Why Santa Never Comes To My House

Santa is harmless right? I mean, that's what you hear from everyone everywhere. He is harmless. Or this one, "Who doesn't like a jolly guy in a red suit?" And on the surface, yes, I like Santa. I loved him as a child, and I dreamed of his shiny red sleigh landing on my roof, and I strain to hear little twinkle bells jingle as I would lay awake in bed with eager expectation for Christmas morning.
But here is my issue with Santa as I am now a parent myself, and not only a parent, a parent who has been entrusted with children by God. God entrusted me with children who have wide eyes, and unwavering faith. And then I will take those sweet little faces in my hands and lie to them. I will tell that Santa is real. That A mere man can fly around the earth in one night and deliver toys to people everywhere. I will go on to lie to them that Santa knows when their being good, so if they are not good, they won't get as much. I will also lie into their sweet little faces about the fact that Christmas is Santa's big day!
Yes, all these lies I will tell. Really?!
Never. I will never lie to my children like this. Because here is the truth about those little "innocent" lies. The real truth is this, how will my children ever believe me when I tell them a young virgin girl, had a baby and the baby grew up to be a man who died on the cross. This baby who came to die, knows when we've have been noddy or nice, and He forgives us every time we ask for forgiveness when were noddy. He also gives us grace and mercy. Grace giving us what we don't deserve, and mercy keeps us from getting what we do deserve. This little boy who grew up to die for my sin, cares not about bad I was before I came to know Him, but He does desire me to live a life that is honoring to Him, not so I can get lots of nice things one day a year, but so that I can share in the joy of the life lived walking with God every day of the year.
THAT is the message I will share with my children. I will take their sweet little faces in my hands and I will tell them truth. Life giving truth that will save their souls for all eternity.
I always thought it takes more faith to believe in Santa then it does in Jesus.
Am I being to extreme here? It is a not very commonly shared view that I hold and propose here is it? But I have for some time thought that the idea of this jolly red man stealing the glory from the One and ONLY who came to save the world... has had the glory for long enough. Santa has stolen in such an innocent way mind you, the meaning of Christmas. Perhaps you think Santa harmlessly exemplifies what Christmas is all about, you know, good spirits, joy, giving, and the festive attitude that makes winter more bearable. How about this, the baby born to die, makes LIFE more endurable. He makes life worth living, and fills us with joy ALL year long. He makes me have good spirits even my world is falling apart because I know He is in control, cares not about the sins I passed confessed and committed. He is the reason for life...not to mention the reason for the season.
He is with me, in and out of season.
SO yes my friends, on the surface, Santa is nice. But I do not want my children to hear me tell them sweet fun lies about Santa, and in the same breath tell them the truth of Christ. How will they know if I am being honest about Jesus, if I lie to them all their young life about Santa? Can fresh water and salt water run from the same spring.... Can truth and lie come from the same lips? A house divided against itself cannot stand. So instead my house will stand on ONE foundation, One truth...One hope....One Joy....One Peace. One REASON for this season, and all seasons. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. Merry Christmas friends...

Out of the Heart

Dear Father I wanted to write you this note
I feel a small lump in my throat.
What I thought was your plan seems to have slipped through my hands
and I'm left wondering what you have in store.

I am very thankful for all you have done,
for my daughters and my sweet son.
I love them to pieces and gather them in
every day I am thankful to call them mine.

But I question and wonder with a prayer in my heart,
what do I feel this is not the whole, just a part?
My table feels empty and my hands able to hold more,
tears are starting to fall, as my knees hit the floor.

Jesus I cry, my heart wants to break,
this feeling I have will you please take?!
If the longing can't be filled on this side of heaven,
I wish you take away that I long for 5, 6, 7....

I sort of feel shame asking this thing,
You have blessed me so much.
But in your word you say to ask, to seek and to knock,
So here I kneel...

I don't mean to sound ungrateful, or sad,
but the hurt in my heart stings so bad.
I am thankful, I am thankful, I am thankful I cry,
I'll give you this burden, at least I will try.

Jesus I know that you feel all my pain,
You know every tear that hits my cheek with a stain.
I lift my eyes up to look into Yours,
I trust You Jesus.

I know the promise you painted in the sky,
But like Abraham's plan, I can't see the end,
And as hard as I think cry and pray,
My future is always yours at the end of the day.

