Peace, Joy, and Love - Christmas

The countdown is on until the magical day when the world stops and family becomes most important in our lives. It is four days until Christmas morning, but my mind continues to race with thoughts of unfinished tasks and a “to do” list more than a mile long. I thought a break for all of us might be the closest thing to sanity these next four days. So pull up a chair and hold a nice warm brew in your hands...let the steam billow from the mug and touch your cheek softly and be reminded that Jesus is the reason for the season as you read my poem.

Hush now do you hear me sing,

I sing to you and song of peace,

The day comes near,

When I was born,

To quiet the ache of the soul.

~

Hush now do you hear me sing,

I sing to you a song of joy,

For though I was born,

That I might die,

Hope arose from behind the stone.

~

Hush now do you hear me sing,

I sing to you a song of love,

Sing back to me my sweet child,

There is no greater gift I should want,

For you to believe and rejoice!

Do you hear Him? He waits and longs to sit awhile and talk with you. Slow down from the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season…just five minutes…and let Christ sing over you! Let him renew you with his peace, fill you with his joy, and lavish you with his love!



A Christmas Extravaganza



The ice skaters are a new addition this year!



My new purchase this year! I love this bucket!

The bay windows in the kitchen!

I love the wreaths on the windows with the red cardinals placed below!



My favorite Santa!





My mantle...simply beautiful!



Isn't he awesome!

And this my friends is what it is all about...
a babe in the manager...
born to die...
to save a sin sick world...
That's how much He loves you!



Horn of Salvation

Though she loved him, he loved her more. She didn’t know in that moment of joy; He came to die. He came to save her and the entire sin sick world. In time, she would realize just how much he loved her as he would ask John to care for her as he agonized upon the cross.


But in this precious moment surrounded by only the lowly animals of the stable, she wished never to forget the little hands…the tiny feet, the bright star in the clear night sky, and the wonderment painted on Joseph’s face. Her hands trembled as she feared to touch the Holy Child…her son…Jesus. She took hold of the King of the Most High…pulled him close…cheek to cheek, and began to cry.

“I love you.” She whispered softly.

The babe’s heart beat a lullaby of peace to her anxious soul. And there that beautiful night when the horn of salvation resounded in an infant’s cry, Mary treasured the moment and would forever ponder all this that was given her.

Will you take hold of the King of the Most High this Christmas?

Will you dare to pull him close, cry a loud, and say…

“I love you Jesus!”

Sit quietly long enough to hear his heart beat a lullaby of peace to you.

Remember…

Treasure…

Ponder as Mary did so long ago…

Christ was born to die…

For you!

That just how much he loves you!

A New Beginning

I am struggling within the confines of my mind. I can’t put a finger on this sense of overwhelming sadness. I have no reason to be sad. I have so much to be grateful for because the Lord has indeed blessed my life. Yet sadness seems to greet me around every corner I turn. Yet I question whether it is sadness which begs for my attention, or is it God stirring my soul to awaken to a new beginning? This question begs me to ask another. Am I ready for a new beginning? But then I question if the “new beginning” has always been there waiting for me to approach and accept the responsibility of the task at hand, the task God gifted me to be able to do, or have I sat idly by with excuse after excuse as to my incapacity to do the very thing God made me to do.

~

Dear Heavenly Father,

If it is a new beginning you are preparing me for, let me see what it is you have for me to do. But Father, if the new beginning has been staring me in the face and I have not acted upon your gentle nudges, please forgive me and help me to be confident to do your will. Please give me discernment during this time of lament so I might draw a smile upon your face.

Amen

Tranquility's Best Moment

My heart melts as I allow my mind to only dwell upon Him. I seem so close to Him in these times of quietness. Nothing else seems to really matter. It’s just me and my best friend sharing. I give Him a piece of me and He in turn gives me His peace. It is tranquility at its best moment. In these reflections I imagine. I think of what it would be like to have the gentle hands of my healer brush across the top of my hand until our hands are clasped together in a tight embrace. I would see his nail pierced scar of redemption for the first time and tears would begin to fall from my eyes.

