So it's Christmas time once again. Which means the traffic is horrendous, the malls are crazy and retail workers are looking a little more haggard.
Last year, after moving into our new home, Jon and I decided not to get each other any presents, and to just get the kids mostly what they needed and a few things they wanted. We wanted to focus more on what Christmas is really about, rather than presents and material things.
I had fun spending about a hundred dollars on the Samaritan's Purse Catalogue, giving money for kids in third world countries. It was a great feeling to be able to do that, but at the same time, my joy was somewhat missing last year. I felt more like a Scrooge than a Bob Cratchet.
When it came to Christmas Day last year, and our kids's began to open their gifts, they wondered why we weren't opening any. We kind of laughed it off, saying we had gotten on the naughty list, but I could tell that us not receiving a present, bothered them.
So this year we decided we were going to give each other presents, more for our kids' sake than ours. And I've gotta say, I feel the Spirit of Christmas in my heart more this season than ever before.
I have had so much fun going out and searching for that "just right" gift for the kids and my husband. As I bought the gifts that I just know will light up their faces Christmas morning, the child like sparkle returned to my eyes and my heart. To be able to give, especially in this economy, and when our funds are a little tighter, is such a blessing.
I know Christmas is not about the material gifts and the beautifully decorated trees and Santa Claus, it's about the gift of giving and The One who came to give it all.
When we give, with a joyful heart, it not only is a blessing to those who are receiving, but to us as well.
I think God the Father had that same child-like sparkle in His eyes just before Jesus was to be born. I can just envision Him turning to the angels, and saying with excitement, "I can't wait for them to meet my Son. I can't wait for them to see and know Him and learn all about My love from Him."
I wonder if the three wise men, those earthly kings, had a hard time picking out those perfect gifts they wanted to give to the King of Kings, to honor him. I know they were blessed in their giving. I know they walked away from that stable as forever changed men.
So hopefully this Christmas, you'll all want to be a cheerful giver too. It doesn't take a lot of money. In fact you don't have to spend a dime, to give a special gift to someone. It can be a lunch bag with basic necessities included, given to the man or woman standing on the corner. Some blankets and coats to the mission, or maybe your gift of hospitality and loving hands serving dinner to those who will have nowhere to go for a wonderful homecooked Christmas dinner.
As you go forth into the great battle of the shopping mall crowds, hold these words in your heart:
"But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us, see that you also excel in this grace of giving." 2 Corinthians 8:7
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make Grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
"A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great." Proverbs 18:16
I hope you all have a very MERRY Christmas and I hope you approach this Christmas season with a child-like look of wonder on your faces. May each of you be blessed in the Spirit of Giving, and may Jesus reign in your hearts and the gift of His Holy Spirit be upon you and fill you. May He keep each of you safe, warm and healthy and bring cheer and joy to your hearts as you welcome in the New Year.
Love in Christ Jesus,
Alyssa
Monday, December 7, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
true happiness
Ever have one of those times when you think you should share something, and you hesitate on it for a bit, until God confirms it's what He wants you to share in just about everywhere you turn?
That's what He did for this next blog post. I heard Him confirm it to me in first a fictional book I read, then a song, then in a Bible study lesson and then a verse from another Bible study. So I guess I better share it, huh?!
And the reminder He's been laying on my heart is: that it is not our circumstances or the people in our lives that we should be finding our happiness in. It is God alone that brings us true happiness--even in the darkest times of our lives. He is the only one we should be depending on to bring us true fulfillment.
If we are happy when things are going really well or because someone we love made us happy, but then become mad and start grumbling when things aren't going so well--then we need to take a long look at ourselves and our relationship with the Lord.
Even in those dark, unsettling, confusing, hurtful times--we can still find happiness. And we can find it in the fact that God is God and we are not. That He loved us enough to fight to the death for us, and that His shoulders are big enough to take on whatever we want to give up to Him.
In the last Bible study I attended, Beth Moore talked about how tightly we are in the fist of God's hand. She mentioned Isaiah 49:16, which says, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands..." try holding something in your hand as hard and tight as you can. You'll find that when you open up your fist, that object has been imprinted on your palm. So are we in God's hand.
