Showing posts with label god with us. Show all posts
Showing posts with label god with us. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Living in the Afterglow of Christmas
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Merry Christmas! God Showed Up!
My excitement is no less exuberate in my heart as I am nestled in my sweet, little, “alone” and quiet spot by my fireplace this morning. I woke up with overwhelming joy and started singing “Joy to the world. The Lord has come!” And exclaiming “He showed up! He showed up!” What proof do I have? After all, there were no presents from Him under the tree. I know, because His PRESENCE is in my heart today. I feel Him. I sense Emmanuel – GOD WITH US. God is with ME!
Shortly, I’ll be heading over to my children’s home for Christmas breakfast and lunch while continuing our Christmas celebrations of family joy and laughter. Last night we worshipped Christ at my church's Christmas Eve service and prepared Him a room in our hearts for this beautiful Christmas Day. We will celebrate the greatest gift conceivable. Actually, inconceivable that He Who sat on heaven’s throne showed up here on Planet Earth – all because His Dad came up with a grand idea of taking heaven to earth by sending His Son to show us the way! Before His Mama's "Yes", He said "Yes" -- I'll go and SHOW UP for them! It ALL happened in a moment, a most remarkable moment. God became a man! Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious ONE in a human womb that brought Him to this side of heaven. How marvelous! How wonderful! EVERYTHING we would ever need or want, wrapped in one package.
It seems almost irreverent to think of the Son of God coming to earth. There’s something about keeping Him divine that keeps Him distant and predictable. BUT DON"T DO IT! For Heaven’s sake, DON'T! It was a Master Plan for Him to be human so that you and I have someone who gets us -- who gets our needs -- who understands our pains -- who SHOWS UP for us when we need Him most. Let Him be as human as He intended to be. Let His human example of loving the unlovely, forgiving in spite of rejection, understanding everything about us because He was one of us -- be our example to others, too. Let Him into the mire and muck of our world. That's how He showed up and that's how He "finished up". Only if we let Him in -- can He pull us out! Let Him be God with us for in letting Him be God with us -- we are never alone and never without a Savior. Let Him SHOW UP in you and your world today! Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Oh Tidings of Comfort and Joy
You can see that I make it my number one priority to embrace those who are still with me on this side of heaven. I’m running my race with theirs and oh, the comfort and joy it brings me. This time of the year brings additional times of joy and celebration, but, if we’re not bent toward finding the good and beautiful in the little things and the little people and the little moments, it can be a very somber and painful time. I know that feeling. My daddy passed away on December 17th when I was just 15-years-old. I remember my mother’s tears as she unwrapped his presents from under the tree. My own precious husband passed away on November 16th and Christmas has never been the same because Papa isn't here to read his hilarious version of the “Nativity Christmas Story” to the grandkids, who adored when he changed his accents for the characters and the animals. Most recently, a dear friend’s husband passed away, and another friend’s wife passed away, and another’s father passed away. I understand when people’s yuletide cheer doesn’t measure up because they’re hurting so much.
Friday, January 19, 2018
ALONE: having no one else present; on one's own.
LONELY: sad because one has no friends or company; friendless, forsaken, inner emptiness
SOLITUDE: withdrawal for privacy and peace
A few days ago I was in Austin with grandchildren, then I was back home in Frisco with my family plus I attended church and several meetings, and today, I'm in Tulsa to be with my family here and for a conference. With all that “on the road again and busyness”, right now -- I don’t have time for being ALONE, LONELY or even finding SOLITUDE. But, that’s okay!!
Just a little “inside” information. Because of the 24/7 hours a day of living/working/playing together for most of our 44 years of marriage, I really never knew LONELINESS, or for that matter, being ALONE. But, seasons changed when my sweetheart graduated to heaven and I had the opportunity for being alone and lonely. I’m pleased to say “I chose neither.” I chose a sweet place of SOLITUDE. LONELINESS is inner emptiness and SOLITUDE is inner plenty especially when our inner plenty includes acknowledging our Plentiful Father is always with us. I said it before, I say it again – Emmanuel – GOD WITH US!
Now don’t get me wrong. I love hanging out with my friends, attending church, shopping, playing games, traveling, socializing, being a part of women’s groups, prayer groups and spending as much time with my kids and grandkids as possible. But, right here at the front side of 2018, I'm embracing any time I can for SOLITUDE. It’s a journey of choice -- from “It’s all about me and what I don’t have and what I need”, TO “It’s about personal maturity and communion with God Who assures me I am NEVER alone, that He has plans and a future for me and His plans for me far outweigh my plans for me.”
