Tag: prayer

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Sitting In the Silence

There is so much going on in the world right now, and much of it can be overwhelming. On the flipside, it is tempting just to ignore it ala ‘ostrich style’ and bury our heads in the sand. We don’t really have that luxury, though!

Here and abroad, violence, politics, and social issues are taking up many of the headlines, not to mention retaliation, fearmongering, persecution, misunderstandings, and twisting the Truth. Some of these issues affect people I know, while others are more distant. But on the whole, they are concerning. We are moving ever-closer to the end (Revelation!).

In times like these, I am more grateful for the hope we have in Jesus. We don’t have to shoulder these burdens alone. We can submit all our fears and concerns to Him; Jesus is more than capable and will take care of them in His timing.

It is good to be aware, stay informed, speak up, and take action. But sometimes, it is best to disconnect from the media and stay close to the Lord. As we fix our gaze on Him, He calms our hearts and instills courage. He may lead us to get involved in an issue, or He may direct us stay the course and carry on with whatever He has already told us to do. It’s unlikely I will change the whole world, but I can impact my little corner of it. (Galatians 5:22-23 and Galatians 6:9).

I find that being too busy is the worst thing when I want to hear from the Lord and find His peace. I have to let go of expectations, turn off the noise, lay aside my phone, and just sit with Him so I can tune in and listen. I might read the Bible or journal. I might sit in silence or sing a worship song. The goal is to seek God’s heart, and that takes time and intention.

Artificial Intelligence can make it difficult to know what is true, similar to someone fired up on the internet! Pick a topic; either way, people make assumptions and generally don’t check the facts or care to present all sides of the issue.

Yet, when we sit in silence and wait on the Lord, we are reminded that all Truth belongs to Jesus because He is the Truth (John 14:6). All details, data, and decisions must be filtered through His lens. Sitting in silence does not mean remaining silent or squandering a God-given opportunity to make a difference. It just means submitting to the Lord’s timing and plan first, waiting on Him instead of forging ahead on my own.

When I read a post online, sometimes I wonder if I am doing “enough.” People debate whether Jesus would do this or that… when statistics show they’ve likely never read the Bible in its entirety. Do they actually know the real Jesus, or just a cultural idea of Him? Then, I think about all I do daily to provide insight or to listen to patients, friends, family, etc. I would much rather pray and respond in my actual life than get into a heated debate with a stranger I’ll never meet in person or someone I only run into a few times a year (or less).

I don’t generally share all my thoughts and opinions in person, let alone on the internet! But that doesn’t mean I don’t have ideas to share. I generally prefer to wait, gather well-rounded information, and share it with those I know personally. We don’t have to agree, but we can have a respectful conversation!

The key for me is sitting with the Lord and listening, so I know what to say when the Holy Spirit gives me the opportunity. His words are life and peace. We have the ability to bring His merciful conviction or gracious comfort to a world in desperate need. But, we can’t be in a rush or ignore Him!

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Lord, thanks for giving us peace, grace, wisdom, and courage. Help us listen to You today and be willing to pivot in a new direction, as needed. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have a difficult time hearing from God? What is He telling you today?

Task: Sit with the Lord today. Lay aside any distractions and be willing to sit in silence, if that’s what it takes. Write down anything He tells you for future reference.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #519

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was good and busy! We had our family Zoom on Monday night instead of Sunday night since that worked better for most everyone. It was kind of a fun twist!

Work was fast-paced as usual. I had a lot of extra phone calls and added patients, but it went well overall. I left early for an oral surgeon follow-up on Thursday and then stayed later on Friday to see a couple of patients and finish some charting from the day before.

My oral surgeon appointment went well. I am healing faster than expected and only have one small spot left to close up. We made a tentative gameplan to meet again in a few weeks. I think I see the slightest shift between my two front teeth. Not an official gap, but it is easier to floss in-between!

I am still playing around with what foods work best for me. I may just have to resolve to let foods get stuck, lol, and then clean out my MARPE device. I think it will be fine in the long-run, so I am not too worried.

