Will the REAL Christmas Please Stand Up?

Distractions are everywhere. Like the Grinch, "Noise! Noise! Noise!" was his cry; I feel his pain! There's tons of noise surrounding this season where we declare that "Christ the Savior is born!" You know, we might be saying it in our churches, but our everyday existences during the holidays it's not said very loudly or well. Lights, and did I mention sounds, smells and all the scenes of the season really don't share Christ. They are certain to share commercialism, greed and excess! Sorry, but it's true. With some introspect we all can recognize that a little simpler, a little less of what's wrong and a GREATER focus of what's right will bring the REAL Christmas to our lives. How consumed are we over our decor, food, gifts...(you put what you will here!)?? But it's also about family~this is the secularist view~the tradition, the spirit of good will....we can see it all over the TV and the idea of family and friends gathering to partake of WHAT???? Food and what? While a focus on family isn't bad~it's not the one we need to have at heart~in our minds and souls~

Forgive me, but anybody notice the attitudes in the stores this time of year? I know this is negative, but to decry all the glories of something that really isn't all that good~bad attitudes and bad behavior isn't right, but while the shopper may be looking for something GOOD like a gift for another, why does the behavior and attitude have to be so rude?

Sugar and rich foods cause all sorts of problems as well. Weight gain and health issues get more complicated. But "our ideas," what's marketed to us is that big huge candy cane or cookies or something else yummy...Oh my mouth is watering..but what is this excess doing to us in the end and the GREATER question~what does this have to do with Jesus and His birth?

We give...Oh yes we do~but don't we "like to receive" too? Let's be real. How far will we get if we only gave? If we only...another idea too is how smug some of us feel when we give. I get sick over the idea of "the less fortunate gift giving deal." Anyone give to someone out of pity? Is THIS love? Uh....

But LOVE was born on that very time of year, when shepherds were in the fields, and people were required to register in their home towns to pay their taxes. Caesar Augustus was Emperor of Rome and wise men were star gazers. Love, real and lasting Love was born~humbly, simply, and without fan fare. But it's not how we remember it with our Christmas celebrations. We get all torn up~even children's padgets can be stressful and harming when children are pressured. PRESSURE that is unnecessary~where did the humility and simplicity go? Why are we in such a tizzy?

The REAL Christmas is LOVE! For God so loved...LOVED the world that He sent His only begotten Son...Love ~greater love hath no man than that He should lay down His life~for HIS FRIENDS...LOVE~Love thy neighbor as thyself....LOVE, love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul and mind...LOVE...that the world may know if we have love one for the other...LOVE~
The embodiment of God's love is His Son, Jesus who in all humility came~and He died just 33 years later, crucified unjustly on a Roman cross. The cross has come to symbolize so much for so many~perhaps it's the REAL CHRISTMAS tree, and LOVE is the REAL CHRISTMAS focus...all this holiday hustle, hurry and bustle isn't about Jesus~it's about man or man's ideas...but LOVE is distinctly FOR mankind, not about mankind.

The REAL Christmas is Jesus~and in each of our lives we must find a way~during ANY holiday to make it all about Him. John said, HE must increase and I must decrease. True of everyone~true of me. We must focus and worship the Savior, the Love of God~Jesus the Christ in all our actions and beliefs. Then truly our Christmas will be as the word actually means ~ a Worship of Christ. Christ-Mass ~True and devoted in us as well look to the Savior!

Merry Christ Mass and may your holidays be real HOLY days!
Lady Graceful
Luke 2

To the Summit!

Ever been in a mess, a real pickle where it seemed nearly impossible to get out? Ever found yourself in a struggle or with a real challenge that you wondered how on earth you were going to make it through?

Everyday we are all faced with things, situations and problems that seem unsolvable, unable to fix or just tough! How do we get beyond the struggle to the place of victory, joy and peace?