I’m sorry Jesus.

It was me.

I did it.

I put you on the cross.

I made you suffer.

My head is downcast. I am so ashamed I can’t bear to look upon His face. And then I hear the movement of white linen and feel the tip of one his fingers wrapped in the hem of his robe dab a salted drop on my cheek. I turn my head and dare to look at the man who gave me life. He is my amazing Jesus.

I love you!

You are forgiven.

Now live like you’re forgiven.

You are free.

Now live like you’re free.

My Desire

Some people crave chocolate. Others may crave a good salty potato chip. Yet for others it may be some good hot wings. I too love anything sweet. At times, I just have to eat something with sugar to satisfy my desire. Although with God’s help, I am trying desperately to curb this unhealthy habit. It wouldn’t be so bad to just have a little something sweet every once in a while, but I seem to overindulge too often.

After I tucked my children in bed last evening, I couldn’t wait to return downstairs and just have some quiet moments with Jesus. The feeling struck me much the same as those insane cravings to fulfill my sweet tooth. It was with great excitement and anticipation I turned the lights off except for a small table lamp. The butterfly in my stomach subsided as I threw the blanket over my legs and began to breathe in deeply and exhale slowly. I just wanted to meet my Savior. I wanted his peace to abound in every beat of my heart.

My quiet time was interspersed with the sound of my voice lifting up audible prayers to my Lord. I just needed to talk to my best friend for awhile and bask in his never ending love. The moments were precious and my desire fulfilled. It brought such peace, I actually fell asleep.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray you would continue to let me desire time with you. Let me thirst for you to refresh my soul. Remind me Lord to slow down and look up. Only you can squelch the busyness of life as you draw me to sit at your feet.

~Amen

Our Daughter - Ruthie's Victory

I’m just overwhelmed to gigantic proportions by just how much my Lord loves me. I am his beloved daughter whom he loves deeply with an everlasting love. He always meets me right where I am at on any given day. It is the greatest comfort one can have…knowing your Father is always there for you. He is an ever present help in times of trouble…my grandma would quote to me in her beautiful hand written letters.


I needed Him yesterday. But He knew I would need Him before I ever did. I didn’t have to run to Him. He was already with me. My precious daughter needed Him even more than I. I was separated from her and couldn’t seem to get to the school fast enough to just be there for her. Some of you know God's Ruthie is Autistic. She was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome which is a high functioning form of Autism. She suffered a dramatic meltdown yesterday morning.

She is so beautiful to me in every way. I know it sounds silly, but I wouldn’t take away the Autism because it actually makes Ruthie who she is…a joyful, fun, loving girl. God gave me Ruthie. He knew I was just the right mom for her. But He also knew Ruth was just the right daughter for me. I have probably learned more from her than she has from her mother.

As I drove that endless three miles to her school, thinking I just needed to get there…God reminded me. Ruth is my daughter first before she ever became your daughter. It wasn’t an audible voice, but just a thought in my own mind. And then one thought turned into another…I love her even more than you. And then that thought became another…I am already with her.

By the time I got to the school, tears of epic proportions would not stop flowing from my eyes. I took several deep breaths, wiped the tears, and powdered my face in the rear view mirror.

“Help me God.” I whispered gently under my breath and walked into the school.

The tears never did cease and I didn’t speak much. I tried, but I just needed to have my daughter back in my arms again. But you know what…God already had her deep between the hems of His robe. Ruth is His beloved daughter whom He loves deeply with an everlasting love! He met her right where she was at yesterday. His comfort was better than any comfort I could offer. He was an ever present help to Ruth in her time of need! I thank my God for loving our daughter!

Silence is Golden

All I want is to be close to Him. His presence is so peaceful. Yet sometimes I become preoccupied with things…earthly things which should not hold a priority over my heavenly Father. But somehow by my own choice, I allow the world to consume my time with trivial things. This only breeds a frustrated person who cannot give love and life from a selfish unsatisfied soul.

