tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29122445.post4088611473219783344..comments2024-03-18T00:39:11.436-05:00Comments on The Next Step: A ConfessionTamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12344112481831867779noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29122445.post-38864027817845150392007-12-17T15:47:00.000-06:002007-12-17T15:47:00.000-06:00Amen ladyWe think Christmas should be all about pe...Amen lady<BR/><BR/>We think Christmas should be all about perfection, perfect family, perfect meal, perfect Christmas tree, perfect outfits, hair and nails, and yet it was hardly so picture perfect for MAry & Joseph on that cold dark night. They must have been terrified, cold, lonely, anxious. And the HE who she delivered, came to deliver her, to deliver them, to deliver me and you my friend.<BR/><BR/>"Is He trying to teach us real peace has nothing to do with location, but everything to do with motivation? Am I focusing on the wrong aspects of Christmas? Am I letting Satan steal my joy?"<BR/><BR/>Since leaving my homeland 15 years ago I have to confess that I do struggle with this when special 'family' times come around. I have learnt to tell myself "it's just another day" before I pick up the phone to call home, otherwise I fear I may imploded into a big slobbering mess. But in reality it isn't just another day, it is a day to celebrate God becoming flesh and blood, skin and bones. And then I find myself musing on the fact that each day should be a celebrating that God came near, that he came so close so that we could feel his breathe on our faces.<BR/><BR/>So in my journey I am realizing that at this time of year yes Satan wants to magnify the fact that my loved ones are so far away and he tries to steal my joy and yet the Living Word is telling me that my joy is not circumstantial it is PERSONal - it is HIM. 365 days a year - never changing - consistently the same - He is Life, He is Joy, He is Peace.<BR/><BR/>It is definately about focus but not just a Christmas but throughout the year.<BR/><BR/>For He alone is Worthy<BR/>For He alone is Worthy<BR/>For He alone is Worthy<BR/>Christ, the Lord.Living Beyondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08863282553392196337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29122445.post-38519444380587160662007-12-15T17:48:00.000-06:002007-12-15T17:48:00.000-06:00Since you read my blog, you know that this is my h...Since you read my blog, you know that this is my heart, too. I got almost all of my Christmas shopping done BEFORE Thanksgiving this year, hoping that would prevent the stress of it all. But, now that is 10 days away and I still have so many things undone, I'm feeling it!!<BR/><BR/>I think the fact that we recognize what is happening is actually a sign of spiritual health, don't you? Somehow maybe we won't get sucked into the tidal wave as much.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the comment on my blog. I, too, wish we could sit down and just chat about Jesus over cheesecake. Michigan and Nebraska are just too far apart! I am so thankful for you and that we met up through this crazy blogosphere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29122445.post-36051883047424864002007-12-15T10:42:00.000-06:002007-12-15T10:42:00.000-06:00I hate what Christmas has become too. Certainly n...I hate what Christmas has become too. Certainly not adoring the birth of our savior. That thoughts pops in now and then but does not seem to be the focus. Today I need to get packages ready to mail and work on my Christmas letters. Thanks for focusing on the right things.Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05811548306583601019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29122445.post-35463056628157605272007-12-14T13:37:00.000-06:002007-12-14T13:37:00.000-06:00Well Mom, with four kids, no wonder you feel harri...Well Mom, with four kids, no wonder you feel harried! I was just at another blog, and the writer was expressing similar sentiments. <BR/><BR/>My place of escape? The bathtub. Or taking a long freeway drive. Somehow, those two activities allow me to shift gears and find that peaceful place where I can commune with Jesus heart to heart.<BR/><BR/>Maybe you'll be able to find some time to just "be" this weekend.<BR/><BR/>(Like you, I also love gazing at the lighted tree!)Susannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12090290482455881323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29122445.post-90255792426795582792007-12-14T10:38:00.000-06:002007-12-14T10:38:00.000-06:00I can relate! I also wish that I could feel the Ch...I can relate! I also wish that I could feel the Christmas magic as easily as I did when I was young. It's very hard over here, where nobody celebrates Christmas. But like you said, Jesus wants us to be able to celebrate Him no matter what the circumstances.Cahleen @ The Alt Storyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14704918285007073873noreply@blogger.com