Tuesday, December 22, 2015

when they saw the Star...

Not everyone meets Christmas with joy.

Back in 1985 we had one of the most difficult Christmas seasons ever. Our son, Cameron, was stillborn just two weeks before Christmas. It was a devastating loss after having suffered our first stillbirth  just 10 months earlier.

It's not easy to celebrate with a heavy heart. I know from personal experience that weeping may remain for a night but joy truly does come in the morning. We just don't always know how long the night will last.

The night that the Magi saw His star standing over where the Child was located they rejoiced wholeheartedly. They had seen His star in the east at the beginning of their journey and chose to search for Him. When they left their home they determined in advance that they were going to worship Him as King. They had brought gifts with them to offer Him. They traveled a great distance. Perhaps they faced obstacles along the way. Seeing the star confirmed that they had finally made it to the right place. After they celebrated they went inside and fell before the Child in worship. Following their incredible rejoicing they worshiped.

If we notice the sequence of events first came the hardship of a long journey before they could rejoice...before they could worship...before they could give Him their gifts. Traveling through dark nights of the soul may take a lot out of us and it may be a difficult and long process. But, when we get through, when we overcome, the best response is one of rejoicing. May you find the answers you are searching for in Him. May you find comfort. May you find peace. May you find Hope. And may this Christmas be one of rejoicing with exceedingly great joy. Celebrate Him. Worship Him. Offer your gifts and talents to Him. Christ has come. O come, let us, adore Him!

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Let Every Heart

Has Christ been invited to your Christmas celebration?

As Christmas approaches it's time to focus, reflect, and ponder the true reason for this holiday.

When I think about Mary and Joseph being able to hold Jesus in their arms, I am amazed.

Amazed that God allowed His son to come to earth to be our Savior.  Amazed that although the heavens couldn't contain Him, that He was able to walk this earth.  He chose to be a Living Sacrifice for you and for me. And I am in awe of Him and of who He really is and of what He has done for us.

The heavens can't contain Him
Yet Mary held Him in her arms
Pondering the mystery in her heart.
He chose to come earth
In weakness and in strength
A living Sacrifice for you and me.

The heavens couldn't hold Him
Yet, He lives within our hearts
Covering the whole earth with His love.
Without His hope as anchor
I'd be lost on stormy seas.
His precious gift of life would not be mine.

A gift born in a manger
A Bright and Morning Star
Joy came to the world that silent night
Enthroned in heavenly peace
Mercy wrapped in newborn clothes
Glory, Hallelujah, pure Joy is mine!
© 2014

Make room for Him. Seek His face, wait on His touch, hope on His name...may He open your heart to His joy. May He fill you, renew you, and restore you day after day. Invite Him in and welcome Him with open arms, open hearts, and open homes. Welcome the reason for the season. Whether He be newborn or reborn in your heart… make room for Him as Lord!

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

God Is With Us

Each time I write a song I see it as a gift from God. I feel as though He guides me and uses me in the way Mother Teresa describes...like a pencil in His hand.

At all times, in every season, God is with us. He will never leave or forsake us. He walks with us in the valleys and on the mountain tops. He is there when even when we cannot feel His presence. He never sleeps and never gets tired. He will strengthen us and help us. Nothing can ever separate us from His love. He is God. He is here. He is with us.


I'm so grateful to Paul Flores of Studio A, the executive producer, on this project, to Mervin Budram-MD of Roots and Honor Records, the producer, to Yoelvis Medero Lunar of Allegro Music School, to Melanie Flores, Bethany Godoy, Chanelle Parks, and to the Belmopan Childrens Choir for bringing this song to life.

Click here to listen

Click here to purchase on iTunes

Click here to purchase on Amazon Mp3

I pray that this songs ministers to you and if you want to sing along...here are the words!

God Is With Us
Hope was born in a manger
Light came in to the world
Born to die for redemption
Angelic wings unfurl
A heavenly choir broke the silence
To welcome our newborn Lord
Hope was born in a manger
Our Savior, Redeemer, our Joy.

God is with us
God is with us
Immanuel our joy!
God is with us
God is with us
Immanuel our Lord.

It was a night filled with wonder
It was a night full of grace.
In awe we bow low before Him
With reverence we seek His face.
His mother ponders the moment
His Father looks down with Love
It was a night filled with wonder.
Showered with grace from above.

