God loves you!
Period.

Despite what the world says, what your friends say, what social media algorithms predict, even what you think in your own head, you are loved!  You are LOVABLE!

Your spouse is lovable too!
And your coworker!
And your neighbor!
Your boss!
Your client!
And even the package delivery person who does it wrong each and every time!

Maybe it’s time we put on our Love Goggles and see each other the way God sees us!

“The Lord your God is with you…
He will take great delight in you…
He will rejoice over you with singing.”  Zephaniah 3:17

Do notifications get on your nerves?
Do they ever startle you?

Just imagine lonnnnnggggg ago when we only had landlines.
The harsh shrill of an incoming call.
No caller ID to know who was on the other line.
No voicemail to dodge the message.
And golden silence when you drove in the car or went shopping!

Sure….some people would like to return to those days…..but we can’t.  Culture won’t.  So…we learn and grow where we are.

In what other areas of your life do you need a new spirit of resolve/contentment/acceptance?

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7

Imagine how Norm Peterson felt each and every day as he walked in to Cheers and heard his name shouted!

Where are you known like that?  At work?  At the gym?  At a bar?  In the neighborhood?  At church?

A little boy was lost in church on Sunday….except he never realized it!
He was very comfortable being among church family and friends!
He felt safe.
He felt accepted.
He was known.

God knows YOU!
He loves you!
He cares sooooooo very deeply about every bit of your messy crazy life!
You are safe!
You are accepted!
You are known by the Savior of the World!

“You have searched me, Lord, and You know me.”  Psalm 139:1

Yes, it’s true….NFL in PA is over for this year.

It was fun putting on our fan gear, cheering for the home team and sharing the journey with friends.  For better or for worse.

So now what do we do?

What jersey do we put on?  Who do we cheer for?  What cause can you now rally around together with your people?

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. In addition to all these things put on love,”  Colossians 3:12-14

Did you see the snow the other day?  Even just an inch or two blanketing our dreary winter landscape reminds us beautifully of God’s covering over messes and stains.

But then it rained.  And rained.  And rained.  The mess and floods return!   And yes, I’ve said it a time (or twenty) recently…all this rain could have been snow…2″ of rain today = 20 inches of snow!   Just imagine how beautiful God’s handiwork would be then!!  How frustrating that it’s rain!

Sounds like I know better than God….hmmmm….maybe…just mayyyyybe God has a different plan!?  One that doesn’t involve sled riding (and shoveling!)

When have your expectations been left unmet?  When has your contentment been challenged?  Who is on your throne of priority and focus?

Let’s look to the Lord instead of out the window.  Give thanks for what God sends – even if it isn’t what you thought you wanted.

“Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

I love a celebration!  Second chances!  Grace and redemption!

I chuckle every time I hear about resolutions and fresh starts beginning on January 1.  The percentage of failed or forgotten new habits and intentions just a few days in to the new year is very high.  We actually set ourselves up for disappointment.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Hasn’t God given us a new beginning every moment of every day?  Can we redeem each new day, conversation, scroll and text?  Don’t aim for the whole year.  Begin right now – even if it is evening time.  Drop your trying and humbly listen for the Father’s gentle voice calling you to something different.  Abide in Him and He will bear much fruit.

“Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:5

Eliminating cable has caused quite a stir in my Christmas movie watching habits.  No more reliable storybook romances ending with a high school sweetheart reunion at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Small Town, USA.

Tonight we watched a very non-traditional Christmas movie.  NOT Hallmark.  This one was not easy to watch.  We were not sure about a happy ending.  There were a LOT of messy people in this one.  Romance was not the answer at the end of the movie!  

Were we disappointed in the wild ride movie for the day after Christmas instead of a warm and fuzzy one?  Yes!  But was there a GREAT lesson to be learned?  Absolutely!  You see, people ARE messy.  We get on our own nerves sometimes, let alone those closest to us!  We are all flawed, broken people….BUT GOD!  This IS the Christmas story!  The reason for the season!

 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”  John 3:17

“God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

Are YOU expecting this Christmas?!?

Expecting….wondering….hoping….waiting for something better than what you have?  When will that expectation ever be fulfilled?

Anticipation
Faith
Hope
Trust

May this Christmas be a meaningful celebration of the only Gift that is truly one size fits all:  Savior – Messiah – Holy One – Redeemer – Advocate – Jesus!

“May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”  2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17

Two weeks from today Christmas Day will be over.  Most of the celebrating will be behind us.  Time is ticking! How will you spend these precious days?

Visit that shut in even though you haven’t visited for years/decades?  Do it!
Send that card – WITH a handwritten note – even though they haven’t EVER sent a card?  Do it!
Extend that invitation even though you’re not 100% ready?  Do it!
Offer grace and forgiveness in an estranged situation even though you want to hold a grudge?  Do it!

What else is on God’s Christmas list for you this year?

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  Colossians 3:17

As the days get shorter and your lists get longer may you MAKE THE TIME to reflect and remember God’s faithfulness time and time and time and time again!

Whether it is a rainbow in the sky, a healthy child, a restored relationship or the perfect home – seek the Lord’s face and thank Him for His unfailinggggg goodness!  Break in to song and share the gift of Hope this Christmas!

“Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.”  Isaiah 12:5