Just thinking about that brings me peace and happiness, because it gives me such a great visual of how much God loves me and is taking care of me--even when things look tight--I know He's got me in a tighter grip.
So I encourage you all to seek God for true happiness. True peace, true love and everything else that is true. Let your hearts marinate in this scripture:
"I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him. HE ALONE is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. So many enemies against one man--all of them trying to kill me. To them I'm just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Let ALL that I am wait quietly before God, for my HOPE is in HIM. He ALONE is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from GOD ALONE. HE is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in Him at ALL times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:1-8
Love in Christ Jesus,
Alyssa
That's what He did for this next blog post. I heard Him confirm it to me in first a fictional book I read, then a song, then in a Bible study lesson and then a verse from another Bible study. So I guess I better share it, huh?!
And the reminder He's been laying on my heart is: that it is not our circumstances or the people in our lives that we should be finding our happiness in. It is God alone that brings us true happiness--even in the darkest times of our lives. He is the only one we should be depending on to bring us true fulfillment.
If we are happy when things are going really well or because someone we love made us happy, but then become mad and start grumbling when things aren't going so well--then we need to take a long look at ourselves and our relationship with the Lord.
Even in those dark, unsettling, confusing, hurtful times--we can still find happiness. And we can find it in the fact that God is God and we are not. That He loved us enough to fight to the death for us, and that His shoulders are big enough to take on whatever we want to give up to Him.
In the last Bible study I attended, Beth Moore talked about how tightly we are in the fist of God's hand. She mentioned Isaiah 49:16, which says, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands..." try holding something in your hand as hard and tight as you can. You'll find that when you open up your fist, that object has been imprinted on your palm. So are we in God's hand.
Just thinking about that brings me peace and happiness, because it gives me such a great visual of how much God loves me and is taking care of me--even when things look tight--I know He's got me in a tighter grip.
So I encourage you all to seek God for true happiness. True peace, true love and everything else that is true. Let your hearts marinate in this scripture:
"I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him. HE ALONE is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. So many enemies against one man--all of them trying to kill me. To them I'm just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Let ALL that I am wait quietly before God, for my HOPE is in HIM. He ALONE is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from GOD ALONE. HE is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in Him at ALL times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:1-8
Love in Christ Jesus,
Alyssa
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Paranoia Will Destroy Ya
Those of you who have read my past two blogs, know that they were about fear. Well, it's turning into a series, because it's still coming up quite frequently in my everyday encounters or conversations with people.
As some of you know, I work in a pharmacy. And I'll tell you what, if I hear one more flu shot question--I think I might scream! The majority of our phone calls have been regarding the new H1N1 shot. Are we going to be giving it or not, if we have it, why aren't we using it?
A few people have actually been quite nasty about it, too.
But that's what fear does. When we are afraid of something, sometimes we tend to lash out at it or everyone and everything around us. Other times, we allow allow the thing we are most of afraid of, to paralyze us. So much, that we just stand there and watch it take over us. My husband is the one who introduced to me to the quote above, "Paranoia will destroy ya". And it's so true.
You ever wonder why God refers to us as sheep? Well, one reason I think, is because we are like them in so many ways. Sometimes sheep can be really dumb. Not saying that God thinks we are dumb, but sometimes we choose to do some really dumb things.
Sheep tend to wonder off, away from the safety of the herd, away from the protection of their Shepherd. Usually, it's because something appetizing looks really good, and they allow their stomaches to lead them away. Then another patch of even greener grass further away attracts their eye, and before they know it, they've allowed themselves to get lost.
And guess whose been lyinig in wait, with teeth bared, saliva dripping from his mouth and his deadly stare trained on that easy prey?
Satan. That yellow-eyed, mangy, rabid looking wolf.
And just like a lost sheep, our knees lock and we get this deer-caught-in-the- headlights look on our face. And we allow our fear to paralyze us until it's too late and the wolf starts to devour us.
Satan's crafty. He knows just what to use to try and get us to turn away from our protection, our Great Shepherd. Right now, it's the swine flu epidemic. It's put everyone into a crazy fit of fear. And I just want to shout it out to all who will hear: Don't you know?! Don't you know that one of God's many names is The Great Physician? Don't you know that we are to fear nothing but Him, He who loves us and sent the perfect Lamb, His own Son, the Great Shepherd, to die for us? Why are we still fearing? If we have given our lives to Him--then we have nothing to fear. Not even death.
