Oh, Christmas

                                     John 3:16, Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 9:6, 1 Timothy 1:15


As I lay here typing, my sweet brother Jonathan is sound asleep in the bed next to me, my grandparents have retired for the night, and my parents are busy wrapping the last few presents from Santa :) Christmas is such a great holiday, a time for me to see and spend time with my family and to celebrate my Savior's birth, and, not to mention, a time for gifts! I know that might sound shallow, but the gifts that are coming to mind are not the ordinary "under the tree" gifts. 


I have been given the gift of being a daughter to two phenomenal parents, the gift of being a sister to a precious brother, the gift of being a friend to multiple God fearing men and women, the gift of good health and mind, (there are many more gifts and blessings I could list), but most importantly, I have been given the gift of a Savior, Jesus Christ, Immanuel- God with us, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, the Son of God, my Father, who has bestowed on me, who has picked me out and given to me, the miraculous gift of salvation. There is nothing in this world that compares to the gift that God gave to me, and to you, so many years ago. The birth of Jesus Christ is something so wonderful and so awesome; it's an event that easily brings a smile to my face, a peace to my soul, a truth to my doubt, a strength to my weakness, a humility to my pride, and an attitude of praise and worship that resonates throughout my entire being!! And Christmas is not the only time I reflect on the gift of Jesus Christ, but this gift is one to be remembered all throughout the year, throughout the ages :) But, I am grateful for this day where the world is called to remember and celebrate the birth of our risen Lord. 


There are so many things I would like to say, and give thanks for, and praise God for (thank goodness He knows my heart and my thoughts), sometimes I am simply unable to produce the words. So I will borrow the words of someone else.....

This night is the long night

when those who listens awaits His Cry.

This night is the eve of the great nativity

when those who are longing await His presence.

Wait, with watchful heart.

Listen carefully, through the stillness; 

listen, hear the telling of the waves upon the shore.

Listen, here the song of the angels glorious- 

e're long it will be heard, 

that His foot has reached the earth:

news- the the glory is come!

Truly His salvation is near, 

for those who fear Him, 

and His glory shall dwell in our land.

Watch and pray, the Lord shall come.

Those who are longing await His appearing.

Those who listen await His cry.

Watch....

Wait....

Listen....

[This night is the long night.]

This night is born Jesus, 

Son of the King of glory.

This night is born to us

the root of our joy.

This night gleamed sea and shore

together. 

This night was born Christ, 

the King of greatness.

Though Laid in a manger, 

He came from a throne:

on earth though a stranger,

in heaven He was known.

How lowly, how gracious

His coming to earth!

His love my love kindles

to joy in His birth.

Sweet Jesus, King of glory!

Now You sleep in a manger, in a stable poor and cold;

But for us You are the highest King, making our hearts into Your palace.

All Hail! let there be joy!!

Hail to the King, hail to the King, 

Blessed is He, blessed is He.

The peace of the earth to Him;

the joy of heaven to Him.

The homage of a King is His,

King of all victory;

the welcome of a lamb be His,

Lamb of all glory:

the Son of glory down from high.

All hail, let there be joy!

Deep in the night

the voice of waves on the shore

announced to us: Christ is born!

Son of the King of kings

from the land of salvation,

the mountains glowed to Him,

the plains glowed to Him,

then shone the sun on the mountains high to Him.

All hail, let there be joy!

God the Lord has opened a Door.

Christ of hope, Door of joy!

Song of Mary, hasten thou to help me;

In me, Lord Christ, let there be joy.

Merry Christmas everyone. Joy to the Lord. Enjoy His gift!

One down...

One semester down at LU. (2 more to go). The semester is officially finished. papers are turned in. finals are complete. meetings are done. car is packed. goodbyes have been said. all that's left is the drive. It's been a great semester, I was blessed in so many ways: 


1. God blessed me with wonderful and beautiful quad-mates: Alicia Houston (roomie), Kate Stevens, Shelly Stevens, Amanda Hubbard, Molly Haskins, and Adrianne Roberts. These girls touched my heart and were great friends all throughout the semester. I was able to watch the Lord work in their hearts and the joy that brought them, and I was able to walk with them through the rough times. We created a safe environment for one another, we had so much love for each other, and could confide in one another. I was able to see God in the fellowship and relationships I had with these girls. They were such a blessing to me. I will miss them terribly. xoxoxoxo


2. God blessed me with loving, amazing, influential teachers: Mr. Alban, Mr. Rawlins, Mrs. Delaney, Mr. Grant, Mr. Honeycutt, and Mr. Fanning. Each one of these teachers poured out the love of Christ into my life, and encouraged me in my personal relationship with Him. God was the priority in all the classrooms, academics came second. In every subject I was encouraged to learn and work as if it were all for God, which it is. My education is a tool for me in my spiritual growth and maturation. The concepts, principles, and teachings I will take away from their classes are irreplaceable; so much of what I have learned I am already applying to my life. I cant express my thankfulness and gratitude sufficiently for how much I was blessed by my teachers and their passion for Christ, it has left quite an impact on me. 


