Merry Christmas Everyone!

Jesus — The True Reason for the Season

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’ ” (Luke 2:10-11)

        “I don’t want anything religious,” a young woman snapped, as she and her friend searched for boxed Christmas cards at a Walmart store a few years ago.

        My heart sunk.

        She wanted cards that said Happy Holidays on them — the more generic, politically correct phrase that so many people say these days to avoid offending anyone. She didn’t want cards that talked about Jesus. I wanted to pull her to the side and explain that those religious cards she referred to really aren’t religious. They’re proclamations of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who shed his blood and died for our sins, so we may have everlasting life. I wish I had the nerve to share this Good News that day with that young woman. But I didn’t.

        There are so many people in the world who don’t know Jesus. Who need to hear the good news of great joy. And this is the perfect season to tell people about Him. So many have the wrong idea about Jesus. Some say He is a prophet, a good teacher, but no way is He Lord. They don’t realize that Jesus is Lord, and that by placing their faith in Him for salvation, they will have everlasting life — the greatest gift of all. No Christmas gift on earth surpasses the greatness of everlasting life. Not a one!

        Christmas is just a few days away. As we decorate our Christmas trees, and buy and wrap our presents, let’s not forget the true meaning of the season — that a Savior was born to give us the true, incredible gift.

        Let’s also remember to share this Good News whenever the opportunity presents itself. If we don’t feel comfortable sharing the love and the gift of eternal life with strangers, try to share this with family members and friends. Most would agree that everyone wants to hear good news these days. After we share it, pray that they will receive the gift of God and unwrap its eternal treasures that will last forevermore!

Power of Prayer Partners

 “If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)

       More than two decades ago, if you were to tell me that, Pam, one of my best buddies from college, would be my ace prayer partner and confidante today, I wouldn’t have believed you. Sure, we were great friends in college among the many we hung out with, but we were unsaved and in full party mode.

       About 10 years after we graduated, we lost touch with one another. Nine long years had passed, and one day, to my pleasant surprise, I received an invitation to attend her wedding. “He asked … She said ‘Yes!” said the inscription on the front page of the invitation. “Marriage is singing praises to Jesus with the one you love. … It is with much rejoicing that … we will write our lives as one with Him and place our future in our Lord’s sovereign hands,” said the poem on the second page. “Wow!” I thought. “I’m so happy Pam invited me to her wedding. I think she might be saved!”

        After attending her wedding and waiting for her to return from her honeymoon, we began to call each other on a regular basis. We shared our testimonies about how we received the Lord, how He was working in our lives, and the challenges life was sending our way. Soon, we began reading scripture and praying together at the end of our conversations. Before we knew it, praying together on the phone and even fasting and praying together on our lunch hour, when we used to work around the corner from each other, became a habit. And we’ve been praying together almost daily ever since for the past seven years.

       What a journey it’s been. Our prayer time has truly transformed us as women of God from the inside out.

Hearts of Flesh

       We’re more loving toward others, joyful, peaceful, compassionate, merciful, tenderhearted, and forgiving. We’re more aware of our own sin, and we’re able to speak into each other’s lives and correct one another if we sense one of us is heading in a direction that’s out of God’s will. And we can do this without getting offended.

Long Past Milk and Veggies

       We’ve grown spiritually as we’ve read the Word together and have seen God’s handprint in all aspects of our lives. We’ve gotten to know the Lord more intimately and have grown closer to Him and each other. On a few occasions, God has actually spoken to us individually about each other before we revealed anything to the other.

Answered Prayer

       We’ve seen God lead, guide and direct us and answer our prayers in amazing ways. Like when God blessed us with new jobs after enduring difficult career situations; motivated our children to do better in school and attend church, improved relationships between our family members, brought peace to our marriages, healed those who were sick, and drew a couple of our friends into a relationship with Him. Recently, we’ve seen signs of Pam’s daughter wanting to develop her own relationship with the Lord and planning to go back to school — all because we’ve prayed together. 

Tapping into the Power

       What we’ve learned is that prayer is powerful. As Christians, we often don’t take advantage of this relational gift God gives us to communicate with Him, nor do we realize just how powerful it is, especially if we’ve been praying for something for a long time, and our circumstances haven’t yet changed. But as time passes, and we look back, we realize God was working on our behalf the entire time even when we didn’t see it.

