Well, we've done it again. We saw lots of family and opened lots of presents. We went to a lovely Christmas Eve church service. We have a couple of gatherings remaining. But the major Christmas experience is over once again.
The munchkins got what they've been wanting. The Peanut got the new American Girl doll that she's "hinted at" for months. The Boo got the Darth Vader Voice Changing Mask that eluded him during his birthday celebrations. The volume of plastic in the house increased -> much by my own doing.
Tim's mom came over on Thursday to give the kids gifts. The Fries also stopped by on their way to the home of Jay's parents. The main purpose of their visit was to inspect the new Cabin furniture!
I read a novella by Franscine Rivers called Unafraid on Christmas Eve. It is the last of a series about the 5 women mentioned in Christ's lineage in Matthew. Unafraid was a wonderful "fictional" portrayal of Mary's life. I tend to gloss over the terrible scandal that the Virgin Birth brought about upon a devout Jewish young lady and her family. And I've never really thought about how Mary struggled knowing that Jesus was SO perfect and different than the rest of her children. And she struggled knowing that Jesus came to save Israel - and she lost patience awaiting God's timing in revealing to the world what she already knew and believed to be true in Jesus. Many thought Mary was crazy and didn't believe her "virgin birth story". What grace! What strength! What faith! Mary was definitely blessed!!
The other women in Jesus's lineage are very interesting as well. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. None were perfect. And 2 weren't even Hebrews by birth. Yet they are listed in Jesus's ancestry -> grafted in by grace and faith. Just as I am! Praise God!
God is with Us! Emmanuel is Here! Glory to God in the highest and peace to men on whom His favor rests!
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Monday, December 20, 2004
Christmas Prep
It is less than a week before Christmas and I'm feeling pretty ready....
I just have a few gifts to pick up. Most of the presents are wrapped and under the tree. The tree is decorated and placed in our new "Cabin" room. Our Christmas cards are all sent. This year I actually took care of the cards - since I don't have finals to worry about now! How wonderful it is to be done with grad school!! I'm really glad that I did it - and I learned a ton. But I'm so much more relaxed now without having classes 2 nights a week - and homework and projects, etc.
Even more important than all of the external holiday prep is my heart prep. And I'm really amazed and thankful that Jesus chose to become a humble helpless baby for me. It's a challenge to keep Jesus as the center of the Christmas season. Boo asked me yesterday why Santa brings big things to the neighbor kids but only brings stocking stuff to us. I told him that his Daddy and I have a deal with Santa that we get to give him the "big stuff". Boo was a little confused by that. But we made a conscious decision when the kids were little that Santa wasn't going to be the focus. And part of that is selfishness on my part, as I don't want "Santa" to get the glory of bringing my kids what they've wanted for so long. And also I just don't want Santa to overshadow the Christ child. Peanut already knows the Santa secret. Boo will probably figure it out eventually. But I'm not in a hurry to rush it. Childhood is too short anyway.
Our new couch and recliner have arrived. They are just wonderful. Tim is making good progress on the wood trim. The fireplace is just lovely. I took a nap yesterday in the recliner under my afghan... I feel such peace and blessing being in the "Cabin" room.
I just have a few gifts to pick up. Most of the presents are wrapped and under the tree. The tree is decorated and placed in our new "Cabin" room. Our Christmas cards are all sent. This year I actually took care of the cards - since I don't have finals to worry about now! How wonderful it is to be done with grad school!! I'm really glad that I did it - and I learned a ton. But I'm so much more relaxed now without having classes 2 nights a week - and homework and projects, etc.
Even more important than all of the external holiday prep is my heart prep. And I'm really amazed and thankful that Jesus chose to become a humble helpless baby for me. It's a challenge to keep Jesus as the center of the Christmas season. Boo asked me yesterday why Santa brings big things to the neighbor kids but only brings stocking stuff to us. I told him that his Daddy and I have a deal with Santa that we get to give him the "big stuff". Boo was a little confused by that. But we made a conscious decision when the kids were little that Santa wasn't going to be the focus. And part of that is selfishness on my part, as I don't want "Santa" to get the glory of bringing my kids what they've wanted for so long. And also I just don't want Santa to overshadow the Christ child. Peanut already knows the Santa secret. Boo will probably figure it out eventually. But I'm not in a hurry to rush it. Childhood is too short anyway.
Our new couch and recliner have arrived. They are just wonderful. Tim is making good progress on the wood trim. The fireplace is just lovely. I took a nap yesterday in the recliner under my afghan... I feel such peace and blessing being in the "Cabin" room.
Friday, December 10, 2004
Friends with Cancer
For some reason right now I have a number of people in my life that are suffering with cancer.
My co-worker Kathy has been fighting cancer of the appendix for over 2 years. Her appendix ruptured during the original removal surgery, leaving cancer cells throughout her abdomen. She has twice spent more than 6 weeks getting treatment from a specialist in Washington DC. And she recently needed more surgery to clear a blockage. The battle doesn't ever seem to be over. But Kathy is a strong determined woman. I pray for her daily.
The son of one of my friends at church was diagnosed with leukemia in May. He is only 6 years old. He's had many rounds of intense chemo already and he's constantly on maintenance chemo. His chemo schedule is as follows: Daily oral chemo, once a week an additional oral chemo (on Tuesdays he gets 2 oral chemos), IV chemo once a month, five days each month he gets steroids, and every 84 days he gets spinal chemo. This is an 84 day cycle that will just keep repeating until July 19, 2007. My friend also has 2 girls that are older and a wonderful God-fearing husband. It's a scary road. She told me on Sunday that if her son gets chicken pox it would be fatal - due to his weakened immune system.