We have been allowing Satan to sap the Joy of each new day from our lives, because we listen to his lies. We accept the fears he places before us. It's time to stop it.
Now, I know there are some of you who have already had the swine flu, or maybe have it right now, or know somebody who has it. I am praying that you or they recover quickly. Remember, healing is ours for the taking. God's already offering it--we just tend to forget to receive it.
When sin entered the world, so did sickness and death. It's something that has touched everyone of our lives in some way. But when we have Jesus, oh death--where is your sting? So even in sickness--yes we may suffer for awhile and be miserable--but we have nothing to fear.
Before His own death, which he knew was just hours upon him, Jesus comforted His disciples, saying to them, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me."
So why don't we do that? Let's give over all our fears to Him, and let not our hearts be troubled by them anymore. And instead, let's choose to trust in Him and continue to do the work He has called us to do without fear.
Love in Christ Jesus,
Alyssa
As some of you know, I work in a pharmacy. And I'll tell you what, if I hear one more flu shot question--I think I might scream! The majority of our phone calls have been regarding the new H1N1 shot. Are we going to be giving it or not, if we have it, why aren't we using it?
A few people have actually been quite nasty about it, too.
But that's what fear does. When we are afraid of something, sometimes we tend to lash out at it or everyone and everything around us. Other times, we allow allow the thing we are most of afraid of, to paralyze us. So much, that we just stand there and watch it take over us. My husband is the one who introduced to me to the quote above, "Paranoia will destroy ya". And it's so true.
You ever wonder why God refers to us as sheep? Well, one reason I think, is because we are like them in so many ways. Sometimes sheep can be really dumb. Not saying that God thinks we are dumb, but sometimes we choose to do some really dumb things.
Sheep tend to wonder off, away from the safety of the herd, away from the protection of their Shepherd. Usually, it's because something appetizing looks really good, and they allow their stomaches to lead them away. Then another patch of even greener grass further away attracts their eye, and before they know it, they've allowed themselves to get lost.
And guess whose been lyinig in wait, with teeth bared, saliva dripping from his mouth and his deadly stare trained on that easy prey?
Satan. That yellow-eyed, mangy, rabid looking wolf.
And just like a lost sheep, our knees lock and we get this deer-caught-in-the- headlights look on our face. And we allow our fear to paralyze us until it's too late and the wolf starts to devour us.
Satan's crafty. He knows just what to use to try and get us to turn away from our protection, our Great Shepherd. Right now, it's the swine flu epidemic. It's put everyone into a crazy fit of fear. And I just want to shout it out to all who will hear: Don't you know?! Don't you know that one of God's many names is The Great Physician? Don't you know that we are to fear nothing but Him, He who loves us and sent the perfect Lamb, His own Son, the Great Shepherd, to die for us? Why are we still fearing? If we have given our lives to Him--then we have nothing to fear. Not even death.
We have been allowing Satan to sap the Joy of each new day from our lives, because we listen to his lies. We accept the fears he places before us. It's time to stop it.
Now, I know there are some of you who have already had the swine flu, or maybe have it right now, or know somebody who has it. I am praying that you or they recover quickly. Remember, healing is ours for the taking. God's already offering it--we just tend to forget to receive it.
When sin entered the world, so did sickness and death. It's something that has touched everyone of our lives in some way. But when we have Jesus, oh death--where is your sting? So even in sickness--yes we may suffer for awhile and be miserable--but we have nothing to fear.
Before His own death, which he knew was just hours upon him, Jesus comforted His disciples, saying to them, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me."
So why don't we do that? Let's give over all our fears to Him, and let not our hearts be troubled by them anymore. And instead, let's choose to trust in Him and continue to do the work He has called us to do without fear.
Love in Christ Jesus,
Alyssa
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
a confirmation
Tonight, the subject at the Beth Moore Bible study that I have been attending on Wednesdays, was on....fear. It just really confirmed that what I wrote about the other day was what God was really wanting to put out there to everyone.