3. God blessed me in my relationship with Him this semester. He revealed so much to me, even when my heart was hardened, He broke through and showed Himself to me, in ways I have never known Him. Our relationship has become more honest, open, trusting, loving, all- together more intimate. There wasn't a single time this semester when I lost sight of God, He was always pulling on me to look at Him, fulfilling His promises and truth. I was given the tools, principles, and help I needed to grow closer to God. More so, I was able to break through my own barriers, to look at myself the way my flesh sees me, but too see past that and release that, and see myself the way God sees me. I am filled with joy that only God can provide. I am loved with a love only God can give. God brought me through a lot this semester, holding me up every step of the way. I had to allow myself to be completely transparent with God. I am so thankful for His love and His pursuit of me. It has been a blessing getting to know God more deeply. I love who I am to Him.


Something I read last night, and then again today, that has encouraged me, and simply has made me smile at my God, is Psalm 103 and Psalm 136.....

Psalm 103 (says:)

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
 and all that is within me,
 bless his holy name!


2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
 

and forget not all his benefits,


3 who forgives all your iniquity,
 

who heals all your diseases,


4 who redeems your life from the pit,
 

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,


5 who satisfies you with good
 so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord works righteousness
 and justice 

for all who are oppressed.


7 He made known his ways to Moses,
 

his acts to the people of Israel.


8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
 

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.


9 He will not always chide, 


nor will he keep his anger forever.


10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, 


nor repay us according to our iniquities.


11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
 

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;


12 as far as the east is from the west, 


so far does he remove our transgressions from us.


13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
 

so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.


14 For he knows our frame; 


he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass; 


he flourishes like a flower of the field;


16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
 

and its place knows it no more.


17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, 


and his righteousness to children's children,


18 to those who keep his covenant
 and remember to do his commandments.


19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, 


and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
 

you mighty ones who do his word,
 obeying the voice of his word!


 


Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 136 (says:)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,


for his steadfast love endures forever.


2 Give thanks to the God of gods,


for his steadfast love endures forever.


3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,


for his steadfast love endures forever;

4 to him who alone does great wonders,


for his steadfast love endures forever;


5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,


for his steadfast love endures forever;


6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,


for his steadfast love endures forever;


7 to him who made the great lights,


for his steadfast love endures forever

;
8 the sun to rule over the day,


for his steadfast love endures forever;


9 the moon and stars to rule over the night, 


for his steadfast love endures forever;

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,


for his steadfast love endures forever;


11 and brought Israel out from among them, 


for his steadfast love endures forever;


12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,


 for his steadfast love endures forever;


13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,


for his steadfast love endures forever;


14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,


for his steadfast love endures forever;


15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, 


for his steadfast love endures forever;


16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,


for his steadfast love endures forever;

17 to him who struck down great kings,


for his steadfast love endures forever;


18 and killed mighty kings,


for his steadfast love endures forever;


19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,


for his steadfast love endures forever;


20 and Og, king of Bashan,


for his steadfast love endures forever;


21 and gave their land as a heritage, 


for his steadfast love endures forever;


22 a heritage to Israel his servant,


for his steadfast love endures forever.

23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,


for his steadfast love endures forever;


24 and rescued us from our foes,


for his steadfast love endures forever;


25 he who gives food to all flesh,


for his steadfast love endures forever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,


 for his steadfast love endures forever.

Stop Trying So Hard

It's been brought to my attention recently that I haven't been living out the truth of the gospel. I haven't been receiving God's gift of grace and love, I have been trying to earn it. I was trying to earn forgiveness and earn the right to be loved by God. (it's not possible by the way) Of course, I had no idea I was trying to do this, I thought I was doing well in my relationship with God, but low and behold, the truth emerged.... The truth is we do not deserve God, we deserve hell. The truth is God extends (gives freely/willingly) grace to us, yet the irony is, we still try to work for it (earn it, prove our worth)...at least I do... And that's wrong. I see myself according to my sin, and I see the deserving consequences, and then I try to make up for it. I try to apologize to God by showing Him that I really am good by my actions, my thoughts, and my lifestyle; even my prayers and motivation. I work so hard to separate myself from my sin and my sinful nature. But that's not what my focus should be on. 


