Just want to talk to him for a minute...

Hi All ~
I found my self, along with half the population of Florida, converging onto the Orlando scene this week for some Christmas fun at the Ice Exhibit. Actually it had nothing to do with fun and everything to do with spending the day with my mom, my sister in law and my niece Brooklyn. The day didn’t go as we had planned, but to me the real treat was hanging with the fam...

The exhibit’s marketing scheme was classic amusement park. As we walked out of the display (once we made it past the gift shop) we had the option of getting a picture with Santa. My goal was to get to the free hot chocolate line as quick as possible with hopes that some feeling would return to my fingers and toes. But heading out the door, I noticed no one following me. My mom and I had gotten separated from Tonya and Brooklyn. After a few minutes of searching my mom found them. Brooklyn had gotten permission from Santa’s elf to stand in the Santa line. She didn’t care a hoot about getting her picture with him. She just wanted to talk to him for a minute!

I stood off to the side watching my little niece, hands in pockets, her caramel colored hair spilling out of her multicolored stocking cap, waiting patiently at the bottom of the steps for Santa to invite her on stage with him. I wondered what she would say. She too had been asking about the hot chocolate, so I knew whatever she wanted to tell him ranked higher on her list than warming her tootsies.

Finally Santa turned Brooklyn’s way and waved her on up. I held my breath as she walked alone up the steps and across the stage. It felt so ceremonial, so special. As she approached, Santa leaned over to look her square in the eyes as she proceeded to tell him...she never would tell us what she told him...whatever her heart desired. His eyes never wandered from her face. She had his undivided attention.

I caught myself wishing that were me up there talking to someone who wanted to know my deepest desires. And someone who would have the wisdom to tell me what to do with them; someone who could look deep within my soul and know the ideas and questions I struggle to articulate.

The truth is I do have Someone like that! He happens to be the Creator of the universe, not someone earning a little Christmas money with a part- time Santa job. My Heavenly Father cares deeply about what concerns me. I don’t have to wait in line, or pay to spend time with Him. He’s never too busy (It’s usually the other way around) He listens intently and encourages me to pour out my soul to Him. Psalm 62:8 All of this….because Christ came down!

I love that mental picture I have now of Brook and Santa…Sometimes, if you’re like me, because we can’t see God, we forget that He is much more interested in you and me than “Santa” ever was in Brooklyn. I want to be like a little child and pour out my heart to Him; like Brooklyn did to that strange man dressed in a big red suit with a fuzzy beard. I pray that soon Brooklyn will understand there is no one who loves her more than Jesus. I pray she will embrace Him as her Savior and love Him all the days of her life!

Merry Christmas Everyone ~
Hope & Glory! To You ~Love

Rebecca

Oh..Job...Yippee & Goodie Gum Drops

Oh… Job…Yippee & Goodie Gum Drops.

Job 23:10

Hello Ladies ~ A Happy Day to You

I’ve been reading Job. I often cringe a little initially when my Bible reading leads me there. I don’t really like to read about suffering cuz…well, ya know…I don’t like it! But this time around I have a varied perspective on the book. I know we associate its main theme with suffering, but actually the bulk of the book is the dialogue between Job and his “friends” (of course with “friends” like Job’s ~ who needs enemies!) Have you ever read it?! You wouldn’t believe all the slams and comebacks they say to each other! It’s like a sitcom. TV has nothing over the Bible! Sprinkled in those dialogues are times when Job is pouring out his heart and his frustrations to God.

Today I read one of my favorite chapters – chapter 23 - “He knows the way that I take and when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold… He performs the thing that is appointed FOR me…” Notice it doesn’t say He performs the thing TO you. When you do something TO someone it is intended to harm or hurt. When you do something FOR someone it’s intended to do her well and to bless her.

You know what? That’s the truth. Do I understand or see how all the different things in life are FOR me. HA! No. And more than likely you don’t either. But does that mean it’s not true just because my simple mind doesn’t see it? No. Thank God His truth is not based on my understanding or accepting it! My friend, what a joy to know He doesn’t fall asleep on watch care over us and performs things FOR us, for our benefit. And in the end, we come forth as gold… who doesn’t want that ?!

Hope & Glory! to You ~ Love

Rebecca

Verse...for life

Verse…For Life

John 1:12, Galatians 2:20, Psalm 46:10

Hello Everyone ~

So… when I was growing up in church we were encouraged to find a life verse. My first life verse was John 1:12 “But as many as received him to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” I have no recollection as to why I chose that verse! But I do remember saying it loudly and proudly; feeling my first sense of ownership and right to claim God’s word as my own.

Then in junior high my verse changed to Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” I think I loved that verse because of how the words fell in it. I felt a kindred spirit to the confusing way it sounded – a lot like Jr. High!

When I was 14, I was diagnosed with diabetes. A disease I absolutely didn’t want. I begged God to tell me it wasn’t true and then I begged Him to take it away. Instead He gave me this – my new life verse “And He said unto me, ‘ My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” II Corinthians 12:9. This verse would be my new medicine for the ache in my soul.

Today, however, as precious as many verses are to me, the verse that best describes my heart as a child of God is Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.” That would be the verse I would sign at the bottom of my name. Oh… I don’t know! I love Ps 91:1 too!! My husband Ronnie’s life verse is II Timothy 1:12 “…I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”

So… do you have a life verse? What is it? Do those closest to you know what it is? If you don’t have one, I encourage you to find one. Then share it with someone!

Hope & Glory! to You ~ Love

Rebecca Lynn