If any of you have read the book of Esther you'll know the verse where her uncle Mordechai was sending Esther a message to do something about the death sentence that King Xerxes and his goons put on the jews. He put the question to her, "Who knows, if perhaps you were made queen for such a time as this."
Esther was having problems of her own at the time, because Xerxes had not called for her in 30 days. But Mordechai stressed that she had to do something for her people.
So Esther had a choice to make. She could either hide out in the palace and stay silent that she too was a jew. Or she could take courage and face death by entering into the king's inner court without being summoned, and speak out for her people.
Esther chose to face her fear of death and replied, "If I must die, I must die."
Tonight, Beth Moore really stressed the point of not letting our fears have authority over us. Genesis through revelation, the most used command God tells us is "Take, courage." "Do not be afraid. Fear not" He never promised that we would be immune from death and suffering and struggles--but he offered His courage for us to take and told us, "Fear not, for I AM WITH YOU".
Because of Christ in us, and by proclaiming Jesus's name, we can boldy rebuke those fears that satan tries to lord over us.
So, again, I encourage you to face whatever fear is confronting you and rebuke it! It has no place being in control of you. Death is not the end for those who believe in Jesus. In the words of Beth Moore, "death is merely exchanging our bodies for a better one." Death cannot defeat us, we live on. So why do we fear?
Love in Christ Jesus, Alyssa
If any of you have read the book of Esther you'll know the verse where her uncle Mordechai was sending Esther a message to do something about the death sentence that King Xerxes and his goons put on the jews. He put the question to her, "Who knows, if perhaps you were made queen for such a time as this."
Esther was having problems of her own at the time, because Xerxes had not called for her in 30 days. But Mordechai stressed that she had to do something for her people.
So Esther had a choice to make. She could either hide out in the palace and stay silent that she too was a jew. Or she could take courage and face death by entering into the king's inner court without being summoned, and speak out for her people.
Esther chose to face her fear of death and replied, "If I must die, I must die."
Tonight, Beth Moore really stressed the point of not letting our fears have authority over us. Genesis through revelation, the most used command God tells us is "Take, courage." "Do not be afraid. Fear not" He never promised that we would be immune from death and suffering and struggles--but he offered His courage for us to take and told us, "Fear not, for I AM WITH YOU".
Because of Christ in us, and by proclaiming Jesus's name, we can boldy rebuke those fears that satan tries to lord over us.
So, again, I encourage you to face whatever fear is confronting you and rebuke it! It has no place being in control of you. Death is not the end for those who believe in Jesus. In the words of Beth Moore, "death is merely exchanging our bodies for a better one." Death cannot defeat us, we live on. So why do we fear?
Love in Christ Jesus, Alyssa
Monday, October 5, 2009
A Blogger
Wow! I am an official blogger! Thanks Rachel for showing me the great site to set one up. It's funny how God works. I've been told by so many people that I should start a blog. Well, here I am people! I hope to keep you entertained and well fed with the things that the Lord lays on my heart.
So I guess I will post what I wrote earlier and sent out in email for my latest "Alyssa's Thoughts."
"Out of the Mouths of Babes"
The last weekend of July, our family took a trip to Crater Lake. And as we were driving along the curvy road that gave us a gorgeous view of the lake and surrounding mountainous, forest views, my eyes began to focus on the steep drop-off beside the passenger side of the car. There were no gaurd rails to keep a car from plummeting off the edge and I was trying not to voice my nervousness, because I didn't want my fears to become my children's.
Unfortunately, my daughter, Madison, was already thinking the same thing, and decided to voice her fear. "That's scary looking down there. What if we fall off the edge?"
Before Jon or I could answer, our 4 year old son, Patrick, perked up and looked at his sister. "Remember Maemae? God is with us!"
Those words calmed me and his sister, and I smiled at him, so proud that he remembered what he was taught in vacation Bible school just a week before. "You're right Patrick, God is with us, so we shouldn't worry or be afraid."
I just felt like the Lord wanted me to share this everyone, because we all go through those times when we are looking down over the edge of something that looks so frightening, and we feel as though we're alone and going to fall off without anyone there to rescue us.
