”In acceptance lieth peace.” ~Amy Carmichael
Better Late than Never
Due to my health problems I failed to post the last advent post that should have been published on December 24. It’s now days into 2018 but I still want to share. My prayer for each of us that we all make room for Jesus Christ his year and share His love with others in how we live each day.
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ~John 3:16
Love. Love represents everything God is and 1 John reminds us of that for it says that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). God loved us so much that He sacrificed his one and only son Jesus Christ on the cross to pay for our sins. It all started with a loving God, an obedient teenage girl named Mary, and a baby born in a manger. This is a gift that we could never repay. However, in return God wants our heart. Our whole heart. He wants us to die to self, live for Him, and according to His Word. Luke 1o:27 commands us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”
As theologian Jeremy Taylor states, “Love is the greatest thing God can give us, for himself is love, and love is the greatest thing we can give to God, for it will also give ourselves. . . . The apostle calls love the bond of perfection. It is the old, and it is the new, and it is the great commandment, and it is all the commandments, for it is the fulfilling of the law.”
No matter who you are, where you’ve been, or what you’ve done — God is always ready for you to come to Him and receive His love and forgiveness. He is always there ready for us to come to Him. Only His perfect love will give the ultimate fulfillment we long for on this earth. Spouses, family, and friends may love us greatly, but Jesus’ love is the only love that will never fail in this life. As we fully accept the love of Christ, we are able to love others as the Bible commands and be the people God desires us to be.
As Christmas approaches the central focus should be on the birth of Christ and the love that He represents. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and lose sight of what the season is all about.
Christmas is not about me. Christmas is not about you. Christmas is not about presents or food. Christmas is about the Eternal love that was born in a manger to bring hope to the hopeless, peace to the restless, joy to the grieving, and love to the lost and hurting. It is a time to truly celebrate this baby who became our Savior, and praise Him for all He has done and will continue to do.
If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed this week, or if the holidays are a sad and lonely time for you please take a moment to remember that you are not alone. God’s love for you surpasses anything that you could ever imagine and the love of Christ is the greatest gift He has ever given so accept that love and a peace and joy that is unexplainable will fill your soul. Also, spend some time today doing something nice for someone else, and spend time encouraging them with the love of God because you never know how your act of kindness will impact their Christmas.
Let Every Heart Ptepare Him Room – Joy
Below is an article that I wrote a long time ago but I thought it would be applicable to share today as well. Wheeever you are or whatever circumstances you find yourself in during this Christmas season, take some time to make room for Christ and reflect on His holiness and the life He gives each of us. Christmas is eight days away but Jesus should be worshipped an adored every day of the year and not just on December 25. True joy can only come from Jesus and that joy helps us get through every season whether good or bad. I hope you enjoy today’s post and that you are encouraged.
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” ~Luke 2:10-11
Joy. The Bible calls us to have joy every single day. Philippians 4:4 says to rejoice always. Even when we do not feel like it we are supposed to rejoice. That sounds good until you are going through a really hard season and then it just plain rough.
I have found myself during many sleepless nights saying “But God my health is terrible can’t you have a little sympathy? I don’t feel like rejoicing right now. What is joyful in this?” Some others may be saying, “but God my job is so hard and this is not at all where I thought I would be right now in my life. I am miserable and don’t know what my purpose is. When will one of my dreams finally come true?” Or “but God married life is not what I thought it would be. What happened to living happily ever after? I just don’t love him anymore or feel loved. And lastly, “but God I am in my 30s and STILL single. I have dreamed of being married for years and being a helpmate to someone. When will it be my turn already? ”
All of these scenarios many have experienced, and none of these make it easy to have joy, and are even worse during the holidays. How can we rejoice at Christmas when life is in shambles? This past week I was diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth virus, a bladder infection, and a bacterial infection. This is not at all how I wanted to spend my days leading up to Christmas. After the year I have had I wanted a bit of a break.
However, that is when God so gently reminded me yet again that —
Joy is not defined by the circumstances of life. Joy is simply Jesus. Joy is found in the tiny baby who was born in a manger. Joy is found in the one who lowered himself to be a servant and washed the disciples feet. Joy is found in Him who performed many miracles. Joy is found in the man who died on the cross and in the Savior who rose again. Joy is found in Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
When I take the focus off myself and put it on the Lord my circumstances suddenly feel lighter. As we focus on the greatness of Jesus and what He has done for us — our circumstances will not always change, but our perspective towards them will. Then, a great joy that we didn’t think was possible will fill our hearts and minds. Also, along with that joy the Lord will give His strength to help us walk the hard roads in a way that is honoring to Him.