Hope was born in the silence
Light was born in darkness
Immanuel has come
Immanuel has come!

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Life Lessons On the Run

Discovering the depths of your inner strength comes from attempting that which you absolutely cannot do in your own power.

Three years ago I had a friend challenge me to walk for 30 minutes a day for 100 days. I met that challenge.

Earlier this year I had a friend challenge me to run a half marathon. Last Sunday I was able to meet that challenge as well!

I had three goals going into the half marathon; to run the entire way, to finish the race, and to not come in last! I met each one of my goals. I even finished in 3rd place for my age group! I learned a great deal about myself as I trained for the race. And I learned even more during the race itself. Here are just a few of my lessons on the run!

Lesson 1: Appreciate the wisdom of others

I learned from others that I needed to eat a light breakfast, stay hydrated, and that it would all work out in the end because I would find the strength to finish. Do you listen to others? Or do you try to strike out on your own and have all the answers for yourself. Mentors, teachers, and good friends with experience have a lot to offer us if we're willing to listen. We can learn from their mistakes and we can benefit from the lessons they've learned. Perhaps our experience won't be exactly like theirs but we can take what works and use it to give ourselves the best possible outcome for our situation.


Lesson 2: Run your own race.

My friend Dennis told me that people would take off really fast from the starting line. He cautioned me not to get caught up in that frenzy. He told me to keep a steady pace and I would see some of those who'd taken off so quickly dropping back or falling out along the way. He was right. Choosing to keep a constant pace enabled me to run the entire course. Think about how that relates to our real life. Go at your own pace. Don't get caught up trying to have what someone else has or do what others are doing.  You can't fulfill your destiny trying to run someone else's race. Your goals, your purpose, your success will only come from working with the gifts you've been given.

Lesson 3: Motivation comes from within. 

Positive self talk is vital for the long haul. I had to talk myself through each mile, each curve, and on to the end of the course. I prayed, I sang, I talked to myself. I reminded myself of motivational quotes and scriptures. My friend Dee Dee told me that after mile 9 it's all mental. And she's right. I knew that my body was capable of going 10.4 miles because that had been my longest distance before the race began. I knew I was going to have to talk myself through the last 2.7 miles to be able to finish the course. I remembered that my friend Kaylon told me that I needed to breathe and take one goal at time. With each breath I centered myself. Asking God for strength. Praising Him for how our bodies are designed. At each water station I would encourage myself to get to the next one. I knew I needed to reach Maya Beach, then Seine Bight and so on. Every now and then I would remind myself of the goal to "get to the airport" because after the airport there would only be two more miles to go. Do you need to remember to breathe and break your task down into manageable pieces? Learning to lift yourself up with your thoughts and words will help you make it through the toughest undertakings in life.

Lesson 4: You are not alone.

There were points along the race when I felt alone and isolated from everyone else. I didn't see other runners out there for long stretches. I would hear cheers coming from the next water station or sometimes I heard footsteps behind me. And even though I knew that there were other people running I felt like I was the only one out there. It may have been true that I was physically on my own. But, looking back I know that God was with me. Just when I needed to know how far I'd gone a sign would appear. Right when I needed a boost someone would drive by and honk and yell out "you're doing great!" As I passed through Seine Bight someone screamed, "Go, Alida, go!" What a rush! I found out later it was someone I'd met once four years ago. I felt like God gave me that special gift just when I needed it most. Have you ever felt alone? Do you feel that way right now? Have you ever gotten those little boosts of encouragement from God just at the right moment? You are never truly alone if you have Him in your life!

Lesson Five: What began in the dark will end in the light!

I was picked up for the race shortly after 4am. The start time was 5:30am. It was dark out there. Not one street light. Just headlights from vehicles and headlamps worn by some of the experienced runners. It felt like a Hunger Games moment being told to walk over to the where the lights were to get to the starting line. I had no idea where I was and how long it would be before the sun came out. I ran in the dark for a half hour or so. As the sun rose and light filled the sky I was able to take in the beauty of the Caribbean sea, hear the songs of birds, appreciate the cool air, and the flat terrain of the course. Maybe you're going through a dark time right now and it feels like the light will never come. But, remember, that we have a Light that we can follow. He will illuminate our path with His Word and give our feet guidance. Lift up your head. The Son has risen and the Light is here for you!

