A Time for Everything

Hey all you blog readers. I've got some poetry to share with you today. Some of you may recognize it, and others won't. But I personally think it's a beautiful piece and quite intriguing.
Here it is:

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
A time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to search and a time to give up,
A time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend,
A time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time for war and a time for peace.

Isn't that great? It really gets you thinking... Well, do you know who wrote it? Do you know where it's from? Probably one of the famous poets like Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde, right? Hate to break it to you, but that's not right. Not right at all.

This poem is assumed to be written by King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes. And who said the Bible wasn't interesting? :)

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8... This passage has so much to think about, process, study... it says that there is a time for everything in life. But know when the time is right, that's easier said than done. I have to ask God all the time to show me what I should do, who I should talk to, what I should say. God's the best advice and wisdom-giver you can get! There is a time for everything, but only God knows when the time for each thing is. (I hope that makes sense... it made sense to me!)

Anyways, I guess this post is saying two things (because I got a bit sidetracked :) )...

1) The Bible has some really cool stuff in it and is still relevant in today's society

and 2) God knows when the time is right for every activity under the sun, so why not ask Him to show you that?

There is a time for everything...

Gifts, gifts, gifts...

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.. Ephesians 4:8-9

Salvation...Your Ultimate Gift.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28

Eternal life... I am held safe in Your Hand!

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper/Comforter/Advocate, to be with you forever. even the Spirit of truth. John 14:16,17

The personal Helper... Who is with me always!

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Ephesians 4:7

Grace... in full measure.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Peace...for every situation.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Rest... because You will carry me. 

"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

The Kingdom... because You delight in me and are pleased to give it to me. 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Good gifts, perfect gifts - every one! ... from You, our unchanging Father.

Nothing tops this Christmas list, for it includes everything! And all because You love me. Thank You Heavenly Father!

Who are you?

I've got a lot to say and not a lot of time before I head off to work...so I'll eat my little bowl of oatmeal and type in between bites!

I have been pondering the last few days on the significance of my identity.  I have also been pondering one of the most beautiful names for Jesus, Immanuel.

This particular name for Jesus is most often heard at Christmas, that beautiful time of year that we celebrate and remember how God came to earth to be with us.

But sisters, listen to me, this one name...this one truth..."God is with us" is sooooooo important to you and to me and to who we think we are, believe we are or know we are.

Does that make sense to you?  On one hand it's so elementary but on the other, it is completely profound.

So my question for you today is.....

Who are you?  And what difference does Immanuel make to you?  Tell me.  I want to know.

The first one to write me back...will get a little treat...

Let's Talk about Christmas

I know, I know... it's early. But I love Christmas, so I start celebrating it as soon as possible! It is only 21 days away, you know :) Well, I just wanted to write a quick reminder about what Christmas is. Christmas is the birthday of a little baby boy, who was born into very dirty, uncomfortable conditions: a barn filled with hay. I don't know about you, but I definitely would not want to have to spend a wintry night in a place like that. But that baby was special. He was God in human flesh... giving up the splendors and glories of Heaven to come down to Earth and be with us. To live among us... and die for us. I imagine it to be kind of like if a human was to give up their normal, comfortable life to become tiny and live with ants. To eventually give up their life to save an anthill. That seems ridiculous, but in a way, that's what Jesus did. And Christmas started it all. So please, I know this season is crazy busy and can be stressful, but remember to take the time to remember God's ultimate gift. Don't let the real meaning of this season be lost. Jesus brought light to our world, and even today we celebrate that fact. Thank you, Jesus, for your gift.

Every Tear

The other day I was listening to the song "The Christmas Shoes" by NewSong, and I just started crying because the story was so touching and sad. Then today, as I was reading in Revelation, God showed me an amazing verse. I had heard it before, but never found it for myself:
"For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd;
He will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

- Revelation 7:17

I had been crying because, in the song, a little boy's mother is on the verge of death, and the little boy wants to buy her some nice shoes so she'll look beautiful when she meets Jesus. I felt this aching loss for the little boy and how much hurt he would have once his mom was gone. But this verse reminds me that Heaven is the best place to be. There is no crying, no worry, no stress, no anger... just peace and eternity with our Maker. Life on earth will have troubles and hard times, but we have Heaven to look forward to. It is our final destination, and Jesus is waiting with open arms. I can't wait to one day walk with Him along the streets of Heaven. So let that be an encouragement for you today. Our destination is a heavenly one. Don't forget it.

Ok, so I haven't written on here for...well a really long time. Sorry :S

It's not that I didn't want to write, it was just that I didn't know what to say, and anything that I could have said was too personal or I couldn't believe that someone out there on the big wide web would care about what I had to say. But whatever.

Life hasn't been fun lately. Of myself and my two best friends, there isn't one of us that isn't hurting over something, something we had no control over. For one it was the loss of a loved one, for the other it was abandonment by someone she loved and thought loved her. This world hurts. I know it well.

Through my own personal hurt and struggle this past month and a bit, I've learned a lot. A lot about myself and about God and I've had to trust that God sees the big picture. So when I look at my limited view and I see how much it sucks, I have to remember that God see's the whole puzzle and He knows how we need this piece in order for the whole thing to be complete.

I don't really know where I'm going with this, and this is usually the point when I would read back over what I wrote, sigh and delete it all. I won't this time. I guess I just want to say, that whatever is going on, God knows the big picture. He knows that in order for you to get from point A to point B you've gotta go through some valleys. But, as Rascal Flatts says, "He ain't the leaving kind. He'd never walk away. Even for those who don't believe and want to leave Him behind, He ain't the leaving kind"

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" Psalm 23:4

Sometimes, life sucks. Sometimes, you can't really see the reason behind what's going on, you can't understand how this is for your good, but God does and, eventually, it all boils down to faith and trust. Do you trust that He knows the plans he has for you? That they are plans to prosper you and not to harm you? Plans to give you a future and a hope? Sometimes that's all you can cling to. That's what I'm clinging to. That and the fact that He loves me. More than I can imagine, more than I deserve.

Lover of my Soul

We've been experiencing some blustery and moderately cold weather here since yesterday. We've had some snow, and the forecast is for more snow.  Snow is fun and beautiful, but I do prefer the warm sunshine. God knows that.

Yesterday morning I was contemplating whether I should go outside for a run before I headed out for the morning,  or if I should jump and dance while listening to some lively worship music in the afternoon when I got back home.  I knew I'd have less time for exercise if I chose the morning option, so I was leaning towards the afternoon option. Then I heard an invitation from the Lord to go for a run now.

I got my runners on and went out the door. It was beautiful outside. The sun was shining and felt warm on my back. My heart just bubbled up inside of me with delight and thankfulness that I was outside experiencing this. I walked and ran and twirled and raised my hands in worship as I made my way down the road. It's a quiet street, so the only ones who may think I'm crazy are the ones who are reading this post. On the way back, the cows were right by the fence with their little calves. Beautiful sight. God knows I love cows.

Then, just as I got back to our driveway, the blanket of dark clouds heading our way, covered the sun. There was only that brief window of warm sunshine, and God had invited me out to enjoy the beauty of the morning with Him. I felt so cherished and loved! He is the ultimate Lover. I'm so glad that I am His and He is mine.

"I am my beloved's, and His desire is for me." Song of Songs 7:10  Amazing thought... amazing fact. The God who made me, wants me and loves me!  May my heart forever respond in love to Him.