Think things are upside down these days?The boxes get smaller, but the prices are higher!The promise is to make things easier, but it’s just so complicated to get there!
The days get MORE filled, but the 24 hour period stays the same!

How can we figure out which end is up this Christmas?!!?
REST in Isaiah 11 which foretells of the HOPE found in the coming of Jesus:
“The wolf will live with the lamb,

the leopard will lie down with the goat,

the calf and the lion and the yearling together;

and a little child will lead them.

The cow will feed with the bear,

their young will lie down together,

and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

The infant will play near the cobra’s den,

and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.

They will neither harm nor destroy

on all my holy mountain,

for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord

as the waters cover the sea.

In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples;

the nations will rally to Him, and His resting place will be glorious.”

When was the last time you hung out with a 2 year old who questioned (and talked about) everything you did?
Who wondered about (and touched!) every Christmas decoration you have?
And was concerned about why there are so many bizarre characters (like The Grinch and Santa) associated with “The Jesus Story”?

I challenge you to think about this Christmas through the lens of a 2 year old….
Whyyyyyy do you have a tree in the house?
Is it Christmas now or Christmas ONLY on Dec 25?
Were the Wisemen scary looking?
And can we keep the lights on all year long?

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”. I Peter 3:15

You probably don’t know too many people in prison, but you probably know a LOT of people living in bondage.  Debt, addiction, loneliness, selfishness, etc.  Many things compete for our time and attention.  And many things sneak in to our schedules unannounced and rob us of God’s best.

Maybe on your Christmas list this year you can make room for a little comfort and joy.
For yourself.
Then with enough to share!  🙂

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”2 Corinthians 3:17

When the printer actually works!
Or a close parking spot opens up just in time!
Or there is exactly 1 cup of coffee left in the pot!

Unexpected pleasantries….what if we learn to expect the unexpected?
Open our eyes and our minds to seek out God’s blessings!Let’s get a good list going!
What unexpected pleasantry did you experience today?

“I will give thanks to You, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds” Psalm 9:1

What is your DNA?
I’m not a scientist, so I’m not talking about your biological genetics.
I’m just wondering who you are:
What is important to you?
What makes you tick?
What makes you sick?
What are absolute non-negotiables?

Sometimes it takes tragedy or major change to shake us up and wake us up to realize what is most important in life.  In these precious moments, the simple truth of God’s unending, unconditional love for you as found through His Son, Jesus, is ready and waiting.

Can you silence the noise around you?
Can you hear Him calling?

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39

Springtime weather but Fall on the calendar!?!
Thanksgiving is 2 weeks away….and yet Countdown to Christmas is on Hallmark already!  Next thing you know we’ll be talking about tax season and Easter!

It’s hard to keep track of the seasons!
How do we navigate it all?
One day at a time.
One moment at a time.

Whatever mountain you are facing, or challenge God has set before you, trust that He has a plan.  This season will not last forever.  
Buried in diapers and laundry or swamped with college loans or job applications, trust that God has a plan.  This season will not last forever.

For better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness or in health, God has a plan.

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:12,13

A day that forever will be etched in my heart.

Almost 7 years ago my precious nephew, Trey, beat cancer by entering Heaven!  He is dancing with Jesus now and living his life to the absolute fullest!

Surgeries, treatments, emergency rooms and medicine all fade away in the light of eternity….for Trey.  The memories are still very vivid, though, for Trey’s family and friends.

But Jesus!  🙂

Knowing Jesus doesn’t make everything bad go away, but knowing Jesus brings hope and trust in a future greater than any of us can comprehend!

“I trust in God’s unfailing love

for ever and ever.

For what You have done I will always praise You

in the presence of Your faithful people.

And I will hope in Your name,

for Your name is good.”  Psalm 52:8,9

I would MUCH rather play a game of Scrabble than a game of Risk!

Political conflict and conquest are not my idea of a fun family event!

Yet – Jesus lived a life of risk.
He is the greatest military hero/KING ever!
He desires absolute allegiance in His army!
He considers owning the territory of your heart a great victory!
And He has the greatest conquest over sin and death!

What is one move you can make this week to risk for Jesus?

“This 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 and sisters.”  I John 3:16

Do you know what you want?
My granddaughter does!  🙂

As most almost-one-year olds, my granddaughter isn’t speaking full sentences yet.  She also can’t reach to get whatever she wants.  So she figured out a way to have her goals met.

Thirsty?  Point to the sippy cup
Sleepy?  Point upstairs for bed
Lonely?  Point to her Granny (me!) for some loving!  🙂

Pointing isn’t socially acceptable for adults, though.  So how are we to aim our hopes and dreams?  How can we know the best direction for our goals?

Two thousand years ago Jesus answered that question for you:
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.”  John 14:6

A nurse without a patient
A food server without a guest
A home builder without a client
And a catcher without a pitcher

We need each other
We build each other up
Challenge each other
Even compete with each other

“Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17
We probably don’t know what it’s like to work with dull iron, but if God says to sharpen your iron, then I’m going to do what I can to stay sharp!  And that will only happen close together.

Will there be iron shavings that sometimes fly and scrape us?  Absolutely!
But you’ll need your friend to help you clean yourself up!

Will it be noisy as the sharpener does its thing?  You bet!
But talking and laughing together will make you forget about the noise!

And how will you even learn to sharpen your iron without a mentor or coach?

“The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.”  Exodus 18:18