Why do we celebrate??

Why We Celebrate

Why do we celebrate
Jesus’ birth at Christmas,
though we don’t know when He was born?
It was necessary and inevitable
that we select a date
to celebrate an eternal miracle--
the coming to earth
of God in human form...Jesus,
Who changed the entire world
with His message of love,
forgiveness, humility and peace.
Christmas is an obligatory
and indispensable holiday
marking the transformation
from guiltless selfishness
to striving to follow His example
of service to God and our fellow man.
That is worth celebrating.
- Joanna Fuchs-

Random Acts of Glory!

Parenting in the Thick and Thin

Do you ever feel beat up in the day? Ever heard yourself utter, "how long O Lord, how long?" I remember with acute vividness a defining moment in my parenting world. It was right after the birth of my second daughter. I looked at her, all sweet and pudgy-cheeked. I scooped her up towards my chest and cried. Yep. Cried. The reality of who I was as a person, as a parent had been revealed to me already. I knew that I couldn't promise her that I would never get angry with her or raise a harsh voice. No, I had discovered that after my first child. I didn't know I couldn't be perfect. I had all those good examples around me. I was intentionally raising my daughter in God's way. How could I not be perfect? I didn't understand. I didn't understand grace. I didn't know that God would fill in all the gaps, fill up all the leaks. What mom needs the Savior when she's got "it" all together? Can I say it. I'm hopeful in all my weakness. He shows up so brilliantly in my darkness!

Experience has taught me not to make a promise I couldn't keep. However, I did (and still do now that I have teenagers!) point them to Jesus Christ. He's the Rock. He does the impossible really well. Look to Him kids. He won't disappoint you.

NEW E*TRADE Baby -- Time Out

I love these commercials! Go E-trade!

Carrie Underwood - How Great Thou Art

Stand and Bear Witness

I love the way Spurgeon says things. I can picture a father figure speaking over his children with the charge, 'testify of His faithfulness. Has He ever left you or deserted you in a field of contention without His aid? No! Never! This is our Friend, our Savior. Is it any wonder we love Him so?'

Thanks to D. Ortland for quote below:

20 October 2010A Faithful Friend
'There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.' --Proverbs 18:24

Spurgeon:

Christ is 'a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.' And in order to prove this from facts, we appeal to such of you as have had him for a friend. Will you not, each of you, at once give your verdict, that this is neither more nor less than an unexaggerated truth?

He loved you before all worlds; long ere the day star flung his ray across the darkness, before the wing of angel had flapped the unnavigated ether, before aught of creation had struggled from the womb of nothingness, God, even our God, had set his heart upon all his children.

Since that time, has he once swerved, has he once turned aside, once changed? No; ye who have tasted of his love and know his grace, will bear me witness, that he has been a certain friend in uncertain circumstances. . . .

You have often left him; has he ever left you? You have had many trials and troubles; has he ever deserted you? Has he ever turned away his heart, and shut up his bowels of compassion? No, children of God, it is your solemn duty to say 'No,' and bear witness to his faithfulness. --'A Faithful Friend,' in Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon (New York: Sheldon, Blakeman & Co., 1857), 13-14

True Love-Phil Wickham (with Matt Chandler & CJ Mahaney)

Here's another reminder that we are drawn to the beauty of the Savior, not driven to obedience to a moral code.