A Christmas Message to Unbelievers

This morning I am feeling a little bit irritated, and I felt I had to put my thoughts out there for the world to see. Here goes:




I have heard a lot of comments over the last few years from people who feel that Christmas is just a shopping, present giving, Santa Clause pagan holiday. In fact, there are some who say they really want to get into the Christmas spirit and decorate their house. When asked, will you be putting up a nativity, they say, "Oh, no. We don't get into all that." I heard a statistic on the radio from Focus on the Family yesterday that said 80% of Christians who say they celebrate Christmas and believe they are celebrating Jesus' birth, do not read the Christmas birth story to their family at Christmas. No one disputes that Jesus was a real person who lived on the earth. Though there is dispute for some about how he was born and whether or not he was really the son of God. There is no doubt that he lived and was a man who influenced a lot of people. The same could be said about Socrates, Plato, and Ceasar. Do we celebrate the birth of Socrates, Plato, or Ceasar? Had Jesus not been born and had there not been a Christian who said, "Let's celebrate the birth of Jesus", there would be no Christmas. No matter how you feel about Christians or their story of Jesus as Savior, the fact remains. No one would be giving gifts, decorating the tree, or telling their children that Santa would be coming down the chimney. The bith of Jesus being celebrated, is what sparked all the other Christmas traditions and the pagan traditions that followed. So, if you are not a believer and doubt the birth story of Christ, you are welcome to your opinion. However, your opinion does not change the basis for the holiday and therefore if you enjoy and celebrate Christmas in any way, you should be thankful to Jesus for being born simply because without him, you would not be celebrating anything.



"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God". 1 Corinthians 1:18

Christmas Miracle

I'm not sure why, but I feel that each writing on my blog should be a literary work of art. If I don't have anything profound to say, I don't want to write anything. The truth is, if I wait until I have something profound to say, I may never write again. Ha! This Christmas has been a rough one. Usually, the day after Thanskgiving, I am putting up the Christmas decorations and blaring the Christmas carols. This year, I didn't get the tree up until mid December. I'm still dragging my feet and feeling like the grinch. I'm really not sure why, but I have some ideas. Christmas is a family affair. Christmas is a time for families to gather and love on one another. I have a wonderful family and am looking forward to going home this Christmas and spending time with them. However, here in my every day life, my family is missing. Its easy to begin feeling sorry for myself and wonder, "Where is my husband? Where are my children?". This year, I celebrated my 35th birthday just before Christmas, and it seems my self pity has grown into a monster this year. The truth is, this life is not about me! It's about eternity, and what I'm doing to bring people to eternity with me. Christmas is about Jesus who came to the world to save us. Jesus came because God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. Jesus died on a cross for my life and yours. Christmas is not about trees, decorations, presents, and Santa. Christmas is about the greatest mircale that every occured and will ever occur. If I can just remeber to keep myself focused on Him, I won't be able to feel sorry for myself any longer.

Uganda Mission Trip Day #7

I've finally updated the blog. Here you go: http://www.carolinahopeadoption.org/blog/

Uganda Day 7

I'm still only doing one blog this week. It takes a LONG time to upload photos. For updates, please go to the Nightlight Blog

2010 Uganda Mission Trip Day 1, 2, and 3

In an effort to save time, I have updated the Nightlight blog. To read about our team's adventures so far, click the link below.

Nightlight Blog

Jehovah Jireh (God Our Provider)

The Lord has provided everything we need to make the trip to Uganda, and also do some projects while we are there. I am overwhelmed and awed by the generosity of all of my friends and family. Because our cost for the trip came in just under $2,500, I actually exceeded my goal and was able to use some of the funds for the baby's home and to bless someone else to come on the trip. I'm trying to send out personal thank you notes to everyone. Please forgive me if I missed anyone. I love you all and am so grateful! Please stay tuned for updates on my blog from the trip. There will be pictures later!

God's Provision

Although we still need to raise more funds, I have been humbled by God's provision over the last few days. So many of my friends and family have come through with financial support and prayers. Thank you all so much!! A few days ago I received a call from Don Riepe Christ on Campus Minister when I was in college. His message was so encouraging, it made me tear up. Also, it is so nice knowing that he and so many others are praying for me. I am so thrilled to see how God is revealing Himself to my sister and many others on the trip who are seeing His hand in their fundraising. My sister has been struggling with her fundraising but recently was given $600 in 24 hours. Another team member called me yesterday to let me know that a client of hers gave her $1,000 to support the construction projects we will be doing at the baby's home. There is no recession in God's economy. Praise the Lord!!!

Search Me O God

This morning I read the Hymn "Search Me, O God". A few lines are things like, "Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine", and "Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride", and "Grant my desire to magnify Thy name". These are some very tough words to sing. I actually have never heard this hymn that I'm aware so I only read it. I did not sing it. If anyone knows the tune, let me know. Following the reading of this hymn, I read Romans chapter 8. Romans Chapter 8 is rich with truth and one of the chapters I must read over and over and piece by piece to really take it all in. This morning, I was reminded that ALL things work together for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose, and that it is IN all these things that we are more than conquerors. Did you catch that? IN all these things we are more than conquerors, not when they are over, but IN all these things.

The last week has been difficult at work, but in the grand scheme of the suffering in the world, my sufferings are miniscule. And yet, my attitude has been affected quite dramatically by these little irritations. I am very disappointed in myself, and am reminded that I am still a sinner. I know that my reactions have been selfish and usually are focused on how these minor inconveniences affect me. It is not about me! I pray today that I will be controlled by the Spirit, and that my actions will represent Christ. Lord, please search my heart and grant my desire to magnify Thy name. I must decrease and He must increase.

Meaning

I've finally succumbed to the pressure and decided to begin a blog. I'm not sure where it will go, but I'm praying for direction. I decided on the title because Matthew 17:20 says" ...if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'move from here to there', and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

The truth is my faith is as small as a mustard seed and needs to grow. Each day has the potential for a miracle, and I've seen a few over the years. I plan to document all my faith steps and the miracles that follow right here.

I'm single and terrified of putting myself out there when it comes to love. I have so many walls up, a man would have to cross the barrier electric fence, scale the brick wall and climb over glass and barb wire to land safely on the other side. Upon landing, he would still need perform mission impossible to get through a field of laser beams intended to sound an alarm to warn me it is time to get out! I find that most men are not interested in that much effort.

Just a few nights ago, I took a big step. I turned the electric fence off, and struck up a conversation with a man I found attractive. I was successful in my endeavor, and he quickly asked for my phone number and asked me out. This is huge! I can't remember the last time I had a date. Well, within 3 hours he turned into a creeper, and I had to cut him lose. The truth is, he might not be a creeper, but I wasn't ready to take down the glass and barb wire yet. I took a step though, and I'm leaving the electric fence off. I'll be striking up conversation with future potentials from this pioint forward. Yay me.