Hallelujah Humbug

just thinking about that first Christmas and how things haven't changed all that much. sure we have more conveniences than maybe they did, but we still have similar attitudes and world views. you see, that first Christmas there were the ones who stood in awe, the ones who bowed in wonder, those who bore gifts and beheld their KING. there were also doubters amongst the midst and those who were bitter and revengeful. the angels came, the wisemen and shepherds worshiped and adored and some how i have to believe there was Hallelujah in their hearts. yet their was at least one recorded that did not experience the Hallelujah of the first Christmas.... the Bible even records that he was disturb when he heard rumors that the king of the Jews had been born, later he was furious when he heard that the wisemen disobeyed him.... his name was not Scrooge, but Herod. he had Humbug in his heart and as far as i know, he died with it.

as i sit and ponder the meaning of Christmas, i have to ask myself the question, is there Hallelujah or Humbug in my heart? Do I have a little jealousy in my heart? Am I disturb by what others are giving or getting? Am I furious about what I don't have or can't have? Or am I standing in awe, bowing in wonder, bearing my soul and beholding my KING?

snap

we have been noticing mouse poop in our cabinets in the kitchen. jon and nathan went and got traps yesterday and this afternoon caught one.... i told jon where there is one, there are probably many more. felt sorry for the little guy... think he got selfish... cause he had gotten all the cheese and then fell over the lip of the cabinet by the dishwasher and snap, he was gone.

hope and holiness

Ezekiel a37:11'Our bones are dried up, our hope is gone, there's nothing left of us.'
Ezekiel 38:16 When the time's ripe, I'll unleash you against my land in such a way that the nations will recognize me, realize that through you, Gog, in full view of the nations, I am putting my holiness on display.

gold rush Christmas

people of today are much the same as the folks of 1849. many of them rushed off by "vehicle" (wagon or boat) seeking all the gold they could acquire, enduring substantial hardships on the trip. today, men, women, boys and girls desire to acquire wealth in some form or fashion. most of us have a list, be it on paper or a mental one of things we want or desire. (our "hardship" may just be awaking early to a flat tire on black Friday.) though each individual miner of 1849 may have sought fulfillment with wealth in gold, few ever found it. few things have changed since then.... few will find satisfaction in the material.... or just enough to tide us over until next years list can be made. many returned home in the 1800's with little more than they started with. what about the folks of today?

road blocks

so today didn't go quiet as planned. "just so happened" to call Sylvania Yarn before delivering cookies and the guy was pretty straight out on saying we couldn't deliver the cookies. guess i was more shocked than anything that someone would actually turn down an act of kindness. i am sure their reasonings were satisfying enough for him, but still left me thinking. all i could mentally see was satan laughing at the door and he wouldn't let us in..... but that wasn't stopping me from finding new unexpected recipients of God's goodness and grace. Road blocks, detours, stop signs and the voice of God. nothing like the sweetness of a mental pic of God opening HIS doors and saying what satan meant for bad, i have planned to work out for your good. satan would you like a cookie?

Holding onto Hope

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near....35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

confessions of a not so perfect pastor's wife part 1

you know that lady that drives you nuts at church? she drives me nuts too.
you can't serve on every committee. don't expect me too.
guess what? the laundry didn't get done today, the kitchen is piled up with dishes and the floor needs a sweeping, much less mopping.
your time is valuable. mine is too. don't waste mine telling me of all the stuff your are going to do and don't leaving me to do it.
i still have to MAKE time with God. what is your excuse?
i would sleep in denim and believe that God doesn't care what you wear on Sunday's as long as you come wanting to draw near to Him , hear from Him and serve Him . i hate hose and slips.
my gumbo rocks even with okra!
i love afternoon naps.
i love hanging with the pastor and guess what? we sleep together!

so, some may stop and ponder, some may even question, but the end result remains the same.... pastor's aren't perfect and their wives aren't either.