AGAINST THE WIND...

I love a windy day.  

I love the sound of the wind.  

I love watching the trees bend and strain.  

I love the feel of wind on my face.  

I’ve sat in the woods alone on a windy night filled with awe.  

Wind, to me, is a special gift.  

BUT, ever drop a receipt or an important piece of paper in the wind??  THE CHASE IS ON!!  Chase, stomp….  chase, stomp…. chase, stomp.   Got the visual??  Just when you think you caught it, you reach down to grab it and swoosh, another gust of wind comes and it flutters out of reach once again.  

A couple weeks ago (December 16^th to be exact),  I woke up with a pretty intense thought that I needed to read Ecclesiastes.   Now you have to understand that this is ODD for me.  I’m working on reading my Bible more regularly, but admittedly it hadn’t been as much a part of my life as I wish it had been.   So for me to wake up thinking about Ecclesiastes… well, let’s just say it caught my attention.   It wouldn’t have been so odd if I had woke up thinking about reading the Christmas story or something like that…. but Ecclesiastes??  Had to be a fluke.  I responded to the thought with “Ecclesiastes??  REALLY???  Hhhmmm… He must mean Ephesians” (a friend of mine had mentioned a couple weeks prior that she had read  Galations and Ephesians).  Well, the “prompting” actually responded back!!  I heard “No… I said Ecclesiastes”. 

As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been struggling with some feelings of unsettledness in my life.  Stirrings I’m trying to pay attention to and listen to.  Since I was pretty sure there wouldn’t be a crystal ball or leather bound book entitled “Sandy’s guide to her life” under the Christmas tree, I have been praying often for God to put people, situations and conversations in my path to help show me His will.  So when you wake up hearing an inner voice say you need to read Ecclesiastes… well then, YOU READ ECCLESIASTES.  I had no idea what I would find, until I started reading.   Once again, our God amazed me.

What I found was King Solomon lamenting over the futility of life.  Each chapter repeatedly went through the things people were chasing in life WAY BACK THEN… power, intellect, pleasure, work, money… and how it is all meaningless.  How it is all: empty.  How it is all:

STRIVING AGAINST THE WIND

Gee… it struck me as a real downer.  But reading a little deeper and using the study guide notes in my Bible I got the real meaning.  All of these things people chased back then are the same things we can chase today.   Isn’t that amazing??  Chase, stomp…. chase, stomp… chase, stomp.   Reach out to grab it and true happiness, satisfaction, fulfillment, flutters away once again.   HOWEVER, Solomon’s message wasn’t one of despair.  The point of Ecclesiastes was that all the things in this world and life that we chase are meaningless WITHOUT GOD.  The point is that there is “a time for everything”… but it has to be God’s timing.    The point is that it is GOD alone we need to chase… and He wants to be caught. 

SO there I sat. 

All the things I fret about, strive after, chase. 

All the things I look to, to fill the empty places inside me. 

All the timing issues I struggle with. 

All these things were laid out before me in this book I was prompted to read. 

On a simple Friday morning in December.

A message for ME... from the Maker of the universe.

And the message I heard was loud and clear:  

“Just walk with ME, Sandy”

Human instinct kicks in and I right away start wondering what that means.  What does that look like??  What should I do?? What shouldn't I do?? What about this?? What about that??  And the most beautiful thing happened.  Again, that same simple message came:

"Just walk with ME, Sandy"

I look to the year ahead with anticipation.  I have a lot of the standard resolutions going through my head:  eat healthier, exercise daily, lose weight, slow down, simplify.  But I KNOW that while all these things are good things, important things, things of value when done in the right context… the most important resolution I can make is to WALK WITH GOD daily.  It is the ONLY resolution that will calm the unsettledness I feel inside.   It is the ONLY resolution that will lead to… LIFE.   The LIFE He wants to show me.  Everything else when done without HIM is just striving against the wind.