       Because there’s so much power in praying with a friend, I urge every Christian to find a prayer partner: guys included. Prayer partners are lavish gifts from God. Priceless. Jesus knew the power of praying together, as He promised to always be in our midst when we pray. Another bonus: Our friendships with our prayer partners, built on the foundation of Christ, will last forever.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of prayer. While individual prayer is powerful, praying with a trusted friend is even more so, because you promise to give us your presence and the answers in your perfect timing. Thank you for desiring a relationship with us through your son Jesus. In His name, Amen!

Giving Thanks in Everything!

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

          As we do our last minute grocery shopping for the delicious Thanksgiving feast this coming Thursday, or prepare to travel to break bread and spend time with family and friends, let's remember to do so with thankful hearts.
          We all know that giving thanks is something we should do every day no matter what, especially during the holiday season. But we also know giving thanks isn't always easy, especially when the busyness and stress of the holidays rob us of the peace and tranquility the Lord wants us to have. It's especially difficult to be thankful if we're going through some really tough times. But even in the midst of the stress and the challenges we face, the Lord wants us to give thanks. Not necessarily for the stress and problems we might be experiencing, but for going through them with Him, our refuge and strength. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. God is the only one who can give us the strength and the wisdom we need to get through our dark times.

          If you're not going through any difficulties at the moment, praise God! If you are going through a difficult trial, praise God anyway! Begin to thank Him for the food you eat each day; for friends and family; your church home; your job, or the new one that's on the way; for the money you have in the bank; for your health; your children; your car; your home, and the breath you just took.

          As you begin to thank the Lord for all of these blessings, your problems will seem smaller and God will seem greater. You'll realize you're not as bad off as you thought you were, and that there's still hope. "By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life. ... Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God" (Psalm 42:8,11).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for all of the blessings you give us each day. Help us to remember each and every one as we travel through this journey we call life. Thank you for the holiday season, a time we can reconnect with family and friends and truly focus on you. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Is Your Heart on Fire for God Like the Burning Bush?

“Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight — why the bush does not burn up.” (Exodus 3:1-3)

          When Moses was tending his father-in-law’s flock, heading out to the far side of the desert, he was pleasantly surprised by the incredible sight he’d never seen before and would never see again: a burning bush.

          As the fall season peaks, I, too, am pleasantly surprised by the gorgeous, fiery red leaves of the burning bush shrubs that illuminate my neighborhood and the nearby shopping centers. Did you know that the burning bush (Euonymus alata “compactus”) is one of the great beauties of the autumn season, distinguished by its vibrant scarlet foliage and small red-orange fruit? (Source: http://phillipoliver.net/burningbush.htm)  Some burning bush shrubs can grow six to 10 feet; others as tall as 15 feet or more. Their 1- to 3-inch long leaves help radiate their vibrant color, setting them apart from all other plants and trees.

          When I think about the flames of fire emanating from the burning bush Moses saw at the mountain of God and the fiery red color of the burning bush shrubs of the fall season, two poignant questions come to mind: As children of God, are our hearts on fire for the Lord? Are we serving Him with fervor — with zeal?

          The Lord says we’re not to lack in zeal but keep our spiritual fervor, serving Him (Romans 12:11).  Remember Jesus’ disciples who were walking on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection? They had followed Jesus during his three-year ministry, listened to him preach the gospel, and witnessed his incredible miracles. But they still doubted who Jesus was and why he came, as the Lord discerned while speaking with them about the events that led to his crucifixion and resurrection and about the scriptures concerning himself. Only after Jesus disappeared from their sight at the dinner table did the disciples realize who He was and that everything He said about himself was true. “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)

          Do our hearts burn within us when we hear, read, and live out the scriptures in our everyday lives? If not, they should. Jesus wants us hot, not cold (Revelation 3:15). If our hearts are on fire for the Lord, that is wonderful. If it used to be on fire, and we notice the fire is slowly but surely going out, don’t worry. We can rekindle that fire by asking God to fan the flames through individual and group bible study and prayer, staying connected with other believers in a small group, and serving those in need in your community.  

          Remember, the Lord loves you. Seek Him first in all you do, and soon your heart will warm up and be on fire to serve Him and others around you. And you will be blessed.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please keep our hearts warm toward you. Set our hearts ablaze so we can serve you with passion, and share your love and compassion with others. In Jesus’ name, amen! 