~

I was sitting…just sitting outside listening intently. I really didn’t know what I wanted to hear, but knew I needed silence to soothe the ache of my busy mind. I heard a mass of birds chattering away in the tallest top of a tree. A blue jay cackled in the neighbor’s yard and caused me to turn my head to catch a gaze upon the bird. Unfortunately, I didn’t see the fowl. But then the sun caught my attention. It was bright indeed, but the beauty of the rays dispersing between the limbs reminded me of the glory of heaven. The breeze was soft against my cheeks and caused the leaves to softly clap together in unison. Some have decided they no longer want to be attached to the tree and fluttered and swayed in a free fall to the ground. Tears began to well in my eyes as I was overwhelmed by the touch of my Creator. How could I have missed such beauty made for me to see, touch, smell, and hear from the great I Am?

~

All He wants is to be close to me. He wants to bring my mind peace. He desires deeply for me not to be preoccupied with worldly things, but to see His hand as mine. Silence with my Lord is golden. It causes the frustrated unsatisfied soul to free fall to the ground and a life giving soul to arise to stand and lift their hands in praise to their Creator. And God smiles in return!

“Come near to God, and He will come near to you…” James 4:8



Take Five

There is so much to be thankful for each and every day. I just miss it sometimes a lot of times. I make myself busy and forget to stop and admire God and all his goodness. I miss the laughter of my children, the needs of others who are less fortunate than me, and selfishly I cause God to be sad and his smile slips away as he waits for me to turn around.

Everything around me doesn’t click. I become anxious and begin to think only of the next task to complete. I weaken instead of grow into the full purpose for which God created me. And then it happens…it’s like God throws a shoe at me and it hits me right upside the head. He reveals himself to me loud and clear and I realize I need to take a seat and listen in silence for the sweet whispers of the Holy Spirit. There is no need to pray. I don’t need to sing. I just need to sit and dwell upon the goodness of Jesus and what he has done for me. Even if it is just five minutes…it’s five minutes I wouldn’t have had with him otherwise. After a few days of silence for five with my King, an amazing thing happens…I desire crave more solemn time with him. It becomes an ache deep within to meet with my Savior. The inertia of God’s love becomes greater through these quiet moments and causes me only to resist the state of busyness and relinquish my whole being to a state of restful peace with my Abba.

Strange as it may seem, my eyes become open and I see with his eyes. My hands become his hands working through me. My ears become more aware of information he wants me to hear and heed his call of action as a result. The life and body he gave me becomes an extension of him reaching down from heaven to touch the lives of those who don’t know him and need his love. I have turned around and now see him smile in return.

Indeed, my Redeemer lives!

Beauty for Ashes

As I checked out some of my most favorite blogs this morning, the title of one caught my eye. It read, “Meaningful Beauty”. I loved how the two words rolled off my tongue, but most of all I loved what it made me think. The wonderful cross etched itself quickly in my mind’s eye. Actually, it wasn’t a pretty site at all. The picture contained the image of my King beaten, bruised, and bleeding beyond recognition. Did the crown of thorns bother him more than his nail pierced hands?

I pondered the thought for a few moments and then a Bible verse I had memorized many years ago began to speak softly deep within me…

“And provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”

~Isaiah 61:3

When Christ rose from the grave, the ashes fell and a crown of life appeared to take the place of the black soot of unworthiness. He replaced mourning and despair with joy and praise for a Savior who paid the ultimate price to give abundant life to all who choose His ways. As God’s children we become like a tree planted by the water, unmoved, not shaken, and standing on the precious promises of our Heavenly Father. We are the display of His splendor!

Now that’s “Meaningful Beauty”!