I had a relaxing facial yesterday after work. It was a perk through a partnership with my orthodontist and a local spa. It felt great to be pampered!

I really enjoyed catching up with several friends and family this week. We all talked about various topics, including about my mom, my MARPE journey, parenting, barefoot/minimalist shoes, weather, birthdays, prayer, Jesus, and the Olympics!

Today, I watched Lydia perform her humorous duo at her Speech meet today. She came alive and was so funny playing four different characters. I am so proud of her.

Happy Valentine’s Day!! I had a great day watching Lydia, grocery shopping, making calls, and enjoying the “warm” and sunny 45-degree weather!! Feels like Spring… I didn’t even need my coat!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Prayer, Worship

Well-Nourished

Last week, I had a cool conversation with a Veteran, and it confirmed I am right where God wants me! And to think, I almost missed the call! I ended up calling him about half an hour later because I had overlooked the appointment on my schedule. Ooops!

The man answered the phone right away and was forgiving. He was a little younger than me and had several food issues, including ulcerative colitis and food allergies, that were causing him much stress, fear, and anxiety. It was such an interesting conversation, and God opened a door to talk about spiritual matters.

Of course, we reviewed some strategies to help him avoid certain foods. We talked about how to communicate his needs to his family and about having a separate spot for some of his favorite foods, so he doesn’t feel left out. We discussed symptom management regarding his other eating issues. We came up with a game plan.

Then, I brought up how the vagus nerve is part of our fight or flight mechanism, and it connects the brain to the gut. If someone is mentally anxious, that can affect how well the gut processes food. Similarly, if the gut is struggling to digest something, that can impact the health of the brain. So, for this Veteran, it was cyclical!

We also talked about stress management and coping skills. He agreed that talking with a mental health counselor could be helpful. Then, he shared some spiritual concepts he is learning, and I let the conversation go that way. I am not paid to talk about Jesus, but I am allowed to share my faith. I don’t ever start with that, but it is always surprising how many people need spiritual support and connection. At the VA, we treat the whole person, and I am grateful to meet each person’s needs individually!

Subtly, I worked to apply Scripture to this man’s anxiety and fear. I said we are commanded to renew our minds (Romans 12:1-2), and that fear is not from God (2 Timothy 1:7). I explained how our enemy could be using his food issues to distract him from his greater purpose. I told the Veteran he could trust God with his meals, since Jesus wants the best for him and wants him well-nourished. At last, a lightbulb went on, and he said, “So I don’t have to be afraid. I can stay calm and use my Epi-Pen, if needed. It doesn’t have to be life or death every day!” He was both in awe and relieved.

At some point, this Veteran asked if I was a Christian. When I said yes, he asked if he could pray for me, and I could pray for him. I was happy to participate and prayed that God would give him peace and show him the power he has over his thoughts.

Later, I got to share with some of my coworkers what God had done. We talked about His goodness, faithfulness, and timing. Moreover, I was so happy God could use me both nutritionally and spiritually!

Food is nourishment, but so is God’s word! We can’t help others on our own; we need to be in our Bible daily, soaking it up so we have something to share. Last week, it was amazing to see the work Jesus has done in my heart, enabling me to call out fear in others and teach them to combat it with Scripture. Thank You, Lord!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for using me to change this Veteran’s life by giving him a new perspective. Help him continue to make progress in renewing his mind. Give him health and guide our next conversation at his follow-up in a couple of weeks! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How has the Lord been using you lately to bless others? How can you renew your mind with Scripture today?

Tasks: Take a few minutes to praise God for how far He has brought you. He is so faithful and good. Then, listen to this song, “Won’t Start Now,” by Seph Schlueter.

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Life is Short, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous

Doing Hard Things

Starting a new adventure is never easy! But we can’t keep moving forward if we are unwilling to do hard things. You can’t have transformation without tension.