Jesus explained His SOLITUDE like this in Matthew 16:32 “The hour is coming when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me ALONE. Yet I am not ALONE for the Father is with me."
I understand SOLITUDE is the opposite of companionship and both have their places. I love spending time with my besties and my family. But I also understand the importance of “being still and knowing He is God.” Psalm 46:10. That is where my strength for today and hope for tomorrow comes from. I know "The Way" I need to go, "The Truth" I need to know, and "The Life" I live is in Him alone. (John 14:6).
Feeling lonely? Need love? Seek Him. You're not alone. God's arms are open wide and when you hug Him? No contest. He will always be hugging you way longer than you could ever hold Him. After all, He’s our “Good, Good Father” and He knows what’s best for us and He loves to embrace and tell us "I love you and you are mine!
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
I Waved Farewell to the Past
The Word of the Day: PAST -- no longer existing. Remember the Von Trapp Family in the "Sound of Music" singing "So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, good-bye"? That's what I did on New Year's Eve." The PAST is now the PAST. And, what a way to say farewell than in a predominately African American crowd at Potter's House - North Dallas! I'm talking "HIGH PRAISES" as we lifted our voices, hands, hearts and even our bodies in joy and gratitude for God's amazing grace that brought us through another year and now a new year of great HOPE (that was the word spoken) for the GOOD things that our God has for us.
We bid a fond farewell to the PAST and we closed the door to its many ups and downs. The door burst wide open to 2018. Isaiah 43:18 says “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the PAST."
I want MORE than ever before in 2018. I'm not talking about things, but as I live in the "God with us" mode, at any time and place, He may come with expectations OF me and surprises FOR me. 2018 will bring a milestone birthday to me, so rather than looking at the PAST, I’m looking ahead. I’m very aware, by now, that life is short. I know that I have less time ahead of me than behind me, so each day I will purpose to live with an eternal perspective. The things that once “bugged” me have very little import to me now. Some quirky people with quirky little ways that annoyed me before, don’t bother me as much now. I can zip my lip instead of needing to have the last word -- so much more intentional than I was before. Now, I’ve reversed that “easily-bugged-mentality” to “In the light of eternity, does it really matter?” Maybe it’s because I’m becoming less attached to this side of heaven than ever before. The Apostle Paul said, “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind (the PAST) and straining toward what is ahead. I PRESS ON toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me.” Phil 3:14
As I pondered 2018, these words came to me: multiply, enlarge, maximize, escalate, magnify, stretch, increase, press. All those words express my desire in knowing God more – experiencing His presence more – taking on His character more. I’ve been harping on “God with us” – Emmanuel -- in several of my posts lately. I think I’m getting it. I desire my love for Him to multiply, to enlarge, escalate and maximize. I want to magnify (make larger) His presence. I want my faith to stretch and increase. I want the PAST to be the PAST and, like St. Paul, I want to PRESS toward the goal for which God has called me.
Whether you are someone who thinks you have more years before you than behind you, or you are like me and you know you have more years behind you than before, maybe it’s time to consider “What if 2018 is my LAST YEAR, here?”
Before we declare this is the year we climb Mount Everest, ride an elephant on a safari or become gluten-free, let’s pause. Maybe our desires for this new year should trump all the rest – to be aware of God’s grace and presence with us than ever before. So, "Farewell, PAST!" Seeing the UNSEEN in 2018 -- in every facet of life -- just may bring us the best year and YEARS EVER!
Thursday, December 28, 2017
The Bright Light of Christmas is With Us
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While "The Wallace's" and I were driving home from Austin yesterday, I was already thinking "I'm going to take down my Christmas decor' as soon as possible since I'll be going out of town next week and I want to come back home to a fresh clean slate in the new year of new beginnings and new conquests."
But, when I drove down my street -- the Christmas lights were still glowing on my neighbors' homes, and my home. I walked into my home and I started putting on the Christmas lights because I wanted "that atmosphere" to linger a little longer. Yes, all the anticipation and excitement of the Christmas season is rapidly coming to a close, but the joy and peace of Christmas is still very present. I’m still captivated by the Christmas lights that are still glowing brightly and and the sweet and tender Christmas atmosphere. The reality is the reassurance we have that the atmosphere of Christmas will remain if we continue to acknowledge that the babe in the manger is no longer a baby. He is here with us because He is Emmanuel, “God with us”!