As of Late

As of late I've been...
.
.
.
Enjoying pumpkin spice coffee from Dunk'in Donuts.
.
.
.
Thinking of changing the color of my car to canary yellow and in black letters write TAXI on the sides.
.
.
.
I love watching my kiddos march in the band, play football, and run cross country.
.
.
.
Writing ALOT!
.
.
.
I have been wondering if there is going to be any canned pumpkin available in the stores to make pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. Has anyone found any on the shelf in their local grocery store?
.
.
.
I've been excited to watch Steeler football on Sunday's after church and hoping Pittsburgh and the Rooney's decide to get rid of Ben Rothleisberger.
.
.
So as of late I'm...

Enjoying...

Thinking...

Watching...

ALOT...

Wondering...

and

Excited...

to see what the Lord has for me next!!!

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace...

how sweet the sound...

that saved a wretch like me...

grace...something I don't deserve!

I become overwhelmed as the notes play and tears come quickly. This unmerited favor of God is freely given to me from my Sovereign Lord! I don't deserve it, but He gives me a full measure each day with compassion and tenderness. He always meets me right where I am at, no matter how sinful, and accepts me granting forgiveness once again. He is so precious to me, yet, I am more precious to Him.

~

Thank you Jesus for loving enough immensely giving life and hope to all through your solemn act of kindness upon the cross. I pray for those who don't know you and for those who do, but have not accepted you. Please bring them to the realization of just how much you love them and desire to call them your child.

 Amen

A Fall Front Porch

Can you smell the crisp Autumn air? I can and it's got me itching to do some more decorating! Today was the front porch! Enjoy the pictures!

Bring on Fall

I love fall! I like decorating for Autumn probably more than I enjoy adorning the walls and mantle for Christmas. The weather has started to change slightly with cooler days and dreamy nights. I have not been able to stop myself from becoming excited to pull out all my fall decor...and so I did. Not only did I have fun remembering and forgetting all the fall pieces I have, I got ambitious and decided to craft some new ones.

I got all my supplys ready!

Even the kids helped! The wooden circle only $1.19 at AC Moore!

This awesome wooden letters only cost .50 a piece at AC Moore! Can you guess what the letters spell?

Here is my finished pumpkins garland draped across my fall decorated hoosier.

<><><><>

<>

<><><><>

I free hand painted three of these awesome circles...Havest...Moon...Reflects!

The newly painted circles became part of my garland on the the upper staircase.

I added sephia tone prints cut with pinking shears to remember our summer memories.

Lead me O Lord!

I just love how the circle art turned out!

One of my favorite pictures!

I loved the sephia tone prints so much I added them to the hoosier shelves as well!

The finished hoosier!

Please click on the following link to get more great ideas!

http://theinspiredroom.net/2010/09/07/welcome-to-the-3rd-annual-fall-nesting-party/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20wordpress/woWq%20(The%20Inspired%20Room)

Sweet Grandma

I’ve been missing her again. I’m not sure why my mind has wondered to memories of my sweet grandma, but it’s comforting. The thoughts of her bring such warmth to my soul and often I just close my eyes and remember…remember her hands…olive Italian skin, her Bible open on her kitchen table, and yes…her wonderfully scrumptious molasses cookies. But most I remember her prayerful heart. I like to think she taught me how to pray as she penned many heartfelt letters to me over the course of my life. She prayed me through my life in those letters, shared Bible scripture which I still hold onto dearly, and most of all…she loved me…she truly loved me through those letters. It was if her hands reached out from the pages and hugged me.

I get homesick to see her. Do you know what I mean? This house I now live in is not my true home. Home to me is heaven and I know that’s where she is at this very moment. And…well…I get homesick for heaven because I know I’ll get to see her again. Even though she is not here on this Earth with me any longer, she brings me closer to home when I think about her. I dream of what it must be like for her to be with Jesus and the embrace we will have when we are reunited. But for now, I will look forward to the day when I see her again and I’ll continue to be happy for her because she is home.

