The entertainment industry has been knocked back on its heels in recent weeks as the December headlines announce the passing of celebrities such as Alan Thicke, Zsa Zsa Gabor, George Michael, Ricky Harris, and most recent Carrie Fisher followed by her mother beloved actress Debbie Reynolds.
I'm sure that you, like me, feel sorrow for their families as well as for our own loss. The people who have been piped into our homes and cars impact our lives in different ways. Sometimes we even feel like we know them.
I've noticed as each story is told, there is an element of surprise and the news is met with disbelief. It's as if we want to pretend death is elusive.
The trouble with death is. . .the one statistic that cannot change and no one skew is this - one out of every one persons will die.
You may be frowning at this point and even thinking, "Way to go, Shelley. Way to bring in the New Year!"
Hang in there!
Life on earth is but a blip on the radar screen when compared to eternity. So whether a person lives to see 20 or 120, the years cannot compare to eternity.
Here's my New Year's message for you. Begin 2017 by putting your trust in the One who also died but lives again. Hebrews tells us everyone must die and face the consequences of this life. We also read and believe that through Jesus' death and resurrection we can be free from eternal consequences.
I think back over my 53 years and I am continually amazed by God's grace in my life. I can tell you my friend, that whether you live in Germany or Russia, France or America, the price for your sins has been paid.
God could not love you more and He will never love you less.
I do hope and pray God leaves me here another 53 years. I'd love to live a long and fruitful life. But when my time comes to leave this world and my blip on the radar comes to a close, I will begin my eternity in heaven! I truly am anxious to see Jesus! I look forward to hugging my Daddy and running with my friend, Lisa.
Until then, I plan to tell strangers and friends that death is not the end, it's the beginning for those who call upon the name of the Lord.
My prayer for you in 2017? That you might find Jesus is all you need!
(Shout out to Haley for letting me use her sunset picture! Love you, girl!)
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Step Away from the Manger
Could there have been a lower place
for the Creator to become a part of the created?
Step away from the manger.
Look to the Healer of broken hearts.
Glance past the swaddled infant.
Set your gaze on the One who makes all things new.
That tiny fist that grasps His mother's finger?
It belongs to the Defender of the universe
The tiny feet that stretch and kick
carry the Savior of the world.
The eyes that close in blissful sleep
saw this night before the foundations of the earth were formed
Angels praise God and shout "Glory to God in the highest heaven!"
the Bright and Morning Star is here, bringing salvation for all mankind!
The shepherds hurry to find this child
Do they know they look upon THE Good Shepherd?
Hear the baby cry and know,
This is the voice that cried IT IS FINISHED!
Step away from the manger.
Look up!
Reach out!
Your Deliverer is here, your longing is over.
Reconciler, Redeemer, Son of God.
He is past tense and present tense and future tense.
The baby was here for a short time.
The Son of God is eternal.
Step away from the manger.
Your salvation is nigh.
Monday, December 19, 2016
To Infinity and Beyond!
I have a bookshelf in my dining room. It holds treasures that are priceless to me. A musical snow globe from my daddy, trinkets from great grand and grandparents, nativities from family and friends, and a few special things passed down to me from my mom.
I need to catalogue these prize possessions so my kids and grand kids will know their significance when I am running around on the streets of gold.
The bottom shelf contains photo albums. On the next shelf up I carefully placed special items that need to be treated gently yet can be handled by the grandbabies. There's a nativity that Abbie and I found in a "junk shop" years ago (one of my favorite shopping stops). There are also a few figurines.
Ever since Lilley K could walk, she has stood at this shelf and examined the pieces. She especially likes a little girl wearing a straw hat and has held her and looked at her and carefully placed her back on the shelf.
Our house was buzzing this past Saturday with girls a-baking and grandbabies a-running and a few naps here and there.
Sunday morning as I scuffled to the coffee pot I stopped at my shelf to look and remember (yes, I do that often). I glanced down and saw a precious sight. You get to see it in the above picture. At some point yesterday, two year old Lil K rearranged the nativity and placed that little girl by the baby Jesus. Gracious my heart melted! I would love to have known what was going through her creative little mind as she put each figurine in its place.
I smiled as I thought of her singing "we are weak but he be strong" and saying her prayers "thank you God for potatoes and Daddy and Mommy and Pop and Dramaw" and whomever else she is thinking of at the moment. She is a blessed little girl in so many ways. The people in her life love her deeply.
