12.23.2011

Looking for the Second Coming

From now until Christmas I'm memorizing 12 scriptures that point to the glory of the season. Jesus Christ. To start from the beginning click here.
"12 Days of Christmas Scripture Memory"

Day 12: Hebrews 9:28
"So Christ also,
 having been offered once
to bear the sins of many,
 will appear a second time
 for salvation without reference to sin,
to those who eagerly await Him."

12.21.2011

To Serve Rather Than Be Served

From now until Christmas I'm memorizing 12 scriptures that point to the glory of the season. Jesus Christ. To start from the beginning click here.
"12 Days of Christmas Scripture Memory"

Day 11: Matthew 20:28
"Even the Son of Man came not to be served
but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom
for the many."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had another verse picked out, but as I was catching up with one of my favorite bloggers, her verse of focus caught my attention a little bit more than what I had originally picked.

I've got about 26 more hours of "work" before I am officially off for Christmas Break. A blessed week that LeaderTreks has given me that I am able to relax and spend with my family. I had purchased plane tickets all the way back at the beginning of November to make sure that I got this time with my family in CO. I also had plans to make a special trip from Vail to Colorado Springs to witness some college friends tie the knot and party the night away with old friends. I had planned to get at least 3 great days on the slopes enjoying the snow (which has not made any spectacular appearance in Chicago yet)

But guess what each of these things do... they serve ME!
And just last night God ran that little train off the tracks. My mom has been battling a second bout of skin cancer and has had two surgery this month, thus making her unable to travel. So all my pretty little plans that I've been making that have been serving my desires were chucked out the window.

And Becky's post reminded me how selfish I have been lately. As the plans are still up in the air, the question I'll be asking myself is what plans serve others more?
What plans will serve my mom best? Give her the most rest? Show her I love her the most?
What plans serve my dad best? Encourage him the most as he walks with my mom through this?
What plans serve my brothers the most? Are most beneficial to their traveling time? Are uplifting for their families?
What plans concerning my friend's wedding will bless them the most? Who else (besides the bride and groom) can I serve if God allows me to attend this wedding?



In the next 72 hours, plans will be made.
My goal, to see who I can serve.
To truly set myself aside

To follow my Savior's example that celebrates Him 
in a season that is supposed to be focused on Him.

12.19.2011

Our Offerings

From now until Christmas I'm memorizing 12 scriptures that point to the glory of the season. Jesus Christ. To start from the beginning click here.
"12 Days of Christmas Scripture Memory"

Day 10: Matthew 2:11
"After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother;
and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him.
Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him
gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
"





Often in the Christmas Season we get so caught up with the giving of gifts.
I mean it's Biblical right - the Wise Men brought three gifts and presented them to baby Jesus.
And they spent a lot of money on them, gifts worthy of a KING.

That is great and all, but please don't be in such a rush to miss the first part of this verse.

"After coming into the house they saw the Child... and they
fell to the ground and worshiped Him."



This was before they presented gifts.
As the big day comes closer,
are you remembering to fall before the King
and WORSHIP Him?



In fact, this is the best offering we can make to God.
Our worship
Ourselves as a living sacrifice.



What are you offering to God today?

12.17.2011

God with Us

From now until Christmas I'm memorizing 12 scriptures that point to the glory of the season. Jesus Christ. To start from the beginning click here.
"12 Days of Christmas Scripture Memory"

Day 9: Isaiah 7:14
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son,
and she will call His name
Immanuel."

God is with you today.
That is a promise.
Live in it.

12.15.2011

God's Favor

From now until Christmas I'm memorizing 12 scriptures that point to the glory of the season. Jesus Christ. To start from the beginning click here.
"12 Days of Christmas Scripture Memory"

Day 8: Luke 1:30
"The angel said to her,
'Do not be afraid, Mary;
 for you have found favor with God.'
"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wow! Can you imagine an angel appearing in your room and saying.
"Hey, you don't have to be afraid because God favors you?"
CRAZY!