Restored Self-esteem

“A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman — who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels, and her value is far above rubies or pearls.” (Proverbs 31:10)

       “Why am I always messing up?” I asked the Lord, sobbing, following a terrible misunderstanding I had with someone recently who called me a few choice words. “I can’t seem to do anything right. I’m always making mistakes.”

       I was crushed.

       I sent a text message to one of my best friends to give her a hint about what happened. I was too upset to talk, so I told her not to call me. Just pray. Of course, she called me anyway. Tears spilled down my face as she read Psalm 59 and prayed for me.

Perfect Peace

       After our call, I felt some sense of peace, so I began searching the Web for a bible study I was thinking about introducing to my women’s group — only to realize it was out of print. I called the publisher to see if it had any study guides in stock. No such luck. The gentleman on the phone suggested a similar study written by the same author.

As I read the first few pages of the excerpt online, I gasped. You are a “capable, intelligent and virtuous woman,” the Lord said. No matter what anyone thinks. You are my precious daughter. Holy. Innocent. Righteous.

       Instantly, my spirit soared!

Whisper of Sweet Nothings

       The Lord also said everyone makes mistakes, but don’t dwell on your shortcomings or condemn yourself. You’re forgiven and free of guilt. You’re the apple of My eye and surrounded with My favor.

       I smiled from ear to ear.

       The next day, I discovered a Christian bookstore that sold 8½ x 11-inch single sheets of stationery with various scripture messages on them. I saw one that featured Proverbs 31with the words “A Virtuous Woman” displayed in bold across the top. It now hangs prominently in my cubicle at work and on my bathroom wall at home as a reminder of what God says about me. 

God of All Comfort

       God’s Word met me right where I was that dreadful day — far down in the pit of despair. He healed my broken heart — and He promises to do the same for you. So when your world seemingly falls apart, cry out to the one who loves you perfectly. He will lift you up and give you a firm place on which to stand. 

Prayer: Thank you Lord for loving us so much, for seeing the best in us no matter what mistakes we make or what anyone says about us. And most of all, thank you for answering us in our desperate times. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Please Visit My New Photography Blog!

Hi Everyone!

     It's official. I've started my new photography blog. So exciting!

     When you visit, you will enter a world of beautiful images of God's glorious creation. I invite you on my newfound journey to marvel at interesting and, sometimes not so interesting, photographs I'll be taking with my camera. Please visit me often and enjoy the view! The URL is http://www.judysphotogallery.blogspot.com.

Like some of you, I love photography and have always dreamed of launching a photography website to showcase my work. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've rediscovered this long lost hobby and am pursuing it like never before. I really would love to have everyone who is following this blog to follow my photography blog as well. I look forward to hearing from all of you and reading your comments. Thank you so much. Hope to see you at my second home!

Blessings,
Judy


   

Mourning the Loss of my Friend

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

          “Good-bye, Michele,” I said in my heart as I looked upon her casket.  

          She didn’t look anything like I had remembered. The multiple surgeries and the chemotherapy took a huge toll.

          Tears poured down my face as I quickly turned away and rushed toward the pews to find a seat. I rifled through my handbag to find some tissues. I wanted to bolt out of the sanctuary and stand outside in the church’s foyer or parking lot to relieve my pain.

Fighting for her Life

          My friend had been fighting cancer for about four years. She lost the battle last week, and the Lord called her home. The news of her passing hit me like a brick. I didn’t want to believe it. I regretted that we hadn't been in touch with one another, and I didn't know how sick she was. I prayed for God to strengthen her husband, children, extended family members and her friends (myself included) who loved her. I didn’t know how I or anyone else was going to get through today, but the Lord was with us.

Comforting Words

          When I got up at 5 am this morning to pray, the Lord reminded me that I didn’t have to grieve like those who have no hope. Michele was saved and now at home with Him, and I’d see her again. The Lord also reminded me that she was actually alive even though she had passed away (John 11:25-26). Suddenly, I had some peace, and I felt confident that I’d be able to face the day.

Good ol' Times

          Michele was a wonderful person. She loved to cook, entertain, laugh, dance and hang out with the girls. We had some good times together.

          Her funeral was bittersweet. The officiating pastor comforted everyone with the Word of God, and, boy, did she preach the gospel. And even though my husband and I mourned the loss of our friend, we were reunited with old friends of ours we hadn’t seen in 10 years. We were so happy to see everyone. We hugged, kissed, cried, laughed and reminisced about the good times we used to have. After the repast, we took pictures, promised to share them through email, and keep in touch. I can’t wait for all of us to see each other again.