My smile came from this thought--she's getting it. She feels loved by God. And that eternal relationship with Him begins with knowing He loves her to infinity and beyond.
Guess what my cyber-friend? God loves YOU to infinity and beyond. Consider this blog your invitation to invite Him into your life.
Now is the time to trust Him as your Savior. Now is the season of your life to take all that you understand of yourself and give it to all you understand about God. Don't wait until you get things straightened out or you have all your questions answered. Don't wait for someone else to make your life better. Don't wait.
You see, that little sleeping baby Jesus came to this world so you and I could live our short years on earth knowing His presence and when we close our eyes to this world we can open them in Glory.
I would love to meet you one day in heaven. We will be there to infinity and beyond!
I need to catalogue these prize possessions so my kids and grand kids will know their significance when I am running around on the streets of gold.
The bottom shelf contains photo albums. On the next shelf up I carefully placed special items that need to be treated gently yet can be handled by the grandbabies. There's a nativity that Abbie and I found in a "junk shop" years ago (one of my favorite shopping stops). There are also a few figurines.
Ever since Lilley K could walk, she has stood at this shelf and examined the pieces. She especially likes a little girl wearing a straw hat and has held her and looked at her and carefully placed her back on the shelf.
Our house was buzzing this past Saturday with girls a-baking and grandbabies a-running and a few naps here and there.
Sunday morning as I scuffled to the coffee pot I stopped at my shelf to look and remember (yes, I do that often). I glanced down and saw a precious sight. You get to see it in the above picture. At some point yesterday, two year old Lil K rearranged the nativity and placed that little girl by the baby Jesus. Gracious my heart melted! I would love to have known what was going through her creative little mind as she put each figurine in its place.
I smiled as I thought of her singing "we are weak but he be strong" and saying her prayers "thank you God for potatoes and Daddy and Mommy and Pop and Dramaw" and whomever else she is thinking of at the moment. She is a blessed little girl in so many ways. The people in her life love her deeply.
My smile came from this thought--she's getting it. She feels loved by God. And that eternal relationship with Him begins with knowing He loves her to infinity and beyond.
Guess what my cyber-friend? God loves YOU to infinity and beyond. Consider this blog your invitation to invite Him into your life.
Now is the time to trust Him as your Savior. Now is the season of your life to take all that you understand of yourself and give it to all you understand about God. Don't wait until you get things straightened out or you have all your questions answered. Don't wait for someone else to make your life better. Don't wait.
You see, that little sleeping baby Jesus came to this world so you and I could live our short years on earth knowing His presence and when we close our eyes to this world we can open them in Glory.
I would love to meet you one day in heaven. We will be there to infinity and beyond!
Sunday, December 11, 2016
The Season of Sorrow
This is supposed to be a season of celebration. A season of joy. A season of thankful hearts.
And yet, for so many, it is a season of sorrow.
A season of remembering loved ones who are sorely missed.
A season of longing for a marriage that is strong.
A season of despair over illness . . . of many kinds.
A season of good-byes as some too young to go slip from this world.
A season of "anniversary pain" because the past few Decembers carried anguish and sleepless nights.
I am praying for you, sweet friend, if you are in a season of sorrow. I'm asking God to make Himself known to you. That you might catch a glimpse of His redeeming love and feel the warmth of His embrace. There are many things that cannot be understood and your need for it to make sense leaves you feeling hollow. I'm asking God to fill the void; to send people to you who will "be Jesus with skin on."
Take care, my precious family in Christ. Take care to stop long enough to search the eyes of the waitress, the man bagging groceries, the FedEx lady, and the grouchy person in line behind you. Take care to think it through and realize this person might be in a great season of sorrow.
A gentle touch, a warm smile, a gesture of holding a door open or leaving a large tip can change a persons day. No, no you can't take the cancer away and you can't turn back time to prevent a funeral. You can't heal a broken marriage and you can't bring a wayward child home.
But you know Who can.
Before you leave home in the morning, ask God to make you an instrument of His peace. Be the one that is sensitive to those around you. Be the one who asks "How are you?" and actually stands still long enough to hear the answer.