Each day I wake up and I say, IN GOD I TRUST.
And each day I remind myself, I must...I must.
You are King over all, the flood and the sun.
You are ruler of all, I trust you my King.

I give up, I give up. Once and for all
This is yours, its all yours, I cry, I call.
Take my heart, take my plans,
It's better when they are resting in your hands.

I give up, It's yours.
Take it, this burden from me.
I'll stand up,
I walk forward in victory.

A Prayer While We Face Sorrow

God of Peace,
My hands tremble and my heart quakes. I shudder at the evil that lives within man. I can not stomach the thought of living in a world where this type of violence lives on every street corner.
I know you want my racing mind to stop. I know you want me to find my hiding place in the quiet of your embrace, where I can lay my head on your chest and listen to your heart beat.
I want to grab my children, cling them to me, wrap them up in my arms and never release them. I want to hide away in my home and never let them face the dangers of this world.
But I felt you remind me, that you are in control. That you are King over my life, my children's lives and the lives of those lost. You held the hands of the babies who left earth to soon yesterday in the same way you hold the  hands of babies who are aborted every day. You held the hand of the baby I lost before I knew how fragile life was, and you will hold my hand when I leave this earth as well. I want to sit in the corner, and cry, but you are telling me that I need not hide. I want to hide my children away so they can be "safe" but I realize the safest place they can be is in your hands, as I daily place them there knowing they are mine to take care of for as long as you want me to, and when it's time for me, or them to leave this earth, it will be best.
I want to hate those who kill. I want to hate those who take lives. And then I remember that my hate is equal to murder. And I repent.
I want to rage. I want to throw my hands up and blame someone. Anyone. Yell and show how indecent this world has become. How this world has lost it's innocence and value of life, but then I remember what you said as you hung there on the cross, "Father, forgive them. They know not what they do." And my face burns in shame. FOR it was MY sin that held you there.
And I also remember that this world is NOT my eternal home. I am only passing through. And so are the children who go home too soon on our clocks.
Big tears rolled down me cheeks. The hurt I feel in my heart resembles that of a gun shot wound because it leaves a big hole. As I see some of the faces who's very real life has been shattered in one day. But then I remember those holes you bore for me, in your hands, your feet and your side. You bore those wounds for me, and everyone else who knows how bad they need you.
The pain I feel in this world Lord, sometimes is more than I can handle.
And then I remember, I'm not supposed to try and handle it, I'm supposed to hand it to you. And you Lord will hold my pains, my fears and my hurts for me...and you let me rest in your perfection.
As people fire off hate with their mouths, guns and looks, I rest in the fact that someday you will make this whole broken world a thing of the past.
I trust you more than I fear, and I hand you every pain I feel, and I know you hold every tear that has fallen.
Jesus, you are the only One who makes sense is this world and this is why I need you now, and always.
Amen

Dear Friends,
This prayer comes from the depths of my soul. If you don't know the peace I speak of, seek the Lord of heaven. Cry out to the God of peace. Ask for His hand to hold yours, and He will. Jesus is the only answer in the face of such amazing sorrow and pain. Jesus is the only HOPE that you can hold on to that will never leave you or forsake you. And I know we all want to ask the question, "why would He allow this..." but I don't ask that question anymore because I know and I trust that even though the pain we feel on earth is excruciating it will end when He brings this world to a close, and we go heavenward. We have pain because we live in a pain scorched world. God is in control. God is sovereign. But the wickedness that is organic in man will not cease until man no longer thinks he does not need God. Murder is as old as the garden of Eden, and it will not end until He returns. But until that day comes we have an ever present help who meets us where we are at...and I pray you all ask Him to meet you where you are at right now. I know I am.

Remind Me...