I can't imagine having such daily life struggles.
Here's something that I posted on my friend's web site a couple of weeks ago:
"Dear Friends, Thanks for continuing to share your family's experience. I appreciate your frank hearts and your willingness to share the good things and the bad things that happen on this journey with your son's health. All Glory and Honor and Praise to our Lord Jesus as He helps you all get through each day. God is definitely using this "present struggle" to grow all of us."
I know that God gives strength to handle whatever comes. But I pray that His plans don't include me getting super strength in handling disease in our family.
My co-worker Kathy has been fighting cancer of the appendix for over 2 years. Her appendix ruptured during the original removal surgery, leaving cancer cells throughout her abdomen. She has twice spent more than 6 weeks getting treatment from a specialist in Washington DC. And she recently needed more surgery to clear a blockage. The battle doesn't ever seem to be over. But Kathy is a strong determined woman. I pray for her daily.
The son of one of my friends at church was diagnosed with leukemia in May. He is only 6 years old. He's had many rounds of intense chemo already and he's constantly on maintenance chemo. His chemo schedule is as follows: Daily oral chemo, once a week an additional oral chemo (on Tuesdays he gets 2 oral chemos), IV chemo once a month, five days each month he gets steroids, and every 84 days he gets spinal chemo. This is an 84 day cycle that will just keep repeating until July 19, 2007. My friend also has 2 girls that are older and a wonderful God-fearing husband. It's a scary road. She told me on Sunday that if her son gets chicken pox it would be fatal - due to his weakened immune system.
I can't imagine having such daily life struggles.
Here's something that I posted on my friend's web site a couple of weeks ago:
"Dear Friends, Thanks for continuing to share your family's experience. I appreciate your frank hearts and your willingness to share the good things and the bad things that happen on this journey with your son's health. All Glory and Honor and Praise to our Lord Jesus as He helps you all get through each day. God is definitely using this "present struggle" to grow all of us."
I know that God gives strength to handle whatever comes. But I pray that His plans don't include me getting super strength in handling disease in our family.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Brooklyn Tabernacle Day Trip
On November 16th I got up a lot earlier than usual. I was at the airport by 5:30AM... to catch a chartered plane with 170 people from Grace Church to JFK. We left MSP at about 7:30AM.
The point of the day trip to NYC was to visit the Tuesday evening prayer meeting at the Brooklyn Tabernacle in downtown Brooklyn. Each week, hundreds of people come together to pray and worship. The doors open at 5PM - and the service starts at 7PM. The service is fluid - the pastors are very open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Their guideline is that as long as the service is edifying for the church then it is a go. Their Sunday services go about 2.5 hours.
We arrived at the church in time for lunch. Jim Cymbala, their head pastor, spoke to our group for over an hour detailing some of the history and purpose of the Brooklyn Tabernacle church. The church is known for its choir - which is full of former drug addicts, and former street people who have let Jesus transform their lives. The church is located in downtown Brooklyn. On an average day, over 100,000 people pass by the church. I was surprised by the beauty of the church building. About 3 years ago the church purchased an old theatre and have spent millions of dollars renovating the building - restoring it to its former beauty. The building has wonderful old marble and wood decor. It reminded me of Northrup Mall on the U of M campus.
The church service finally started at 7pm - and the church was packed with people from all walks of life. Street people along side business executives kneeling at the throne of Grace.
It was an amazing experience. But it was also a culture shock. I don't yell my prayers. It's just a style thing that my scandawhovian blood can't deal with. And I don't think that God hears loud prayers any better than those whispered in the quietness of your heart. But I was challenged by their deep belief in God and their trust that God is working through their prayers.
I must balance: "You don't have because you don't ask" with "God wills and works to His good pleasure". Father, help my unbelieve.
The point of the day trip to NYC was to visit the Tuesday evening prayer meeting at the Brooklyn Tabernacle in downtown Brooklyn. Each week, hundreds of people come together to pray and worship. The doors open at 5PM - and the service starts at 7PM. The service is fluid - the pastors are very open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Their guideline is that as long as the service is edifying for the church then it is a go. Their Sunday services go about 2.5 hours.
We arrived at the church in time for lunch. Jim Cymbala, their head pastor, spoke to our group for over an hour detailing some of the history and purpose of the Brooklyn Tabernacle church. The church is known for its choir - which is full of former drug addicts, and former street people who have let Jesus transform their lives. The church is located in downtown Brooklyn. On an average day, over 100,000 people pass by the church. I was surprised by the beauty of the church building. About 3 years ago the church purchased an old theatre and have spent millions of dollars renovating the building - restoring it to its former beauty. The building has wonderful old marble and wood decor. It reminded me of Northrup Mall on the U of M campus.
The church service finally started at 7pm - and the church was packed with people from all walks of life. Street people along side business executives kneeling at the throne of Grace.
It was an amazing experience. But it was also a culture shock. I don't yell my prayers. It's just a style thing that my scandawhovian blood can't deal with. And I don't think that God hears loud prayers any better than those whispered in the quietness of your heart. But I was challenged by their deep belief in God and their trust that God is working through their prayers.
I must balance: "You don't have because you don't ask" with "God wills and works to His good pleasure". Father, help my unbelieve.
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