The Greek word used here is χάρις (charis)it means 
grace, good will, loving-kindness, favour
~of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues~

Again, WOW!
God exerted his holy influence upon Mary. Turning her to Himself.
Keeping her,
Strengthening her,
And increasing her faith.

You want to know something?
We are given this same grace and favour. 

So live today with the knowledge that
God will keep you
God will strengthen you.
God will increase your faith.

12.13.2011

God our Righteousness

From now until Christmas I'm memorizing 12 scriptures that point to the glory of the season. Jesus Christ. To start from the beginning click here.
"12 Days of Christmas Scripture Memory"

Day 7: Jeremiah 23:5-6

"'Behold, the days are coming,' declares the LORD,
'When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch;
And He will reign as king and act wisely
And do justice and righteousness in the land.
"In His days Judah will be saved,
And Israel will dwell securely;
And this is His name by which He will be called,
' The Lord our righteousness.' "
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The advent season is about looking for what is to come.
Jesus's birth (the 1st coming) was what the Israelites were looking for.
During this advent season as we remember the 1st coming
what promises like this can we look for in the second coming of Jesus?

12.12.2011

Joy Unending

For forty days I'm deliberately choosing to find joy. To start from the beginning, click here 

Day 40

Charis
- to rejoice.
- Grace, particularly that which causes joy.
- when received by faith, transforms man and causes him to love and to seek after the righteousness of God.
- Grace may also refer to the external form or manner, particularly of persons meaning gracefulness, elegance.
- Grace also means disposition, attitude, toward another.
- Of the grace, favor and goodwill of God and Christ as exercised toward men.
 - Specifically of the divine grace and favor as exercised in conferring gifts, graces and benefits on man.
- Grace, in act and deed, favor conferred, a kindness.
gratitude, thanks.

Hebrews 12:28-29
Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us [fn]show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;for our God is a consuming fire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well Ladies and Gents,
The final day of my Joy Challenge.
But I am leaving you with a 
Joy that is Unending

This experience over the past 40 days
(okay, okay... it's been way more than 40 days)
has been so eye opening.

I love that I ended on the word Charis, which as you can tell by the definition (and that is just a fraction of the info that is offered in my handy-dandy Greek dictionary) covers a wide range of meaning.

But at it's most basic definition it means
GRACE.

How graceful God is to pursue me each and every day.
That He wants to make each day new in my life and wipe out the previous days sins that I may be a testimony not to my own strength and doing, but to the work that He has done in my life. 

That is my true source of
JOY
God's grace that renews me each day.

In times of happiness and sadness
In times of community and loneliness
In times of old and new
God offers me His grace

And with joyful thanksgiving I will show my gratitude to God by offering acceptable service to God with reverence and awe.

How will you thank God for your source of JOY today?

12.11.2011

The Great Shepherd

From now until Christmas I'm memorizing 12 scriptures that point to the glory of the season. Jesus Christ. To start from the beginning click here.
"12 Days of Christmas Scripture Memory"

Day 6: Matthew 2:6

"But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel."

12.09.2011

The Savior of his People

From now until Christmas I'm memorizing 12 scriptures that point to the glory of the season. Jesus Christ. To start from the beginning click here.
"12 Days of Christmas Scripture Memory"

Day 5:  Matthew 1:21
" She will give birth to a son,
 and you are to give him the name Jesus,
 because he will save his people from their sins."

What a promise to receive. The son your fiance will bear will save the people from their sins.
Praise the Good Shepherd!

12.07.2011

Blessed are the Believers

From now until Christmas I'm memorizing 12 scriptures that point to the glory of the season. Jesus Christ. To start from the beginning click here.
"12 Days of Christmas Scripture Memory"


Day 4 - Luke 1:45
"Blessed is she who has believed
that what the Lord has said to her
will be accomplished."


During our morning Bible Study as a staff we are studying prayer. Prayer is our conversation with God. Yes, we request things, but there is also an aspect of waiting and watching for God. In that time of waiting we may hear the Lord speaking to us. Mary and Elizabeth are great examples of how God will bless those who believe the word of the Lord.