Has anyone ever said to the one they love, "remind me that you love me?" Whether we were loved or not, the reality is, is that if we ask that question, we need to hear it, out loud, again. We are human, and we do need reminders. Reminders can come in many different forms, it can be flowers, a card, a kind word, a rainbow, and smile, an extended hand...
Reminders are good for us because they help refresh us, and renew our ability to carry on when the going gets tough.
Mostly I'm reminding my children to clean up, pick up, obey, listen, be polite, stay clean, make their bed and so on...but what about reminding them that they are cherished, held, loved and a gift to me, what about reminding them that at all times I am praying that I do what is best for them, what about reminding them that their is HOPE for them in their future.
These are the kind of reminders I ask for from my Heavenly Father.
I don't feel so bad asking Him for reminders because many people of great faith in the Bible did so as well, it's written all over the Psalms, David crying out for God to meet him "there"...or Abraham looking up at the stars each night...thinking, "is that really how many children I will have Lord?" And each time it's as if the Lord says, "Trust me."
He tells us He has plans for us, He tells us He is working all things for the good of those who love Him. We know that He is good. Holy. Perfect. And so are all His ways. THIS is a good reminder isn't it? I like to know the one I place all my hopes, fears and concerns on is trustworthy. And each time I ask Him, He reminds me of His faithfulness. The reality that HE has been faithful through all generations, gives me utmost hope, and peace for the times where the ground feels shaky, and uncertain. He meets me there to. And helps me not to stumble. He is always reminding me, that His ways are best, and I can rest in that.
Then there are those days where you wake up and the ground you stand on seems to be literally sinking beneath you. And if we are all honest with ourselves, I think we all have these days from time to time. But we serve a God who meets us there in that place as well. He gets down on His knees, meets us there in the dust and gently lifts our faces so our eyes lock with His. And then He tells me, to trust in the Lord with all my heart, to lean not on my OWN understanding, but to trust in Him, and FIX my eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of my life. HE is the Alpha and Omega, my beginning, and my end. AND He is the one who literally makes a way where there is no way. That even though we indeed feel the death sentence in our soul, we are reminded that He is the one who raises the dead. And even though our eyes fail, He causes the blind to see. And even though our strength fails, HE is the one who causes us to run and not grow weary. He is the link in the fence that makes this all make sense, and until those links connect by the Grace of Jesus, nothing, (even our good days) will not fully make sense.
So if you find yourself down in the mud, face dirty and wet, and sorrow in your heart...realize this, the one who washes us clean, picks us up and makes us whole (even when we are broken physically) is waiting, and not only waiting, He is always available. He will never leave you, nor forsake you, and He is by far the most patient One you will ever KNOW.
"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest..."
Only through Him can I be victorious. Only through Him can I believe. Only through Him does my faith rest on a solid place. Is your faith resting on the Solid Rock?
"On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground in sinking sand..."
And after all this what am I left with? A perfect life? Maybe some days feels this way, but NO, I am left with peace. A peace that surpasses ALL human understanding. A peace that is NOT based on my circumstances, but rather a peace that is based on the all sufficiency and the consistency of Christ. There is no Stronger place to rest.
This is what He reminded me of today, so I thought maybe you friend would appreciate that reminder today as well. Lord bless you, and Keep you. He is the best place to land.

