Thursday, December 31, 2015

What a Season!

Our church enjoyed several seasonal events.  As a whole they summed up the essence of the season for me...from our annual Christmas All-Church Party, to traveling and viewing a live nativity scene (and pausing for a meal along the way...plus, the fellowship that comes from 15 people traveling in one van!), to our Second Annual Christmas Play, to my Sunday School's Christmas Luncheon, to shopping, packing, and delivering 14 food boxes, to our annual Candle Lighting Service...yes, as a whole, all this summed up lots of fun, food, and fellowship, all centered on Jesus.  Wonderful!

Then, the Sunday evening after all this, last evening, 16 gathered for a new study of the Ten Commandments.  Before we left, we had scheduled another fellowship...we are going to have a Chili Cook-off and watch in two parts (so that means a Soup Night, also!) the Charlton Heston version of the Ten Commandments.

None involved have indepthly studied the Ten Commandments, so we are looking forward to the next three months...or so.  Last night's intro was extended at least through next week, as their leader (yes, that would be myself) always plans far too much discussion.  Good stuff!

During the hour-long study, several devil's advocates performed very well as they role-played defending the purpose of the Ten Commandments in our lives, for some do argue that because of their location in the Old Testament, these commandment belong in Law.  As we began to conclude, the Ten Commandments came down to Love, as so much of our relationship with God does.  Yes!  We honor them, we obey them out of love for our Heavenly Father.

Then, a group of ladies met to take down the Christmas decorations and celebrated four birthdays.  These ladies are just beautiful to me.  Some time ago, I asked the Lord for more girl friends.  He answered that prayer...so for these ladies, I am especially thankful; all ages they are.  Isn't that how He works?  Sending answers in His Perfect Will.

Following this, we met to plan for 2016, agreeing that in all we do that those involved should be drawn ever closer to Him.  Yes, may His will be done.

All in all, what a season!  I do hope yours was blessed in Him, Our Lord and Savior.

Monday, December 21, 2015

A Merry Christmas to Me

Just have to pause and reflect on yesterday...a day spend with my church family.  What a blessing they are to me.

First, Sunday School...right now this a gathering of three classes, which seems to be working for all involved.  Currently, we are using the Gospel Project Curriculum.  Love it...especially the weekly connections we study that between the Old Testament and the New.

Yesterday's lesson focused on John 1:14-18.  What beautiful words:  "grace unto grace."  Never will we be able to outdo our Lord.

Following the morning service, our Sunday School had Christmas lunch together downstairs...with a few additional friends invited.  May many more meals such as this occur throughout 2016!  Fellowship is so important:  words of encouragement given, testimonies shared, laughter heard...and, yes, bellies full!  Such good people.

Then, we organized and several volunteered their time to help complete the buying of a grocery list to ensure 14 families in our community received a Christmas food box.  Fun we had, blessed we were to fill at least 10 shopping buggies, which then filled a truck bed, which then overloaded several tables, which then were transferred back into boxes and bags to be delivered...after prayers were prayed.  My favorite moments?

  • I asked a very shy young lady to deliver a food box.  Her immediate answer, "Yes."  No coaxing from me.  No cheerleading needed.  Just, "Yes."  That one word equaled a miracle, for a year ago, she could not have accomplished this.  In that year, though, I have witnessed the Lord teaching her, reassuring her, as she accepts His Grace, becoming more assured, more comfortable within herself because of Him.  Truly, a miracle.
  • My most favorite moment...standing outside on a very cool, gray December afternoon, joining hands with those partaking in these special moments, and praying that He bless these packed and loaded boxes, that He bless the families, that He receive the Glory.  He did.  He will.
Completing the day was a Candle Light Service.  Through scriptures and the lighting of candles, the Nativity Story was re-told.  Beautiful.  When everyone had left, singing "Silent Night," only the candle representing Jesus was still aglow.  How appropriate, for His Light still shines so brightly.

Yes, I blew out that candle, taking with me, though, more of His Light, due in part to all the time spent with my church family throughout this day.

I so encourage you to gain a church family, to be involved with that family, to appreciate how God will use that family to bless you abundantly.

Blessings...and Merry Christmas!


Saturday, December 5, 2015

'Tis the Season, People!

It's that time of the year!  Today feels like Christmas!  My tree is lit, warms scents are in the air, and today we host our annual  Christmas Party at church, an event that excites me this year.

Sort of Scrooge-ish to admit that sometimes these events are just work...and not that exciting?  This week, though, we have meet several evenings...yes, "we"...have had lots of elves assisting.  Those times have been fun with lots of laughs and jokes and minds coming together on all the decoration ideas.  The Spirit there as been so present.  Good times.

Tonight's theme is Express Yourself, as we are using the Polar Express movie/decorations as our motif.  How cute!  Our focus word is "Believe," and what better time of the year to share that message than this...or any day, as far as that goes.  

Tonight kicks off a series of Christmas events for our little country church...next week dinner and a tour of a live nativity scene in a nearby town, our second annual Christmas Play, a candlelight service...just that time of the year for continual reminders to exist to encourage us to remember the true meaning and reason for this season.

I, also, just finished Debbie Macomber's Christmas Comes to Cedar Grove.  Her novels are always light with gentle messages and references to our Godly beliefs.  I hope to read at least one Christmas novel a week this month.  Next up...Richard Paul Evans' The Mistletoe Inn.  I always enjoy his novels.

I do hope you are finding time for you this season...after all, isn't the gift of time one of the most precious gifts we receive?  Jesus gave us that gift, spending time here on earth, leaving with us His Holy Spirit who always has time for me...for you...for that soul just waiting to receive Him.

My prayer for you is that season be real to you as The Gift of His Salvation is ever renewed within you.

Merry Christmas!