks, Laverne!)


A Vote for Jesus!

My ballot doesn't have his name

He must still be dead

Will you help resurrect him?

Will you vote for my King?


A cup of cold water to the thirsty

A coat for the shivering

A sandwich for the hungry

A vote for Jesus.


A crib for the unwanted child

A father to the orphan

A room for the homeless

A vote for Jesus.


A visit to the sick

A chat with the prisoner

A drop in for the widow

A vote for Jesus.


Hugs for the crying

Care for the pregnant moms

Love to the troubled youth

A vote for Jesus.


Forgiveness to the murderer

Freedom for the oppressed

Pardoning for the debtor

A vote for Jesus.


A welcome to the stranger

Freedom for the slave

Care for creation

A vote for Jesus.


A meal for Hussein

A bed for Bin Laden

Enemy love

A vote for Jesus.


Embracing the victims

"Thy people will be my people"

"Where thou goest I will go"

A vote for Jesus.


The banner is a cross

Death...inevitable death.

Resurrection!

All Hail, King Jesus!


I have a dream!

Swords beat to plowshares

Spears into pruning hooks

All Hail, King Jesus!


I have a dream!

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation

Neither shall they learn war anymore

All Hail, King Jesus!


The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of Peace

The tree of life for the healing of the nations

All Hail, Prince of Peace!


Change we really can believe in

Change we so desperately need

A resurrection from the dead

A vote for Jesus.


In the world

Not of the world

But for the world

A vote for Jesus!


For those of you who, like me, say that you "don't vote" because your allegiance is to a different Kingdom...do we not often use this as an excuse for laziness? We are called to advocate that Kingdom by our servant's hearts, through our actions and not just our words.

Whether or not you voted on Election Day, I pray that all of us will step forward at the call of our True King.

I cast my vote for Jesus.

A Grateful Life

When I think of all that I am grateful for (and it's a lot!!), my mind always reverts to those who do not have what I have.

I am thankful for beautiful autumn decorations (which, sadly, I have to soon replace with others), but millions do not even have a house to live in, far less adorn with appealing decor.

I am thankful for the ability to sew attractive dresses for my sisters and I, while multitudes clothe themselves in rags.

I am thankful for a day to play games with my family...this Thanksgiving season, widows and orphans have felt the reality of being alone in the world.

And mostly, I am grateful for the mercy and forgiveness of my beautiful Savior. Millions have not had the opportunity to experience the Word of Life.

I have to admit when I think of those who do not enjoy the blessings of food to eat each day or a place to shelter them from the cold winds, no faces come to mind. I have not been among these people...perhaps to my shame. But I do know people who do not experience the joy and peace of Jesus. Several faces come to my mind, faces without hope who do not have the light of true love in their eyes. Is this because we do not go to them and embody Christ before their eyes? Is it because we avoid contact with them, thinking we are better than they?

I am a member of the body of Christ. Christ came to seek and save that which was lost. He had compassion on the multitudes. He had compassion on me. So now I have a responsibility.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." 2 Cor. 8:9

Strength for the day

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. Lam. 3:22-23


I looked up these verses this morning before reading a passage in Hebrews. Incredible! Are His mercies great enough to sustain me through the day? Absoulutely! He knows everything I will face today, but more than that, He has faced such things Himself.

Hebrews 3:14-16 says:

"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then [because of this] draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

The message I find in these verses is: Take courage!

A Winter Wonderland

Honestly, I forgot.

Something in me was almost dreading winter and the first layer of snow, but this morning when I went out for a walk I realized I had forgotten.

I forgot how crisp and clean, how joyful is the air when the first snow is on the ground...and how amazing is the world when the sky is blue with frothy white clouds and the sun is shining on the frosty white fields. I forgot how delightfully crunchy is the sound of powdery snow crunching under my winter boots.


I forgot, and I'm glad I forgot. I'm glad, because I love the wave of childlike wonder and delight that sweeps through me every time I rediscover a new season.

God of the seasons...Your imagination is too wonderful for me! :-)

Free in Christ

The following quote was written by Anna over at Hope Road:

The gospel is the greatest news only if...
sin is our greatest problem
and God is our greatest need.

When I am not rejoicing in the gospel, I am failing to see...
sin as my greatest problem
and God as my greatest joy.

Sometimes I feel trapped by my circumstances. The truth is that through Christ's agony and victory, He has set me free from the law of sin and death. No, I am not trapped. Whatever outward circumstances I may find myself in, my spirit is free in Christ.

Thank you, Anna, for your beautiful and convicting words!

Emily's Song

Emily, my darling sister who just turned 6, is sitting on the steps playing church with her dolly. Her song, original with her:



God loves the whole world,
But not all of the world loves God.
I love God
And I love people
Love, love love them
I love them all the time.

When I'm working,
When I'm reading,
Whatever I'm doing,
I love them all the time.

"Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." -Jesus (Matthew 19:14)

"We want to see Jesus lifted high...."

TWENTY children from town showed up for our first kids' club on Tuesday evening! We had a great time. Our lesson was about The Annunciation, and in my class we colored bells and glued them together to make angels. :)

We are planning to have kids' club every other Tuesday evening. Basically it is an extension of Vacation Bible School. Or rather, maybe Vacation Bible School will be an extension of kids' club?! Please pray that in our interactions with these children and their parents we will be able spread the light of Jesus in this town.