Preparing for the Big Day, Part 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9

So, I'm catching up the Advent posts today. We've been doing them every night and the kids are doing great! They look forward to our time right after dinner. We sit down in front of the fire and read the new story for the night. Of course, the main highlight right now is whose turn it is to open and hang the ornament. But, they are learning and we are training those little hearts...

Day 5: Isaac and the Lamb

(Ornament: a lamb)

In my opinion, there are some very strange stories in the Bible. I would definitely classify this as one. Do you know the story of Abraham and his son Isaac? Just imagine this... You have waited and waited and waited to have a child. You are beyond the point of thinking it will ever happen and you suddenly learn you have a baby on the way. Not only have you pined for years for this child, but the child itself is a miracle because you are easily the age of a grandpa or even great-grandpa! One day, the Lord appears and tells you to take this precious child and sacrifice him on the altar. I don't know about you, but I think I would have run the other way (with said child in hand) and kept running.

But, not Abraham. Abraham had such faith in God that he would obey his direction. He took his son and they traveled to the altar and Abraham prepared his son to be the sacrifice. On the way, Isaac asks his father what will be the sacrifice as they didn't have an animal with them. Abraham's reply to his son, "God will provide". I know there have been times when I, myself, have answered questions my children have with answers more for the purpose of reassuring them than for actually giving them the facts. I wonder if this was the case with Abraham. Was this response a way of easing Isaac's mind or was it a true statement of Abraham's faith in God's provision?

Abraham gets all the way to the point of raising the knife when God intervenes, provides the lamb for sacrifice and saves Isaac. God commends Abraham for his faith.

The Bible is full of prophecy and foreshadowing and symbolism. Abraham was willing to give his Son, but God didn't ask that much of him in the end. However, many years later, God would do this Himself. He would finish the job and His Son would be killed. He provided the lamb, yet again, and this time, the Lamb was Jesus Christ.

Lord, thank you for your Son. Thank you for the gift of the lamb, Jesus Christ. Deepen my faith, Lord, that I might have the faith of Abraham even to the point of obeying you in the most difficult tasks.

Day 6: Jacob's Ladder

(Ornament: a ladder)

I have a recurring dream. I dream often that my college degree is being "called back" because I am short one course and I must return to my university to complete the course. What's the course? P.E.! If I have dreamed this one time, I have dreamed it 100 times. Silly, huh?

In the Bible, God spoke to several people through the dreams. One of these dreams is known to us as Jacob's Ladder. Jacob was Isaac's son. Remember Isaac? He was the son of Abraham. (Read above.) We are moving through the descendants of Abraham as we move towards the birth of the Christ Child.

Jacob had a dream one night. He had set out to another country to find a wife. On his journey, he felt lonely and tired. One night, as he settled in for sleep, he lay on the ground using a stone for a pillow and fell asleep. Now, I don't know about you, but I don't think I would sleep very soundly if I was sleeping on the ground and using a rock for a pillow. (Thank you, Lord, for the house over my head and my pillow!)

As Jacob falls into deep sleep, he dreams a strange and awesome dream. Jacob saw a ladder that reached all the way to the sky. Angels were going up and down the ladder and God was standing at the top. Jacob was told that many wonderful things would happen to him because God loved him. From Jacob's family, Jesus would come. Jacob awoke from the dream with the reassurance that God was with him on his journey and his life would never be the same again.

Lord, what an amazing and reassuring reminder that you are always with us. In our times of loneliness and despair, we are absolutely not alone. Help us to remember this, Lord, and to know that no matter what is going on around us or who has turned their back on us, You will never leave us or forsake us! We love you, Lord!

Day 7: Joseph's Coat of Many Colors

(Ornament: a colorful coat)

This is sibling rivalry at its best! Joseph was one of 12 sons and was the favorite of his father, Jacob. Joseph's brother knew that Joseph was the favorite and were very jealous of this affection. One day, Jacob presented Joseph with a beautiful coat. This only stirred the pot of jealousy and the brothers began plotting a way to get rid of Joseph, yes even to kill him. Read about the story here.