All thirteen of us, together, in Austin, made for lots of laughter and high energy that included all of us going to see a Christmas movie, eating in and eating out, the children running around, lots of picture taking, sweet conversations and many hugs and kisses. From all that activity to walking into my quiet, non-busy home could really be a downer if I dwelt on who and what I didn't have. I could dwell on being alone or even lonely. My main word of encouragement for many friends and ME, during this season has been "Emmanuel" (God with us). Many have been going through "stuff" and it is still my word for all of us. We are never alone, because God is with us. He cares. He loves. He gives. He holds.
Today, I will return to my daily routine of spending time with Jesus as I pray, praise, read His Word and take notes on what He's saying back to me. Maybe I'll spend a few minutes or many minutes -- it doesn't matter to Him, but it does to me. I need Him like I need breath to breathe. When I breathe Him (His presence) in -- He brings me peace. He is with me during my everyday life. I purpose to live my days remembering that God is with me, so as anyone that would be a passenger in my car, or a guest at my dinner table, I will talk to Him. I will talk to Him about any, and everything. I will thank Him for the “favors” that come, like green lights, the parking places close to the doors of the store, the “bargains” that I may find. Because I stay close to Him during my days, when the times of unexpected challenges come, I just remember, I’m not facing anything alone, because God is with me…..and I feel His peace right away. I know He will bring about what’s best for me. I urge you to KNOW Him – to know Emmanuel – He is with me – He is with YOU!
I desire to get so caught up in "God With Me" this year. My main goal for 2018 is to become more desperate for God than I have ever been before -- not because I am in a crisis-or-needy-mode, but because I want more of Him, and less of me. I desire Emmanuel -- God with me -- morning, noon and night.....and all the in-between time. This is one of my favorite songs that describes breathing in the holy presence of God. Please listen, soak it up and may it resonate with you and perhaps it will become your song too. The bright LIGHT of Christmas is WITH US!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTzXpzSXtdQ
Saturday, December 16, 2017
God is Really, Really With Us
I've become an avid "noticer". A noticer is one who observes, notices, and pays attention to details -- not one like my husband who would notice and identify flaws in home construction or a musical composition and performance (just ask my Staci about how he "noticed" everything -- like the sound quality, her word pronunciation, or the tempo of the music). I became a "noticer" when I became a Technical Writer and Editor for various publications, but mostly of late I've become a "noticer of the most important things like one who recognizes God's nudges as well as His touches in the mainstream of life that point me in the direction I should go or tell me what to say. I've sure been a noticer during this season of Advent and Christmas. That word seems to be encased in the traditions of Christmas.
I’ve noticed the words I wrote under some of my Christmas treasures that were purchased to “remember” special times. I noticed my family in the many Christmas pictures I’ve scattered throughout my home. Because of my precious mother-in-law’s distribution of so many of her treasures to me and others, I’ve prominently placed mine where I see them every day. I notice them. I notice words in scriptures that I never noticed before. I'm in good company with my “noticing”. The shepherds were noticers of the angels who broke the news of their Savior's birth. The Wise Men were noticers of the star that led them to the Christ Child. And, Mary was a noticer and ponderer. Luke 2:19 says (after the shepherds departed): "And Mary pondered (noticed) these things in her heart." I like that -- and I desire to follow Mary's lead, as well as the shepherds and Wise Men – to notice and ponder.
I like to think that noticing is a part of seeing, hearing and sensing God WITH US. Don’t you love the word “with”? As I wrote that first paragraph, I sensed my husband “WITH” me when I remembered His noticing. I remembered His many hours of coaching our daughter with her music and performances. “WITH” is a powerful word. “Will you go WITH me?” “Stay WITH me.” Here’s the greatest news that Christmas brought us. It brought us God in human flesh. Isaiah 7:14 "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel (God with us). GOD WITH US!! In Matthew 28:20 the man, Jesus, said before He ascended into heaven, “Surely I am WITH you always, to the very end of the age." There were no caveats when He spoke those words. He didn’t say, “If you do this or that, I’ll be with you.” “If you go to church or if you give to the poor, I’ll be with you.” No, none of that. There are no requirements given to us. He is with us. God is with us.
