Tuesday, December 25, 2012

One Little Light

~  Grace Gift ~ Light
 You are the light of the world - like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all to see. Matthew 5:14-15
Have you ever driven through the mountains in the middle of the night? There are usually a few houses that are barely visible, hidden among the trees and bushes, high atop the hill. I remember when I was little, my mom and sister and I went on vacations to Colorado from Illinois. We drove all the way there and back, and a lot of the driving was done at night. I woke up one night while were driving and looked up to the top of a mountain to see one little light glowing. But, in the midst of darkness - no streetlights, no other buildings - this one little house, besides the moon and the stars, was the only thing that lit up the night sky. And wow, was it beautiful and amazing. In fact, I think it was one of the things that made me fall in love with Colorado.

When I read this verse, I thought of that mountain and that one little light. It seemed so small and insignificant. I'll bet most of the people around there didn't even notice it. But, it shone so brightly that it attracted one little girl's attention in the middle of the night. And from the back seat of the car, she watched until it was out of sight.

Somehow, that light seemed so special then. And now I realize how inspiring it is. We are to be as that city on the mountain - as small, seemingly insignificant, and unnoticeable as it is, it attracts the attention of those who need it and shows a testimony of who God is. More people than you realize see your faith and are intrigued, inspired, and encouraged. But, more importantly, God sees it and is glorified. Be a light to your city, community, and school. You might be amazed at those who are touched by it.






Friday, December 21, 2012

Sunrises and Sunsets

Grace Gift ~
Sunrises and sunsets

From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the LORD is to be praised

Psalm 113:3

Beside Still Waters


Grace Gift

Love Letters


~  Grace Gift~
The Bible - God's Word. His love letters written to you and me.

 2 Timothy 3:16
 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness


 I will act as if He loves me . . . deeply and passionately
            as if He will lead me . . . gently and tenderly
            as if He showers me with blessings every day.

I will pray as if He listens. . .
             as if He answers. . .
            as if it matters that I pray . . .

I will read His Word as if it is a love story. . .

 At twilight-time, I sit in the winter garden and I hear the wind like the roar of the ocean high in the trees. He seems to be happy that I am here. He is joy.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Painting Pictures

Grace Gift ~ Painting Pictures


Do not neglect the gift that is in you
 
If Only I Could Paint What I Wanted to Say

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Reflections


Grace Gift ~ The Source Of Life

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.




The moon has no light of its own; it simply reflects the sun’s light. In the spiritual life it is the same. We have no light to share of our own, but we are able to be reflections of Christ’s light.

When I look up at the moon I’m often reminded of our calling to be “the light of the world” and how if I am to let my light shine at all I must remain close to the true Source of light and reflect his light to others. If we let things get between us and the Source of light we do not offer much of a reflection. It is imperative that we remove anything that hinders Christ’s light from shining on us and from us.

Light In The Darkness

 
 Grace Gift ~ Light In The Darkness
 
“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ,” 2 Corinthians 4:7.
A few years ago I heard a bit of trivia on the radio about which genre of music was most soothing. Listeners called in eager to share their opinions, “Classical of course!” This went on for some time until the results of this particular study were
revealed. The answer? Christmas music.

Some of you who work in retail are gagging just thinking about listening to hours of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” starting the day after Halloween. But I’m one of those strange people who loves Christmas music, so I heartily agree with this study. It makes complete sense to me that beautiful music that slows us down long enough to stare at Jesus should be soothing, healing even. To allow ourselves to be blown away by the reality of God With Us.

So I have on my best pair of headphones (the awkward big kind you don’t wear in public) and I’m soaking tonight. Soaking my soul with some of my favorite Christmas songs. Right now I’m listening to "What Child is This?"
I've listened to it 3 times, so far.

This. This is Christ the King. Whom Shepherds watch and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him praise.
Can we ever hear it enough? Here He is. Look at Him. Isn’t He beautiful?
This… this is the one we’ve been waiting for. And now He’s here, and nothing will ever be the same.
Do I believe Christmas music is healing? Yes, and any other music that lights up our face with the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

* Listening to the song for the 4th time now....just sayin'.... ♥
 

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Prayer For A Little Home

                              ~ Grace Gift~
                                     Home

 Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.


God send us a little home; To come back to when we roam.
Wooden floors and fluted tiles; wide windows, a view for miles.
Red firelight and deep chairs; small white beds upstairs.
Great talk in little nooks; soft colors, rows of books.
One picture on each wall; not many things at all.
God send us a little ground; Tall trees stand 'round.
Homely flowers in fertile sod; Overhead, Thy stars, O God.
God bless thee when winds blow; Our home and all we know.
~Florence Bone








I Rest

                                ~ Grace Gift ~
                                      Rest
 David wrote:
"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2: 7)

I rest my eyes on the manger and that is it. . .I rest.
Somewhere quiet
beyond the seasonal hyperventilation,
 debt-inducing gift gorging,
 selfish inclinations,
I rest me here.



Be Still And Know

                                       ~ Grace Gift ~
                                      Knowing He is God


Be still. . .
and know that I am God.
   ~Psalm 46:10

Peace

 Grace Gift
~ Peace~

 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government
and peace
   there will be no end.
~Isaiah 9:6-7

Little Dates

                                 ~ Grace Gifts ~
                                 Little Dates


Psalm 127:3 

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.






Love Enough To Give Away

                                         ~  Grace Gift ~
                                        Love Enough To Give Away

                           This Christmas Ill give You my heart,
                                Lord.♥

I’ll give You the gift of my mind (1 Cor. 2:16). Rather than filling my mind with things that keep me from growing closer to You, I’ll fill it with things that are good, and pure, and true.
 I’ll give You the gift of my heart (Mark 7:21). Through compassion, love for others, and refusal to give in to the ways of the world, I’ll let my heart be transformed by the power of You so that my life will be a blessing to You.
I’ll give You the gift of my witness (Acts 20:24). Instead of walking in fear, I’ll walk in the boldness of my calling and tell others the good news about Jesus.

 I’ll give You the gift of my love (Matt. 22:37). Refusing to love the world, I’ll replace that desire with the yearning to place You first in every aspect of my life.
 I’ll give You the gift of my faith (James 2:18). Living out what I claim I believe, You will see that my deeds match my proclamation. Moving from lip service to actual service in Your kingdom will be my living creed.
Those are some of the gifts I plan to give God this Christmas. How about you? Have you made your list yet? Isn’t it time that we gave God our very best?




Tuesday, December 4, 2012

A Quiet Heart


~ Grace Gift ~
A Quiet Heart 

“How will this be?” Mary asked the angel.
~Luke 1:34

                                                                                                                                                                                       
"Do you understand what is going on in the invisible real of your life with God? Do you see how the visible things relate to the hidden Plan and Purpose?

"Let it suffice you, as it sufficed Mary, to know that God knows.

"If it is time to work, get on
with your job.

"If it's time to go to bed, go to sleep in peace.

"Let the LORD of the Universe do the worrying."

~Elisabaeth Elliot, Keep a Quiet Heart