Mary Did You Know?

And Mary said, "Behold, I am a handmaiden of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."
~ Luke 1:38

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour."
~ Luke 1:46-47



An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call him Immanuel" (which means, God with us).
~ Matthew 1:20-23

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.  And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord."
~ Luke 2:10-11

This baby was born...

Thus it is written, that the Christ (messiah) should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all the nations.
~ Luke 24:46

... to die for our sins.

Let us remember that the Son of God left heaven and became man so that he could shed his blood and give his life so that we may have forgiveness of sins and life eternal. He has given us the greatest gift of all ~ salvation though faith.

 

Glory to God

May you have a blessed Christmas as you rejoice in the celebration of the first coming of Jesus
and await His return.

Make Room

"If Jesus were born one thousand times in Bethlehem and not in me, then I would still be lost. There was no room in the inn for Him. Is there room in your heart for Him?"
~ Corrie Ten Boom

And she gave birth to her firstborn son
and wrapped him in a manger,

because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7

All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanual
(which means, God with us).

~ Matthew 1:22-23

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

~ Luke 2:9-12

 

For God so loved the world,

that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in Him

should not perish but have everlasting life.

~ John 3:16

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

 No one comes to the Father except through me.

~ John 14:6

 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified,
and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him
will not be put to shame.”
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
for the same Lord is Lord of all,
bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

~ Romans 10:9-13

For by grace you have been saved through faith.
And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

~ Ephesians 2:8-9

For the grace of God has appeared,
 bringing salvation for all people,
training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives
in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope,
the appearing of the glory of our great
God and Savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness
and to purify for himself a people for his own possession
who are zealous for good works.

~ Titus 2:11-14

May you make room in your heart for Jesus and receive His grace.

You are invited!

You are cordially invited to
A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!

Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ

Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25 but He's always around, so the date is flexible.

Time: Whenever you're ready. (Please don't be late, though, or you'll miss out on all the fun!)

Place: In your heart . . . He'll meet you there. (You'll hear Him knock.)

Attire: Come as you are . . . grubbies are okay. He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.

Tickets: Admission is free. He's already paid for everyone - you wouldn't have been able to afford it anyway. It cost Him everything He had, but you do need to accept the ticket!!Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a far-out drink He calls "Living Water," followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!

Gift Suggestions: Your life. He's one of those people who already has everything else. (He's very generous in return though. Just wait until you see what He has for you!)

Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more! (All "G" rated, so bring your family and friends.)

R.S.V.P. Very Important! He must know ahead so He can reserve a spot for you at the table. Also, He's keeping a list of His friends for future reference. He calls it the "Lamb's Book of Life."

Party being given by His Kids (that's us!!)! Hope to see you there!

Each Step of the Way

Today we move forward into the New Year. I am looking ahead with hope while also glancing in the rearview mirror at days gone by! In the past few weeks our family has celebrated and remembered the birth of our promised Saviour, visited with extended family, camped out at the hospital with our son and remembered an almost forgotten wedding anniversary in the midst of it all. It was not the Christmas holiday I had planned or envisioned, but it has all been part of our journey. As I recalled the past few weeks, the past year, the past fifteen years since my husband and I said, "I do," I am reminded that walking with the Lord is a journey that sometimes takes me down roads I did not anticipate. Or would have chosen. But He never leaves me or forsakes me. He is with me as I travel the narrow path. Though I stumble often, His Word is a lamp unto my feet. He directs me despite my doubts and feet dragging. As I sought the Lord this Advent and Christmas season, I was reminded of a young woman on an amazing journey that took her from a manger to a cross. She followed the Lord each step of the way, even when the road seemed beyond bearable.

