Christmas Traditions...the Countdown to Christmas

Only 12 more days until Christmas!

I'm back to share another of our family's Christmas traditions. My goal is to post one of our traditions each day leading up to Christmas, but as you can see, I've missed a few days. In all honesty, I just haven't been very good about posting lately. With work and a sick baby, I've been pretty busy. Anyway, today I am going to share some things that have been on my heart.
Statistics say that during the Christmas season, more people are depressed and commit suicide than any other time of year (oh yeah, this is a joyful one. You're probably ready to click off my page right this second...). According to a doctor on Good Morning America (and whatever statistics she got it from), more people die on Christmas day than any other day. The Christmas day deaths are attributed to people being away from home and away from their doctors who know them and their health struggles and to people ignoring their symptoms because they don't want to ruin their families' Christmas (I mean, can you imagine that one? You don't want to ruin your family's Christmas by telling them you may be having a heart attack, so you die instead? Awful.).

I'm convinced that more people are depressed because of pressure...the pressure to be with loved ones but are unable to because they have lost the loved ones they were closest to, the pressure to provide gifts that they can't afford, the pressure to have the joy and perfect lives that everyone else around them seems to have. Their focus is off. Instead of focusing on what the season is about, Jesus, they are focused on what we as a society have made Christmas about. I don't know this for sure, of course, this is just my thinking.

What I do know is that I have had my days of stress, worry, and hopelessness this month too. I don't know, attribute it to my hormones (which are C-R-A-Z-Y right now), to the stresses of owning our own business in an economy which is struggling, the pressure to buy great presents and the inability to do so...I don't know. Thing is, what I've been realizing over the past few days, with much help from God, is that I am focused on the wrong things. I've spent so much time worrying over things I have no control over (and that don't matter anyway) and have taken my focus off of the glory of this season.

Through different avenues, God has gently shown and reminded me that in my lowest day, it doesn't compare to what is going on all around me. I was shown the example of things that have gone on in Sudan. Families murdered, young children left orphaned, genocide. I have been shown Angel Trees, two weeks before Christmas, filled with simple requests from children who will get nothing for Christmas if their ornaments are not plucked from the trees. I have been shown that I am so incredibly blessed with an amazing family, a family that far outshines any worry that Satan could possibly put in my head.

You see, my kids will not go without. Even if Channing and I didn't buy them a single present, they will get stuff. We are fortunate to have family that enjoys taking care of them too. It's hard for me to imagine those families that have absolutely no one. The families out there that are struggling, that want to get their children gifts just like all the other parents are doing but don't have any means by which to do it. I can empathize with them because we don't have the ability to buy some of the things that others can, yet I can't grasp the total feeling because my kids already have several gifts they're getting.

Seeing these things, my heart has been filled with sympathy and compassion for those who are struggling, the need to pray for those who are hurting, joy for all that I have been given, and the desire to know Christ even more. I want to be totally sold out for Him. I want to hear His voice when I ask Him to show me who and how to help. I want to be His vessel. I want to earn my keep the short time I'm here. I want to be known as a giver. I want God to show me creative ways to help. I am convinced that we don't have to be wealthy to be givers. We just have to have a heart to help.

I am filled with so much joy today, and my prayer is that you will be too. I ask that you join me in praying for those who are struggling. I encourage you to seek God and His guidance in how you can help someone who may need you, someone you may or may not know. Ask God to make your eyes and hearts attentive to those who may need an encouraging word, a helping hand, a little lift. Together, let's remember and serve as reminders to others what Christmas is about...HOPE! God gave us His Son, and He is going to return. Let's spread that HOPE.

Let's also be sure to remind our kids, no matter how much we are or are not able to buy, that Christmas is not about receiving gifts. We have already been given the greatest gift, Jesus Christ. Remind them of what Christmas is truly about.

And for those that enjoy Christmas traditions, my sweet friend, Donna, has a super great one on her blog. I think it is so creative and extra special, so check it out: Sweetness

If you stuck with me through this, thank you. I know it's not the fun and short posts that most people enjoy.
Blessings to you and your family during Christmas and in the year to come!!!

70%

Do you know that 70% of Americans believe there is more than one way to get to heaven? I saw this story on the local news last night and was SHOCKED! 70%! 57% of evangelicals believe there is more than one way. 57%! According to the story, 92% of Americans believe in God, but of those 92%, 70% believe there is more than one way to get to heaven. This brings up so many points for me.

Just yesterday, I had kind of a debate in my head over the term "believers". I was going to send someone a question about a situation I was dealing with, and I knew they would ask me if the person I was inquiring about was believer. For me, that's tough to answer about some people. I have people I am close to who are believers. They believe in God, they believe that Jesus died for our sins; however, they aren't necessarily Christ-followers. James 2:19 clearly says, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder." You see, it's not enough to just believe. James 2:20 goes on to say, "Faith without works is dead." We must act out what we believe! That's why I guess I prefer "Christ-followers". Is that nit picky? It is. SORRY!

