Nearly time "to call it a day" on 2009 and the passing decade!
As I see in my mind's eye the sands of time quickly passing, I am struck once more by the power of Almighty God! The trees strong and tall in the courtyard. The wind stilled as the sun has come out to shine brightly, and only a whisper of a breeze foretells another cold front will be upon us by Saturday morning. As I remember how my man and I have been checking the weather report these past several days a laugh threatens to pierce the silence here in my study.
We humans are so funny, aren't we? We depend on so many things. We consult the weather report (not just one..the TV and the newspaper); the financial projections published by "those who know"; our counselors and/or life coachs; our past experiences; what our friends think, and the list goes on! As I read over the previous I have to admit that I'm among these "funny humans".
I also have to state that consulting "these who have information I do not" is not wrong. That is, unless I leave God out of the equation. Unfortunately many times I put consulting the Lord, not on the top of my list but in the middle and sometimes on the bottom!
I want this year and this new decade to be different!
I'm not going to move away to a monastery and separate myself from people, media and the world that the Lord has placed me in, which would make it so much easier to stay on track. No, I'm staying put. I want to be (as one of my friends is fond of saying) "superglued" to Jesus! I want His Word on everything, before I do it, not after. I want to love my family, my friends, those I serve, and my enemies with Christ's love. ALL THE TIME! When it's convenient and especially when it's not.
I want to forgive, ALL THE TIME! When I feel like it but especially when I don't!
I want to live out, in my ordinary, daily life, Paul's instruction to the church at Corinth. The CEV translation speaks directly to my heart and life -
I may speak in different languages of people or even angels. But if I do not have love, I am only a noisy bell or a crashing cymbal. I may have the gift of prophecy. I may understand all the secret things of God and have all knowledge, and I may have faith so great I can move mountains. But even with all these things, if I do not have love, then I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing if I do not have love.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud.
Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always remains strong. Love never ends. 1 Cor 13:1-8a
How do I, how do you do this? For the answers I turn to God's word.......
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
As we ready ourselves dear friends to close the door on 2009 and step into the next may we join hearts and hands to look to Jesus FIRST in all that we do.
Let's "Just Do It"!
It's my prayer,
Judy
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Time
Hello friends.
On this last Sunday of 2009 what will you treasure most about this past year?
Time is at the top of my list this year. God has given me time.
Time with my Lord Jesus.
Time studying His Word.
Time with my family.
Time with my friends.
Time to learn and time to teach.
Time to forgive and to be forgiven.
Time to dream.
Time to grow.
How will you use God's gift of time in your life in the new year?
Til next time,
Judy
On this last Sunday of 2009 what will you treasure most about this past year?
Time is at the top of my list this year. God has given me time.
Time with my Lord Jesus.
Time studying His Word.
Time with my family.
Time with my friends.
Time to learn and time to teach.
Time to forgive and to be forgiven.
Time to dream.
Time to grow.
How will you use God's gift of time in your life in the new year?
Til next time,
Judy
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Fourth Week of Advent
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Pumpkin bread baked and delivered. Thank you Lord. Thank you for giving me a heart filled with love for you and love for the precious ones you have placed in my life! Thank you that as I look around me and within me I see a different attitude of heart this year.
It's because of You, Lord!
The decorations...the tree Kay made for me several years ago twinkling in the corner...the Dreamsicle Santa & sleigh ...the nativities in special spots around the living room..all have meant so much to me and this year mean so much more.
It's because of You, Lord!
Time spent with special friends means more this year than ever before. The sound of their voices and the expressions on their faces are engraved on my heart.
It's because of You, Lord!
As I think about the celebration of your birthday in just a few days....and ALL you have given me...what can I give you ???
I give you my heart, again, for one more year!
J
Pumpkin bread baked and delivered. Thank you Lord. Thank you for giving me a heart filled with love for you and love for the precious ones you have placed in my life! Thank you that as I look around me and within me I see a different attitude of heart this year.
It's because of You, Lord!
The decorations...the tree Kay made for me several years ago twinkling in the corner...the Dreamsicle Santa & sleigh ...the nativities in special spots around the living room..all have meant so much to me and this year mean so much more.
It's because of You, Lord!
Time spent with special friends means more this year than ever before. The sound of their voices and the expressions on their faces are engraved on my heart.
It's because of You, Lord!
As I think about the celebration of your birthday in just a few days....and ALL you have given me...what can I give you ???
I give you my heart, again, for one more year!
J
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Star of the Tree
It's December 15 and my resolve to write at least once a week seems so difficult to keep for some reason. It's nearly 2 weeks since my last post and the days are flying by as we anticipate another Christmas morning.
