Christmas

Christmas is almost with us. Just a few more days. I see people scurrying, and hurrying ~ in a frenzy to find the perfect present for loved ones. This year, with the poor economy, there is so much anxiety. We have trained our children to expect the latest Play Station or X Box or Wii. These items all come with very high price tags. And that doesn't even cover the game software that you have to purchase with them. If the gifts aren't piled high under the tree there isn't just disappointment, there's downright anger in some kids.

Many of us have forgotten the true reason for Christmas. It's about what happened over 2,000 years ago, and the impact it has had and is still having all these many years.

God came to earth as a baby. The Lord of all Creation left the glories of Heaven for a stable. He came knowing that He would be rejected as King of His Chosen People, that He would be betrayed, beaten, and eventually die a horrible death.

Why? Why did He give up so much? He did this because He loves us, His children. He sacrificed everything so that we might have eternal life. Everything that happened to Jesus was foretold. Read what it ways in Isaiah 53: 1~7:

1. Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?


2. He grew up before him like a tender shot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majest to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.


3. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.


4. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.


5. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.


6. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.


7. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

I pray that we all will take time the Christmas to ponder on the true meaning of Christmas. It's not about gifts. It's not about indulging in rich food and drink. It's not about decorating our houses with ornaments and lights. It's not even about spending time with loved ones.

Christmas is about Jesus. It's about our redemption by the death of this man - God walking on earth. Please, let us not forget this. Have a blessed Christmas, everyone.

Vacation in Tucson

Tom and I drove to Tucson, AZ the day after Thanksgiving. The desert was suprisingly beautiful. We had a wonderful relaxed time. I thought I'd share a few pictures. The Tucson area is surrounded by small mountain ranges. The mountains seem to shoot straight up to the sky, and are all these fantastic shapes. Very awe inspiring.



We visited an old Spanish Mission which now serves as a church for the local Native American population. The building is a beautiful white, and stands out for miles in the desert. It's called Mission San Javier del Bac, but is known locally as the White Dove of the Desert.


Tom really enjoyed the Pima Air and Space Museum. There were about a zillion planes and I think we looked at everyone of them. Tom had to get up on the wing of this one, and I thought he'd get arrested (you really are not supposed to climb on the planes). But
he did not get caught.



I preferred the beautiful outdoors. If you are from an area like Northern California, where everything is watered and irrigated you get a real suprise at the beauty and variety in the desert. Our God is certainly not limited in what he can do, and what he wants to do.



Here's Tom with a cowboy in the Wild West Town of Tombstone.







This is where we stayed. It was a really nice condo, right on a golf course. Tom's favorite setting!!!!

But my absolute favorite part of the whole trip was when we arrived home.

Thank You Father

This morning I woke up full of thanks to our God. There are so many things that I am thankful for. I slept last night in a warm bed, in a safe and comfortable home. I was able to get out of bed this morning and I will go to work. I have plenty to eat each day, clothes to wear that are appropriate to the season. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, that I love, and I know he loves and supports me. I have many terrific friends who lift me up every day. And chiefly I have a God who loves me and only wants what is best for me.
I'd like to leave off with this wonderful blessing from the Bible:
"The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift his countenance upon thee and give thee peace."
~ Numbers 6: 24 - 26

Need a little help from my friends

I know that all my friends are aware that I'm more than a little over-weight. And this has caused some health problems. So I want to enlist all of you in an endeavor to take off some pounds.
I joined Contours workout center a couple of months ago, and my goal is to go three days a week for a half-hour workout. I intend to do some walking on the days that I don't go to Contours.
I also intend to cut back on calories. I'm not planning to "diet" because all that has done for me over the years is create a big weight yo-yo.
Now, I know that weight loss doesn't sound like spiritual growth. Bear with me. On Thanksgiving Day (11/27/08) Pastor Joy told me about a dream that she had. In the dream she saw me, and I was much lighter (thinner). I was wearing a red dress and was glowing. I'm taking this dream as a personal prophecy. I do believe that because our bodies were given to us by God we should keep them healthy, and I have not been doing that very well.
So, I ask for your prayers and encouragement.

With Lots of Love,

Martha

Day One

I have been inspired by Sylvia's new blog to start one myself. This is just meant to be a reflection on my walk with the Lord, and the wonder and glory of growing closer to him. I named my blog after the song "I Can Only Imagine" by Emerson Drive. I find it to hit close to home, everytime I listen to it. I hope you enjoy the lyrics as much as I do.

I can only imagine

What it will be like

When I walk

By your side.

I can only imagine

What my eyes will see

When your face

Is before me.

I can only imagine.

I can only imagine.

Surrounded by Your glory,

what will my heart feel

Will I dance for you Jesus

or in awe of you be still?

Will I stand in your presence

or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah,

will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine.

I can only imagine.

I can only imagine

When that day comes

And I find myself

Standing in the Son.

I can only imagine

When all I will do

Is forever

orever worship You.

I can only imagine.

I can only imagine.

That's all for now. May God bless you and yours.

Martha