Back to the subject at hand...the 70% of Americans who think they can get into heaven just because they were nice a couple of times or because they're not as bad as that guy who killed 10 kids... That is a dangerous way to live. The Bible clearly (clearly my word of the post, huh?) states that there is only one way to get to heaven...
You don't get there by being "good". None of us are good.

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)

Here is a great site that has lots of verses clearly (there it is again!) showing that Jesus is the ONE and ONLY way to heaven.

JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY

Acts 4:12 says, "And there is salavation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."

I hope and pray that you don't fall into that 70%. If you do, it's not too late. Repent. Ask Jesus to forgive you. Then ask Him to come live inside your heart. Find a great church, and submerge yourself into His Word. I can promise you it will change your life. It did mine. Just ask anyone who knew me in high school or college. Thank God for the mighty work He did in me! I'm nowhere close to where I want to be, but PRAISE GOD I'm not where I was!

...As You Believed It Would

A couple of weeks back, I felt the urge to read Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:28). I was struggling in some areas, and I felt like the Sermon on the Mount was a great place to find some answers and some reassurance for what I was dealing with. So I read the Sermon and was incredibly enlightened. However, I felt like there was more that God was wanting to show me, so I read on. That is when He led me to the passage that told of Jesus healing the centurion's servant.

I've read the story about the centurion's servant many, many times, but this time, God wanted to speak to me a particular phrase that I may not have spent enough time on. For those of you who may not know much about this particular passage, let me fill you in:

Jesus entered Capernaum, after his Sermon on the Mount, and a centurion came to Him, asking Him for help. The centurion told Jesus that his servant was at home "paralyzed and in terrible suffering." Jesus immediately told the man that He would go to his house and heal his servant. This is the point where the centurion amazed Jesus (and probably all those around them) with his faith. He told Jesus, "...just say the word, and my servant will be healed...". He says more, and if you haven't read it, you can find it in Matthew 8:5-13.
Verse 10 says, "When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following Him, 'I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with so much faith.'".

This man, this centurion, was so sure of His faith in Jesus Christ, that he knew that His servant would be healed simply by His words. That was a HUGE deal. However, the phrase that echoed in my mind after reading this story was this:

Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.

Specifically, "Go! It will be done just as you believed..." Those four words echoed in my head, "just as you believed... just as you believed... just as you believed..." I feel like God was trying to remind me that what happens around me is often a result of my faith, or lack thereof. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." And in Matthew 21:22, Jesus said, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

In other words, if I am in God's will, and if I am pursuing Him with all of my heart, I needn't worry about my worries (if that makes any sort of sense). He is in control. He knows what is on my heart. He knows the desires I have. I need to stop doubting. I have heard it said, "Believe and Receive or Doubt and Do Without", and I completely believe that, although I often lose my way. When things get hard, I sometimes pray to God, ask Him for help, but plan my own way of escape. When I do this, I usually receive exactly what I believe, just like Jesus told the centurion.

You see, Jesus sees my heart. Although He hears my words of faith and my prayer needs, my beliefs are the things fulfilled. Too many times, I believe I'm going to be left to deal with the situation. AND too many times, that's exactly what I end up with. It's based on MY OWN BELIEF, not on God's unwillingness to help me. I am not a baby Christian, and He expects more from me.

Many times, though, God has rescued me by His great mercy and compassion, and I am SO thankful for that! Where would I be without His daily mercies??? I LOVE this verse, " The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end: they are new every morning..." (Lamentations 3:23-24 RSV). Thank you, Lord!!! EVERY MORNING He showers us with new mercies. WOW! Do I shower others with new mercies every day? I'm pretty sure I don't. God, you are amazing!

Lord, you never cease to amaze me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the new mercies that await me each and every morning. Thank you that despite my sometimes floundering attempts at faith, you don't give up on me. I pray that you will fill me with the faith that can only come from the Holy Spirit. My trust is in YOU. I offer my life as a living sacrifice. I BELIEVE IN YOU! I believe, I believe, I believe. I love you, Lord. I pray blessings over all those who are hurting right now, Lord. I pray your peace over each of them. I pray that you will encourage them and strengthen them. I pray that their youth will be renewed like the eagle's. Lord, you are awesome! In Jesus Name, Amen.


Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy Name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. Psalm 103:1-5

Who Am I?

I so wish I wrote with beautiful words. I don't, but here's what's on my heart. I hope it makes sense:

I began a Proverbs study this week (shared with me by Delta) and have really been enjoying it. I have been challenged and encouraged. Each lesson has the Proverbs to study, a place to record an application, prayer guidance, and a memorization verse. A couple of days ago, as I was following the prayer guidance, God gave me a revelation. It was one many of us of take for granted. I know I often do.