What have you heard God promise in this season of advent?

12.05.2011

Worship the Lord

From now until Christmas I'm memorizing 12 scriptures that point to the glory of the season. Jesus Christ. To start from the beginning click here.
"12 Days of Christmas Scripture Memory"

Day 3: Psalm 29:1-2
"Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness."

12.03.2011

What's in a Name

From now until Christmas I'm memorizing 12 scriptures that point to the glory of the season. Jesus Christ. To start from the beginning click here.
"12 Days of Christmas Scripture Memory"

Verse 2: Isaiah 9:6

"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace."

12.01.2011

12 Days of Christmas

Do not fret my dear readers, my final day of Joy will be coming VERY shortly.
However, while reading over one of my favorite blogs about how her boys were planning to memorize 12 verses from Luke to recite for their father on Christmas Day God gave me an idea.

What if I were to do 
"12 Days of Christmas Scripture Memory"

I'll post every other day
(2 days to memorize and meditate on each verse)
And by December 25th, with God's help, I'll have 12 new verses memorized
and a new understanding of Christmas.

Verse 1: Luke 2:20
"The shepherds returned, 
glorifying and praising God for all the things they and heard and seen
which were just as they had been told."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What  have you seen and heard today that you want to glorify and praise God for?

11.28.2011

The Joy of Thankfulness

or
My Thanksgiving ABCs

For forty days I'm deliberately choosing to find joy. To start from the beginning, click here 

Day 39

Several years ago around this time of the year, my spiritually beautiful friend told me about an ABC list of things she was thankful for. This past week I decided to borrow her idea. 

In the midst of a hard week, I learned about the joy of being thankful.
(Some letters have multiple things and i'm missing a letter or two because I didn't want to make something up just to fill the space)
Enjoy!

Abby: my sweet co-worker and sister in Christ. I don't know what I would do this year without her walking through this new job.
B
Babies: my sweet new niece that I love to see, and I've got several friends who are pregnant now. So thankful for new life!
Books: I've loved getting to choose what I read and borrowing books from friends. My reading list is getting longer and longer. I am so thankful it is all personal choice :)
C
Courage: I recently just finished reading through the book of Joshua. It was repeated several times to "take courage" because God is fighting for you. I am so glad that He is!
D
Donors: So thankful for the generous people who are willingly giving out of what God has given to them so that I can work at LeaderTreks and live in Chicago (with warm clothes ;) )
E
Encouragement: On trips we use the "encouragement circle" to teach students about specifically encouraging one another. I'm learning so much about the importance of that in my own life and am thankful for that lesson so I can properly use it with the students.
F
Family: People who will always love me and accept me for who I am. Life gets tougher the older you get - my family is there through all of it. 
G
Giving: I am thankful for all God has blessed me with and that He has asked me to give out of that.
Grace: God graciously has given me life with Him.
H
Heaven: There is a place that is better than this earth. Oh how thankful I am that I have a perfect place with my Lord to look forward to.
I
Insomina w/ friends: Recently stayed up super late with a friend. I wouldn't want to do this every night, but I am thankful for taking that extra time to hang out with a friend I won't see for several months.
J
Joy: This joy challenge has taught me so much about my attitude and how I view my circumstances.
K
Kitchens: Strange how I so enjoy having a kitchen near by that allow me to cook for myself.
L
LeaderTreks: If you haven't been able to tell, I love my job and am so thankful that God has placed me here in Chicago with them.
M
Memories: Somehthing intangible, but oh so wonderful. My grandfather has dementia and my favorite time of my visit with him is when he actually remembered something about the pool they used to have in the backyard of their house in California.
N
Nana: My dad's mom. She is the best grandmother ever. I could not be more blessed or more thankful for any other woman.
O
Old friends: I spent half of my Thanksgiving break seeing old friends from college. Laughter, sincere talk, long hugs, and doughnut mornings. I love how God has blessed me with friendships that are continuing to be strengthened despite the distance.
Praise(Adoration): I am thankful that my God is the One True God worthy of all praise and adoration.
Prayer: I am also thankful that the God of the Universe has created a way that I can communicate with Him at any moment in my day.
Q
Quilts: I am thankful for these beautiful blankets that took so much hard work and have so much history attached to them.
Questions: The best way to show someone you care. Definitely something to be thankful for.
R
Redeemer: My God is the Redeemer, because of His work on the cross I can sit here in worship and thankfulness of who He is and what He has done.
S
Songs/singing: I am thankful that God created voices that are not only used for talking, but are also joined with the beauty of instruments to worship our God and glorify His name through the talents He has given us.
T
Traveling: Despite my long journey's from this past week alone that were not so enjoyable. I am so thankful that God has given me the means to travel because that allows me to visit so many people that I love dearly and hug them in person.
Unending Love: How can I not be thankful God's unending love that he lavishes over me.
V
Values: Knowing what I believe and why. Living for a purpose.
W
Weakness: I am thankful that I am weak and I have a strong God to depend on. I will take the steps that He has given me to take, and trust Him to take care of the rest.
X
X-rays: I am so thankful that modern science allows us to look inside our bodies and we are not just guessing at what is wrong with us. It is a part of God's provision in keeping His holy temples healthy.
Y
Yams: I used to avoid sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving because of the odd color... now I think the younger me was crazy! It is one of my favorite dishes!!