God, however, had grand plans for Joseph's life and saved him from death. Joseph encountered many troubles to get to the place where God would use him in a mighty way. The Bible tells us that God works all things for good for those who love him (Romans 8:28). Joseph had no way of knowing that one day he would be a great ruler in Egypt and when his brothers needed help, he would be the one to take care of them. He could have easily turned away, bitter from the mistreatment during his younger years, but instead, he chose to forgive them and to help them.

What can we learn from Joseph? God is always with us, even in our times of trouble when He might feel far away. God also calls us to be forgiving just as He has forgiven us our sins through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Lord, what an amazing feat it is, at times, to be forgiving. Help me to forgive those who need forgiveness so that I might not sin. Thank you for being with me in the hard times and molding me for Your purposes.

Day 8: Moses and the Ten Commandments

(Ornament: a tablet with numbers)

I'm sure that most people have heard of the ten commandments. Sometimes, they are viewed with a pessimism as if God is barking down orders and ready with his lightsaber to zap us when we break one. This is not the God I serve, however.

The Bible says that God is love. I know as a parent, it's important for me to set boundaries for my children and I do so out of my love for them and hopes that they will become Godly grownups.

I am not a rebellious person by nature. I'm actually a rule-following nerd, so I like rules. But, as I get older, I really like to pick and choose my rules. (As if I know what is best for me...) Just like a small child needs the guidance of parents, I need the guidance of my Heavenly Father who loves me beyond measure and knows what's best for me.

Father, help me to be obedient to Your Word. Thank you for the Bible. I long to be pleasing to you.

Day 9: Canaan, The Promised Land of Blessings

(Ornament: a cluster of grapes)

Have you ever seen a bunch of grapes so big and juicy that two men had to carry it? Read this! I can't imagine such abundance of grapes, figs, pomegranates and more as those found in Canaan, the promised land. We are reminded again, today, God keeps His promises! Sometimes, the timeline is adjusted due to our lack of obedience and faith, but He does not waver from what He has promised His children. Hallelujah!

Moses worked to free God's people from Pharaoh and it was not a simple feat, to say the least. Very soon after their departure from Egypt, the people turned away from God. This didn't change God's promises, yet increased the time it took to reach the land He had promised. Finally, when the people were close enough to step into the land, they still turned to their own ways, which resulted in 40 more years of wandering. However, God's promise was fulfilled when the people chose to return to being obedient. He had brought them to the place He promised and provided all their needs along the way, even in their times of disobedience and faithlessness, He was moving them towards the Promised Land.

I like to think the Promised Land could be a glimpse of heaven. The land was abundant in blessings and was theirs to have if they were only obedient and followed God. The result of their disobedience was an additional time in the desert, a time when many died. However, the few who lived made it to the Promised Land and from those people, would come King David, moving closer to the birth of Jesus.

Lord, it is so easy to trace your hand in the Bible, moving through the descendants and following your plan from Adam all the way to Jesus. However, sometimes we refuse to see the trace of your hand in our own lives. Help us to remember that we belong to You and You have everything we need. Praise be to you, Lord!

Brrr...it's cold!

The winds last night were quite dramatic. They blew all four wreaths off the 2nd floor of the front of my house. One is yet to have been found, so I will be the crazy neighbor rummaging through and searching the neighbor's bushes and yards.

We have been lucky so far (knock on wood) by not being hit yet with bad weather. We did wake up to some white stuff on the ground this morning and the wind chill of ZERO degrees. (I never thought that really existed!)

So, today's the day to break out the snow boots and make sure the hat, scarf, mittens and warmest coat are ready to go! Isn't she cute?

And, with Abby, there will always be a silly picture to follow...

Twinkle in his eye...

Ben is going to be a giddy little boy when he sees this!

Click here.

Not so sure about Abby...

I wonder if we should even try it for her!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

...how lovely are your lights! So, after 15 Christmases, we now have colored lights. We've always had white lights (because of my preference), but this year, thanks to Target's white lights being sold out, we now have colored lights, and twinkling ones at that! (Twinkling vs. blinking...twinkling lights have just a few lights on the strand that blink.) So, it was Jason's lucky day. It actually looks great! Here's our tree and some of my favorite ornaments.

Ta-da...

From our honeymoon...