I came to the part of prayer where it called for confession. When I pray, I confess what I have done and ask for forgiveness, but I guess it has just been a long time since I have actually called it confession. Does that make sense? I guess I just always refer to it as 'asking for forgiveness'. Anyway, the study says this, "Confession: (Agreeing with God when you have broken His Law by doing what He forbids or not doing what He commands. Remember to evaluate your thoughts, attitudes, actions, and motives in light of what the Bible says. Also, call your sin what God calls it. Don't try to minimize, blame-shift or justify it)."

Again, I do these things, but for some reason that day, it really impacted me. I read what she said about not minimizing, shifting blame, or justifying my sin. I don't really do that, not with God; however, I don't often think about and really meditate on the fact that Jesus took total credit for all the horrible things I have done. EVERY ONE OF THEM. Yes, just like most Christians, I can easily say that I know that Jesus died for my sins. Yes. But I don't often picture Him taking the blame for me completely losing it and yelling at Tristan. This week, though, I actually heard Jesus take credit for each of my sins.

As I was sitting here doing this study, God totally revealed Himself to me. As I was confessing my sins, I heard the Judge say, "Yelling at your son? Hmmmm..." Then I heard Jesus say, "No, Father. That's on Me." Again the Judge, "Being lazy, disorganized..." Jesus, "No, Father. I've got that. That's on Me." "Gossiping about your neighbor...". "No, Judge. That's on Me."

I wish I could share every detail of the conversation, but because I'm not ready to post all my sins for the world to see, I'll keep some things private. I will say, though, that it was SO incredibly humbling. To hear My Savior take credit for all of the horrendous things I've done; My Savior who was tempted but never sinned, take credit for all of my failings...WOW! You see, I KNEW that Jesus died for my sin, but until Wednesday, I didn't hear His voice take credit for each of them. Wednesday brought me back. It served as the reminder that I needed. It's been a long time since I have given Jesus full credit for what He did. I have been honoring with my lips but not meditating on His goodness and really thanking Him for the shame He carried on the cross for me.

If you know me well, you know it's hard for me to accept people doing nice things for me. I'm not exactly sure why. I've had a friend lovingly tell me it's pride, but I really don't think that's the case (maybe that's my pride talking ;)). You see, I'm not too proud to accept help; not at all. I just hate for people to give things to me or do things for me when they have so much on their plate already. Too, I have a hard time watching people take advantage of others (it's part of my personality profile). I see people take advantage of others who are offering help. I sometimes call it "forced blessing". Channing and I have been in situations where we have been taken advantage of. For instance, we once had someone ask us to order tickets for them online when we ordered our own, and they would repay us when we got them. Well we got them, and the person said, "Thank you for blessing me with these." To me, that's a forced blessing. We weren't buying them to give, we were simply doing the guy a favor. Anyway, I'm sure that sounds so selfish. It was nice to give, I just don't really think that the situation was handled the way we expected. That is just one example of the many times I have seen people force blessings, in the Name of Jesus. I could go on about this, but I won't. It's a balance thing, I guess. It all goes back to motives.

My point is, I have a hard time letting my friends or others do things for me because I would rather take care of them. I want them to be taken care of. I want to serve others. I want the best for them. Right or wrong, surely I'm not alone in this. Anyway, I don't think I always give Jesus enough credit. I know I don't. Yes, I accept what He did, but I need to meditate on it daily. I need to hear His voice take My sin because that is EXACTLY what He did on the cross. I mean, if He had come to me beforehand and said, "Hey, Annie. Remember that name you called that person who cut you off in traffic? I'm going to take credit for that. I am going to die for that sin as well as all your others." Of course, there is NO way I would have conceded. That was my sin, not His. I messed up, He didn't. How thankful am I that He didn't ask? How thankful am I that He willingly gave His life for mine? Think about that. Think of every single sin you've committed. If you confess and ask for forgiveness, Jesus takes total credit for each and every one. He, who was blameless, took our sins onto the cross. He, who was/is perfect, carried our dirty secrets: lies, envy, anger, murder, gluttony, sloth, pornography, adultery...everything....to the cross. He took our punishment. Really think about that and meditate on it. I think you'll feel the same way I feel. In awe. Inspired. Embarrassed for what I've done. In debt to My Savior. IN LOVE!

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

Who am I that You are mindful of me? Thank You, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus.


Update 7/1: Please let me say that I LOVE to help people. I know from reading this that it may appear that I feel taken advantage of if I ever help anyone, and I want you to know that that is ABSOLUTELY not the case. It blesses me to help others. :)