My heart and stomach are tied together. Are yours?
Anytime I want to comfort, I turn to food. Anytime I want to celebrate, I turn to food. I have so many happy memories of cooking with my grandma and just being in her kitchen. It was the heart of her home.
Where is the heart of your home? Where does everyone gather when you have people over? I'm willing to bet that unless you specifically push them in another direction everyone ends up standing in the kitchen gabbing for hours.
I got a new giggle about the Christmas story this morning.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7
Jesus was laid in the manager. Which, if you're following my kitchen is the heart of a home theory, is the heart of the stable. God incarnate, the bread of life and living water was laid in a manger. He came to be the center of our lives. He comes to satisfy us with overflowing grace and love. He awaits us each morning, at every meal, and in all the moments of our lives to fill us with that which makes us whole.
And he was laid in a manger.
I love God! He makes me smile. :)
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
My Titus 2 Women
A few years ago I heard about the guidance of a Titus 2 woman for the first time. If you're clueless like I was, a Titus 2 woman is an older, wiser women that gives godly advice and lives a godly example for other women. She would guide you through those first years of marriage when you are quickly figuring out that a ring, dress, and romance does not complete the work of marriage. She would point you in the right direction and ask the difficult questions about your faith life to encourage growth.
I have to say, when I heard about a Titus 2 woman, I looked around and asked,
"And just where is my Titus 2 woman, Lord? My grandma is my role model, but You called her home 2 months after we got married. I could use a great role model."
Yeah, that's all me. Whining to the Lord.
As usual...He was already on it.
I have been abundantly blessed by the godly example of several women in the last two years. I am sure they would want me to point out that they are not very much older than me at all, but they are much, much wiser. The Lord has also opened my eyes, ears, and heart so I could pay attention to them. We build each other up by discussing not just our lives and problems but by discussing where we see God in the midst of everything. My heart fills with love for them when I think of these dear women. My heart overflows with love for God when I realize how much He loves me through these women.
Sometimes I feel like quite the little copycat around them. I'm almost embarrassed to tell them that I'm now trying something I saw them doing. However they keep doing such good things, that I just have to try them myself.
This morning my devotion by Henri Nouwen was "Faith is Nurtured In Friendship." Mr. Nouwen spoke of how God wants us to form friendships and community where His grace can grow to fullness and bear fruit. I know I have been blessed with this type of community and friendship. I pray God gives me the love and strength to bear the fruit He desires in my life.
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant yo to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6
I have to say, when I heard about a Titus 2 woman, I looked around and asked,
"And just where is my Titus 2 woman, Lord? My grandma is my role model, but You called her home 2 months after we got married. I could use a great role model."
Yeah, that's all me. Whining to the Lord.
As usual...He was already on it.
I have been abundantly blessed by the godly example of several women in the last two years. I am sure they would want me to point out that they are not very much older than me at all, but they are much, much wiser. The Lord has also opened my eyes, ears, and heart so I could pay attention to them. We build each other up by discussing not just our lives and problems but by discussing where we see God in the midst of everything. My heart fills with love for them when I think of these dear women. My heart overflows with love for God when I realize how much He loves me through these women.
Sometimes I feel like quite the little copycat around them. I'm almost embarrassed to tell them that I'm now trying something I saw them doing. However they keep doing such good things, that I just have to try them myself.
This morning my devotion by Henri Nouwen was "Faith is Nurtured In Friendship." Mr. Nouwen spoke of how God wants us to form friendships and community where His grace can grow to fullness and bear fruit. I know I have been blessed with this type of community and friendship. I pray God gives me the love and strength to bear the fruit He desires in my life.
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant yo to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Greetings
Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Luke 1:28b
What a wonderful way to begin.
This greeting from Gabriel to Mary was on a day she would never forget. The day she learned that not only was she highly favored by God, but that he had big, BIG plans for her. Plans not just to change her life, but plans to change the world.
I'm still overwhelmed by the greeting. Not only was Mary highly favored, but each of us (as explained in Luke 11:27-28 in my study Bible) is highly favored by God. We are all dear to Him. He has plans for each and everyone of us. While the plans for our lives probably don't involve a virgin birth (I know I'm not going to have that task), He has important plans for each of us. Anyone who has accepted the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit into their lives has the Lord with them each and every moment. The Lord is with us. When we obey His commands to love the Lord our God and our neighbors as ourselves we are highly favored.
I just have to sit back and treasure this gift.
Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.
I think I'm going to write that on the front of my prayer journal. Each morning I can smile as I read His greeting that I know extends to me also.
What a wonderful way to begin each day!
What a wonderful way to begin.
This greeting from Gabriel to Mary was on a day she would never forget. The day she learned that not only was she highly favored by God, but that he had big, BIG plans for her. Plans not just to change her life, but plans to change the world.
I'm still overwhelmed by the greeting. Not only was Mary highly favored, but each of us (as explained in Luke 11:27-28 in my study Bible) is highly favored by God. We are all dear to Him. He has plans for each and everyone of us. While the plans for our lives probably don't involve a virgin birth (I know I'm not going to have that task), He has important plans for each of us. Anyone who has accepted the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit into their lives has the Lord with them each and every moment. The Lord is with us. When we obey His commands to love the Lord our God and our neighbors as ourselves we are highly favored.
I just have to sit back and treasure this gift.
Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.
I think I'm going to write that on the front of my prayer journal. Each morning I can smile as I read His greeting that I know extends to me also.
What a wonderful way to begin each day!
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