Perseverance is a huge key to being successful at anything. Remember the children's story of The Little Engine That Could who pressed up the steep mountain with the words, "I think I can! I think I can!" as he pushed right up that obstacle to find himself at the summit with full victory? He never gives up nor in...he continues as hard and as steady as he can go..up, up, up until he reaches the top in victory, sweet victory!

For us, the bigger the problem, the greater the demand to overcome, the sweeter the victory! The more we invest, the better the payout! Even in our problems, something of refinement is occurring. Refinement, a purification of ourselves and we reach deeper, harder, in more earnest to find the solution, the way, the ability.

Reaching deeply into ourselves is only one point of finding the solution. While important, and it must not be overlooked that we have to have ourselves "on board" to gain what is needed to do the task, we do have to look beyond ourselves as well. Looking at that little train with all his will and desire, NEVER could have reached the summit without the fuel for his engine~the coal for his furnace that was stoked so that his energy was sustained in the struggle. Where can we find such power giving energy for ourselves?

Only in God can we find this kind of energy. He is the total source of all we have and all we will ever become! Perseverance is key, but having the energy source is essential...even more important than our own will to win! God's abilities far exceed our own, and it's in His power and might that we have the umph to press on up that hill to our summit~our personal victory!

Are you struggling with a need in your life? Do you have a goal that you desire or a problem that needs solving? God is the answer! He enables each of us to push forward until we reach our summit.
Lady Graceful
Phil 1:6

Peace

In the 1960's the peace symbol became popular as a way of protesting a war and promoting the idea of pacifism. Even the American President, Richard Nixon was photographed with his arms held high and his hands making the gesture. Peace is just a important today in our world as it has ever been. I am not protesting or even commenting on the military efforts today, but about the internal war that rages in our beings, our hearts, souls and minds.

Peace is something we all want. We desire peace. Peace is desirable. It brings satisfaction and security. But with inner conflict, peace isn't achieved while our inner self rages. Peace is only achieved as issues are laid to rest, problems dealt with and progress made. But how can we achieve peace?

Are we capable of peace without seeking God to help us?

God is a God of all comfort who comforts us. . . Isaiah said that God would keep the person in "perfect peace" who continually thinks upon Him. The Bible promises a "peace that passes all understanding."

How can we reconcile what God says to help ourselves to have His peace.

It's His peace that is authentic and purest in nature.

1. Prayer. We need to look to God as our source, shield, and salvation.

2. Confession. Is there something standing between us and God. Confess or tell it to God. Ask Him to remove the obstacles to knowing Him which is knowing peace!

3. Walking with God. When we keep our minds on God and His benefits, methods and Person, we can have confidence to know that our Creator who cares is right there with us~even when it's not fun!

4. Singing to Him. Praising God may seem silly, but what we listen to does affect our thinking. Is our music lifting the soul closer towards the Savior or sinking us down towards the pit? Music can help to heal, and the kinds of music is important.

5. Scripture. How well do we know His Words? Do we realize that He wrote them just for us? THINK: WHAT IF the Bible were to disappear from the earth today? In many countries it's illegal to own a Bible and Christians die to preserve their ability to have access to God's Word. How much more we should treasure the Word of God to give us His thoughts for and to us!

Peace that exceeds ALL understanding is possible only with God, our Lord and Savior!

In Peace,
Lady Graceful

Pain

Our bodies ache; our hearts ache. Sometimes the pain is unbearable. Other times we are just fine and doing well, but it's the reality that in our lives the rain will come, the storm clouds of hurt that should turn our hearts wholly to God!

God is our refuge and strength. A help in the times of turmoil, trouble, distress and pain.

But what does this look like?

Is it a kind of stoicism where no flinch is noticed and no darkness known in the life of the believer? Some have said that the Christian life is only full of God's wonderful riches in Christ Jesus, and these don't include troubles . . . but don't they?

Is it strongly standing on the facts of God's promises when darkness hides the light of day? This is a closer reality to dealing in the pain of circumstances where we are not able to change our situations or someone has hurt us.