So, in my pondering and noticing and remembering……I realize GOD IS WITH ME. In our times of fear, stress or worry – God is with us. In times of feeling lonely or forsaken, we must not forget – God Who Knows all, sees all and even felt all -- is with us. We’re not alone. When we understand and respect that Emmanuel is with us, then even the thoughts we think are what God is wanting us to think, ponder and notice. Maybe they are just not random thoughts but bulls-eye-target thoughts where we are to be God’s representative to our world. We can be on purpose to be aware that God is with us and in us to be His "light" representative. That means as His representative we convey His attitude, actions, and character in and through our lives. God gave us more than miracles and messages. He sent Himself; He sent His Son. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” John 1:14. He wants us to NOTICE that He really is WITH US and be bold as His ambassadors to tell the world "God is with us"!
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Good Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Christmas carols are heard everywhere. The twinkling lights that remind us of the Light of Christ are dancing on homes. Little children are getting more excited every day for Santa's arrival on Christmas Eve. Kitchens are filled with the heavenly aromas of Christmas goodies. Whether you’re a minimalist and decorate your home with simple, yet beautiful touches of red, green and silver, or you deck your home out like a Christmas store – with lots of gold and glitter and more Santas than you could shake a Christmas tree at, it is still all about the blessing of our Lord’s birth that we express in our hearts and our homes.
While Christmas is full of joy and celebration, it can still be very somber and painful for many. I know that feeling. My daddy passed away on December 17th when I was just 15-years-old. I remember my mother’s tears as she unwrapped his presents from under the tree. My own precious husband passed away on November 16th, and Christmas would never be the same again because Papa wouldn’t be here to read his hilarious version of “A Christmas Story” to the grandkids, who adored when he changed his accents for the characters and the animals. Just last week, dear friends who are pastors in Galveston, were stunned when they received the call that their 41-year-old son had suddenly died from heart failure, while they were still reeling from their home being devastated from Hurricane Harvey, just months before. How can we have yuletide cheer when we are hurting so much?
Hope is the answer. God didn’t have to send His Son, but He did. Jesus didn’t have to take on human flesh, but He did. He didn't have to heal, serve and forgive, but He did. He didn’t have to humble Himself or accept rejection and torment or take on our sin, but He did! He did all this from birth to resurrection—so that, in our darkest and brightest times, we might have hope, so that we might experience peace, so that we might know His love, His grace and His joy.
Don’t give up, dear ones, who are hurting. You may not want to sing about decked halls or jingling bells, but there is greater news worth singing about. Don’t let your sorrow steal you away from Him who brings tidings of comfort and joy. The same little Lord Jesus away in the manger is the mighty King Jesus and Savior who came to give you abundant life. (John 10:10).
This pain won’t last forever if our hope is in the ONE who holds our todays and tomorrows. May we remember the angel's words on the night when Christ was born. “Fear not for I bring you GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY which shall be for all people." Luke 2:10. During this beautiful time of the year…we can still sing the words “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, let NOTHING you dismay, remember Christ, our Savior, was born on Christmas Day, Oh tidings of comfort and joy!”
If we are among those who are on the side of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", maybe it's time for us to to add some of that cheer to those around us who could use a smile, a hug, a warm embrace of Jesus in the flesh -- Jesus as Emmanuel -- God with us -- God in us -- reaching out and loving others -- to help bring them GOOD TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Do You See What I See?
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Cornish Hens, A Street Sign and Noticing and Pondering
Years ago, when we lived in Canada, our daughter, a high school student at the time, had some Winnipeg Jets Hockey player friends, and one young man became very close to our family. Along with the friendship that Staci had with this young man, my husband and I enjoyed friendship with his parents. I know it was, in part, because of both families having German backgrounds. They were fluent in speaking German. We were not, but Staci and I took some German classes at the University of Manitoba to help us understand and speak some of the language. I'd like to say we became fluent but NOT, but I can tell you that we enjoyed sailing with them on their sail boat and visiting them at their lake home. What still stays with us today, is one of the meals that Renata (that's the young man's mom) made for us. Grilled cornish hens that were seasoned with Spike. We loved it so much that it became a meal I duplicated and to this day, Staci asks me to make that meal for her -- it's become a family tradition. Grilled, "Spiked" Cornish Hens and Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta. In fact she asked me to make it for her birthday dinner. I did. Every time I have made that meal, I think about Renata and how precious she was and how much she loved my Staci. Pondering.