Almost 20 years ago Suzanne Gaither Jennings (Bill and Gloria Gaither's daughter) penned the words to the song Hand of Sweet Release. It became a favorite Christmas song for my husband and me. Life is full of painful experiences, moments of despair. People need a relationship with the long expected Jesus. . .
Come thou long expected Jesus,
Come illuminate the mysteries of life.
Come redeem us from the refuse,
Bring an end to endless suffering and strife.
Be the star that shines so brightly
That it draws our weary eyes to the sky,
to Heaven’s sky.
Dearest child of new beginnings,
Be the start of something beautiful, I cry.
There’s an end to all the waiting,
There’s an answer to the “who?” and “where?” and “why?” . . . tonight.
All the years anticipating,
Are surrendered to a tiny baby’s cry.
There’s a dawn to follow darkness,
There’s a face to fill the title, “Prince of Peace.”
What he promised, he deliveredI am saved by the hand of sweet release.
In this war I’ve been a captive,
Just a sinner seeking life and liberty.
But these hands that hold me tightly
Are the hands that set my shackled spirit free.
Blessed Jesus, meek and lowly,
You have come into my life and made it new,
Now I’m new.
Out of bondage into everlasting light,
I owe everything to you.
Pray for those in a season of sorrow. Pray for God's touch that turns ashes into joy.
Take care to tell the hurting about The Hand of Sweet Release. . . the person Jesus. The One who sets the shackled spirit free.
The One who came that very special night is no longer in a manger bed. His bones cannot be found in a grave. He is alive and in the hearts of all who believe. The Redeemer is HERE.
Sorrow lasts for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
And yet, for so many, it is a season of sorrow.
A season of remembering loved ones who are sorely missed.
A season of longing for a marriage that is strong.
A season of despair over illness . . . of many kinds.
A season of good-byes as some too young to go slip from this world.
A season of "anniversary pain" because the past few Decembers carried anguish and sleepless nights.
I am praying for you, sweet friend, if you are in a season of sorrow. I'm asking God to make Himself known to you. That you might catch a glimpse of His redeeming love and feel the warmth of His embrace. There are many things that cannot be understood and your need for it to make sense leaves you feeling hollow. I'm asking God to fill the void; to send people to you who will "be Jesus with skin on."
Take care, my precious family in Christ. Take care to stop long enough to search the eyes of the waitress, the man bagging groceries, the FedEx lady, and the grouchy person in line behind you. Take care to think it through and realize this person might be in a great season of sorrow.
A gentle touch, a warm smile, a gesture of holding a door open or leaving a large tip can change a persons day. No, no you can't take the cancer away and you can't turn back time to prevent a funeral. You can't heal a broken marriage and you can't bring a wayward child home.
But you know Who can.
Before you leave home in the morning, ask God to make you an instrument of His peace. Be the one that is sensitive to those around you. Be the one who asks "How are you?" and actually stands still long enough to hear the answer.
Almost 20 years ago Suzanne Gaither Jennings (Bill and Gloria Gaither's daughter) penned the words to the song Hand of Sweet Release. It became a favorite Christmas song for my husband and me. Life is full of painful experiences, moments of despair. People need a relationship with the long expected Jesus. . .
Come thou long expected Jesus,
Come illuminate the mysteries of life.
Come redeem us from the refuse,
Bring an end to endless suffering and strife.
Be the star that shines so brightly
That it draws our weary eyes to the sky,
to Heaven’s sky.
Dearest child of new beginnings,
Be the start of something beautiful, I cry.
There’s an end to all the waiting,
There’s an answer to the “who?” and “where?” and “why?” . . . tonight.
All the years anticipating,
Are surrendered to a tiny baby’s cry.
There’s a dawn to follow darkness,
There’s a face to fill the title, “Prince of Peace.”
What he promised, he deliveredI am saved by the hand of sweet release.
In this war I’ve been a captive,
Just a sinner seeking life and liberty.
But these hands that hold me tightly
Are the hands that set my shackled spirit free.
Blessed Jesus, meek and lowly,
You have come into my life and made it new,
Now I’m new.
Out of bondage into everlasting light,
I owe everything to you.
Pray for those in a season of sorrow. Pray for God's touch that turns ashes into joy.
Take care to tell the hurting about The Hand of Sweet Release. . . the person Jesus. The One who sets the shackled spirit free.