Now that I've shared some of the things I'm thankful I'd love to hear what you are thankful for. Leave a comment to join the party!

11.19.2011

A Simple Joy

For forty days I'm deliberately choosing to find joy. To start from the beginning, click here 

Day 38

Driving through downtown Siloam
on well-known roads
Sitting with friends who've known me more than 4 months.

As much as I know in Chicago I am where God wants me to be.

I am glad to be back in Siloam Springs, AR again.

A Simple Joy

11.14.2011

A Graceless Joy

For forty days I'm deliberately choosing to find joy. To start from the beginning, click here 

Day 37

charis
(pt 2)

- grace may also refer to the external form or manner, particularly of persons meaning gracefulness, elegance. In the NT only words or discourses as gratefulness, agreeableness, acceptableness
- Lk 4:22 "gracious words"
- Eph 4:29 "that it may minister grace unto the hearers" meaning what is acceptable
(Col 4:6; Sept. Ps 45:2)


"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Eph 4:29

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


So the second meaning of charis is full of grace. My weekend however, was not so much.


Sunday morning I woke up with the stomach bug that has been passing around my office.
I'll spare you the nasty details, but trust me it was not pretty.



There were several times (on the bathroom floor for the umptenth time, curled in my comfiest sweats on my bed) when I felt less like a 23 year old woman and more like 5 year old girl who just wanted her mother to make her better.


So now that unwholesome things have stopped coming out of my mouth, I'll choose to use some words that minister grace.

Today, I am joyful for my Mom.

The woman who rubbed my back,
cleaned up my sick messes,
let me watch TV all day,
and simply loved me back to health.

I love you Mom!


(And don't worry, it was just a 24 hour bug. I'm fine
See you in less than a week :)




11.09.2011

Behold the Lamb - There are None Like Him

For forty days I'm deliberately choosing to find joy. To start from the beginning, click here 

Day 36

charis

(pt 1)


- to rejoice
- grace, particularly that which causes joy, pleasure, gratification, favor, acceptance, for a kindness granted or desired, a benefit, thanks gratitude. A favor done without expectation of return. The absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty & benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor.
- stands in direct antithesis to works (erga), the two being mutually exclusive
- God's grace affects man's sinfulness & not only forgives the repentant sinner, but brings joy; thankfulness to him. It changes the individual to a new creature without destroying his individuality. (2 Cor 5:17; Eph 2:8,9)
- received by faith: causes man to love & seek the righteousness of God.
- work of the Holy Spirit
- maintance requires an unbroken & immense supply of grace
- process of sanctification; "whereby we are renewed in the whole man nd are enables more & more to die daily unto sin and to live unto righteousness." (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 4:16; Eph 4:23; Col 3:10)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



This week as we Master the Circle, we are teaching through "To Die For" our trip book that teaches on the life of John the Baptist. 