As Christmas week is approaching take time to dwell on the only one who can make your joy complete.
Tis The Season With Katherine Reay
I’m so excited to get to share a Christmas tradition with you all… Christmas is my favorite time of year and I have so many. The music starts November 1; the decoration happens the day after Thanksgiving; a gift gets opened on Christmas Eve; stories are read; movies watched; daily Advent readings are read… There’s a lot of wonder and delight this time of year. But one of my favorite traditions isn’t mine; it is my aunt’s.
My aunt gives each of my children a book every year. It’s a beautiful tradition and the books my aunt selects are treasures, such as The Secret Garden, in which the drawings are as exquisitely wrought as the words. Gorgeous picture books like Eilenberg and Barrett’s Beauty and the Beast and McClure’s Tom Finger have now given way to spectacular editions of The Wind in the Willows, The Phantom Toll Booth, Heidi, Little Women and others. And my kids, who regard most things as having the life span of deli meats or an iPhone App, adore these books, savor their words and pictures, shelve them in special corners of their rooms, and anticipate next year’s gift.
Each Christmas morning, I watch and smile. I never say much because that is the surest way to end the magic – by endorsing it. But these stories are changing my children, year by year. They are invited into new tales of adventure, new worlds and new ways of looking at life, relationships and humanity. They are also invited into a deeper relationship with a great-aunt – and that’s transformative too.
So there is my Christmas tradition – one that’s grown over the years in a beautiful moment of love and literature, across the generations, at the “most wonderful time of the year.”
About The Author: Katherine Reay is the bestselling and award-winning author of Dear Mr. Knightley, Lizzy & Jane, The Bronte Plot, A Portrait of Emily Price, and The Austen Escape. All Katherine’s novels are contemporary stories with a bit of classical flair. She holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University and is a wife, mother, rehabbing runner, former marketer, and avid chocolate consumer. After living all across the country and a few stops in Europe, Katherine now happily resides outside Chicago, IL.
Tis the Season
Hi friends. I’ve been a bit behind with blog posts over the past few weeks. I’m currently doing an advent post each week and posted that one earlier. However, I am also doing a series called Tis the Deason over the next week with guest bloggers sharing what they like about Christmas. You are going to love them.
I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season and that it is not a stressful time but a time of rest and be thankful for who Jesus is and what He has done for you over the past year. Happy almost Christmas!
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room – Peace
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” ~Isaiah 9:6
I am late in getting this advent post up because I have literally been in bed sick with cold/flu as well as a bladder infection since last Monday. I am heading to the doctor tomorrow, but I am just now able to see through the fog a bit.
One of my favorite descriptions of Christ that we hear often during the holiday season is “Prince of Peace.” Jesus is the author of peace and gave His life on the cross and rose again so that we could experience His peace for eternity. What an amazing gift! Certain seasons of life can weigh you down, and everything around you can be a chaotic mess, but that is when God’s peace shines through the most.
Throughout my life I have read the phrase — “Peace beyond my understanding” that comes from Philippians 4 numerous times. However, over the past year I have truly understood that statement. Especially in the last few months. This past year has been the hardest of life. I feel like everything that I once knew has been stripped away. My health. My home. My job. Even my friendships have changed. I feel like nothing has remained the same — except for Jesus.
My favorite missionary, Amy Carmiachel, who was also bedbound for years made the statement, “In acceptance lieth peace,” and that has been the reminder I have needed lately. To clarify , this type of acceptance doesn’t mean for one to give up, it just means we should accept circumstances for today and and trusting a God to see you through. Trials are hard and they are even harder when there is no peace. I am now experiencing this peace in my life, and it is a miracle from God. Some of my hardest days have been some of my sweetest times with Jesus. Does this mean my circumstances have changed or that I don’t get emotional some days and cry out to God in the midst of my suffering? No, but this peace helps me to endure and to live each day with a sense of joy instead of bitterness.
In addition to healing my main prayer to God each day is that He gives my family and I peace. Being sick and under the care of Hospice I never know how things will Be from one day to the next so I want to live each day enjoying the time I have with family and not worrying about what is ahead.