For several decades, I have been told that I “should do something about my teeth.” Just about every dentist I’ve had has said something to that effect. By and large, I have ignored them. Although three years ago, I reluctantly agreed to at least talk with an orthodontist where Lydia was receiving care. He mentioned palate expansion with oral surgery and possibly double jaw surgery after that! I said, “No way, that sounds intense!”

Well, this past August, my dentist mentioned it again. To be honest, I was pretty annoyed. Per usual, I thought, “What’s the big deal? My teeth are fine!” Yet, to ‘get him off my back,’ I returned to the orthodontist to see if they had any new tools or ideas. Nope!

This time, I asked what the actual problem was and received a fair amount of education. I knew my palate was too small, but I didn’t understand the implications until that day. Essentially, my top teeth are causing my bottom teeth to crowd into place. Imagine how you might squeeze the lid over the fourth corner of a Tupperware container.

I see patients every week with chewing problems. They might be missing some teeth, have a full set of dentures, or have a combination of both. Most of the time, the patients lament their situation to the point that I often pray about my own teeth. “God, please help me to have good, strong teeth that don’t fall out or have issues.”

So, when the orthodontist presented my options, I quickly realized that ignoring the problem would not make it go away. I’ve waited long enough. If nothing else, aging is a factor, and teeth just naturally move around over time. My bottom teeth have tilted inward around 40 degrees, which could expose the roots and invite damage or loss. My goal is not really aesthetic but prevention!

I prayed, discussed with family and friends, weighed the pros and cons, watched lots of videos, and read comments online. As it all sank in, I realized this option could be an answer to prayer. It doesn’t take any faith to do nothing! As the orthodontist said, I should not let fear dictate my decision. He said whatever I decide should come from the fact that I deserve to have a healthy, functioning mouth.

So, as you might guess, I decided to do the palate expansion called a MARPE, which stands for Mini Screw Assisted Rapid Palate Expansion. On Monday, I had an orthodontic appointment and learned more about what to expect. I already had peace, but this was confirmation.

Then, yesterday, I had oral surgery to cut part of my palate down the middle because it fuses closed in our youth. The MARPE device was attached with six screws! It was minor surgery, but they put me out for it. Thanks to my friend, Sara, for being my ride and staying with me until evening!

After a week or so of initial healing, I will start cranking the expander to split my palate. Over time, my body will fill the cut with new bone, making the result several millimeters wider. I’ll have a gap in the middle of my front teeth again, just like third grade!

I am still in some pain, which is to be expected. I took the rest of the week off to recover and focus. I am learning to eat and talk in new ways, which is a bit awkward! Right now, doing hard things includes a little pain, swelling, a bloody nose, a sore throat, multiple medications, and eating soft foods for a couple of weeks.

I am mostly looking forward to the process, seeing it as a step of faith and obedience. I appreciate your ongoing prayers for minimal pain and no infection. It won’t be easy, and there are no guarantees, but I’d also love to avoid the major surgery down the road!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for Your healing and protection. Thanks for leading me on this path and using it to make me more like Jesus. Help me be patient as I take each step of obedience. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What hard things are you dealing with today? What is one step of faith and obedience you can take, however small?

Task: Consider the pros and cons of following through, taking one step, toward that hard thing. Compare a faith response with a fear response. Reminder: Doing nothing is often a fear response!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #516

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was busy, but felt relaxed at the same time! The cold weather made everything more exciting – okay, at least it gave us something to talk about!

I hosted our Sunday Zoom call with family, like usual. Some of us also met on Wednesday night, too, because my niece wanted to say hi to us. 🙂 It is always a highlight of my week, so this was a double blessing!

Work was busy “on paper” with many patients, but it turned out to be fairly smooth. I had several cancellations and no-shows, perhaps due to the frigid weather (well below zero most days!). I was grateful because I was able to stay caught up on my notes!

We also celebrated a coworker’s retirement. We are going to miss her, but are really happy for her. We had a little party at work on Thursday, and then surprised her by going out to eat afterward. We have a great team, and it was fun to hang out after work!

The news has been pretty heavy the last couple of weeks. I am keeping our nation in prayer. I know God is still on His throne, and we are called to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Lord, may we have the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it!

