Merry Christmas, everyone! May God bless your fellowship with friends and family celebrating the birth of our Savior!
Here is some Christmas fun and songs. Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Merry Christmas!!
This Christmas season, I have thought about the shepherds that were there on that first Christmas night. The lowest in society were personally told by heavenly messengers (angels) that Jesus our Shepherd had been born. They were the first ones (besides Mary and Joseph) to behold Him. The only ones to visit Him that night. The first ones to tell others about Him. Simple shepherds. A big, loving God.
Merry Christmas, everyone! May God bless your fellowship with friends and family celebrating the birth of our Savior!
Here is some Christmas fun and songs. Enjoy!
Merry Christmas, everyone! May God bless your fellowship with friends and family celebrating the birth of our Savior!
Here is some Christmas fun and songs. Enjoy!
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Zeph. 3:17 and Empathy
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
This is one of my favorite verses. It puts God in the right perspective in my mind. He is with us, He is mighty. But my favorite part is the last part of the verse:
"he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing."
I want to focus on the top and bottom lines there. God, Holy and Perfect, rejoices over us - sinners! (Yes, those in Christ have been forgiven, but like Paul we continue to sin even if we don't want to. See Romans 7:21-25...you can read vs. 14-20 as well.) "he will exult over you with loud singing." Singing! God sings over you!!
Note: the emphasis in the verses is mine.
__________________________________________________________________I saw this video yesterday over my mom's shoulder. It was so good. It helped me to see what David Powlison meant in God's Love: Better Than Unconditional when he mentioned that God has empathy.
Jesus....He knows what it's like. God can fully understand you only on the basis of He's God, but Jesus let Himself come and actually experience every temptation that we have ever been confronted with, and actually experience the human life on earth.
I know this video may help you on a human level with yourself or someone in your life, but I wanted to share this point of view of it too.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Thank you, veterans!
In light of Veteran’s Day being earlier this week, I would like to tell you some of the story of my great-uncle, Jerry. Jerry was the oldest of five kids. He and his siblings, Betty, Mary, Larry, and Arlene (my grandma), grew up on their parents’ farm in Otego, New York. From the pictures I’ve seen of him, he seems to have been a cheerful young man.
Jerry was a Private in the US Army, a member of Company G, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War. When he was around twenty, he was part of a platoon sent on a mission to obtain “the high ground near Yudong-ni.” (as stated in a letter mailed to his father) When the platoon had advanced to about 50 feet from their goal, they were “pinned down” because of “heavy enemy machine gun and grenade fire”. With the platoon in this predicament, Uncle Jerry moved forward until he was “within ten feet of the enemy’s position” and began to throw hand grenades into “the hostile positions”. The enemy, of course, returned his fire. This cost him his life.
His death was not in vain, however. His sacrifice allowed his platoon to be able to continue and complete its mission with little casualties. His body was recovered and sent home to his family, who buried him in an Otego cemetery. Years later he was honored with a Purple Heart.
From 1775 to now, men and women of the U.S. have given the greatest sacrifice they could give – their lives. (John 15:13) Thank you to all the service men and women, at home and abroad, for your sacrifice! You have sacrificed NOT seeing the horrors of war, limbs, freedoms (for those who are or have been POWs), family dinners/get-togethers, watching your kids grow up, your spouse’s arms, safety, peaceful sleep, and comfort.
These men and women have given for us, the people. For us here and now and for unborn generations. So that you and I can have freedoms - freedoms we must stand up for and not let get snatched from us or our children. So that we can have comfort. So that we can have peaceful sleep and never see war. So that we can have safety. So that we can be with our families.
Thank you, veterans, from the bottom of my heart!
A special cheer for Bob M., Jan T., Grandpa H., Great-uncle Bill H., Great-uncle Stanley T., Great-uncle Dick B., and Great-uncle Jerry S.!
Jerry was a Private in the US Army, a member of Company G, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War. When he was around twenty, he was part of a platoon sent on a mission to obtain “the high ground near Yudong-ni.” (as stated in a letter mailed to his father) When the platoon had advanced to about 50 feet from their goal, they were “pinned down” because of “heavy enemy machine gun and grenade fire”. With the platoon in this predicament, Uncle Jerry moved forward until he was “within ten feet of the enemy’s position” and began to throw hand grenades into “the hostile positions”. The enemy, of course, returned his fire. This cost him his life.
His death was not in vain, however. His sacrifice allowed his platoon to be able to continue and complete its mission with little casualties. His body was recovered and sent home to his family, who buried him in an Otego cemetery. Years later he was honored with a Purple Heart.
From 1775 to now, men and women of the U.S. have given the greatest sacrifice they could give – their lives. (John 15:13) Thank you to all the service men and women, at home and abroad, for your sacrifice! You have sacrificed NOT seeing the horrors of war, limbs, freedoms (for those who are or have been POWs), family dinners/get-togethers, watching your kids grow up, your spouse’s arms, safety, peaceful sleep, and comfort.