The Conversation That Kills

With a family oriented holiday right around the corner of tonight's eve, I felt the Lord burden my heart with this concept. Here is the scene, it's dinner time. You and your not-often-seen extended family are sitting across from one another, making casual, (but fake) conversation.
Why do we always feel that in order to be "real" with our conversation we have to talk about things that are considered "hot button" topics. You know, politics, region, or whether or not women should wear their hair down in church. (I just through that last one in the rile you up. :) ) But in all honesty, why do we start these heated conversations with others when we already know the outcome? Why not try lovingly asking our extended family members personal questions about themselves we know will draw us closer together AND as a result make our family member feel loved and genuinely cared for? Isn't that what we would all desire? It is what I would want, for someone to lovingly and in a caring way ask about what is REALLY going on in my life...and then follow it up with some real empathy for my struggles. That is what I really think our families are missing these days, is genuine concern for one another, we are so concerned with voicing and sharing our (right) viewpoints that we completely miss golden opportunities to share with others the love of Christ.
I doubt that the Feast of the Passover Lamb Jesus sat there and said, "do you think Ceaser is a good leader?"  NO. I bet instead He asked the folks He was sitting with how they really were, and what cares and concerns they had for the children, and probably asked how He could pray for them, and quite possible He followed them home and helped them with some yard work. That is the kind of God we serve, and we are HIS children are we not? If we claim Christ as our Lord and Savior we ought to be trying to copy Him, (in His strength) a little more. Now, I say this more to myself than anyone of you. SO do not feel as though I am pointing my finger at any one of you who read these words. These are things the Lord has placed on MY heart for MY learning and I assumed perhaps there were some who would benefit from what He is teaching me. I am to be an ambassador of His love, and representation of who He is...and at it's core my actions should say to the world, "Jesus would do this too..." Because if my actions contradict what my Savior would do, then I ought to really rethink what I am about to do or say. Our words can be deadly you know. They have the power to breath life into someone (rejuvenate) or the power to make someone feel like death. Have you ever had life-giving words spoken to you by another who lovingly took an interest in what you were saying? You could tell that in that conversation that were genuinely interested in the pain or joy going on in your life? It's only through the power of Christ and the all sufficiency of the Lord's provision that we will ever reach a place in any of our conversations that resembles what I am describing here. These life-giving words that only Christ can supply us with are the oldest rule in the book. Christ breathed life into all those He shared His truth with, in the same way God breathed life in Adam's lifeless body in creation. We are all in need of fresh-breathed words, words fresh from the mouth of Christ. Have you have ever been in a situation where no one shared your views, beliefs or thoughts? It's hard to stay there for very long, and then you get back into your normal circle of surroundings and conversation and suddenly you feel as though you can "breath again?" Well the same is true for those we come up against in our conversations.
If we not so lovingly try to persuade people through our words that essentially "they are wrong..." they feel stifled. They feel as though they are being verbally suffocated, and will look for the first opportunity to get out of that situation. I feel that way so I know others do. Some will fight back, some will actually be able to attain a healthy dialog, but this is rare. And it usually takes place when the two talking together are not far off in their points of view.
I hope I have spurred some of you on towards love and good deeds through these thoughts that the Lord has placed on my heart this morning. These are not easy things to do, turning off our own desire to steer a conversation to our desires way. But in the end, arguing never brought anyone to Christ. (not that I can recall?) However, what does attract others to Jesus is a person who is first of all loving, gentle and willing to listen. A person who takes genuine interest in another persons struggles and a person who lovingly forgoes the opportunity to try and prove their point. In hopes to lead others to Him.
I am not simply say nothing, and turn into a bean bag with no mouth or opinion, but rather, we show up, and allow Christ to take over and do the rest. Have Holy Spirit led conversations, have Christ fueled conversations. How then will we do this? Through prayer. That is the only way we will thrive through these difficult situations.
He is our all sufficient source of everything we will ever need. And that includes being the provider genuine, loving thanksgiving conversation. SO before you cross the thresh hold of your Thanksgiving feast residence, pray. Pray as if your life depends on it, because the moment we let our guard down in Christ, the humanness that eats away at us begins to show it's ugly face.
And remember friends, "In all things, we are more than conquerors through Him who provides for us..." Romans 8...
Happy Thanksgiving conversations friends, and be blessed as you become Jesus to all those who would probably never darken the door of the church. Surprise your family members and friends with His presence, and I can't wait to hear how He shows off. To GOD be the GLORY!!!! (for this is why we live, for His glory.)