I know that not everyone is crazy enough to run a half marathon. But, there are goals or dreams that each one of us have that seem out of reach. Are you thinking of going back to finish your education? Are you wanting to get a better job? Are you praying about going on the mission field? No matter what obstacle, life challenge, or dream you have in front of you, though it may seem crazy right now it is possible to move forward toward whatever God is calling you to do. Be open to His voice. And let His lessons help you in this race called life!

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Follow Hard After Him

According to Matthew Henry following hard speaks of "a very earnest desire and a serious vigorous endeavor to keep up communion with God".

How frequently do our involvements, even good ones, take us away from communion with Him? I know I am guilty. There have been times that my earnest desire to be with Him alone is derailed by getting caught up in checking messages, or Facebook, or my to-do list. I've been guilty of 'worshiping' problems, or fixating on a loved one's situation, or committing to another ministry opportunity, or obsessing on what is going on in the news from around the world and along the way I lose my focus on Him and I realize I have gone my own way and am not following hard after Him.

Following hard is a calling.
  Following hard is a way of life.    
Following hard is a daily commitment.  

My desire is to follow Him wholeheartedly, unreservedly, with determination.

I want to be filled and saturated by Him.  
I want to worship Him with my whole being.
I want to follow hard after Him.  

When I run I notice my surroundings.  All around me is life.  The trees, birds, people, animals, and plants, that I pass all cause me to think about life. Specifically life in Him. Life because of Him. In the evenings as the sun is setting the splendor of Him Who sits on the throne overwhelms me.  God's paintbrush coats the sky with brilliant orange-gold fire that causes me to breathe deep with wonder.  And all I can do in response is give Him praise. Praise helps me to follow Him. Praise helps me to keep my eyes on Him and off of my self or my situation.

Matthew Henry also says "those that follow hard after God would soon fail and faint if God's right hand did not uphold them." As the year winds down and Christmas approaches let us look to the divine power of God to hold us up and strengthen us as we determine to cling ever more closely and follow more passionately... indeed following hard, after Him.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Let us run...

Tomorrow morning I'll be out running my first half marathon.

As I've been training I'm learning about the importance of persistence, endurance, and focus.

I'm learning to dig into the depths of who I am to discover what is keeping me from truly fixing my eyes on Christ.

As the distances I run increase the time I've had to ponder has increased.

I've learned that there are things I need to let go and things I need to incorporate into my life.

As the year comes to a close I am taking stock of what I've accomplished and what lies ahead. I didn't begin 2015 with the goal of becoming a long distance runner. And yet, tomorrow I'll be running 13.1 miles for the first time. This Bible verse in the photo (Hebrews 12:1) isn't about running an actual foot race. It's about our spiritual lives. It's about discipleship.

As you finish this year think about what lessons you have learned, what insights you have gained, and what growth has taken place in your spiritual life. This 'race' we run is not given to the swift or to the strong. As the old song says, 'it's given to the one who keeps pressing on."

Keep pressing on. Don't stop until you cross the finish line. Press on until the end!

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

We are Christmas!!!

Several years ago on a train in Russia, three older ladies were in the compartments along the side of the wall near us.  My husband Tom helped them with getting their mattresses down from the storage racks so they could sleep through the night on the long ride.

One of the women told the other two to say 'zhank you, sir' and they each followed her example.

I spoke with them in Russian at first. Then she took the opportunity to practice her English... telling me it had been 20 years since she studied the language in University.

My favorite line from her was when she was witnessing to me. She told me that she and her companions were sisters and then clarified how they were sisters... meaning in Christ.

She proudly told me "We are Christmas!!!" then she thought for a second and asked if that was right. I told her the word was Christian. She gave me some literature and told me about the conference they had attended over the weekend.

I truly admired her boldness. She was intentional in her desire to share what she had experienced over the weekend. And she was brave enough to do it in a second language! What an encouragement and model of humility. Thinking back on that day now that advent has begun...I love how the words came out of her mouth. We should be Christmas. Not just one day a year. But, all year round. People should see us as warm, giving, inviting, and willing to share our experiences, strength, and hope with love and grace whenever and wherever God leads us.

Are you Christmas?