One Solemn Moment

Today was a simply beautiful day. The sun rays were warm enough for me to wear a t-shirt, but the cool air convinced me to don a pair of pants. I sat outside for awhile enjoying the beauty God created. I leaned my head back, eyes closed, and legs extended forward as my arms rested effortlessly on the sides of the chair. I breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly quietly thanking my Lord for the moment of peace. The breeze brushed across my face and reminded me of the nearness of my God. The sun peeked from behind the clouds and the shadows disappeared from behind my closed lids. The heaven sent rays warmed my skin and I couldn’t help but think...God touched me in His own way. The sound of my voice softly began to sing the old hymn, How Great Thou Art. It became an intimate solemn moment of worship just between my God and I. Silenced filled the air again and I recognized He is closer than I realize. I just need to take the time to sit awhile with Him. I’m glad I choose to “be” with my Savior today instead of “doing” another task on my list. It was precious…so precious indeed!

Word Filled Wednesday

As a mom, I worry about my children. I know I shouldn't, but I catch myself with moments of worry for their little souls. Well, my oldest is not so little anymore (6' 3") and my youngest not so young (9), but I know all you moms out their and dads can understand.

When I detect a bit of worry in my thoughts, the best thing I can do is take that thought captive and give it to Jesus.

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,

 and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

II Corinthians 10:5

Here is a little something else I do...

I doodle a prayer!

This actually happens to be a doodle prayer for my youngest son Samuel and three of his good friends. They all play football together on the same team. Often, I find myself in "worry mode" over this high contact sport.

I actually put this prayer on my refrigerator so every morning...every time I open the fridge...or pass by it...I am reminded to pray for these little fellows. Sometimes I just repeat one phrase I wrote over and over the entire day. Somehow, God takes my worry away and I rest at peace knowing He is watching over my son and his friends.

Just As I Am

The year was 1977. I was 10 years old as I watched the Billy Graham Crusade one summer evening on television. He gave an alter call to thousands in the stadium that night and one little girl, me, who watched and listened with tear filled eyes. As this song played, “Just As I Am”, hundreds of people stood and walked to center stage to accept the call of a lifetime. Even though God had chosen them long before that evening, they stood to acknowledge their one true friend…Jesus. I also came to this realization that evening, Jesus loved me right where I was at…he always did…and continues to love this childlike tender heart even today. Even though there have been many times in my 33 year journey with Jesus where I walked away from him and sinned until it hurt……. he never walked away from me. He kept me safe in the palm of his hand. And as the potter with clay, molded me into the beautiful woman I am today. I take no credit for who I have become and the things I have achieved, but it is Christ in me the hope of glory! I continue grow in my faith walk even though at times I have conflict, trials, and my sinful nature reminds me I will never be perfect. But every day my Jesus bids me to come…just as I am…he welcomes me and pardons my sin sick human frailties. He also bids you to come and partake of the living water and thirst no more that you also might find joy amidst the questioning, hurt, and anguish. He loves you more than you know…..and you’ll never know until you come to the Lamb of God.

You can never "be" until you "know" Jesus!

Love God's Word

My kitchen table in the morning hours

11This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. 13Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

I John 3:11-24

~

The Bible is God breathed words written by others so we might know the boundaries to live within and it outlines the life of Jesus Christ which gives us the “how to” within the parameters of the law. Yet at the same time, the Word of the Lord is poetry, a book of family heritage, gives us written laws, and speaks in parables. But through the entire book, love resounds a harmonious chord of peace. The Bible helps us to renew our minds and allows us to filter out the lies Satan tells us so we might stand on the great and precious promises given to us by our Heavenly Father.

“Be” in the Word of God and what you “do” will become His agenda and not yours.

Centering

The second step, centering (please click on centering to learn more about centering), I believe can be interchangeable with the first step of prayer in learning how to "be" in the "doing". What is centering prayer you ask? Centering is when a person sits in quietness longing for there human spirit to collide with the divine spirit causing an explosion deep within one's soul. Alright, maybe not a literal explosion, but a burst of fire erupts deep within. The flame of God through His Holy Spirit can not be squelched, love exudes to overflowing, and we begin to show outwardly Christ in us the hope of glory!