I’m guardedly excited about this resolution.  I wonder where the walk will lead??  Will it be smooth?? Or rocky and hilly??  I don't know, but I'm strappin' on my tennies and I'm ready to go.  

Have fun with your own resolutions.  Challenge yourself with them.  But keep them in their place.  I encourage you to make a daily walk with God what you TRULY chase in 2012.

CHASE… STOMP…. CATCH!!!! 

 Thank you, God… I love you too.   

Merry Christmas!!!

For unto YOU is born this day.... 

YOUR savior....

  

Who is Christ YOUR Lord.  

Hallelujah!!!  

DAY 1 - What's In A Name??

Isaiah 9:6  "And He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace".

DAY 1:
Ask yourself if you truly KNOW HIM by these names.
If you've claimed Him by these names.
What other names is He to you??
Tell Him.
Take time to silently praise Him with all the names that describe who He is to YOU... personally.

DAY 2 - Quiet PLEASE!!!

Things seem so noisy at this point in the year to me... especially these last couple days before Christmas.  Traffic is at an all time high with road rage lingering just below the surface.  Stop in the mall and it's a mob scene.  Clerks are tired.  People are tired.  Did I remember this?? How could I have forgotten that??  Bring another appetizer?? Sure... love to.  Perky Christmas music blaring above it all.

Noise.
Internal and external noise.
I don't always do well with noise.
I prefer peace.

Silent Night.... Holy Night... All is calm... All is bright...

Our Bible stories have always painted Christ's birth as such a peaceful event.  Smiling baby lying on a bed of clean straw... radiant beams glowing about.

Do YOU think it was like that?? Ever ponder that scenario??

I remember when I was 9 months pregnant.  Wow.  Sore.  Tired of luggin' that belly around.  Swollen.  I can't even imagine ANYONE telling me I had to sit on a donkey for how many miles??? and for what... legal paperwork???  Then finally get to my destination and go from place to place looking for a room only to have Joseph come back and say over and over again "Sorry, honey... no room".

Okay, finally we found one room.  A stable out back.  Ever seen one??  Not like in the story books.  Basically it's a rock cave.  Bat poo hanging from the ceiling.  Damp.  Unfathomable stench.  Sure, Mary... let's have the baby here.  But where to lay him??  Oh, right here in this carved out chunk of rock the animals have been slobbering all over.  That'll have to do.  Hey you, Mr. Cow over there... keep it down, will ya!!

WHAT??

Silent Night... Holy Night... All is calm.... 

Do YOU think that sounds like a calm situation??  I wasn't there, so I certainly don't claim to know.  But let me just say I-Think-NOT!!!  To me, that sounds like a whole lotta NOISE!!

I find it beautiful.  Our Saviour wasn't born in a pristine setting with servants to keep everything quiet and orderly.  Nope.  The Prince of Peace was born into NOISE!!!  I love it.  I thank Him for it.  Do you see the beauty in that??      

DAY 2:  Pray with me.  "Thank you, Jesus.  Because YOU were born in the midst of a noisy world... you can bring peace to MY noisy world.  Come into it."

 

  

DAY 3 - Oh the Wonders of Wrapping

Quick wrapping idea:  plain wrapping and plain bags can be embellished with a silk poinsetta.  1/2 price at Hobby Lobby now also!!

Picture plain brown kraft paper with a white and gold poinsetta and raffia for an organic yet elegant look...

White boxes stacked and secured with a red ribbon and red poinsetta on the top for a festive traditional look...

Bright lime green with red combo for something more funky and modern.

And for the true nature lover, use brown kraft paper with raffia and add some very last minute evergreen, twigs and berries.

In this picture, it was all glitz and glam in a black/red combo.

Effort in presentation = making the receiver feel extra special.

Have fun with it!!

DAY 4 - PRESENTS & PRESENCE

I will shamelessly admit.... I LOVE presents.  Even though I've reached a point in my life where I certainly have everything I need and then some, I STILL am a kid at heart about presents.  I love looking at them, shaking them, pinching them and have been told I am annoyingly good at guessing them.

