Where Have I Been?

working, sleeping, eating, praying, reading the Bible, teaching, baking, fighting sickness – All of these things I’ve been doing, but I haven’t been BLOGGING. I’m still around. I just can’t seem to get my thoughts together enough to write a post. Is this blogger’s block? Hope all of you are enjoying the Christmas season.

 

Reaching Still Today

As humble child, God came to earth;

the offspring of a virgin birth.

His condescension shows our worth.

 

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He looked ahead and saw our need. Yes, He saw you and I.

This God-man born at Bethlehem, His purpose was to die.

Oh, the depth and height of His love! It oft’ times makes me cry.

 

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He is reaching still today

to those who have lost their way;

to hearts filled with deep dismay.

 

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Pray for those so blind,

that they may soon find

Jesus, good and kind.

 

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Souls with hope so dim

can be led to Him

and filled to the brim.

 

12/21/08

This type of poem is called Christ In A Rhyme. To learn more about it, click here.

 

Christmas Tankas 2008

 

 

Christmas comes again.

Wonder fills my soul anew.

Babe in a manger,

Mystery of godliness;

God in fragile form.

 

 

Yearly I recall

the fullness of time has come.

Made under the law,

a virgin chosen, carries

the God who will save her soul.

 

 

12/21/08

 

1Timothy 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

 

Galatians 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

 

 

 

How We’re Getting Our Fill Of Sugar For The Holidays

This is a picture of a gingerbread train that we decorated with our homeschool group. Each family decorated either a train or a gingerbread tree.  I must confess to consuming 2 of the boxcars. (not all in one sitting, fortunately) They were yummy!

Here’s another train that another family made. You can get quite creative when you have a wide variety of candy to work with as we did.

I made some Peanut Blossoms this week too. Our family really enjoys this cookie.  I lost count of how many I ate.

This tray of cookies is going to church tomorrow so that the kids can have their quota of sugar after the children’s Christmas program.

This tray will go to church too.

We have to have some sweet bread for the holidays too.  Of course, all of this stuff was sampled to make sure it was okay.  Did I mention that I like sugar?

 

That’s The God I Love

 

What if God were to come to earth as a law enforcement officer?  I’m sure I would have the utmost of respect for him, being taught at a young age to have respect for those in authority. I’ve no doubt He would do a wonderful job at keeping law and order, but I wonder what kind of relationship I would have with Him. Somehow, it seems like it would be stiff and cool, and I think I would have a hard time feeling like it wasn’t “official business” every time we met.

 

What if God decided to come to earth as a superhero? Considering the fact that He is all knowing and all powerful, I’d expect Him to be a superhero that is unequaled.  He would be there to rescue me from the most dire circumstances and always in the nick of time. I’m afraid I would get to used to this and take Him for granted; thinking of Him as some genie that is at my beck and call.

 

What if God chose to come to earth as a brilliant statesman? I think I would be wowed at His eloquent speeches and would probably have to carry a dictionary with me. My vocabulary would grow by leaps and bounds.  I’m certain I would be stirred by His words of wisdom, but I wonder if I would truly be changed.  His great oratory skills would be so in demand that He most likely would not have much time to spend with me.

 

Suppose God should come to earth as a politician?  Well, we all know the stereotype concerning politicians.  They say whatever they think people want to hear to get elected, and then when they’re in office, they don’t keep their promises.  In general, people mistrust politicians, so God would definitely have a big handicap to overcome.

 

What if God came to earth as a baby?  Hmm.  Babies are simple. What does a baby know of pretense or a hidden agenda? There is something about babies that seems to be universally appealing.  How is it that a baby can extract a smile or a soft chuckle from an individual that looks so rough and hardened on the outside? Have you ever felt threatened or like you were being manipulated when you were in the presence of a newborn? Babies are so vulnerable. They need someone who will care for them and love them. Babies are the epitome of new beginnings. They give us hope that there is a future, a good future.

 

What if God did come to earth as a baby? Now that would be a God I could love. That is the God that I love. That’s the wonder of Christmas.

 

Matthew 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 

 

Christmas Banquet 2008

These are a couple of the centerpieces(before the finishing touch of 3 tapered candles were added to each) that our ladies made for the tables at our 3rd annual Christmas banquet.  This year, we held our banquet at our new church facility in downtown Oakley.  We ate tri-tip, chicken, killer baked beans, Caesar salad and dinner rolls, provided by a local caterer.  It was all so delicious.  For dessert, we had a Tres Leche cake from Safeway.  If you have never tried this cake, I would highly recommend it.  It is the bomb! 

Our special speaker this year was Rev. Joe Savala who pastors in Ontario, Oregon. Brother Savala is one of the funniest preachers I know. I feel like the Lord uses his humor to put people at ease and help open their hearts to receive the Word of God.  Did you know that there are people in this world who don’t like to bathe?  Here are some of the excuses Rev. Savala shared with us on why some people do not bathe.

1. They were forced to do it as a child.

2. They tried bathing once and decided it wasn’t for them.

3. They just don’t feel the need to bathe often.

4. They think they are already clean enough.

5. There are hypocrites out there that bathe.

6.  There are so many soaps out there that they just aren’t sure which one to use.

After sharing with us the reasons why some people do not bathe, Rev. Savala brought home the point that these same excuses can apply to why people do not go to church.  I like to think of what he said as a gentle tug on the heart of those who were there that do not go to church or only go sporadically.   One lady who attends our church brought her neighbor and daughters to the banquet, and this neighbor lady told her friend that she wanted to come to church with her on Sunday.  She was not able to come on Sunday due to health problems, but her youngest daughter came to children’s church and had a good time.  I praise God for that and am looking forward to more coming.

 

A Watched Pot Never Boils

I used to believe this saying was true until I learned how to make peanut brittle.

 

I Corinthians 13 Christmas Style

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style
©By Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family – I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family – I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family – It profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never fails.  Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust.  But giving the gift of love will endure.

 

I Thought You Might Like To Know…

that a short time ago there sat here, 2 chess nuts(mainly my husband and son) boasting by an open fire.

HO HO HO!