Lydia continues enjoying Speech and had her first meet today. She was gone most of the day but had fun and won a beginner’s award!

I did some cooking, a little organization, and the usual Saturday things at home. I also read a book and took a nap. 🙂 It was a great day, made better when Lydia arrived home to tell me about her day!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Personality, Pivot

Making Disciples

Recently, I read a social media post that reminded me that most of Jesus’ twelve disciples were likely teenagers. With the exception of Peter, who would have been at least twenty years old as he was required to pay the Temple tax, along with Jesus. The boys Jesus chose would have been those who were not the best students. They would have entered the workforce around thirteen or fourteen after completing their basic education.

I knew the disciples were young, but I never connected that on a deeper level. Now that Lydia is a teenager, I can see how things went over their heads! I am reading the Bible a little more clearly! Jesus told them about His death multiple times, and they missed it. Instead, they were competing with each other and asking Jesus for special favors. It was tough sometimes, but Jesus knew what He was doing!

The disciples were awkward, impulsive, eager, and brave boys (until they turned panicky during storms or fled when Jesus was arrested). Being teenagers also probably partially explains how they were so passionate and energetic after the resurrection. They were all in, ready to give their lives for the cause. If they had been older, they might have relied on “human wisdom” (reasonable caution!), rather than on God’s strength and power.

Matthew 28:18-20 says, “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'” You can compare how each of the four gospels records it here.

The verses above are known as The Great Commission, some of Jesus’ last words to His disciples. Discipleship starts with connecting through relationships. Then, we can learn and grow in our faith. Most of us have opportunities every day to share the love and good news of Jesus. That may be out in the world or in your own home.

I am so proud of who Lydia is becoming. But sometimes I have to remind her of simple tasks and chores on repeat. She is fairly reliable otherwise, so maybe that’s why I expect her to “get it.” Sometimes I have to laugh and stop myself from getting too upset. Lydia is totally normal, and I’m reminded that she’s my little disciple. How I say things is just as important as what I say. Indeed, I can offer her grace, especially since Jesus has been so gracious with me, and my resistance and dumb mistakes!

Last weekend, I gave Lydia the opportunity to drive in a blizzard. She did really well despite the lack of visibility! The next day, however, she decided against the “opportunity” to help me clear snow in our driveway. 🙂

Yes, teenagers are awesome in many ways. They can be funny and lighthearted. They hone in on what is important (to them) and go after it. They can be persistent and think outside the box. I have seen them do amazing things, going above and beyond.

Teens are not to be discounted! I appreciate the church youth group leaders who build into Lydia and her friends each week, and all those who built into my life years ago…

Now, let’s go and make disciples!

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God, thanks for Your patience and grace when we drag our feet or make mistakes. Help us to grow in wisdom, understanding, and endurance. May we be quick to help others and run to You for all we need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What can you learn from the teenagers in your world?

Task: Invest time in the teens around you today. Take them out to lunch and listen to everything on their mind. Pray for them and encourage them to follow after Jesus!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #514

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

It was good to return to a relatively normal week after Lydia was sick for so long! Monday came and we were off to work and school, praise God! I also enjoyed my church training night, where we talked about the Holy Spirit!

Work was quiet for a few days and picked up later in the week. There’s never a dull moment, as they say! One highlight on Wednesday was that a coworker asked about Dave on what was our 18th wedding anniversary. It was so kind of her to let me talk about him; her family has been going through a medical journey, so I hope I encouraged her in her faith!

Lydia joined the Speech team this week. She is going to do a comedic duo with a friend. She’s excited to get started, and I am proud of her for pushing herself!

Today, I was on-call for work but did not have to go in! Instead, I caught up on some reading while I kept watch over my phone. Later, Lydia went to a birthday party, so I did some Saturday things and made some cookies.