The city is decorated with seasonal finery! Lights are illuminating roof tops and sidewalks, along with twinkling trees in homes along the neighborhood streets. Our city is a prettier and kinder place. Traditionally we reach out to others...whether it be to invite to special events or shared meals. We're much more apt to give to others whether it be toys, money or food for those who are facing difficult times, because it's Christmas. We think more often of "Peace on Earth...Good will toward men"!
It's a time to bring out special baked goodies, homemade candies,and the wassail bowl ... for it is a time to "be merry".
Even those who do not celebrate Jesus are more apt to reach out to a neighbor or a stranger in need during the months of November and December.
This question keeps coming to mind - what about January through October? Do I keep the joy alive in my heart, in my home, in my community the other 10 months of the year? My joy is directly related to the birth of Jesus, my Savior, God's son. That being said, Jesus is here 24/7, 365 days of the year and I hear Him direct me in His word:
(John 13:34-35) "A new command" I give you: Love one another." As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
As I read these verses I see that Jesus doesn't call us to love others only during special times of the year. He has also given us a promise within these verses - when we love one another with His love, others will see HIM!
May this Christmas be the beginning of a revolution in our hearts: taking Christ's love to others every day not just on Christmas! For Jesus, is the "star" of the tree.
In His love,
Judy
The city is decorated with seasonal finery! Lights are illuminating roof tops and sidewalks, along with twinkling trees in homes along the neighborhood streets. Our city is a prettier and kinder place. Traditionally we reach out to others...whether it be to invite to special events or shared meals. We're much more apt to give to others whether it be toys, money or food for those who are facing difficult times, because it's Christmas. We think more often of "Peace on Earth...Good will toward men"!
It's a time to bring out special baked goodies, homemade candies,and the wassail bowl ... for it is a time to "be merry".
Even those who do not celebrate Jesus are more apt to reach out to a neighbor or a stranger in need during the months of November and December.
This question keeps coming to mind - what about January through October? Do I keep the joy alive in my heart, in my home, in my community the other 10 months of the year? My joy is directly related to the birth of Jesus, my Savior, God's son. That being said, Jesus is here 24/7, 365 days of the year and I hear Him direct me in His word:
(John 13:34-35) "A new command" I give you: Love one another." As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
As I read these verses I see that Jesus doesn't call us to love others only during special times of the year. He has also given us a promise within these verses - when we love one another with His love, others will see HIM!
May this Christmas be the beginning of a revolution in our hearts: taking Christ's love to others every day not just on Christmas! For Jesus, is the "star" of the tree.
In His love,
Judy
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
When He calls
I stand amazed at the power of Christ’s love and how He is the only lasting satisfier of our hungry hearts. He is the heart changer and the soul healer. It was in His life, death, resurrection and ascension into heaven that He demonstrated His great love for us. In turn we are exhorted to love one another as He loves us.
In Matthew 4:19 while walking by the sea of Galilee Jesus saw two brothers fishing..we hear him call out to them… “Come, follow me.” As they chose to “drop their nets” so have I.
The following words of the hymn,“Jesus Calls Us”,written by Cecil Alexander,
express my commitment to the ministry of The Sanctuary: A Place of Hope for Women.
“Jesus calls us; o’er the tumult of our Life’s wild restless sea,
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, saying “Christian, follow me.”
Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us, saying “Christian, love me more.”
In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease, Still
He calls in cares and pleasures, “Christian, love me more than these.”
Jesus calls us: by thy mercies, Savior may we hear Thy call, Give
Our hearts to thine obedience, Serve and love Thee best of all.”
As this year is drawing to a close,it is my prayer for you and me that with every new day we will love Christ more and be willing to “drop” whatever He may find us holding on to when He calls us to a deeper commitment and follow Him.
Keeping His word hidden in my heart!
Thanking Jesus,
Judy
In Matthew 4:19 while walking by the sea of Galilee Jesus saw two brothers fishing..we hear him call out to them… “Come, follow me.” As they chose to “drop their nets” so have I.
The following words of the hymn,“Jesus Calls Us”,written by Cecil Alexander,
express my commitment to the ministry of The Sanctuary: A Place of Hope for Women.
“Jesus calls us; o’er the tumult of our Life’s wild restless sea,
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, saying “Christian, follow me.”
Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us, saying “Christian, love me more.”
In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease, Still
He calls in cares and pleasures, “Christian, love me more than these.”
Jesus calls us: by thy mercies, Savior may we hear Thy call, Give
Our hearts to thine obedience, Serve and love Thee best of all.”
As this year is drawing to a close,it is my prayer for you and me that with every new day we will love Christ more and be willing to “drop” whatever He may find us holding on to when He calls us to a deeper commitment and follow Him.
Keeping His word hidden in my heart!
Thanking Jesus,
Judy
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