I like to think that just maybe.....noticing and pondering are part of seeing, hearing and sensing God WITH US. Remember Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel (God with us)? The more I've thought about those cornish hens and the brief encounter with a street sign called Reata, the more I realized we should all think of ourselves as “God with us.” When we understand that Emmanuel is with us, then even the thoughts we think just might be exactly what and who He's wanting us to pray for and reach out to. Maybe they are just not random thoughts but bullseye target thoughts where we are to be God’s representative to our world. We can live to purposely be aware of God with us and in us to be His "light" representative which means to express the reality of His attitudes, actions, and character in and through our lives.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
GOD WITH US.....All the Time
God is always with us and we often take it for granted. The Creator of you and me, and everything that was and is and is to come -- is with us. Have you had moments when you sensed Him so close? Maybe it was while you were praying or singing a song or holding a newborn baby or felt Him in a warm breeze?
Of course, there are those obvious times of sensing His presence when we have a healing take place after we were given a negative diagnosis, or our child was healed, a surprise financial windfall, or a new job that was better than we could have imagined. Then there are the unexpected blessings that we acknowledge God's hand in it, like a speech or work presentation that's unexpectedly well received, a new nutrition product that caused healing in our body, the "free" tire change, the unexpected check in the mail, the word from a friend that says "Your post today was exactly what I needed" or the book that your neighbor gave you that opened your mind to a new and better way of doing something. These are all personal stories where I knew it was God -- every time.
In all of those times, God is with us. In our Life Group, we've been talking a lot about "God in the ordinary, everyday occurrences of our lives". So much so, I encouraged the ladies to get journals to start writing down those things, those divine appointments and happenings that take place throughout the week. We talked about how God seems to be amping up His presence by all kinds of signs and wonders. It has been commonplace for us to talk about the God encounters we had during the week. Now, we're taking note of it in our journals. Doing that -- there's no way to take God for granted.
Yesterday, one of our gals sent this photo to me. It was the answer to what we've been sensing -- God being very present with us -- desiring to be real to us in our everyday facets of life. "Call to ME, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know!" Jeremiah 33:3.
Does that sound like someone who wants to withhold from His kids? NOT! It sounds like a Father who wants to give His kids those ideas, witty inventions, innovations, discernment, creativity, wisdom, knowledge and all kinds of exciting things that can rock our world. We call on Him (we acknowledge Him) and He WILL answer us AND show us GREAT and MIGHTY things we DID NOT KNOW. Just a little photo by a friend, awakened me to the possibilities that come from knowing GOD IS WITH US.
Oh, and how significant for me as I saw that grain of wheat in the photo. It was one of those "Donna, just call on Me" moments, after all that photo had my name in it -- Donna WHEAT Wuerch. When I CALL TO HIM, He calls out to me. He is WITH us and He is FOR us.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Do You See What I See?
Though most of the festivities are over, the joy and peace of Christmas still lingers. I’m still captivated by the flickering lights that are still glowing brightly. I just love the sweet and tender atmosphere of Christmas. But, most of all, what reassurance it is, to know that the great gift of the babe in the manger is still here because He is Emmanuel......God with us.
Jesus Christ -- God, made flesh, wrapped Himself in a cloak of human flesh as a baby. Two bright eyes then, are the eyes that roam to and fro throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). One precious, sweet mouth was the mouth that breathed the breath of life into man, and the man became a living being. The only phrase that delights my soul more than "God WITH us" is "God IN us".
He came to be God WITH us. He died and rose again to be God IN us.
What if we REALLY tuned into Emmanuel? What if we sincerely realized we are never alone, because God IS with us.
I DO recognize Him. I sense Him in the peaceful times in my mornings, as I read His Word and in times of prayer…..but, even more so, I know He is with me during my everyday life. I purpose to live my days remembering that God is with me, just like anyone who would be a passenger in my car, or a guest at my dinner table…..I talk to Him. I talk to Him about any, and everything. I thank Him for the “favors” that come, like green lights, the parking places close to the doors of the store, the “bargains” that I may find. I know He is with me, so I'm sensitive to wanting to please Him. And I’ve found that, because I stay close to Him during my days, when the times of unexpected challenges come, I just remember, I’m not facing anything alone, because God is with me…..and I feel His peace right away, and I know He will bring about what’s best for me. I urge you to KNOW Him – to know Emmanuel – He is with me – He is with YOU!
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