Today was a great day.  I got to spend one-on-one time with a few people who mean the absolute WORLD to me.  Two such people included a dear friend and my sister and yes, the visits included... you guessed it... PRESENTS!!  What fun!!  As I was having fun unwrapping the wonderful things these people had picked out just for me, it struck my heart how much more their PRESENCE meant to me than the PRESENTS.  Their presence in my life is... a GIFT... in and of itself.   

It's the same with my Jesus.  He has blessed me with so many good things, but His presence in this world saved my SOUL.  His presence in my heart saved my LIFE.   His presence... period... is the greatest gift I will ever receive.

DAY 4:  If you're following Christmas tradition by exchanging PRESENTS with those you love... take the time to let them know how much their PRESENCE means in your life.

DAY 5 - NIGHT

As I watched a few beautiful snow flakes gently fall from the sky, I felt my spirit needed something quiet and reflective tonight.  And what could be better than an utterly amazing rendition of O Holy Night!!! Wanted to share it with you.  So turn down the lights... find a quiet place... and enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZFxG6-WSnI&feature=player_detailpage

Are you anticipating that night too??

DAY 6 - Tick Tock

Soon we will be seeing the advertisements narrowing down how many shopping days and HOURS there are left.  PRESSURE'S ON!!  While I like the phrase I read about keeping Christmas more "Presence vs. Presents"... gifts ARE a pretty typical part of the holiday.

If you're stuck, try a theme gift.  Takes a bit of running... but can be fun.  An example that could work for anyone... any age... any gender... is the theme of TIME.  Pick as many time topics as you want and find little gifts that symbolize those things.  Small gifts work as well as big ones.  Write little tags for each gift that say "take time to ____".   Be sure to coordinate the wrapping, which helps created the feeling of a theme.  You could put each wrapped gift in one larger bag... OR stack them and tie them with a beautiful ribbon.

Here are a few time topics you could use:

Take time to relax (books, candles, music)
Take time to do the things you enjoy (focus on their hobbies)
Take time to stay healthy (food or exercise related)
Take time to pamper yourself (special types of lotions, pedi gift cards, ect.)
Take time to remember who YOU are (loads of cute stuff out there in initials, framed photo)
Take time to grow (spiritual books or music)
Take time for others (make a small donation in their name)
Take time to get your hands dirty (gardening supplies)
Take time (any form of timer, clock, watch)

You get the idea.   It's wide open, so use your creativity and have fun with it!!  Dare bet they'll enjoy traveling through their theme gift... and feel special because you zoned in on who they are.

Happy shopping!!  Hopefully we'll get to wrapping later...

DAY 7 - Gotta Love 'Em

SO here we go.  

One week left.  

Parties are hitting full stride.  

Is there anyone that you’ll be spending time with during the holidays that just rubs you the wrong way at times?? Someone that just comes with the package?? More gotta... than wanna??  

Here’s an idea for you to try.  Before you head into that gathering… spend time in prayer and ask God to give you HIS HEART for that person.    Ask Him to let you see what HE sees in them.  What HE put there when He made them His child.  Because they are.  As much as you and I are.   Sometimes I'll just tell God "give me YOUR heart for this person Lord... because OBVIOUSLY mine isn't workin' real well right now".

Day 6:  got a person you're just STUCK on for a gift??  idea tomorrow...

DAY 8

peace.

it does not mean to be in a place

where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.

it means to be in the midst of those things and still

be calm in your heart.

(author unknown)

  Peace.  It's one of those words that when said in the right tone... sounds like what it means.  

Peace.  

Peace. 

Of all the descriptions of Christ and who He shall be called...

this one's my favorite.

Quite possibly because my soul cries out for peace so often. 

Peace.

Peace. 

and HE shall be...  MY Prince of Peace.

He can be yours too.

ASK.

DAY 9 - Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!!