John proclaimed, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matt 3:11)




John also said, "The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:29-30)


My coworker Robbie wrote this song after work yesterday about John The Baptist.



I've got shoes that feel much to big for me
Tryin' to show others, the goodness of God's glory
But they don't understand
They're askin' me about who I am!?
And all I can say is...


Behold the Lamb
of God who can
take away your sin
He is the One
to whom you should run
I've searched for more like Him
But there are none
no not one!


I'm here in jail for preparing the way for Him
about to loose my life because I offended them
But they can't comprehend
that this is not the end
And all I can say is...


The blind can see
The lame can leap
The lepers are made clean
The dead are raised
The Lord be praised
Before Him we stand amazed
For He is God
For He is God!


~~~~~~~~~~~~


How are you choosing joy today?









11.08.2011

"Joy to You"

                                                              For forty days I'm deliberately choosing to find joy. To start from the beginning, click here 


                                                                               Day 35


                                                                               chairo


                                                     - to rejoice, be glad (Lk 6:23; 15:32; ...)
                                                           - joying, rejoicing (2 Cor 6:10; ...)
                                                               - joyfully, gladly (Col 2:5; ...)
                                                      - "they rejoiced with great joy" (Jn 4:6)
                                         - in or over which one rejoices (Rom 12:12; Pv 17:19)
                                                - followed by 'of course' (Rom 16:19; Phil 2:18)
                                                 - expressing the occasion of joy (Mk 14:11; ...)

                                                     - marking cause or occasion (Lk 10:20; ...)
                                                                    - to rejoice in (Col 1:24)
                          - As a word of salutation or greeting - personal salutation meaning
                                                "Joy to Thee!" "Joy to You!"  the same as "Hail!"
                           (Matt 5:12; 26:49; 27:29; 28:9; Mk 15:18; Lk 1:28; 6:23; Jn 19:3;

                                                2 Cor 13:11; 1 Thess 5:16; Phil 3:1; 4:4; Phile 4:10)
                                                      to wish joy, to bid, hail salute (2 Jn 1:10)
                            - used in the absolute sense, meaning, greeting, at the beginning of
                               an epistle or address (Acts 15:23; 23:26; Jm 1:1; Isa 48:2; 57:21) 
                                                        equivalent to have health, strength.


~~~~~~~~~~~

CHAIRO!
I wish you great joy
on this ordinary day.

Sunday, I met with my church family (Jericho Road Church). Our pastor Jeff Kline taught from the passage in John 13 where Jesus sets an example for his disciples by washing their feet. 


The band and a drama team gave a moving visual picture of how we should respond to this passage. As the band performed "Sigh no more" by Mumford & Sons several members of the congregation approached the stage. One young girl came with a heavy suitcase in tow. A college age guy dragged a heavy metal chain. A girl continually counted a stack of cash. Another woman was studying her features in a mirror. A high school boy walked crippled. All of the people were covered in large black spots. 


A final woman entered. All she was holding was a cloth. She stopped the youngest girl, took the clothe and began to wash her feet. After she was finished she peeled off the spots, hugged the girl and then handed her the rag. They each went to another person, washed their feet, peeled their spots off, hugged and passed off the rag. Soon, all of the performers were spotless and had a rag.




And thus, they went forward it the crowd. As the music swelled, they took the skit and invited all of us to be a part of it.






There was not a member of our congregation who did not have their feet wiped. There was not a member of our congregation who didn't receive a hug. Every member of our congregation was given the opportunity to continue serving.


I was filled with so much joy because I watched others serve their friends, their families and even the stranger sitting behind them.
I was filled with joy because I watched high school students realize that it is not just their parents task to serve, but also theirs.
I was filled with joy because I realized it is not our work of metaphorically washing one another's feet that brought that feeling.


No, it was the Spirit moving in the church,
 convicting,
 prompting, 
loving.


So today, in the power of the Holy Spirit


CHAIRO!
Joy to Thee!