Whose Party is it anyway? December 26, 2009

Pining, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

I don't know about you but I get so caught up in the frenzy before Christmas, I sometimes look at the calender on December 26th and say to myself, it's over and you missed it! Growing up, we set up and decorated our real tree on Christmas eve. That was when the party started. Of course mom had all kinds of goodies prepared, cookies, breads, lefse and more! But our "Christmas Programs", company, caroling, and general celebrations took place from Dec 23rd or 24th thru the new year. We never threw the tree out til near the end of January. I think I liked it that way better. I celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus my savior. It's His party. Sometimes I feel like we start without Him and by the time His day arrives, we are partied out and movin' on.
There is a new year on the horizon and I want to live it with a little different mindset. Rather than prepare all year for Christmas, I want to celebrate a little Christmas everyday. With a thankful heart, peace in my soul and the Joy of the Lord as my strength, I will celebrate the Babe in the manger and trust the Christ of the cross.
Blessings~

Chosen

I recently spoke at a women's retreat with the theme being "Pearls for a Princess". Over the course of 2 days we looked at some of the "perks" or "pearls" of being a daughter of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. God showed me so much about His incomprehesible love for me as I prepared. I want to share some of that insight and His grace with you. This is the first pearl~~

GOD CHOOSES US~FIRST!

I was a quiet kid, shy and reserved. I remember at family events and in school, my peers would decide to play a game. Team captains were named and they then would "choose up sides". I can remember standing there waiting, turn after turn to be chosen. I wanted to be picked too! Eventually I would be, one of the very last. My friends knew I would be of no use to them on their team. I couldn't throw a ball, catch a ball or run very fast. I probably didn't even know the rules to some of the games. I was finally picked because someone had no other choice!

I know of adults and kids alike who feel that way, not just over a game but in life. I've felt that way many times, maybe you have too. Our hearts are crying "Choose me, choose me!" and we wait and we wait. We wonder if anyone will ever choose us because they really want us.

Someone did, His name is Jesus. He has chosen me, and He chooses you. And instead of being chosen last because we are the only one left, we are chosen first! Ephesians 1:4 says this "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." (NIV). Did you get that? Chosen BEFORE creation. Before the sky, the sea and land, before the mountains and stars, before the creatures on land, in the sea or in the sky, before a single blade of grass, piece of fruit or delicate flower ever came into being; HE CHOSE ME AND HE CHOSE YOU! He loves us, loved us before we ever came into being and desires to have us as his own. He wants you and me "on his team". If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, then you are a daughter of the King of Kings, his princess, so take heart, even when the world rejects us, shuns us or just plain forgets us, we have been chosen before the creation of the world. If you don't have a relationship with him, you can, he's waiting too, waiting for you to call on him. Blessings~Faylin

White as Snow

For many the pure white newly fallen snow is gone. For you it may have been replaced by green grass and tulips. For me it has been replace by dirty snowbanks, ice, mud and the threat of major flooding in the coming weeks. I look out my window and see the mess; the yard to be cleaned and the garbage strewn from the blizzards this winter. It's hard to remember the beauty of the fresh fallen snow.

My life is like that too. I know the redemptive power of God's love and the supernatural cleansing of my soul by the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross. I have been made clean by the shed blood of Jesus. But if you were to look closely at me, at my life, at my walk, it does not always appear to be so. There is dirt, mud sometimes, and ice. I allow garbage to be strewn about and I am too lazy or too proud to ask God to help me clean it up.

I am so sick of the dirtiness outdoors. I am ready for something new. Grass, leaves, flowers, sunshine, birds, butterflies. I am waiting on God to bring the new season about. That is true in my soul as well. I have allowed worldliness to soil me. O Jesus, I cry out for your touch, for refreshing! The Psalmist cried out to God "Cleanse me, search my heart and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting! " Time in His word daily reminds me of my need for renewal. He is faithful when I am not, he cleans me up, and then brings newness, life, growth, blessings everyday.

Maybe you feel the grime of the world as well. Mud on your boots, ice in your soul, garbage everywhere. Call on Jesus, he longs to bring you newness, refreshing, hope. He loves you, He proved it on a cross at Golgatha. His red blood covered our sins and made them white as snow, trust Him.

Blessings~Faylin