Our thoughts become His thoughts and a more thankful heart arises. Our eyes begin to see like they have never seen before. We look at people no matter what color or class with the knowledge that God loves them just as much as He does our self. Our feet become His...our hands an extension of his nail pierced palms...and we set about to do the work God has placed before us. We embark to discover our true self and embrace it. We become very aware of our purpose from the Creator who breathed life into us. This purpose...to serve and not be served and to find and help the lost sheep and lovingly corral them back home to the Great Shepherd. Lastly, the only chains that hold us are the chains we are in to be ambassadors for the sake of Jesus Christ!

"And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message,

 so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains."

Colossians 4:3 (NIV)

Prayer Changes Things

I have told myself and close friends that I need to stand in front of a mirror and practice saying the word “no” aloud. I need to see what it looks like. I need to practice “no” with loving expressions. I need to experience how it feels deep down to say “no”. Why? Because all too often I say yes and commit to “doing” something before I’ve prayed to make sure it’s a task my Heavenly Father desires for me.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

~Philippians 4:6

At times, I have had too many consecutive “yes” tally marks, while the “no” column often has none. This leads to a very unbalanced life of a lot of “doing, “being” is left whistling with its hands in its pockets, and I am a frazzled anxious mess. I’ve been reduced to a sobbing tirade of tears squandering a box of tissues.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

~Matthew 6:33

So, my first step in the process of learning how to “be” in the “doing” is to PRAY! It’s best to “be” in prayer to seek the wise counsel of the Holy Spirit before you “do” anything. Did I just really say that, because…WOW…I fall way short of prayers before everything I “do”. You really can’t “be” in what you “do” unless you take Jesus with you into it. Don’t leave God out from the get go. Pray first, then “do”, and the “be” will follow.

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

~John 14:26

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you for your patience with my reckless decision making without talking it out with you first. Please help me to remember to seek you first in all my decisions. I want to take the time to sit in prayer and be sure what I’m about to “do” is what you desire and have planned for my life. If I am in your will it will be much easier for me to “be” in your presence while I “do” the work you have put before me.

~Amen

God Smiles

I have many sisters in Christ and I praise God for each and everyone. There are a chosen few of these God loving souls who without a doubt bring me to some of my most honest moments with myself. I realized in one such conversation; I deeply desire to feel needed and be loved. I know…you’re thinking…doesn’t everyone? I would definitely answer a resounding yes, but yet my quest to find love and be needed is a gut wrenching thirst that at times has seemed unquenchable.

Lately, I must admit I have not found myself missing love or yearning to be needed. I sense a peace about my life. It’s been like a deep breath with an everlasting exhale. I realize my only need is to be close to my heavenly Father. I don’t miss out on love, because when I’m with him in a quiet moment, his embrace of love is sufficient to sustain me. He takes me in His arms, holds me tight, and sings over me. It is beautiful indeed to experience his peace and be confident, if just for that moment…He is all I need.

It is funny you know; I long to be loved and needed, but so does Jesus. He longs to be needed and loved by me and also by you. Really, fellowship with Him is what God created us for in the first place. God was lonely and desired relationship. So I guess it shouldn’t surprise me when I crave the desire. God has craved for the same thing from us for a very long time.

All I know…when I take the time to love on Jesus and just sit awhile with him, it brings a smile upon my face. And you know what…God smiles back and is well pleased with His child.

"Come near to God and He will come near to you..."

~James 4:8

God's Creation

So thankful for the home God has given us!

Even amidst the shadows He reaches to comfort our soul.

His beauty peeks at us all day long. If only we choose to see it.

His beauty blooms all around.

I am thankful this day for picking up my camara this morning and shooting these beautiful shots. God surrounds us everyday with his love. We just need to choose to see it. Please take the time to see it today! God's blessing on all of you today!