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom, Worship

A Fear vs. Faith Comparison

Romans 12:2 NLT says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

God’s will includes holiness and living honorably, abstaining from sinful behaviors, being thankful in all circumstances, praying in the Spirit, rejoicing, and growing in patient endurance and humility, while continuing to meet together with other believers. Read through Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Hebrews 10, and more!

I haven’t written about fear and faith in a while, but in many ways, the Bible verse above is key. We cannot let ourselves be ambivalent, thinking two ways about something and letting fear win. We need to let God change our minds and how we think. Only then will we be able to walk in Victory.

So, how can you know if you are responding in fear or in faith? To start, love and faith go hand in hand. When reading 1 Corinthians 13 (“the love chapter”), I found it interesting to put fear in the place of love and reverse it with a slight rewrite (verses 4-7): Fear is impatient, fear is unkind. It is full of envy, boasting, and pride. It dishonors others, is self-centered and easily angered, and tracks tit for tat. Fear delights in evil and hates the truth. Fear never protects, never trusts, never offers hope or encouragement, and always gives up. In short, fear is a dead end.

Hebrews 11 is sometimes called the Hall of Faith. It reviews the faith of several people in the Old Testament and how they pleased God by trusting Him. (Now reread this chapter as if it were written from a fear point of view! “It was by fear Abraham did not believe God…”) Hebrews 6 says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God…” Conversely, we understand that fear never pleases Him! Faith is essential, and fear cannot be our default.

When we operate in fear, we have to work quickly and jump right in. That’s because fear gives in to pressure and tries to solve its own problems. At the same time, fear can mean shutting down and stalling. Yes, a fear response can feel chaotic and out of control… all over the place as we try to find what will work “best.”

On the other hand, living by faith means we pause to check in with the Master, Jesus Christ. A faith response is in no hurry because the solution doesn’t depend on us. Faith means going at the Lord’s pace, which often feels slow, yet is always right on time.

Fear involves sticking with what you know because it feels familiar, if not safe. Often, fear refuses to look at the data as a whole, yet obsesses over every detail. Fear involves confusion!

Faith involves asking Jesus for wisdom to know what to do and the courage to follow through, knowing He will fill in the gaps as you move forward. Clarity comes along the way, as you don’t have to have all the answers to walk by faith. Often, faith pushes our limits and requires us to trust God to take risks and try something new. But it is always worth it.

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Heavenly Father, thanks for empowering us to live in faith, not fear. Lord, we want to please You! May honor You with our decisions and in all we do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: What pattern of fear are you struggling with today? What does walking in faith look like for you in that situation? Can you flip the scenario around to see the difference?

Task: Take the next step of faith on your journey today. When you are vacillating between fear and faith, consider which choices will please God. Dare to do the difficult thing!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom, Worship

The Old Made New

Happy New Year!! As I reflect on 2025, I see many answers to prayers. God was definitely at work and did some pretty awesome things in my life!

I think of how my life was at the beginning of the year and how it is now. In some ways, things are similar, but if you look deeper, they are very different. I have grown and have been transformed by renewing my mind and letting go of the old to grasp the new.

Naturally, the biggest life change was my mom’s death in February. Yet, this was the best year of her life because she met Jesus face-to-face! We miss her, but are grateful she is with the One who died so she could live forever. I hear my mom’s voice in Colossians 2:5-7 below:

5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Some people get stuck after someone dies. But for others, Death can be a catalyst for change. When we’re reminded how short Life is, our perspective shifts from complacency to “it’s now or never.” There is no time to waste!

Although Mom is not with us physically, we certainly will carry her memory and legacy with us. I want to make her proud and live out the calling God gave me, which she cultivated. The Colossians passage above is like a parting reminder: Continue in Jesus, stay rooted in Him, remember what I taught you, be grateful.

Lydia and I visited some new-to-us places in North Dakota, and she also went to Washington, DC. We each started new activities, too. Lydia participated in a program called Congress, and I started a leadership training program at church, something I have wanted to do for a long time. We have both learned a lot this year!

I made some changes around the house, including finally getting some landscaping done. It was several years in the making. I am so glad it is finished, and I love how it turned out!