(Guess where we went!)

Our first Christmas together...

(1995...married 9 days!)

My first Christmas pregnant...

(1999...this ornament was made by the Brookwood community.)

Our first family ornament...

(We have one for each year dating back to 2000.)

Contains letters to Santa...

Nail...

(Reminds us that Jesus's birthday serves a purpose, He was crucified for my sins, for your sins.)

Love the Hallmark family ornaments...

(Every year, we add Mom, Dad, Son & 2 Daughters.)

Grandma gives the kids Hallmark Grandson & Granddaughter ornaments each year...

I LOVE snowmen...

Each year, I try to add one snowman ornament.

Maybe my favorite ornaments...

Homemade by the kids!

Did you know that the tradition of the Christmas Tree dates back to the 16th century? Legend has it that Martin Luther began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas. One crisp Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking through snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth.

Happy Decorating!

Preparing for the Big Day, Part 4

Day 4: God Calls Abram

(Ornament: Camel & Tent)

I love the story of Abraham (formerly known as Abram). I can relate (maybe just a smidgeon) to God's call out of the blue when all things seem to be going just fine. In reading this with the kids today, we could tie Abraham's story to our story of moving from Texas to Ohio. God told Abraham (at the ripe old age of 75) to take his family, his household and his livestock and go to a new land. Abraham obeyed God, doing just as he said, and set out for the journey. When he finally arrives in the land of Canaan, God shows the land to Abraham and declares that as far as he can see will belong to his descendants. (But, um, Abraham is 75 and doesn't have any descendants, just one little observation.)

Remember, God always has a plan. If you know the story of Abraham, he will have descendants (because God keeps His promises), and through his descendants, Jesus will be born. (Remember, God's perfect plan?)

You can be 100% certain today that God has a plan for you and He keeps His promises! Just think of Abraham, a 75-year-old man without children, from whom God brought into the world His one and only Son.

Lord, help me to obey you in the times when it doesn't make sense. Thank you for your perfect plan for my life and the lives of all your children.

I am one lucky girl!

I had a great birthday yesterday! I felt so loved all day long! Jason planned a night out from organizing the babysitter to the yummy dinner to the movie. I didn't have to do a thing!

We started out a restaurant called fire: food & drink. I would venture to say this might restaurant might be a small glimpse of what the feasts will be like in Heaven! It was delicious! Of course, we only frequent places like this about once a year. I was reminded of that fact as I'm reading the menu and needed a dictionary just to be able to order my food. However, the word "lobster" caught my eye. I couldn't decide between the chicken or the lobster. With Jason's help (How often do you have chicken? all the time. How often do you have lobster? never.), the decision was easy. And the perfect decision, it was. It was scrumptious!!

From there, we made our way to the movie theater in Shaker Square, which is a newly renovated old theater. With the timing, our choices were limited to two: A Christmas Carol or New Moon, so I went with New Moon. It was ok, better than the first movie, for sure. We then came home for presents and Jason gave me three sweaters and scarf from Victoria's Secret. He did good!

Most importantly, I loved not having to be the one to plan it all and felt pampered from beginning to end. And, I loved being out with my man! We MUST do this more often!

I am one lucky girl, one lucky girl indeed!

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy birthday to me!

Happy birthday to me!

What a great day it will be!

Happy birthday to me!

Just for my special day, I sent some snow to Houston!

Preparing for the Big Day, Part 3

Day 3: Inside the Ark

(Ornament: A rainbow)

Today, we've been reminded that God keeps His promises!

Amen!

Do you know the story of Noah and the Ark? If not, you can read it here. After Adam and Eve's first sin, the world became more and more sinful until one day, every person's heart was full of evil. God grieved the fact that He created man. Can you imagine? Do you ever think of God as grieving, that he actually grieves as a result of our sin?

During that time, God saw favor in Noah and instructed Noah to build a very large boat for himself, his family, and the animals God would instruct Him to save. I can't even imagine what the folks around Noah must have thought of him as he was building this huge vessel. (Does Evan Almighty come to mind?) However, despite the ridicule and embarrassment he must have felt, Noah was obedient to God's directions.