Distraction

What's so bad about getting distracted once and a awhile? Many things distract me. Kids yelling, messy house, laundry, cute new shoes, that new lamp I want, and of course, the battle that wages in my mind over what to do when, and  how to best do it. Yes there are lots of things that cause distraction in our day and age. As I was praying today and asking the Lord to show me the ways that I am tempted to sin, distraction came out of the woodwork like a red letter. I realized that over the past couple of weeks I've been distracted. Now, distraction is a tool of the enemy, it's not blatantly in your face or recognizable as a tool of his to myself and probably many others.  But distraction is a perfect tool for him to use on me!! The enemy knows I will never listen if he straightforward with his ploys with me, he knows he must be crafty, sneaky and deceitful with me, and also come in softly. He know's he isn't really going to sell me on something that isn't a temptation of mine! He isn't all knowing but he has studied me long enough to know that most of the time, I am easily distracted.  Satan knows that I would never listen to him if he said "throw your Bible away!" But I may listen if he says, "your house is really messy, you should clean your house instead of reading your Bible." And many times last week I ate that lie up. Now, my house is messy at times, but the truth that combats the lie the enemy was telling me, or distracting me with last week, is this: When I give God what I know is best, my very best, my time, my energy and so on, He fills me, and grants me favor. And somehow, someway, my house will still get clean. The Lord will empower me, fill me and provide me with the time and resources to clean my messy house. And this is just one scenario. Take the scenario of, "I need to shop online because the kids need winter coats..." God knows your kids need coats. Ask Him to provide you with the time to shop online, but put His word and spending time in before shopping for your kids. See what He does with that time, my guess is your time will sprout wings and expand and grow. Time has a way of the doing that when it's in the hands of the Father.
Now that I more clearly see the ploy of the enemy, I feel less frantic, and more uplifted...I recognize that as I give God first things first, He provides the rest for me. That is just the kind of God He is.
On a deeper level, in light of a certain election coming up, think of the ways, pray about the ways that perhaps the enemy will use distraction as a tool to "pull the wool" over our eyes just long enough to create a situation. And that distraction could lead to bigger problems. Don't let the enemy distract you from what you need to focus on. Ask the Lord for eyes to see through the lies, and ears to hear through the commotion so you can know and hear the voice of the Father, instead of the loud voice that longs to drown out truth.
As you go about your day, ask the Lord to show you where distraction has taken root in your life and heart, and then ask the Father what He wants you to do about it.
I realize for some this may seem odd, because each day is so full how can you possibly tell distraction from just normal busy life? But you can, and you serve a God who is bigger than your  full day, and He will make a way where no way is seemingly possible. He makes streams in the desert. He is that kind of God. If your time feels spent before in begins, ask Him to show you how to reorganize your day, time, and thoughts to fit the mold He has designed for you. I am watching this mold unfold in my own day today, and I can assure you, it is much better than the days I had last week feeling O so flustered and distracted. He is a God who grants favor to His children. He lavishes HIS time, and HIS resources on those who ask for eyes to perceive them! I had been forgetting to ask Him for His eyes to see. For HIS ears to hear. I have my own senses it's true, but my ears and eyes are not nearly as perceptive as His. His eyes pierce through the surface of things to the heart of the matter, and His eyes see through the walls and distractions that Satan puts in my path. The enemy is crafty, but Christ is the creator of all, is in all and knows all. And that has never been more reassuring to me than in such a time as we are in right now as a nation, and in my own simple personal life. He is the God who Lord over my life's circumstances, and He is Lord over our nations circumstances, nothing happens without His allowing it, and I'm not sure if you needed to be reminded of that or not, but I do. He is Lord over all, and is in all.  ( Ephesians 4:6 and Colossians 3:11)
So today I pray this:
"Lord, give me eyes to see the places in my life, mind and heart where I have been distracted. Show me how to have my eyes set fully on you, your plans for me and the attitudes that you want to settle in into my heart. That my attitude should be that as the same as Jesus Christ. That my day reflects the kind of day YOU Lord want me to have, and that I glorify you Father with every moment of my day, flicker of my eye and attitude in my heart. Thank you Jesus for being the kind of King who stands in the gap for me, sheds the light of truth into my life and then helps me up from the dirt when I fall down. I serve you with every single second, for there is a reason I'm alive for this blink of eye." AMEN!