Praise God, I am now mostly pain-free in my neck, back, and hips – it has been years since I felt this good! I am giving all credit to Jesus, my Healer. He has done all the hard work; I have just walked it out with some new tools, habits, and mobility training.

The Lord provided for me in new ways this year. I picked up extra hours here and there at work, which helped bring in a little more money. In other areas, He showed me how to adjust my spending habits to stretch my dollars when needed. He is so faithful and good!

Speaking of habits, I finally realized that going to bed and getting up early is non-negotiable! This meant I’ve had to say “no” and strengthen boundaries. But I feel better all around when I get a short walk and stretching in early. Also, my morning time with Jesus is top priority. With His help, I have been fairly consistent in both areas. It feels good to get into a rhythm… and coffee certainly helps!

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This year was full of challenges, but Jesus made old things new again. He brought things to completion and answered prayers. I grew in my faith, and my life was transformed. And you know what? Jesus wants to change your life, too! So let Him! 

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Heavenly Father, You are so good. Increase our faith and transform us from the inside out. Your Word is Truth – help us live it out. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How have you grown this year? How has Jesus transformed you?

Task: Keep a running list of all the ways you see Jesus moving in your life this next year. Praise Him along the way!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Season’s Greetings

What are your favorite Christmas traditions? Lydia and I have been making holiday cookies, decorating, watching movies, singing Christmas carols, and checking the mail for cards and packages! I also really love white elephant parties!

I always look forward to receiving Christmas cards, though I don’t send them anymore. Perhaps I will do it again someday…

Instead of sending Christmas cards, I use this time to message and reply to various people, including those who send us Christmas cards and updates. It’s not really a yearly recap, but rather checking on loved ones. So-called ‘season’s greetings’ are important for connection and a good way to share and celebrate God’s love for us.

This week, I have messaged several people, including a few of my former classmates from high school, some aunts, uncles, and cousins, old friends from Caterpillar, and more. I also sent updated school pictures of Lydia to a few people (mainly family). It feels good to hear from and interact with so many people. 

Free Candle Flame photo and picture

Christmas is a good reminder that Jesus is God’s love letter to us and share Him with others. When we read about Jesus or see Him in Scripture, we learn more about who our Heavenly Father and Creator is. We can read about the Nativity story, Jesus healing people, His sermons, and the Crucifixion. His radiance is a foretaste of the glory of Heaven.

Have you replied to God’s love letter yet, or read it lately?

The main way to connect with God, the Father, is to respect His Son, Jesus, and respond to His death and resurrection. Then tell God how much you love Jesus and how thankful you are for Him. Just like the best way to get my attention is not to impress me but to talk to me about how great Lydia is! 😉

Other ways to connect with God include reading the Bible and humbly letting it change you. We can also pray (talk to Him and listen to Him) and then obey what He says with the Holy Spirit’s help.

God is good, whether or not you want anything to do with Him. But life is a lot better with Jesus! One thing that I’ve been thinking about lately is that people can be morally good, but they are still lost without Jesus; in other words, good is not good enough! He did not come to make us good. He came to make us right with God, reconnect us to Him, and redeem us for His good purposes.

In short, we can send Christmas cards, sing all the fun songs, bake/eat all the cookies, give all the gifts, and spread goodwill toward others, for sure. But if we don’t share Jesus and include Him, we are missing the point. JESUS is the reason for the season!

So, as you go about all your wonderful Christmas traditions, remember to bring Jesus with you. He is the center of all we do! Jesus Christ is not just above all our holiday activities; they are meaningless without Him!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for sending Jesus and letting Him be Your love letter to us! May we grow to love and trust You more and more and we spend time with you daily. And, let us share that love with those around us, In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are your favorite Christmas traditions? Have you replied to God’s love letter yet? How could you share Jesus with others?

Task: As you are baking cookies, pray for those you may give them to. As you are writing Christmas cards, tell the recipient how Jesus has changed your life. Take advantage of the joyful spirit of the season and bring the Good News of Jesus everywhere you go!