During this Christmas season, I am thanking God for His peace that seems impossible to the world but possible through His son Jesus who was born of a virgin and would grow up to be the Savior of the world. I am more thankful and aware of this peace more than ever before and that has been the best gift I have ever received.
[clickToTweet tweet=”I would encourage you to make room for Christ in your life this week.” quote=”I would encourage you to make room for Christ in your life this week, and allow His peace to fill your heart and soul.”]
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room – Hope
Hi friends! I’ve had every intention to write a new advent post each week that should have started last Sunday. I’ve posted on Advent the past two years and I was hoping to write new posts for the series this year. However, due to health problems and a chronic bladder infection that has caused me severe pain over the past few weeks, I have not had the energy to write anything new. The first week of advent is all about hope and I need to be reminded of the hope of Christ now more than ever.
The one truth that can be depended on no matter how hard circumstances may be is the hope of Christ never fails. No situation is too dark to keep the hope of Christ from shining through.
[clickToTweet tweet=”No situation is too dark to keep the hope of Christ from shining through.” quote=”No situation is too dark to keep the hope of Christ from shining through.”]Allow is light to shine through and let every heart prepare Hin room.
Hope a Little More!
Below is my post. Be encouraged today friends and check back tomorrow for the next post in the series.
I think of Christ, I automatically think of the word hope, and His hope could not be any more evident than at Christmas time. Merriam Webster’s Dictonary defines hope as: “to cherish a desire with anticipation, or to “expect with confidence.” Advent is a perfect example of this type of hope, and the ultimate hope that we have in life that comes from Christ.
Advent means “coming,” as in “Christ is coming.” It represents the expectation, anticipation, and preparation of the birth of Jesus. Jesus was born as fully God and fully man, and as the King of Kings was born in a lowly manger to identify with us. He came for us so that we may have the hope of Eternal life, and to live and reign in our hearts. His coming fulfills the Old Testament prophecies such as Jeremiah 33:14-16 which states, “The days are coming, ’declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.’”
This hope is also mentioned in Romans 15:12-13 — “And again, Isaiah says, The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
This year more than ever in my life, I am thankful for the hope that comes from the Lord. 2015 would have been filled with many hopeless days had it not been for the hope that I have found in Jesus. I have dealt with a lot of health problems, and there have been many days this year where to the world all hope would have seemed lost, but no matter what circumstances I face in this life, I will ALWAYS have hope because of the Savior. That truth has got me through many hard days, and I pray if you are facing an overwhelming situation or if life seems too much to bear that you dwell on the hope that Jesus gives.
The holidays can be a busy time filled with lots of fun and celebrations, or for some a time that is overwhelming or a sad reminder of what they do not have. However, it is so easy to lose focus of who should receive our utmost attention during the season. My prayer for this Christmas is that we would make room for the Savior in our lives and give Him the honor that He deserves
Longing for Christ – Love
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ~John 3:16
Love. Love represents everything God is and 1 John reminds us of that for it says that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). God loved us so much that He sacrificed his one and only son Jesus Christ on the cross to pay for our sins. It all started with a loving God, an obedient teenage girl named Mary, and a baby born in a manger. This is a gift that we could never repay. However, in return God wants our heart. Our whole heart. He wants us to die to self, live for Him, and according to His Word. Luke 1o:27 commands us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”
As theologian Jeremy Taylor states, “Love is the greatest thing God can give us, for himself is love, and love is the greatest thing we can give to God, for it will also give ourselves. . . . The apostle calls love the bond of perfection. It is the old, and it is the new, and it is the great commandment, and it is all the commandments, for it is the fulfilling of the law.”
No matter who you are, where you’ve been, or what you’ve done — God is always ready for you to come to Him and receive His love and forgiveness. He is always there ready for us to come to Him. Only His perfect love will give the ultimate fulfillment we long for on this earth. Spouses, family, and friends may love us greatly, but Jesus’ love is the only love that will never fail in this life. As we fully accept the love of Christ, we are able to love others as the Bible commands and be the people God desires us to be.
As Christmas approaches the central focus should be on the birth of Christ and the love that He represents. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and lose sight of what the season is all about.