God was with Noah and fulfilled His promise of saving his family. The flood waters rose to 20 feet above the highest mountains and everything that had breath in its nostrils was destroyed. However, Noah's family and the animals inside the ark were safe. God then promised that He would never again destroy the earth with water and gave the rainbow as a sign of this promise. Every time you see a rainbow in the sky, it is a reminder that God keeps his promises!

Drawing a spiritual parallel, the ark is a symbol of Christ. God gave us the gift of His Son to save us from the sin that destroys our very life. No matter how much ridicule or embarrassment we may feel, He keeps His promise and the gift is there for us to receive. Romans 3:23-24 says "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Thank you, Lord, for keeping Your promises! Thank you for the gift of Jesus, the most wonderful gift I could ever receive.

Preparing for the Big Day, Part 1 & 2

Advent...the word means "coming". Specifically, it's a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of the Christ child. Growing up, Advent was a special time during the four Sundays prior to Christmas in church. Families would lead a time of devotion and light the advent candle in the advent wreath.

This year, we are doing something new (to us) with our kids at home, the Jesse Tree. The Jesse Tree is named from Isaiah 11:1: "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from its roots." The branch is a symbol of Jesus Christ. You can read more about it here.

Of course, I had grand visions of my children all sitting quietly, listening attentively, soaking it all in. So, picture Abby scooting around on the floor mad because she couldn't hold the Bible and poor Ben laying on the couch because he's sick (yes, again!), but pay attention and participate, he did! Emily helped lead the devotion time by reading the Scripture. (Having a 9 year old is so much fun!) I continue to cling to that Proverb... "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." I just hope I'm doing enough.

I thought I'd post something each day from our Jesse Tree devotions and you can watch the tree fill with decorations. While we have only read two, the kids are really enjoying it (& so am I).

We are reading from this book. It's a great Advent devotional book, beginning with December 1st as Day 1. There is a children's devotional and an adult devotional for each day. (Click on the image to link to Amazon.)

Day 1: The Light in Creation

(Ornament: green/blue ball to represent the earth)

Genesis 1:1 says "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Prior to this creation, the world was dark, but God was there. When God said, "Let there by light," there was light!

Did you know that Jesus was there with God when the world was made? Read John 1:1-4. Jesus is the Word that is mentioned in these verses. In the beginning, the Word was with God... This very same God that created the heavens and the earth created you!

I love how this devotional book ties the creation story to our lives spiritually. "Outside of God, life has no purpose. We are in darkness. The Light comes when we give ourselves to Christ. Our lives now become meaningful because we have found our purpose - to glorify Him!"

My friend, I pray that your life is filled with the Light of Christ today!

Day 2: The First Sin

(Ornament: apple with a snake wrapped around it)

I am a sinner. I hate that I am a sinner, but I am definitely one. In fact, the Bible says that we are all sinners. (Isaiah 53:6: We all like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way.") No one is exempt from sinning. This sin separates us from God. When God created the first man and woman (Adam & Eve), they walked closely with God as they were without sin. However, one day, Satan disguised as a snake, approaches Eve and convinces her through his lies that she can eat of the fruit tree God had specifically instructed was off limits. Through her disobedience, she brings the fruit to Adam and they both take a bite. This is the first sin. This is the first separation from God.

The only way to get back to God is to take the sin away. God's amazing plan provides a Way for us to come back to Him. In Genesis 3:15, God's plan for redemption is revealed. From the very first sin, God set forth a plan to bring us back to Him.

I pray that I will not put my own will above Your will today, O God. Thank you for loving us even in our sin and for providing a Way (Jesus) for us to be with you again!

Happily Ever After?

Do you think there is such a thing as happily ever after? When I was little, I loved the fairy tales that would end with "and they lived happily ever after". No more conflict as the conflict in the story had been resolved, usually by the handsome prince, and just like that, the couple is launched into "happily ever after". Growing up in a dysfunctional family, I used to dream of days such as these, the day that all my troubles would be over and happily ever after would kick in. Of course, as we get older and we go through life, we quickly learn there's a reason those stories are called fairy tales, right?