Our pain can be self induced or it can come from another source, but whichever, it's pain none the less.

God is present and knows our troubles, our distress.

I have found great comfort in knowing two things: He cares for me, and there's a reason for my suffering. He has said in I Peter 5:7 that I can give Him my burdens because He cares about me. I can depend on this~for Him to support me in my trial. My reason for troubles while seem self or other inflicted is actually to give God praise for His support in testimony to those who may be experiencing the same that I have gone through. My witness or what I've gone through can actually give God glory to one who may come after me in the same or similar circumstance. This is so deep really, and simple all at the same time!

When I am hurt, sad, lonely, distressed, lost, in pain~I can know He cares and there is purpose.

I can trust the ever TRUSTABLE GOD in my pain.

I am trusting now.
Lady Graceful

It's WHAT We Do on Sunday . . .

We live in such a busy world and the holidays will hold us captive from now until they arrive busling about trying to create for ourselves some kind of perfect "image" of happiness. Whew! This is profound, I think...but for someone who feels a bit overwhelmed, busyness can be a killer! Running here and there~this place~that activity, we go and go and go go go! No wonder stress is killing our bodies, minds, AND our spiritual life!

I wish I had a "plug nickle" for every time~EVERY TIME the church plans an activity or event or something that I have seen the "faithful few" trickle in . . . Of course you have the "dead-ringers: the pastor and his family and those who come, faithfully! Praise God for those who support their house of worship!!!!!

But more often than not, I get to hear all the reasons and busyness in people's lives~lives that have been taken over~Yeah, you've got Lady G right~TAKEN OVER with other things than a concern for His church, His body of believers, His mission . . .

"I have ___________, so we won't be there," is so common that it's no wonder that state of the church is in perile in America. Christians have found their way into this world to the neglect of God's business for activities and things of this world. Is it ALL wrong? Is busyness sin?

I consider these questions as one who is present and accounted for~leading the pack, if you will to "charge the gates of hell" with my Lord's arsenal, but find that some of my brothers and sisters do not realize just HOW important the church really is to the Christian walk. There are even some who have forsaken the body for a life of Christ-following beyond the doors of the "traditional" church . . . house churching which isn't bad, I don't believe as it's a New Testament model, but house churching isn't an issue that I'm discussing, but the neglect of God's house!

Neglect for the church and embracing the cares of this world are trends everywhere! We are admonished not to lay up our treasures in this world, not to become conformed to the image of this world, to be peculiar people. WHERE does this fit into the lifestyle that we have chosen as the American Christian church? I don't care what your denomination is or if you are nondemoninational~lifestyle cannont override our desire to please the Lord Jesus Christ! We must support what He finds pleasing.

When my daughter was younger, she wanted to do gymnastics and cheer. I am going to stomp some toes here, I am sure . . . perhaps I can do this tenderly by sharing our story and you can take from it what you will. When we found out that our child would be required to travel for Sunday and Wednesday meets, that was the end of that. As talented and athletic as she is, this was NOT the path for her . . . besides, when we could see that cheer in so many ways was "suggestive dance" we put a halt to this quick! Another example comes from our own family~yes, we are narrow in our lifestyle~ Praise God-YES!! FOR STRAIGHT IS THE GATE AND NARROW the WAY!!! Our daughter attends AWANA and has put her heart and mind into learning the Scripture. She actually has such a knowledge of the Bible that it's rather intimidating for me, her mother to teacher her sometimes . . . and she is old enough NOW to be a leader in training within the program. She is purely qualified. But! For her own spiritual development, we have with her desire, encouraged her to stay in her class~learning! LEARNING verses the fun, not that learning isn't fun, but learning instead of being out there~
I will say that her time for leading is here in other ways, but her desire to know the Word is preeminent! I am thankful for this, but it didn't all start when she was 14~oh no! It came in the years as a young child, and we dressed her modestly and taught her and led her in the way. I am amazed at Christian parents who allow their child to assimilate the world's values because "oh it's soooo cute!" Yeah, all puppies and kittens, babies are cute~even when they are biting and without training, but when these grow up~what a challenge to train and show the way!