Before our unexpected stay at the hospital, our family had snuggled down with blankets, pjs and pillows as we watched the movie, The Nativity. As we watched the film, I really began to think about Mary and her journey with the Lord. It made me really wonder about her faith and walk with the Lord. I was reminded how young she was. I was amazed at how readily she submitted to God's will for her life, even though it would probably cause her to be misunderstood, mocked, shunned, possibly even killed. How do you explain being with child even though you are a virgin? How do you convince others that you have been chosen to carry the promised Messiah and deliver him into the world? While it is not uncommon today to see women pregnant outside of marriage, in the world Mary lived in, a woman could be stoned for such things. How did she tell Joseph and her parents? How did she endure the inevitable stares and snickers from those in her village? Did she delight at all times in being chosen to be the mother of God? Or did she momentarily slip into doubt or fear? I marvelled over willingness to go wherever God sent her. To Bethelehem while in her last weeks of pregnancy. On a donkey. No rest stops. No grabbing a bite at a nice restaurant. No hotel. As she made this journey, did she ask God why? Could not the Creator of the Universe and the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have smote King Herod? What about the timing? Travel to Bethelem right before she was due to deliver...and in a manger?

And then having to leave her homeland and flee to Egypt in the dark of night to protect the life of the promised King. Did Mary ever doubt? Did she question the Lord? Did she ever cry out and plead? Or did she just quietly take refuge in the Lord and rest in His promises? The Scriptures do not reveal Mary's thoughts during these times. What we do know is that Mary willingly became a handmaiden of the Lord. Even as she struggled to understand in the first moments following Gabriel's announcement ~ all that she was chosen to be and do ~ Mary magnified the Lord. Her spirit rejoiced in God her Saviour! Where God led, she followed.

"And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Luke 1: 38

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in
God my Saviour." Luke 1:46-47

As I continue my walk with the Lord in 2010, my heart's desire is to have the kind of faith that without hesitation readily submits to God and declares let it be according to your word. My hope is that as I follow the Lord on this continuing journey, my soul with magnify the Lord and my spirit will continually rejoice in my Saviour... each step of the way.

Walking with the Lord

Footprints 
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonged to him, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there were only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at he very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it, "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most, you would leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then I carried you."

Written by: Carolyn Joyce Carty

I am posting the poem "Footprints" in honor of my sweet sister, April and her precious baby, Delaney Brianne, who is now in the arms of our Saviour. As our family walks through this valley of loss and grief, I am comforted as the Lord reminds me He is always with us, and during our greatest pain and suffering... He carries us.

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:8

Resurrection Cookies

A great family activity to prepare little hearts (as well as mom's) for the Resurrection Day of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus!

Resurrection Cookie Recipe
Making cookies with your children to teach the true meaning of Easter!
You will need:
1 cup of whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch of salt
1 cup of sugar
plastic baggie
tape
Bible
Cookie instructions:
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees (this is important ~ don't wait!)
1. Place the pecans in the plastic baggie and let the kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break them in pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
~ Read John 19:1-3
2. Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl. Let each child smell the vinegar. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross and He became thirsty, He was offered vinegar to drink.
~ Read John 19:28-30
3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. The eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life so that we could have life.
~ Read John 10:10-11
4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand and let them taste it. Put the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
~ Read Luke 23:27
5. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing! Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
~ Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16
6. Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
~ Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
7. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid to rest.
~ Read Matthew 27:57-60
8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
9. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that tomb of Jesus was sealed.
~ Read Matthew 27:65-66
10. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that the followers of Jesus were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20-22
11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find His tomb empty.
~ Read Matthew 28:1-9
Recipe by: Wanda Long

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14

Rock-a My Soul

I love our Lord. And I really like my rocking chairs. Did I mention that I am fairly passionate about my porch and a cup of hot coffee, too? Of course my love for God is paramount, but I love the way they all come together on a morning like this one. I can be so Martha. I have good intentions, but I can get so wrapped up in doing things, and going places and checking off my "to do" list that I let go of His hand and run impulsively down the path without Him! It's times like this that I get overwhelmed, worried, discouraged... And then there are times like this morning that I can be more like Mary. I take the time sit at His feet and be captivated by His love, His mercies, His beauty and His grace. As I rock in my chair and take the time to draw near to Him, I am ushered into His glorious presence. When I fix my eyes upon Him and purpose in my heart to spend time with Him, my heart is transformed. It is only when I stop looking inward and look to Him that my soul is free. The anxiety and depression flees and His grace abounds. Why would I ever allow my heart to be so fickle, so impulsive? Why do I let myself wander so far from Him when it is so wondrous to walk with Him? I am so grateful our Lord is unchanging ~ the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I am so glad He meets me on my porch and doesn't ask me where I have been. He just loves me.