I have a Charlie Brown tree planted near my garden.  It was a gift from my dad who figured I'd like it because it was.... "unique" (to say the least).  Well, he figured right.  I love it.  Problem is, it didn't photograph well because it is a type of pine whose needles fall off in the winter.  Like I said... unique.  I was walking around my property and found this little guy who struck me the same way:  Charlie Brown tree.

You all know the story.... and can probably hum the background music perfectly.   Go ahead, get the music playing in your head.... I'll wait.  The tree that no one wanted.  The tree that wasn't like the more popular styles.  The tree that sagged sadly... until Charlie Brown chose it and loved it.  After first everyone mocked Charlie Brown for choosing such a tree... but finally the gang ended up circling it... decorating it joyfully.... and in the end, the tree stood tall.  (Sniffle, sniffle... pass the kleenex please).

We all probably know someone that fits that story.  Someone that doesn't have family/friends around for the holiday.  Someone that tends to be left out for one reason or another.

DAY 9:  spend a quiet moment reflecting on if you know someone like that.  Ask... and listen.  If a name comes to mind... GO WITH IT.  React on it!!  Pick up a little gift for them... and drop it off.    The best gifts to receive are the unexpected ones... and the best to give are those you get nothing in return for.

Talk to you soon...

10 DAYS and counting...

Typically, this time of year is filled with "bring an appetizer" requests.  Tired of the same-ole'-same-ole'??  Here's a link to one of my favorite appetizers...  Roasted Pears with Herbed Goat Cheese.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/roasted-baby-pears-with-herbed-goat-cheese-recipe/index.html

Sounds more complicated than it is... I promise.  Typically, I can find baby pears at Meijer.   They're cute little buggers, probably 2-3" long.  Pick them out so they just indent a little when squeezed.  Not overripe because you're going to cook them and you want them to hold their shape.  If they aren't ripe enough... put them in a brown paper bag for a day.

Let me know if you try them!!

Bon Appetit... and see you tomorrow.

DAY 11

And He shall be called... 

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR!!!

Take time to search your heart today.  

What have you been carrying yourself??  

Have something you wish you could talk to a counselor on??  

You have one. 

No appointment needed.  

No fees involved.  

Knows you better than anyone.  

So for Day 11: 

Find one thing to use Him as your wonderful counselor on.  

THANK HIM for being that for you.  

And I challenge you to do it.... OUT LOUD.

Pop back in for Day 10...

 

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

I..... SO.... LOVE.... THIS.... GOD.... OF..... OURS!!!  He did it again.  He blows my mind!!!  Nothing major, mind you... but when you KNOW it's Him you just heard, it's amazing!!

Here's the deal.  I had been all excited to post during the holiday season, but have been feeling "blocked" lately.  Everything I sit down to write feels wrong.  And nothing's coming to mind.  What's up, God??  Nothing?? Now??  I was bummed.  I had even asked Him to give me something to write about this week... and got Ziltch.  Zippo.  Zero.  I was getting bummed.

After another failed attempt tonite, I set my computer aside and started dinner.  I was still bummin' about the block... when a few simple words came to my mind:  12 Days of Christmas.    "Yeah, great" I thought, "that would've been fun had I thought of it in time".   I dismissed it, feeling like Christmas was about HERE.  Another nudge came... "what's the date?".   I'd been so busy lately, I actually had to think about that.  The date... hhhmmmm... let's see.... it's the 13th.  Okay... the 13th.  Wait... that's exactly 12 days before Christmas!!!

Man, I love our God.  He's so playful.

So... let's follow the nudge.  Let's do 12 Days of Christmas.  Nothing fancy.  Nothing long.  Let's just enjoy the next 12 days of preparation.  Short ideas.  Simple thoughts.  Questions to ponder.  Songs to inspire.   Recipes to bring.