These men and women have given for us, the people. For us here and now and for unborn generations. So that you and I can have freedoms - freedoms we must stand up for and not let get snatched from us or our children. So that we can have comfort. So that we can have peaceful sleep and never see war. So that we can have safety. So that we can be with our families.
Thank you, veterans, from the bottom of my heart!
A special cheer for Bob M., Jan T., Grandpa H., Great-uncle Bill H., Great-uncle Stanley T., Great-uncle Dick B., and Great-uncle Jerry S.!
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
A Thought
Hello there, readers! Sorry I've been absent so long....
I've had a thought that I've wanted to share with you all for the last several days. Here it is: If you hear/feel God calling you to do something or to stop doing something, but don't feel like you have the ability, resources, time, knowledge, wisdom, self-control, or courage - do it anyway. If you feel like you need to wait until you "have it all together" - don't wait. God will give us what we need when we need it. And when we don't "have it all together", that's when He can work. And it also puts us where we need to be - relying on God. His grace is sufficient for us. (2 Corinthians 12:9) He will never ask us to do something that He won't give you the ability to do.
As I was reading over what I've written here, I thought how this too goes back to simple faith. Faith. God keeps bringing that one up. : ) Quiet trust.
I've had a thought that I've wanted to share with you all for the last several days. Here it is: If you hear/feel God calling you to do something or to stop doing something, but don't feel like you have the ability, resources, time, knowledge, wisdom, self-control, or courage - do it anyway. If you feel like you need to wait until you "have it all together" - don't wait. God will give us what we need when we need it. And when we don't "have it all together", that's when He can work. And it also puts us where we need to be - relying on God. His grace is sufficient for us. (2 Corinthians 12:9) He will never ask us to do something that He won't give you the ability to do.
As I was reading over what I've written here, I thought how this too goes back to simple faith. Faith. God keeps bringing that one up. : ) Quiet trust.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Autumn
Wow, yesterday was the first day of autumn! Time sure flies! Happy Fall, everybody! : )
- Amy
- Amy
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Pick up your mat and walk
Wow...powerful:
Dear brothers and sisters, we have been given the most beautiful gift!! When I realize the fullness of our salvation, it makes me want to sing and clap, dance and shout. We are redeemed! Forgiven! Sealed by God! Forever! Forever free! Hallelujah!
But we must not merely sit and be glad about this, we need to be ALIVE and ACTIVE. Don't wallow in shame and guilt of past or present sin - Christ has taken all of it! As God has told me, pick up your mat and walk. (analogy: Mark 2:1-12) You have been healed from your old self and forgiven of your sin, so don't sit on your mat as if you were still lame! Tell the world of the Gospel! Encourage the body of Christ! Follow your Shepherd wherever He leads you and run with zeal and thanksgiving to your Father in heaven!
By starting this blog, I stepped out in obedience to God. I’m shy and fearful, so this was/is a big step for me. God is working on me and taking me to new places. These new places are uncharted by me, so I’m not entirely sure where I’m going. I keep looking to God with a concerned face and ask, “Am I going the right way?” He is telling me to keep walking, resting in the knowledge that if I mess up, He’ll tell me I got off track. I am to walk by faith. I thank God He knows the way and that He knows where I’m going. Wow, get this - He’s already been there. He goes before us. (Deuteronomy 31:8) And yet He is with us. I love this verse in Isaiah: “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (41:13, NIV)
I have thought through that verse, section by section. “For I am the Lord…” He is Ruler over everything and everyone. He’s got it all in control; nothing can happen that hasn’t gone through His fingers first. “your God…” He’s yours and you are His in Christ! “who takes hold of your right hand…” I don’t know about you, but the thought of my Lord taking my hand in His is very comforting! “and says to you,…” How personal! God talking right to you. “Do not fear; I will help you.” I picture Him looking at me and gently saying this last part. To be promised help directly from God…I can’t quite explain it. Relief…comfort…
So in summary, I guess Hebrews 12:1-2 sums it up pretty good:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Dear brothers and sisters, we have been given the most beautiful gift!! When I realize the fullness of our salvation, it makes me want to sing and clap, dance and shout. We are redeemed! Forgiven! Sealed by God! Forever! Forever free! Hallelujah!
But we must not merely sit and be glad about this, we need to be ALIVE and ACTIVE. Don't wallow in shame and guilt of past or present sin - Christ has taken all of it! As God has told me, pick up your mat and walk. (analogy: Mark 2:1-12) You have been healed from your old self and forgiven of your sin, so don't sit on your mat as if you were still lame! Tell the world of the Gospel! Encourage the body of Christ! Follow your Shepherd wherever He leads you and run with zeal and thanksgiving to your Father in heaven!
