Shane and Shane's new CD "Glory in the Highest" has been on continual play in my car this season. The 2nd to last track is my favorite on the CD. The lyric I remember goes like this
"The Holy One of Israel...became the lowest..so we could call Him, Glory in the Highest...."
He became low; so we could exalt Him.
May your next few days be spent enjoying the Glory in the Highest.
Merry Christmas!
p.s. there is A LOT o' snow here in MI. :)
December 23, 2008
December 16, 2008
Invitation
Fitting in….we all want to. That’s what makes Jr. High so rough. You’re in an awkward stage of life where you want to look “right” or “normal”, whatever that is. And it gets even more complicated when “normal” and “right” are actually “individualistic” and “not like everyone else”. It’s a confusing place, Jr. High. And to make matters worse, no one warns you the trend repeats in your mid-late 20’s; your 30’s etc. You still want to “fit in”, “be cool”, and “know what’s going on”.
There’s just something about being chosen, or picked first. It makes you feel like at least someone wants to be around you. Someone really cares what is going on in your world.
Invitation…its unspoken and yet very present in our every day lives. The shepherds are no exception. How many people had passed by them while they were living in the fields, keeping watch over the flocks? I imagine they felt overlooked and forgotten about a good amount of the time. The shepherds are the people who never received an invitation to any wedding feast or church service. They never received an invitation, until the night Christ was born.
Luke 2:8-15 tells us that the shepherds were the first to hear of the birth of the Christ child. And they ran to find him. I imagine their hearts filled with hope when they heard that He was a Savior for all people. Most of their lives the religious people had been excluding them from anything that had to do with God and then angels appeared to them telling them the good news. He is for all people.
In our world today, other religions will try and tell you that Christianity excludes people, don’t believe the lie. He is for us, all of us.
What about you? Feeling excluded? Trying really hard to fit in? Want someone/anyone to notice you? I have good news:
You are invited.
You, too, can run to find Him.
Jesus, may we hear the invitation you offer us. May we run to find where you are. May you meet us here. Amen
There’s just something about being chosen, or picked first. It makes you feel like at least someone wants to be around you. Someone really cares what is going on in your world.
Invitation…its unspoken and yet very present in our every day lives. The shepherds are no exception. How many people had passed by them while they were living in the fields, keeping watch over the flocks? I imagine they felt overlooked and forgotten about a good amount of the time. The shepherds are the people who never received an invitation to any wedding feast or church service. They never received an invitation, until the night Christ was born.
Luke 2:8-15 tells us that the shepherds were the first to hear of the birth of the Christ child. And they ran to find him. I imagine their hearts filled with hope when they heard that He was a Savior for all people. Most of their lives the religious people had been excluding them from anything that had to do with God and then angels appeared to them telling them the good news. He is for all people.
In our world today, other religions will try and tell you that Christianity excludes people, don’t believe the lie. He is for us, all of us.
What about you? Feeling excluded? Trying really hard to fit in? Want someone/anyone to notice you? I have good news:
You are invited.
You, too, can run to find Him.
Jesus, may we hear the invitation you offer us. May we run to find where you are. May you meet us here. Amen
December 11, 2008
Snow...
It's failing outside my window.
It's sticky, cold and beautiful.
I am listening to Bebo sing about the Christ child and I can see the white lights of my borrowed Christmas tree out of the corner of my eye.
It's my brother's birthday.
I wonder what he is up to today and wait with eager anticipation to see him in a couple of weeks.
I miss my family.
I cannot wait to celebrate our Savior's birth together.
It is going to be crazy and chaotic, fast and loud. And people will ask "how can you do it all" and I will explain again I do not know any differently.
I'm excited to see my cousins son, how much he's grown in a year and to meet his two new baby sisters.
I am praying about/for the conversations that will happen.
It's not going to be long enough. I'm praying for time to stand still, that although it may not be quanity of time; it'll be quality.
It's sticky, cold and beautiful.
I am listening to Bebo sing about the Christ child and I can see the white lights of my borrowed Christmas tree out of the corner of my eye.
It's my brother's birthday.
I wonder what he is up to today and wait with eager anticipation to see him in a couple of weeks.
I miss my family.
I cannot wait to celebrate our Savior's birth together.
It is going to be crazy and chaotic, fast and loud. And people will ask "how can you do it all" and I will explain again I do not know any differently.
I'm excited to see my cousins son, how much he's grown in a year and to meet his two new baby sisters.
I am praying about/for the conversations that will happen.
It's not going to be long enough. I'm praying for time to stand still, that although it may not be quanity of time; it'll be quality.
I'm also hoping there will be snow.
December 08, 2008
Maybe I'm Just Bitter...
One of my stops along the shopping highway this holiday season was a major Christian Book Store. After finding what I was looking for, I reluctantly wandered into the "Single" book section. This wasn't my first time in this isle.
I had been here many times before, looking for "Lady in Waiting", "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" or whatever was the new "cool" book about singleness. This wander down the isle was different. There was a lot of eye rolling and "are you serious?!?" thoughts. Now, I do not want to discredit any type of ministry these books have had in young, single people's lives. I know they have probably helped advanced the kingdom in many, many ways. However, I couldn't help but wonder if titles like "Thrill of the Chaste", "First Class Single" "He's Hot, She's Hot--What to look for in the Opposite Sex"; "Gift-Wrapped by God" and (my favorite) "Get Married: What Women can do to Help it Happen" were missing something. Or maybe, I've become that bitter single woman I've never wanted to be?
Why aren't there books entitled "Single...why I like it." "Single, and Thriving" or "What My Singleness Taught Me". Is there no one in our culture who is willing to agree with I Corinthians 7; instead of cringing?*
The truth is "single and thriving" is counter cultural. Its counter cultural to find your identity in Christ. It is counter cultural to not "need" another person to fix you and to find our significance and value outside of your relationship status.
Its cross cultural; but I am hoping and praying it becomes the norm. Eph. 1:11-12 says that is in In Christ that we find out who we are.
In Christ...we find out.
*Now, before those who know me best call me out on my hypocrisy; I just want to clarify; although I think single and thriving is obtainable; I am not always there. Today is a good day
I had been here many times before, looking for "Lady in Waiting", "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" or whatever was the new "cool" book about singleness. This wander down the isle was different. There was a lot of eye rolling and "are you serious?!?" thoughts. Now, I do not want to discredit any type of ministry these books have had in young, single people's lives. I know they have probably helped advanced the kingdom in many, many ways. However, I couldn't help but wonder if titles like "Thrill of the Chaste", "First Class Single" "He's Hot, She's Hot--What to look for in the Opposite Sex"; "Gift-Wrapped by God" and (my favorite) "Get Married: What Women can do to Help it Happen" were missing something. Or maybe, I've become that bitter single woman I've never wanted to be?
Why aren't there books entitled "Single...why I like it." "Single, and Thriving" or "What My Singleness Taught Me". Is there no one in our culture who is willing to agree with I Corinthians 7; instead of cringing?*
The truth is "single and thriving" is counter cultural. Its counter cultural to find your identity in Christ. It is counter cultural to not "need" another person to fix you and to find our significance and value outside of your relationship status.
Its cross cultural; but I am hoping and praying it becomes the norm. Eph. 1:11-12 says that is in In Christ that we find out who we are.
In Christ...we find out.
*Now, before those who know me best call me out on my hypocrisy; I just want to clarify; although I think single and thriving is obtainable; I am not always there. Today is a good day
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