DAY 12:


Here's an idea that has become a tradition for me with my annual Christmas party (or "The Gala" as my friends have deemed it).  Instead of them bringing an appetizer or hostess gifts... ask them to bring food for your local food pantry!!  It's a great feeling to be able to celebrate the holiday with friends/family... and when they leave, there's a small mountain of food for someone ELSE to have a holiday feast as well.  

If you aren't hostessing a party yourself... then how about writing a note in lieu of a hostess gift letting them know that a bag or two of groceries were dropped off in honor of THEIR party.

Let's look for ways to give.  Tis' more blessed, after all!!

Talk to you tomorrow....

SOAK

When I was in Colorado this past April at the Captivating Retreat… we did something called “soaking worship”.  I had never experienced anything like it before.   It was so simple… yet so impacting. 

You know how good it feels to run a hot bubble bath??  LOCK THE DOOR… light a few candles… sink down into it and just SOAK?? Yet when's the last time you actually TOOK time to do that for yourself??   Well basically, soaking worship is just that.   It's taking time to SOAK… in Jesus.  Soaking in WHO he is.  How worthy He is.  Soaking… in praise.  At the retreat, they played song after song of worship music for ½ hour and we were told to clear our minds of everything else.  No confession prayers… no petition prayers… no praying for little Johnnie who has the flu.  No distractions allowed.  Dismiss them… and just BE.  Just soak Him in.  

It took awhile for me to be able to do that.  To be able to clear all the clutter out of my mind and just allow myself to focus… on Him.

As we were singing some uplifting Christmas carols in church this morning, I thought of that again.  I guess because with all the busy-ness of holiday preparations, it’s hard to FEEL (as the over-used-saying goes) the “reason for the season”.  Crunch time is right around the corner after all!!  In various conversations, I’ve heard people asking each other if they're getting “it” all done.  Inevitably, the response seems to include some eye rolling. 

So how about we take some time to soak in the Babe of Bethlehem at least once this season.  Get that I-Pod loaded with 15-30 mins of GOOD praise type regular or Christmas music… or pop in your favorite CD if you have one without all the secular stuff.  Let Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer find his own friends for a little while.  Frosty may just have to melt.  And we’ll deal with Grandma getting run over by that reindeer later.   

This season, find 30 minutes… ALONE.

Not in the car; not while getting other things done. 

Dim the lights.

Turn the tree on.  

Light some candles.   

Shut the shades.

CRANK the music and let it speak to you. 

Sing.  

Lay on the ground. 

DANCE in His presence!! 

You may even feel like weeping.

Allow yourself time to PRAISE Him for becoming human… for YOU.

He deserves some uncluttered time with us.  And we NEED it with Him. 

Here’s my favorite Christmas song, "Mary did you know" and a nice video to go with it.  (Excuse the advertisement first.  Seems so out of place.) 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1oHJR2g7Tw

If you have the stomach for it, you can google Mary Did You Know and there's another you tube video from the Passion of The Christ movie.  That video brought me to heartfelt tears... and really drove things home.  I warn you though, it's graphic.  But so was reality.  I'll leave that visit up to you.

Point is... find some time to be in His presence in the homestretch of the Christmas Season.

I think you'll look at things differently if you do.

Maybe even Uncle Herbert.  ;-).

KEEP LAYERING

When I was writing Table Talk and Dismantle the Mantle, I started thinking about my walk with God.  I’ve been listening to an audio book on prayer and the combination of that and the writing may be what spurred the thought.  Whatever is was… it’s there.   And I’m choosing these days not to dismiss those thoughts.

When we decorated the mantle earlier this week and the Thanksgiving Day table a couple weeks ago, we started with some solid basic pieces.  From there we began layering.  Adding items to make it fuller.    Enhancing what was there to make it more beautiful.  The end product was far from where we had started.   Yet where we had started… with those foundational ingredients… could have been beautiful in and of themselves if we hadn’t known how to go further with it.   But once we were taught how to do it differently… once we acquired the skills to make it more beautiful… will we settle for less??