Christmas is not about me. Christmas is not about you. Christmas is not about presents or food. Christmas is about the Eternal love that was born in a manger to bring hope to the hopeless, peace to the restless, joy to the grieving, and love to the lost and hurting. It is a time to truly celebrate this baby who became our Savior, and praise Him for all He has done and will continue to do.
If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed this week, or if the holidays are a sad and lonely time for you please take a moment to remember that you are not alone. God’s love for you surpasses anything that you could ever imagine and the love of Christ is the greatest gift He has ever given so accept that love and a peace and joy that is unexplainable will fill your soul. Also, spend some time today doing something nice for someone else, and spend time encouraging them with the love of God because you never know how your act of kindness will impact their Christmas.
Longing for Christ – Joy
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” ~Luke 2:10-11
Joy. The Bible calls us to have joy every single day. Philippians 4:4 says to rejoice always. Even when we do not feel like it we are supposed to rejoice. That sounds good until you are going through a really hard season and then it just plain rough.
I have found myself during many sleepless nights saying “But God my health is terrible can’t you have a little sympathy? I don’t feel like rejoicing right now. What is joyful in this?” Some others may be saying, “but God my job is so hard and this is not at all where I thought I would be right now in my life. I am miserable and don’t know what my purpose is. When will one of my dreams finally come true?” Or “but God married life is not what I thought it would be. What happened to living happily ever after? I just don’t love him anymore or feel loved. And lastly, “but God I am in my 30s and STILL single. I have dreamed of being married for years and being a helpmate to someone. When will it be my turn already? ”
All of these scenarios many have experienced, and none of these make it easy to have joy, and are even worse during the holidays. How can we rejoice at Christmas when life is in shambles? This past two eeeks I have been on two strong iv antibiotics for a chronic bladder infection. These medications and the infection have wiped me out. This is not at all how I wanted to spend my days leading up to Christmas. After the year I have had I wanted a bit of a break.
However, that is when God so gently reminded me yet again that —Joy is not defined by the circumstances of life. Joy is simply Jesus. Joy is found in the tiny baby who was born in a manger. Joy is found in the one who lowered himself to be a servant and washed the disciples feet. Joy is found in Him who performed many miracles. Joy is found in the man who died on the cross and in the Savior who rose again. Joy is found in Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
When I take the focus off myself and put it on the Lord my circumstances suddenly feel lighter. As we focus on the greatness of Jesus and what He has done for us — our circumstances will not always change, but our perspective towards them will. Then, a great joy that we didn’t think was possible will fill our hearts and minds. Also, along with that joy the Lord will give His strength to help us walk the hard roads in a way that is honoring to Him.
As Christmas week is approaching take time to dwell on the only one who can make your joy complete.
Longing for Christ: Peace
Thanks for joining me on the second week of celebrating Advent. My post last week was about hope, and today’s focus will be on peace. One of my favorite verses within the Christmas story is Luke 2:14 which states, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Not only did God give us the gift of Eternal life when He sacrificed His son on the cross, but with that came the gift of peace. All through the Bible there are references to the peace of God.
Because of this peace we can remain calm during chaos.
Because of this peace broken relationships can be restored.
Because of this peace fear no longer reigns supreme. God’s peace gives us victory and replaces our fears with His love.
Lastly, because of this peace the trials of life do not have to overwhelm us. As Philippians 4 states, God will give us peace beyond our understanding.
There are seasons in life when it seems this type of peace is impossible, but in Christ it is not. Two years ago when my health began to decline and my colon was removed, I never dreamed that years later things would be this difficult. I had hoped the surgery would eventually make me stronger and give me The quality of life I desired. However, that is not what happened. My health is still in a steady decline but life is not bad. Sure, I wish my health was better but thanks to God, my life is still good. The reason I can write these words, and genuinely mean them, is because of the peace I’ve found in Christ. He never fails to give me the peace I need everyday, and it is always enough.
Amidst the sickness, weariness, and hard days, God’s peace can always be found and that is what keeps me going, His peace is the greatest gift I have been given this year, and it can be yours as well. Whether you are going through a joyous season, or one with trials, God’s peace is yours for the taking. He desires and is delighted when we surrender our lives to Him and accept His peace. When you relinquish control, and give up your rights to Jesus, and let Him rule you will never be without it.
Spend some time talking to Jesus this week and allow His peace to fill your heart. It will make the road ahead easier to walk!