Nowhere in the Bible does it say to makeup for your sins, work to prove your worth, restore yourself, atone for your sin. Really, the Bible says nothing about me, scripture isn't about me, the gospel isn't centered around me. The Bible is about JESUS CHRIST. The Gospel is centered around the truth, promise, grace, love, righteousness, mercy, justice (and so much more) of our SAVIOR and LORD. The Bible says pursue GOD. chase after Him. hide yourself in Him. stand on His promises. accept His grace. rest in Him. trust in Him go to Him. believe in Him. Everything revolves around Him. (as it should) He is the one who has done everything so that I have to do nothing. That's so great, that's amazing and freeing and encouraging- God did everything so I don't have to do anything!! WHOA.


And yet, here I am, living my life according to ME... what I do, what I can offer, what I can be, what I want, what I think I deserve, what I have... and not what God has done, is doing, and will do. That's crazy, irrational, and illogical to do; but so many of us, in our own way, try to earn the gift God has given to us freely. Our lives are full of busy schedules, worry, anxiety, doubt, hard-work, successful careers, good grades, material possessions, empty purpose and value, relationships, failure, fear, and so much more... We try so hard, to do something, to accomplish something, to complete something, to prove something, for that which is already done!! If we are His children, then God sees us through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ- spotless, perfect, blameless, righteous. Isn't that what we are working so hard to attain?? YES. Isn't that what we deeply desire?? YES. but we constantly forget (overlook) the fact the Jesus Christ willingly completed that on/through the cross. He expects nothing from us, and rightfully so. There is nothing we can do, say, or think that will earn us the right to be seen as covered by His blood. We need to stop thinking we can.


Yet, it's because of who He is and what He has done that He continues to see us through the blood of Jesus. He continues to love us through the blood of Jesus. He continues to be gracious and merciful to us through the blood of Jesus. even though we don't deserve it. This is such a wonderful truth and proclamation of the gospel! I can say, all believers can say, "I am not accountable for my sin, I am not guilty of my sin, I am not ashamed of my sin, I do not have to bear the burden of my sin- GOD DID IT FOR ME." all I have to do is accept that. (and sometimes that's hard for us to do. and if it is hard, we need to pinpoint the sin, that is standing in the way of us being able to accept the grace and love of God, lay it down at the feet of Christ, and bask in the joy of our Lord)


2 Corinthians 5:19 says "that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." ...'God was reconciling the world to himself', He was resorting us, the world, His people to Himself. HIM, JESUS CHRIST!! He reconciles us to himself. we don't, we can't, reconcile ourselves to Him.... 'not counting their trespasses against them', He does not hold our sin against us. the opposite is true. He frees us from the bondage of our sin, and restores us to himself, because of the blood of Jesus. He entrusts this message to us; we have to truly believe this in order to share it with others. We have to believe that we are weak and incapable of restoring ourselves, and that ONLY Jesus Christ has the power and ability to restore the world to himself. Do we believe this?? Do I believe this?? Do we live like we truly believe this?? Do I live like I truly believe this??


Colossians 1:20 says "and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." God is the only one capable of restoring us. He is the only one capable!! because of the blood He shed on the cross. The complete work was done. There is nothing left to do. This is great news!! There is nothing left to do. No debt to be repaid. No guilt to bear. No works to give. Nothing is left!! God took it all, He did it all. The grace of the gospel is this!! We have only to accept His gift, given to us through the work of the cross, the blood of Jesus Christ, that was shed to cover ALL (past present future) sin for every single person. My God is so powerful, so amazing, so wonderful, so loving, so gracious, so merciful, so perfect! There is nothing I can give to Him, yet He gave everything to me. all there is for me to do is accept that, believe that, trust that, and live according to the blood of Jesus that covers me. 


[He requires nothing! so stop trying so hard.] 
live under the cover of the blood of Jesus. see yourself covered by the blood of Jesus. see yourself as God see you. live as God intended for you. 
[stop trying so hard. there is nothing left to do.] 
REJOICE in this, EXULT in this, REST in this. this is good news for us. this is grace given to us. this is love of our Father demonstrated for us. 


{the blood of Jesus}

{At the foot of the cross, I fall to me knees, As your blood washes over me, You lift my head,  It's only by your blood I can lift my face to You, Because of what you've done on the cross, I know I can enter into Your presence, Knowing I'm forgiven and loved, As you hung on the cross, took my punishment and my pain, You saw my face in the crowd, Yet still you loved me, At the foot of the cross, I fall to my knees, As your blood washes over me}