My walk with God has been similar.   When I was a young Christian and admittedly for some time afterwards… I had the basics.  I believed Jesus died for my sins.  Accepted what was in the Apostles Creed.  I knew the basic stories in the Bible.  I went to church regularly and attended some bible studies.  I dare bet that God was ecstatic when I accepted Christ.  I’m sure He was smiling as I took those baby steps in my Christian life.   I was saved no matter if I took things further or not.   BUT I DID. 

HHHHHmmmmm…. now what.

Now???  I’m layering.  Reading books that are helping me develop a more personal relationship with my Jesus.  Spending hours with like-minded Christian friends discussing our journey (as my friend said just a couple Saturday’s ago, “who knew you could talk about God for 3 hours!!”).  Praying out loud and from my heart.  Even learning to recognize and audibly renounce the evil one.   Claiming the authority that I HAVE… yes, little ole’ me… in Christ. 

I don’t think I really saw it that way until I was taking apart the table and the mantle.  Stripping back the beautiful layers and seeing the foundational basics.  God spoke to my heart during that process.  He showed me that those basics are things I will cling to for the rest of my life.  But the more layers I add to my walk with God… the fuller my life becomes… and the more His beauty is revealed.  He also told me this:  now that I KNOW… He also EXPECTS.   He expects the beautiful table.  

He has SO MUCH MORE to offer me.  SO MUCH, my friends, to offer YOU!!!  I get so excited when I realize the bounty of what He has for us to learn and use to enhance our life.    HE is the master designer.  Of this world.  Of my life.  Of yours. 

So PLEASE… ask yourself where you are on YOUR walk. 

Are you settling for knowing the basics?? Or are you, like that table... evolving.  

I’m going to leave you with the same advice as I did in Table Talk and Dismantle the Mantle: 

KEEP LAYERING!!!!! 

DISMANTLE... the mantle!!

I have a two-sided fireplace.  One side's theme is warm, cozy Christmas... the other is glitz and sparkle.  I'm not sure I could tell you which I like best either!!  I'd have to say the warm, cozy side actually... simply because it holds my kids' stockings.

If you read "Table Talk"  you'll see that decorating a mantle is really quite the same idea.  Start with a few solid pieces and get busy layering!!! If you don't have a mantle... how about a sofa table??  Side board??

So here we go.  Find some candle sticks you have around the house.  They don't need to match.  Different textures, weights and materials are interesting.  Holiday candles are everywhere right now!!  Just remember.. if you like the glitter ones, you'll probably have it showing up here and there in the strangest places for the next WEEK!!  Just ask my sister about that one... ;-).   Add a couple items of interest that you like.  For me it was this metal deer.  Got a clear vase hangin' around in a closet??  Add some glitter pine cones... or my favorite:  jingle bells (varying sizes/colors available at Hobby Lobby)... or beautiful vintage ornaments.

As far as the greens are concerned... I personally feel a quality green is worth investing in if you can.  I used "picks"on this side... while a garland worked best on the other.  Let's tuck those in next.

Fuss with what you have there a bit now.  Don't line things up in a row... PLEASE!!  Group like objects.  Depth creates interest.  Stand back and see if you like the balance... and be sure things aren't too even.

My favorite thing is the finishing touches:  ORNAMENTS!!  This mantle has beautiful, heavy antique ornaments tucked here and there.  Maybe yours would lend itself to something more classic.... or outdoorsy.  Pick a theme and stick with it.  Speaking of sticks, I found this beautiful glitter branch and tucked that in the back of this display.

Finally, don't be afraid to hang a couple cool ornaments from your mantle with fish line.  It's just a fun element.

So there you are... pat yourself on the back!! Job well done!!  BUT... if you're still scratching your head and frustrated, here's a picture of all the "ingredients" I used in this mantle.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!  

DECK YOUR HALLS AND CELEBRATE!!

(p.s... we're going to be talking a bit more about mantles... stay tuned)