Best of 2008

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So, this morning, I wanted to share my “best of” list–of this year…..No Doubt that this has been a blessed year for me–God is so faithful.

Best Song–no question in my mind, the song that has impacted me MOST this year would have to be….Your Grace is Enough, by Matt Maher (Also sung by Chris Tomlin)

Great is your faithfulness oh God
You wrestle with the sinner’s heart
You lead us by still waters into mercy
And nothing can keep us apart

So remember your people
Remember your children
Remember your promise, oh God

Your grace is enough.
Your grace is enough.
Your grace is enough.
Your grace is enough for me.

Great is your love and justice God.
You use the weak to lead the strong.
You lead us in the song of your salvation
And all your people sing along.

So remember your people.
Remember your children.
Remember your promise, oh God.

Your Grace is enough
Heaven reaching down to us
Your Grace is enough for me

God, I see your grace is enough
I’m covered in your love
Your grace is enough for me

Best Book(s)-God’s Word, of course, but in addition to that, I was introduced to a  book series that has changed my LIFE. It’s called the A.D. Chronicles, by Brock and Bodie Thoene, and while they are historical fiction, they have given me an insight into the life and times of Jesus Christ that surpasses my understanding. It will take me a lifetime of reading these books to understand the complexities and awesomeness of God.

Best video– I saw this shortly after New Year’s Day last year, and it’s haunting.

Best Movie–No question, FIREPROOF. It comes out on dvd on 1/29/09 and won’t that be a good-stay-at-home-date-night??

Best Friends– I made some really good friends this year. I am so grateful for Shannon, Ann, Jennifer, Joanna, and Melissa. (girls, get a blog. or a website. Must. link. to. you.)

Best Day–All the days God allows me to live, breathe, serve and love my family. Which was every single day this year! Yay! But one of the specific days I won’t forget is when I turned on knittinghelp.com and learned to Knit. (In February )

Best Food–I love PF Changs. Lettuce Wraps Rock. Joanna will attest. Also, coffee from your own kitchen is divine after not having it for weeks. Trust me, I could tell you stories….

Best Verse–(they are all good, right??) I went through pretty rough time this summer, if you recall, and just before I left (literally, three hours before) I left for that horrible trip great opportunity to serve the Living God, He used His Word to speak peace and love into my heart and mind, making sure I knew the victory is His. That is a day I won’t forget. Maybe that should be my best day.

Go forward, Serve the King, and give Him the Glory!

The Same Jesus

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As I mentioned earlier this week, Shannon’s family is having a bit of a rough season (To put it very very mildly.) But in an email I got from her this morning, she put it all into perspective, as she is so very good at doing.

I know Jesus wasn’t actually born in December, but I do enjoy celebrating God’s most amazing sacrifice, the greatest strategic move ever by anyone in the history of the universe.  He is so awesome to have loved us so much.  I don’t even have the words.  Even as we celebrate this very inconvenient and stressful Christmas, it’s comforting to remember He is the same Jesus, born in the same manger, who died on the same cross, who rose from the same tomb, who still seats at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for me and my family, who still calls us his beloved, who parted the seas, who walked on water, who is the Beginning and the End, the Word made flesh, the Victor over death, hell, and the grave, the Redeemer, the Savior, the Judge, the Physician, the Provider, the Rock, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the lifter of my head, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, whose kingdom will have no end.  He is what we are celebrating this Christmas and what we will celebrate forever.  He is Jesus in the hospital and he is Jesus in the mountains of Oregon, and he is Jesus in the nicu at carle clinic.  And wherever Jesus is, there is Christmas.

Merry Merry Christmas, My friends. Celebrate Jesus, wherever you are!

‘Twas December 23rd…

…And the roads look like this where the family and I are supposed to travel TOMMOROW.

Me thinks it’ll be  a quiet Christmas in our new little house.

Good thing it’s about The King of Kings, and not about where the celebration is.

Go serve the King!

Prayers, Please!

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For Shannon and her husband, as he is recovering from surprise gall bladder surgery, and there’s been complications. Please pray.

For Cass and her family, as her husband’s mother passed away last week. Comfort and prayers are needed, I’m sure.

 

 

I’m unpacking. Trying to get it all done before Christmas. Ha. Coffee is in order.

Go serve THE KING OF KINGS!!

29 Hours in a Uhaul

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It’s that day.

Yup, the trucks arrived yesterday, and we’re loading up.

I’ll be back.

With more than enough stories to last a lifetime. About a grumpy Father In Law. And a bread recipe to make you LAUGH.

With Yarn Projects completed on the 29hour Trip.

With A new-found appreciation for NOT being in a truck.

On Dry–not–moving– Land.

With Actual Homeschool. Not-this-is-real-life-education kind of stuff,(which is what my kids have been getting for a month) but actual thoughts and ideas on homeschool.

And with Love for my new-smaller-easier-to-clean-house.

Go serve THE KING!

Making a list, Checking it 200 times

Attaining character qualities and sanctification from Jesus isn’t like a grocery list. You don’t put it in your basket, mark it off, and never look back. It’s an ongoing thing and will be until the time when you see Jesus face to face. Sometimes  we think we’ve “gotten it”, and it’s done. “I’m patient now. So, I don’t have to work on patience.”  Or “I’m joyful, so joy is off the list.”

Not so, my friend. Jesus will continue to make you more and more like Him, until you see Him, on that beautiful and wonderful day!

Isn’t that wonderful news? We never ever ever stop growing. And the King of Kings never ever quits until He finishes the good work He began in you!

Go serve Him!

Lending your Hand

On this first day of December, a month that is very hard for some people because of the intimacy of the holidays and the losses suffered in the past, I read this and thought it to be very timely.

The next month will be very difficult for many people who are still reeling from a loss this past year. The crippling hurt caused by the absence of a loved one can cloud holiday gatherings and even dim the desire to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Poet Ann Weems has written:

Some of us walk into Advent
tethered to our unresolved yesterdays,
the pain still stabbing,
the hurt still throbbing.
It’s not that we don’t know better;
it’s just that we can’t stand up
anymore by ourselves.
On the way to Bethlehem,
will you give us a hand?

In Romans 12:9-21, Paul gives ways to express practical Christianity in our relationships. One seems especially needed at this time of year: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (v.15). We can “give a hand” to grieving friends and family by understanding their sorrow and not expecting them to “get over it” in time to celebrate the holidays. We can freely mention the name of the person whose death has brought such desolation and then share a fond memory. We can be quiet, listen, and pray for God’s help.

Only God can heal the deep wounds of the heart, but we can lend a hand.  — David C. McCasland

If I can help some wounded heart,
If I can by my love impart
Some blessing that will help more now—
Lord, just show me how. —Brandt

No one is strong enough to bear his burdens alone. (OUR DAILY BREAD, NOVEMBER 30)

Lend someone a hand this day, week, month. It’s what we’re asked to do.

Romans 12:9-21 (NASB)

Let love be without hypocrisy Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;  not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;  rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,  contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Go serve THE KING!