The One who came that very special night is no longer in a manger bed. His bones cannot be found in a grave. He is alive and in the hearts of all who believe. The Redeemer is HERE.
Sorrow lasts for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Make Christmas Great Again. Skip Church!
I usually watch a few minutes of national news while getting ready for work. I know, call me crazy, but I like to at least make an attempt at knowing what's going on in the world.
Well, this morning I had to stop curling my hair long enough to watch an interview with, um, okay sorry, I don't recall the guy's name. He represented American Atheists and was there to talk about their Christmas billboard. Make Christmas Great Again. Skip Church!
It began as another one of those "Did I really just hear that?" moments and moved quickly to "Wow, I really did just hear that." He did his best to defend the sign by saying atheists all over America feel pressured to attend church at Christmas and church has nothing to do with Christmas...you know, the food, the family, the giving of gifts.
Sadly, even people who say they live in a "Christian" home and are raising kids in a "Christian" atmosphere will celebrate this season as the American Atheists do. They will give gifts and serve up wonderful meals to family members and might even sing White Christmas or Jingle Bell Rock.
It's important to note the definition of atheist. The American Atheists say "Atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods; it is a lack of belief in gods." That quote is taken straight from an article in Pennlive.com. I had to read it and then read it again. It's not that they don't believe, it's that they lack belief.
Christmas isn't about the gifts, or the food or even the family. CHRISTmas is all about the moment God came to earth and made it possible for mere human beings to live eternally. That sweet baby, born in a manger, grew up to willingly take on the sins of the entire world. Christmas is all about God's love, redemption, hope. It is the promise fulfilled. God's promise to send the Messiah, The One who would be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Prince of Peace.
We can agree with the atheist man that church had nothing to do with Christmas back then. There was no church. But you know what? There was plenty of worship. Joseph and Mary worshipped. The angels worshipped. The shepherds worshipped.
If you have friends or family who are atheists, don't pressure them to go to church. Instead, live your life in such a way that they must look again at their lack of belief. Be the example of Christ that makes them second guess what they thought they knew.
But that "skip church" thing? For folks who say they are Christians, folks who say they have a Christian home, folks who want to raise their kids to love God...well, not only should you have your family in church Christmas Sunday, there are a few Sundays in between.
Plan to make your Christmas the very best celebration of the birth of the promised Messiah. Please do make Christmas great again. I'll see you in church!
Well, this morning I had to stop curling my hair long enough to watch an interview with, um, okay sorry, I don't recall the guy's name. He represented American Atheists and was there to talk about their Christmas billboard. Make Christmas Great Again. Skip Church!
It began as another one of those "Did I really just hear that?" moments and moved quickly to "Wow, I really did just hear that." He did his best to defend the sign by saying atheists all over America feel pressured to attend church at Christmas and church has nothing to do with Christmas...you know, the food, the family, the giving of gifts.
Sadly, even people who say they live in a "Christian" home and are raising kids in a "Christian" atmosphere will celebrate this season as the American Atheists do. They will give gifts and serve up wonderful meals to family members and might even sing White Christmas or Jingle Bell Rock.
It's important to note the definition of atheist. The American Atheists say "Atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods; it is a lack of belief in gods." That quote is taken straight from an article in Pennlive.com. I had to read it and then read it again. It's not that they don't believe, it's that they lack belief.
Christmas isn't about the gifts, or the food or even the family. CHRISTmas is all about the moment God came to earth and made it possible for mere human beings to live eternally. That sweet baby, born in a manger, grew up to willingly take on the sins of the entire world. Christmas is all about God's love, redemption, hope. It is the promise fulfilled. God's promise to send the Messiah, The One who would be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Prince of Peace.
We can agree with the atheist man that church had nothing to do with Christmas back then. There was no church. But you know what? There was plenty of worship. Joseph and Mary worshipped. The angels worshipped. The shepherds worshipped.
If you have friends or family who are atheists, don't pressure them to go to church. Instead, live your life in such a way that they must look again at their lack of belief. Be the example of Christ that makes them second guess what they thought they knew.
But that "skip church" thing? For folks who say they are Christians, folks who say they have a Christian home, folks who want to raise their kids to love God...well, not only should you have your family in church Christmas Sunday, there are a few Sundays in between.
Plan to make your Christmas the very best celebration of the birth of the promised Messiah. Please do make Christmas great again. I'll see you in church!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)