          Today, I learned the importance of celebrating my friend’s life, remembering the good times, and not forgetting that she is with the Lord in glory. I also learned that God can turn your sorrow into joy in an instant — even at a funeral. Only our God can do that. May we praise His Holy Name!

A Season for Everything

“And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground — trees that were pleasing to the eye” (Genesis 2:9).

     “Where did the summer go?” I sighed, as August ended and the month of September began. Now it’s October, soon to be November. Every year, I feel so sad when the hot weather gives way to the cooler, colder windy days and nights of autumn. Summer is my favorite season. I can wear shorts, tank tops, sandals, visit the beach, swim, enjoy the sunshine, go for early evening walks and watch the sunset at 9 pm instead of 7 pm. For me, autumn has always been a bleak sign that the freezing cold winter is fast approaching. The shorter days. Bare trees. The snow. Cabin fever. Ugh!

     But this fall season my perspective changed.

     Over the last few weeks, I’ve felt a strong desire to focus on the vibrant colors of the leaves and photograph them in all their splendor. For the most part, I’ve always sort of admired the fall foliage. But for some strange reason, this year the leaves really wooed me.

     The fiery reds and oranges, deep burgundies, vibrant yellows, golds, and browns came alive — especially through the lens of my camera.

     The multicolored leaves speak volumes of the Lord’s creative handiwork. The deep green leaves of summer miraculously transform into a veritable rainbow, a painter’s palette of vivid hues and tones. It’s so characteristic of our Lord to give us such a beautiful, transitional season to enjoy right before winter.  

     As I marveled at the brilliant foliage, I wondered, “How do the deep green leaves change into such a beautiful array of colors?” (I learned about this in science class years ago, but I forgot the details.)

     According to http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html, leaves are nature’s food factories. Plants take water from the ground through their roots and carbon dioxide from the air. They use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose. Plants use this glucose as food for energy and as a building block for growth. The manner in which plants turn water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and sugar is called photosynthesis, which somehow involves the chemical chlorophyll that’s responsible for giving plants their green color.

     As the days get shorter and shorter, the trees instinctively know it’s time to prepare for winter (Genesis 1:14). No longer is there enough light or water for photosynthesis, so the trees turn off their food-making machines, the chlorophyll disappears from their leaves, and the glorious yellows, reds and oranges emerge. Interestingly, small amounts of these colors are already in the leaves. We just can’t see them in the summer, because the chlorophyll dominates.

     So even if you’re a lover of the hot weather like me, don’t let this autumn season pass you by without stopping and enjoying the colorful landscape the Lord has painted. You’ll gain a new appreciation for the fall season and wonder why you didn’t take much notice before. 

Godly Lessons from a Spider and Its Web?

“Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. What he trusts in is fragile; what he relies on is a spider’s web. He leans on his web, but it gives way; he clings to it, but it does not hold.” (Job 8:13-15)

Recently, my husband discovered a large spider hanging in a web that was blocking the entrance to our deck in the back of our home. Amazed at the size of this creature, I ran to get my camera to see if I could get a good macro shot. After analyzing the photos I took, I wondered what scripture said about these eight-legged arachnids.

Surprisingly, the passage I found was a warning for all of us: We are not to leave the Lord Jesus out of our lives. Without Him we have no hope. We are to rely on Him and Him only, because if we don’t, whatever we choose to lean on will fall apart.

I always believed spider webs were pretty sturdy. According to dandydesigns.org, spider web material is about one-tenth the diameter of a human hair, but it has incredible strength. It is 10 times stronger than a strand of steel of the same weight. Sounds pretty strong, huh? But the truth is webs don’t remain that way. A freshly spun web is silk-like, extremely elastic and sticky, so it can trap all sorts of prey. But after a short while, the web loses its stickiness and elasticity, breaks apart and can no longer capture prey.

Just as the spider’s web eventually loses it strength and gives way, so will anything we lean on other than the Lord. Many people rely solely on their jobs, bank accounts, material possessions, friends, family members, good reputations, academic titles and college degrees for security. But all of these things are fragile and will not provide a firm foundation — or any hope. Only our Lord can give us these things. So the next time you see a spider in its web, let it be a reminder to lean on the Lord, for He is our strength and our ultimate hope who will never give way.