By starting this blog, I stepped out in obedience to God. I’m shy and fearful, so this was/is a big step for me. God is working on me and taking me to new places. These new places are uncharted by me, so I’m not entirely sure where I’m going. I keep looking to God with a concerned face and ask, “Am I going the right way?” He is telling me to keep walking, resting in the knowledge that if I mess up, He’ll tell me I got off track. I am to walk by faith. I thank God He knows the way and that He knows where I’m going. Wow, get this - He’s already been there. He goes before us. (Deuteronomy 31:8) And yet He is with us. I love this verse in Isaiah: “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (41:13, NIV)
I have thought through that verse, section by section. “For I am the Lord…” He is Ruler over everything and everyone. He’s got it all in control; nothing can happen that hasn’t gone through His fingers first. “your God…” He’s yours and you are His in Christ! “who takes hold of your right hand…” I don’t know about you, but the thought of my Lord taking my hand in His is very comforting! “and says to you,…” How personal! God talking right to you. “Do not fear; I will help you.” I picture Him looking at me and gently saying this last part. To be promised help directly from God…I can’t quite explain it. Relief…comfort…
So in summary, I guess Hebrews 12:1-2 sums it up pretty good:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Grace
The sea around me surges. My eyes are fixed on Christ as he stands on the water, arms outstretched and beckoning. That is the only reason my feet are on the water as well. Because of Him. A wave crashes between Him and I. My vision has been obscured! The wave distracts me. I look at the pitching surf, the effects of the wind, the dark clouds, the lightning. I worry and doubt, and start to sink once again. Hurry! Swim back to the boat! It feels safer in there! But I know it’s not. My way is never safer.
The water is up to my neck. I move my gaze to my Savior and try desperately to keep my head above the water. I frantically doggie paddle, splashing water everywhere, but getting no where. Another wave comes and I feel its pull, but He keeps my head above it. The dark water foams and swirls about me. “Jesus, help me!” I should have asked for that in the first place. Immediately, He reaches out, grips my hand, pulls me out, and sets me on my feet. The waves and storm are still there, but focused on Him again, I know my Savior and His truth and that gives me peace. (Look at Matthew 14:22-31 for analogy.)
When we call out to God, He answers by helping. You may be thinking, “That’s nice, but there are times I call out to Him, and I’m still floundering.” or “That’s nice, but my problem is still there and I don’t feel God.” I completely understand that - I’ve been there. Plenty. I think some of, or the error we make (in relation to the first statement) is we’re only halfheartedly asking for help and then going on in our own strength, even if we don’t realize it. Thinking about God and His promises to get through a problem is very good, but if we’re trying to think on the right things and get through our problem in our own strength, it won’t really work. We’ll give out. We’ll break. I have. But when I turn to Him, really turn to Him and rely on His grace, that’s when He can do His work and I can rest. At least an underlying rest, a foundation of it. He has been teaching me this in the past two weeks. I have so far to go, but He encourages me to continue on. To have faith in Him, to trust Him.
Grace: giving us what we oh-so-do-not deserve. Jesus understanding what it's like to be human, His leadership, strength, peace, forgiveness, kindness, mercy, patience, love - even our faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 11:6) …We don’t need grace just at the cross - when we are cleansed from our sin by Christ’s blood and bearing of our sins - we need grace every. single. day. Like Steve Fee says in his song Grace., “It’s the reason there’s life in my soul and breath in my lungs.”
The water is up to my neck. I move my gaze to my Savior and try desperately to keep my head above the water. I frantically doggie paddle, splashing water everywhere, but getting no where. Another wave comes and I feel its pull, but He keeps my head above it. The dark water foams and swirls about me. “Jesus, help me!” I should have asked for that in the first place. Immediately, He reaches out, grips my hand, pulls me out, and sets me on my feet. The waves and storm are still there, but focused on Him again, I know my Savior and His truth and that gives me peace. (Look at Matthew 14:22-31 for analogy.)
When we call out to God, He answers by helping. You may be thinking, “That’s nice, but there are times I call out to Him, and I’m still floundering.” or “That’s nice, but my problem is still there and I don’t feel God.” I completely understand that - I’ve been there. Plenty. I think some of, or the error we make (in relation to the first statement) is we’re only halfheartedly asking for help and then going on in our own strength, even if we don’t realize it. Thinking about God and His promises to get through a problem is very good, but if we’re trying to think on the right things and get through our problem in our own strength, it won’t really work. We’ll give out. We’ll break. I have. But when I turn to Him, really turn to Him and rely on His grace, that’s when He can do His work and I can rest. At least an underlying rest, a foundation of it. He has been teaching me this in the past two weeks. I have so far to go, but He encourages me to continue on. To have faith in Him, to trust Him.
Grace: giving us what we oh-so-do-not deserve. Jesus understanding what it's like to be human, His leadership, strength, peace, forgiveness, kindness, mercy, patience, love - even our faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 11:6) …We don’t need grace just at the cross - when we are cleansed from our sin by Christ’s blood and bearing of our sins - we need grace every. single. day. Like Steve Fee says in his song Grace., “It’s the reason there’s life in my soul and breath in my lungs.”
Saturday, August 30, 2014
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