Our Imperfect Christmas

Words for Wednesdays

I just blogged over on our church's website about our Imperfect Christmas. If your advent season has been less-than-ideal, come check it out.

Isaiah reminds me of Scrooge's Ghosts

Thoughts for Thursdays

Maybe it's just because it's Christmas time, but as I read through Isaiah, I'm often reminded of Scrooge's ghosts from A Christmas Carol. Has the prophecy already happened? Is this speaking of something yet to come?

But then jewels like this jump out at me:

"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.'" (Isaiah 28:6)

I'm reminded immediately of Peter's admonition to us:

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:

"See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,^" and,
“A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (I Peter 2:4-10)

My prayer is two fold: that I will be thankful for God's mercy in my life, knowing that by trusting in Him, I will never be put to shame. And second, that my friends will not stumble on Jesus who came as a baby on Christmas, but will instead turn to Him, repent of their hard hearts, and accept his death and resurrection on their behalf as a precious gift.

Looking up for His return...

Coffee and Sweat Pants

It's supposed to be Foto Friday or Five Minute Friday, but it's just going to be Becky's Ramblings Friday. Is that ok?

It's been a busy week in our house, with our Christmas Musical for church this weekend. The girls are dancing and I'm acting. And today - nothing but a cup of coffee and sweat pants.

The kids have been inspired by their friends who make Happy Family You Tube Videos, so I dusted off the video camera and they are setting up their Barbies for the big show.

I am making a portfolio for Lee's Construction Company, and I've been going through old pics, trying to locate all of his before/after shots. (Not an easy task). And of course going through old files has taken me down memory lane tangents.

Now, I'm blogging as I print out my favorite Sugar Cookie recipe. It's delicious. You've got to try it. I can't wait to smell them baking this afternoon!

We were going to go to a neighbor's party tonight, but I lost the invitation. I called to RSVP, only to find out it's tomorrow night. Oops.

So that's my day. I hope your weekend is full of GRACE and memories!

Love,

Becky

I Wonder: Why Her?

Five Minute Friday

Five minutes. No Edits. Just writing. 

The word is: Wonder

GO

Wonder…

Cleaning up my kitchen, putting breakfast dishes away, washing the pan, scraping off the remaining eggs...

 And the Christmas music is playing.

Amy Grant's melody...

"Do you wonder as you watch my face if a wise one should have had my place?"

Oh Lord, I wonder that daily! The pieces you've put in my life. The gifts of children. The ministries and friendships... God, do you ever wonder, "Should I have picked someone wiser?"

My eyes brim with tears as I consider His grace, my mistakes, His love, my inadequacies, His strength, my weakness, His Spirit...

And then the very next song... Strange way to save the world... "Why her? She's such an ordinary girl."

Chest tightens. I set down the towel. Tears flow.

Lord, I feel so ordinary.  So inadequate. So simple.

I thank you for choosing the simple. The broken. The plain. The unwise. The messy.

Oh come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

STOP