Intentional

Do you know how hard it is to be intentional? I mean really!! Being intentional is really difficult. Being intentional means you are being proactive instead of reactive. Intentional means you are doing premeditated preparation. In the biblical world this means you are praying, studying and preparing your heart to do whatever it is you are set out to be intentional about. In my case, I am doing "intentional parenting." I am being intentional with each of my children, anticipating their felt needs, and then meeting them in a way that makes them feel safe, loved, respected and doing it all with a heart of sincerity instead of a heart of manipulation in order to get what I want out of the situation. Does that sound exasperating? Well, I will admit, I go to bed more tired that I ever have before, BUT the good news is is that I have the power of the Lord on my side, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the forgiveness of Jesus for when I know I fall short. He meets me in the gap, and helps me across the great divide. Because guess what? HE is intentional with me. HE is my example. People always say it's unfair when Jesus is used as the standard, map or game plan, but quite honestly, who else would we rather look like? He has everything I'd ever hope to have, and He looks like the very best version I'd ever see...so if I was totally honest with you, He is the only one I really care to copy. Why not take the time to learn how He was with His "children" and go from there? SO that is where I am starting. He was an intentional leader. He took time even when no time seemed to exist to spend quality, intimate time with His "kids" and He did it with a heart of sincerity. As I said, He is all I could ever hope to be.
What sparked my desire to be intentional? The reality that coasting through parenting is just not good enough. I realized if I am going to set my kids of with the foundation that will last a lifetime, I cannot expect to build that foundation for and with them with half-hearted effort. I cannot give my kids all they need in 20 mintues a day. I cannot, meet their love needs when I am unhealthy. So my first line of action is to feed myself the "food" I need to feed to them ultimately. I cannot hand out encouragement when I am discouraged. So the first place I stop is the bus stop of my marriage. If my marriage is in shambles, I cannot expect to have much to give to my kids. Asking the Lord to work on my marriage was a great place to start, as He is doing His thing there, (which can sometimes be painful because in entails Him extracting some of my bad habits, and usually extraction of any kind is somewhat painful.) But after He has begun His work there, I know I am now in better shape to minister to my children. My relationship with my husband is really important in relation to my health for ministering and training my kids. I am not saying it is impossible for a mother to do this without a thriving relationship with her husband, it is just much more difficult. So mothers with unbelieving husbands, do not despair, Christ is your husband as well as your Father, and He will stand in that divide for you.
Think about the times we do things with just half of our capability...we know it don't we? I know I do. If i just halfway run a 5k, at the end of it, I still have some juice left in me so to speak, then I know I wasn't running to my full potential. But when I run out hard core, open it up all the way, full throttle, empowered by Christ, Fueled with the passion that He has given me to run, guess how much better I feel at the end?  Much.
The reality though is that parenting is not a sprint. It's more like an ultra marathon, and that my friends, is why I need to be intentional. I cannot expect to be consistent with my children day in and day out, if I just drink 10 sips of Gatorade. Staying in the context of running, I would pass out if I only had short term hydration. But, if instead I fuel myself with a water bottle in each hand, and one on my hip, chances are, I'll stay hydrated to run the full distance, if I can take the time to take sips of water every mile or so, I will finish much stronger.
In the past, I went out on the road of parenting, with great expectations, I had all the right gear on, but I hadn't done any of the preparation. Someone once said to me, "being a parent is more than just giving birth." And friends, they couldn't have been more right on. I will admit, just in case any of you think I seem to know a lot, know this: I just cracked my first real parenting book 2 months ago. Real parenting take preparation. Knowing my children's  in's and out's. The things that make them get frustrated, makes them tick, and what causes them to get upset. All those things are really key in the dream of us having a day that ends in peace rather than screaming and frustration. The main key point I have realized in my preparation is this: I have to be so filled with Jesus that I feel how He feels about my kids. Meaning, I have to love them regardless. My love cannot be conditional, and above all else, under no circumstances can I let my emotions get in the way of how I treat them when they are mad. Easier said than done right. Oh yes. But by the grace of God the more tap into His all sufficient power that exceeds all human effort or understanding, we can situation by situation begin to parent in a way that reflects His divine authority. No one wants to follow an evil dictator Father, NO, we want a servant leader. One who will get in and get their hands dirty. Am I willing to go and help my son pick up those 400 Lego's on his floor? Or am I ordering Him in all my self-driven authority to clean up his mess? There are times children need to do things on their own, but I remind myself that I serve a God who literally took my mess to the cross, and cleaned it all up for me. If only I recognize my need for the help. No mother or father is perfect. Not on this side of heaven anyways...but what I do know is the Jesus is perfect, and He made a way for me not just in death, but in life. He wants me to tap into the very best life source right now...and that source is Jesus. He is the only way I will conquer, or excel in any avenue of life, parenting including. I want the best for my kids because He gave me His best. I don't want well behaved kids so that when we are out people can say, "wow, what nice kids you have..." Rather I want well behaved kids because well behaved kids reflect an inner spirit that serves their King. I want them to have a good platform to build their life on, not financially, rather I want them secure in love, and filled with knowledge of where love began. Love began when a life was literally laid down. I lay my life down, my selfish desires and my wants, knowing He knows what I need. And He will meet my needs. He is the ultimate, perfect Father. He is my example, and I am thankful. Intentional life is possible through Jesus.