Welcome...

Today is Five Minute Friday. One word, five minutes, no editing. Today's word is WELCOME...

Every morning I have an opportunity...some mornings I take that opportunity...some days I speed right by it. Every morning He waits for me, every morning He anticipates my attention, every morning He welcomes me to join Him. 

I imagine Him sitting in my living room, in my striped chair; hoping I will curl up on my couch and just chat with Him. He doesn't need fancy words, He doesn't need a well crafted speech. In fact some days He would be happy to sit with me in silence. He just wants me to join Him, to invite Him into my day. He has written me a love letter that He wants me to read, to study, to soak up every word. 

He is Jesus, He welcomes you into His presence every morning! Don't miss the chance to welcome Him into you day as well!

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, 

left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 

Mark 1:35

My #1 post this year...

2014 is quickly coming to a close. I'm always a bit nostalgic this time of the year as I look back on all the events in my life. Funny how life can seem fairly ordinary and uneventful, but when I look over the previous year, I realize quite a bit did happen. I enjoy looking through some of what I wrote to remind myself of where I was and what God was teaching me. I have a small humble blog, I like it that way. I do however have one post this year that got more hits than I am used to seeing. This post wasn't even written by me...it was a guest post by my son Caleb. I asked him to write something for me before his wedding...guess I need to have him write for me more! 

“Wait, you’re getting married?”

That seems to be a question that I have been facing a lot lately. With my wedding coming up in a little over three weeks, a lot of people have been asking me questions along those exact same lines. You see, both myself and my fiancé are 19, we met met a little less than two years ago, and we are both still in college. Some call us crazy, some question our motives, but I stand firm behind my decision to get married and stay married.
Continue reading here...


**By the way the wedding went beautifully! You can read more about it here...

Adore...

Today is the last Five Minute Friday of the year. The word for today is ADORE...

O Come Let us Adore Him

O Come Let us Adore Him

O Come Let us Adore Him

Christ the Lord

Don't let this season pass by without stopping to adore Him...

the babe in the manger.

That babe is more than just a baby...

He is our King.

That babe is more than just a king...

He is our Savior.

Stop in the midst of the Christmas chaos...

stop to adore Him.

As you sing familiar Christmas carols...

stop to adore Him.

Stop and ponder why He came...

not just so we could celebrate this season with tinsel and gifts.

He came because He loved us...

He came to save us...He came knowing how it would end.

That babe in a manger...

He is our King...He came with a mission.

That babe in a manger...

He is our Savior...He came for us!

Prepare Him Room...

It's Five Minute Friday again, where do the weeks go anymore? Today's word is PREPARE...


Go...

Joy to the World!  The Lord is come
Let earth receive her king!
Let every heart prepare Him room...

In the hustle and bustle of December...
Prepare Him room...

In between the to-do lists and the shopping...
Prepare Him room...

During the flurry of parties and concerts...
Prepare Him room...

In the midst of the magic of the season...Santa and elves...
Prepare Him room...

In the mess of baking and frosting and taste testing...
Prepare Him room...

In the hunt for the perfect tree and hanging of lights...
Prepare Him room...

As you make travel plans and constantly check the weather...
Prepare Him room...

When you are still groggy as the morning sun peeks over the horizon...
Prepare Him room...

And heaven and nature sing...
And heaven and nature sing...
And heaven and heaven and nature sing...

Don't just let heaven and nature sing and point to Him...join in...prepare Him room and sing Joy to the world...the Lord is come!!!

Dear Hope...

Today is Five Minute Friday. One word, five minutes, no editing. Today's post comes from a place of grief and love. My sweet daughter had a miscarriage the week before Thanksgiving. It was not her first. As you read this, please pray for Josh and Abby as they work through another loss. Today's word is DEAR....

Dear Hope,

Hey sweetie, I just want you to know how very loved you are. My heart hurts it loves you so much. Your mommy and daddy love you so much too. You have been prayed for so many times. From the day your mom told us she was pregnant again your grandpa and I prayed everyday. I will never forget the day that your mommy called and said they had heard your heartbeat. I cried that day, tears of joy. That was a huge answer to prayer.

A few weeks later we got news again of you, this time there were tears...for a different reason. This time there was no heartbeat. But sweet Hope we did not give up on you that day. Your family and so many other people began praying without ceasing. During that time is when you got your name, how fitting a name. As long as you were still in mommy there was still Hope. You are one loved baby, if only love were enough. We don't have the answers to why we won't meet you on this side of heaven. What we do have is a God who is big enough for our grief in losing you. We have a God who grieves with us. Your life may have been short, but know this little one that short life of yours has impacted many.

Jesus has you now, let him hold you. Tell sweet Faith we love her too, and your other siblings....

Love for ever and always,

Grandma.

Rejoice in hope,  be patient in affliction, be constant in prayer. 

Hebrews 12:12