Folks have taken the "it's what we do on Sunday" attitude with their church lives . . . "I'll be there as long as . . .(you name the activity or function) doesn't interfere as if church is a sideline prospect or proposition!!!!!!!!! Is it any wonder folks, that the church numbers are diminishing in our nation? WE ARE IN TROUBLE as a Christian people, and few seem to care! There's no repentence, no sorrow, no fear of God! WE MUST get back to the CALL of GOD to worship HIM in power and in truth!

I encourage you to consider your ways before the Lord. Don't listen to me, but consider your own relationship with God. Is your church life just something you do on Sunday? Is your relationship with the Lord one that will take a back seat for other things?

First it is paramount to confess our sins to God who is our judge, not me. The Lord knows your heart and mind. He is able to forgive.

One favorite passage of Scripture that holds such a promise,

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I Jn 1:9

We can count on His promises to restore us to God and His plan for our lives~and once we have moved in this direction, we should follow the Lord in concern for His people.

In His Grace,
Lady Graceful
John 17~Jesus' prayer in the Garden before His arrest. He was concerned for His followers-this is you and me!

Thankfulness

It's almost that time of year when we are SUPPOSED to be thankful...but I have preempted the holiday with a little thankfulness before it because of all of God's wonderful blessings. Don't get Lady G wrong, I have problems and struggles just like you do...I may even have one or two more...but sometimes when I need to refocus and adjust my 'eyesight' a little, OK..a lot! I need to focus on my blessings!

What about you? What are you thankful for in your everyday? Can you name a thing or person or two? Start up a Thankful Log to chronicle all the goodness of God whether it's from Him through the beauty of nature or someone who cared enough to... God's goodness is amazing, and it's all around us!

Yeah, I have some problems, and I know you do too, but we can both be thankful BEFORE we buy the turkey, cranberries and yams (if you don't know what these are...leave me the question...) and we can THANK GOD for everything He has, is and will do in our lives!

Happy Thanks GIVING~a head of the season!
Lady Graceful

Forgiveness

Ever been wronged? Had your dander kicked up to realize that the person really didn't mean it OR that they did?

Forgiveness is the only action that can bring real reconciliation in a situation like this, and because forgiveness isn't easy, we must depend upon God to help us and to issue grace to the offender(s) in our lives.

I have someone who is on my "fifth nerve." Yes, Lady Graceful has issues at times with this~so you are not alone with the problem of interpersonal relationships that can be painful...I really have to deal with this thing too; as it can get out of hand! REAL resentments can build, and then broken relationships will occur~or maybe they already have occurred!

Forgiveness~genuine putting down the AX and giving the person the benefit of the doubt is the only way that something like this can be healed in a relationship. A healing so sound and strong that the offender is treated as if the offense had never occurred~and not just treated in some superficial way either, but genuinely forgiven, forgotten and restored to fellowship.

OK~I KNOW this is near utterly impossible! In fact, it is impossible without the grace of our Lord and Savior empowering us to forgive and restore.

If we consider that often people are not "out to get us" but are just rubbing us the wrong way innocently~and ignorantly, then forgiving may come easier, but will forgetting be something within our human-ness?

Probably not. But with God all things are possible. I John tells us that if we hate our brother who we have seen, how can we love God Who we have not? We are called to be reconciled to each other in grace.

Easy~nope!

Power from above~yup!

God alone is the source for such powerful forgiveness! The walk of faith in Christ is what brings us to the place to be able to forgive EVEN when I'm not asked to forgive, EVEN when the person continues to hit that nerve!

Forgiveness~STRAIGHT FROM our Heavenly Father~

Grace,
Lady Graceful