Whether its grief or loss that you are facing, and the fear of falling into utter despair, remember God is with you.
"For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love. For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." Lamentations 3:31-32
And: "I will tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, BUT your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So it is with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and NO ONE will take away your joy. In that day, you will no longer ask me anything. I will tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now, you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
Maybe its a tough decision you are afraid to make. Remember that God is there with you to walk you through it. Take that step of faith and trust Him to catch you. If the decision is regarding something the Lord is putting on your heart to do--you can trust that he will provide everything you NEED.
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor, His righteousness endures forever." 2 Corinthians 9:7-9
Maybe its just a lot of fears and worries that are facing you, trying to bring you down. When I looked up in the concordance of my Bible for verses on fear, most of them were verses on fearing the Lord. That is the only fear we are to have. Because He is with us in everything we go through and endure. If He is for us, who can be against us?
"The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous." Psalm 19:9
"God is our refuge and strength, an EVER-PRESENT help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though it's waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Psalm 46:1-3
"I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4
"But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." Proverbs 1:33
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be kept safe." Proverbs 29:25
"Say to those with fearful hearts "be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.
"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
The List goes on and on of all the assurances and promises of God being there for us and keeping us safe. That His plans are to prosper us, to give us a hope and a future--not a life of fear.
So if you are facing that edge of something frightening, remember to seek the Lord, and He will remind you that you are not alone, that He is with you. One of God's many names is Immanuel--which means "God with us". Remember that name.
Have a wonderful day without fear! Love in Christ Jesus, Alyssa
So I guess I will post what I wrote earlier and sent out in email for my latest "Alyssa's Thoughts."
"Out of the Mouths of Babes"
The last weekend of July, our family took a trip to Crater Lake. And as we were driving along the curvy road that gave us a gorgeous view of the lake and surrounding mountainous, forest views, my eyes began to focus on the steep drop-off beside the passenger side of the car. There were no gaurd rails to keep a car from plummeting off the edge and I was trying not to voice my nervousness, because I didn't want my fears to become my children's.
Unfortunately, my daughter, Madison, was already thinking the same thing, and decided to voice her fear. "That's scary looking down there. What if we fall off the edge?"
Before Jon or I could answer, our 4 year old son, Patrick, perked up and looked at his sister. "Remember Maemae? God is with us!"
Those words calmed me and his sister, and I smiled at him, so proud that he remembered what he was taught in vacation Bible school just a week before. "You're right Patrick, God is with us, so we shouldn't worry or be afraid."
I just felt like the Lord wanted me to share this everyone, because we all go through those times when we are looking down over the edge of something that looks so frightening, and we feel as though we're alone and going to fall off without anyone there to rescue us.
Whether its grief or loss that you are facing, and the fear of falling into utter despair, remember God is with you.
"For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love. For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." Lamentations 3:31-32
And: "I will tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, BUT your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So it is with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and NO ONE will take away your joy. In that day, you will no longer ask me anything. I will tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now, you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
Maybe its a tough decision you are afraid to make. Remember that God is there with you to walk you through it. Take that step of faith and trust Him to catch you. If the decision is regarding something the Lord is putting on your heart to do--you can trust that he will provide everything you NEED.
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor, His righteousness endures forever." 2 Corinthians 9:7-9
Maybe its just a lot of fears and worries that are facing you, trying to bring you down. When I looked up in the concordance of my Bible for verses on fear, most of them were verses on fearing the Lord. That is the only fear we are to have. Because He is with us in everything we go through and endure. If He is for us, who can be against us?
"The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous." Psalm 19:9
"God is our refuge and strength, an EVER-PRESENT help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though it's waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Psalm 46:1-3
"I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4
"But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." Proverbs 1:33
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be kept safe." Proverbs 29:25
"Say to those with fearful hearts "be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.
"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
The List goes on and on of all the assurances and promises of God being there for us and keeping us safe. That His plans are to prosper us, to give us a hope and a future--not a life of fear.
So if you are facing that edge of something frightening, remember to seek the Lord, and He will remind you that you are not alone, that He is with you. One of God's many names is Immanuel--which means "God with us". Remember that name.
Have a wonderful day without fear! Love in Christ Jesus, Alyssa
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