I never thought that by the age of 37, I would personally know several people who have experienced tragedies in their life; divorce, death of a child, cancer, alcoholism, drug abuse. Suffering is such a part of our life here on earth. There's no avoiding it, there's no getting around it, it's here. Sufferings, temptations, sin, it's all here.

I attend a Community Bible Study, which is an in-depth study of a book of the Bible. My particular group is a group for women and we have been studying Genesis. (I would encourage you to find a CBS in your community. The time spent studying is priceless and so worth it!) As we go through Genesis, we have looked closely at the life of Abraham and Lot. I was really struck this week by something and wanted to work through it a bit here.

I will admit that one of my ongoing struggles is to fight the stronghold of materialism. I am always wanting something more. I love to buy things for my house, things for my kids, etc. Just when I think I've got it all, I can make a list of 10 more things I must have. Bottom line, I love to spend money. With the Christmas season here, it's really bad. Jason and I are sticking to a smaller Christmas this year, trying to focus on the real reason we celebrate Christmas. I have to confess, I'm already itching! Who signed up for all these catalogs anyway?

In my study this week, I read a verse in Luke that has been on my brain since. I'll start with Genesis 19, which is the chapter I studied this week. In Genesis 19, God destroys Sodom & Gomorrah because the town was so wicked that God could not find just one righteous person living there. Lot had been living in S&G and God told him to leave the town as He would be destroying it. In God's instructions, he told Lot and his family to keep walking and not look back. If you're familiar with this story, you know that Lot's wife disobeyed God and she looked back. Immediately, she became a pillar of salt. (God means business! There's no bluffing with Him.)

As I studied this chapter in depth, I was lead to Luke 17:30-32. In this story, Luke is referencing the story of S&G. It was a typical day in the city. Folks were working, women were shopping; everyone was going about their business on a day that began like any other. However, in an instant, God destroyed the city. I wonder if those people had a second to think, to regret...

Luke goes on to compare this to the day when Christ returns. Here are his words: "It will be just like this (S&G) on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot's wife!"

Wow! Does this hit you like it hit me? Of course, I won't be on my roof, but I'm sure I'll be going about my day with the things that normally occupy my time. In an instant, He will come! It won't matter what things I have waiting for me in my comfy house, in an instant, my Savior will appear and I will walk away from it all. I will not have a second thought to go back and get those shoes that I just had to have or that toy that my kids love so much, or the new comforter I just bought for my bed, or that necklace that I just couldn't live without. It won't matter! I'll be with my King! I'll have all the treasures I would ever want or need. The hardships of this life will be behind me and I'll get my happily ever after!

I've shared this before, but just love how Max Lucado paints the day of when Christ returns. I get chills when I read it, so thought I'd share it again here.

You are in your car driving home. Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you’ve ever heard fills the air. The sound is high above you. A trumpet? A choir? A choir of trumpets? You don’t know, but you want to know.

So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up. As you do, you see you aren’t the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are staring at the sky. Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store.

The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents are searching the clouds. And what they see, and what you see, has never before been seen.

As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part. A brilliant light spills onto the earth. There are no shadows. None. From whence came the light begins to tumble a river of color spiking crystals of every hue ever seen and a million more never seen. Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky.

North.

South.

East.

West.

Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting, Holy, holy, holy. The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship.

Presently the movement stops and the trumpets are silent, leaving only the triumphant triplet: Holy, holy, holy. Between each word is a pause. With each word, a profound reverence. You hear your voice join in the chorus. You don’t know why you say the words, but you know you must.

Suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet. The angels turn, you turn, the entire world turns and there He is.

Jesus.

Through waves of light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud. He opens his mouth, and you are surrounded by his declaration:

I am the Alpha and the Omega.

The angels bow their heads. The elders remove their crowns. And before you is a Figure so consuming that you know, instantly you know:

Nothing else matters. Forget stock markets and school reports. Sales meetings and football games. Nothing is newsworthy...

All that mattered, matters no more...

for Christ has come...

Does this make you wonder where you will be when The Day comes? What will you be doing? Does it make you hope that you are ready? If you are not sure, read this.

Lord, keep my mind focused on You. Let all things that are unnecessary fade into the background. Oh, how I want to be ready on that amazing day when You return!