Destiny in the Details – Destiny in the Details

So God is the first romantic!

http://www.destinyinthedetails.com/life/a-christmas-romance

Snowy, wintry, mountain lake meditations: Great are You Lord!

Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, neither entered into the heart of man the things God has prepared for those who love Him. Great is Your faithfulness oh Lord. When I consider the works of your hands, the jaw dropping beauty and complexity of creation, I am in breathless wonder that you care for me so deeply.

Tomorrow is Your birthday. You have accomplished the impossible. You left your throne to enter our world like every other human child. You allowed yourself to be utterly dependent, needy, fragile. You suffered through sibling rivalry, misunderstanding, alienation, rejection, abuse and execution so I can know You truly do understand my sorrows. You, in Your death and resurrection opened wide the doors of heaven for me. You tore up the list of damning accusations against me, that were all true, and declared me not guilty. Not guilty! NOT GUILTY!!!

The best gift.

Pulling into Kohl’s last week with my 30% off coupon safely tucked in my purse this off the wall thought blurted out: “The church parking lot is full.” How out there is that?!!! Actually, considering that I was listening to a radio preacher talking about THE CHURCH it is not a stretch but considering the context of shopping at Christmas it is very telling and, perhaps, very close to the truth for many. Jesus said we cannot serve 2 masters. We will hate the one and serve the other. James chapter 1 says a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. This Christmas the best gift I can give myself and you is a single hearted devotion to the only One deserving of our full whole hearted devotion and allegiance. This is true peace. This is true joy. This is truth untainted in compassion to our fellow man. I give you, this Christmas, this lovely Irish hymn, BE THOU MY VISION. I pray the Holy Spirit makes real each word to your heart, mind and soul. Soak in, meditate on, embrace the heart of a true seeker. God says when you seek you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart.

Merry Christmas!

Rocking in the Rockies

We were blessed to be able to spend an early Christmas with our family in Colorado last week. Snow on the ground, clear skies, delightful surprises. The wild life provided lots of photo ops especially at Cabela’s sports shop! On a drive in the country we caught lounging buffalo, horses’s in their winter coats, wild turkeys, and tons of prairie dogs popping out of their dirt digs wagging their tails and shouting alerts. On the second day we went to an indoor arena and watched the kids exercise and practice soccer moves. Outside the arena golfers honed their driving skills. Then we went for snow play and boppa tossed frozen blocks of snow to the delight of our grand kids.

We came loaded with presents but the best gift of all was our precious time together. Our grand kids, ages 2,4 and 6, so delighted with their antics and sweet expressions of love. And our daughter and son-in-law touched us with their kindness and allowing us to share in their lives. In the end the truth remains that life, true living, is all about people. The people God places in our path to love and care for and receive love and care from. There were people God placed in our path on the flight up and on the flight back that needed God’s special touch and we were so grateful for the opportunity to enter into their times of sorrow and fear and be the ones to share God’s words of encouragement. I know Christmas is not a time of joy for everyone. It can be a time of sorrow, regret, fear, loss. Time flies so fast. Each day blurs into the next and the year too quickly gone leaving a sense of disappointment over unmet dreams, unfinished goals, loss of loved ones or broken relationships. Be of good cheer. There is hope that comes from the One Who said: Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto Myself that where I am there you may also be. (John 14:1-3). Only Jesus brings hope and promises to make everything new. I pray this Christmas you find the hope your heart is longing for!