Amy Seiffert's Blog, page 2

Day 2: Ask God to Shepherd Your Decision

Thanks to Arthur Mazi for sharing their work on Unsplash.

Welcome to Day 2: Making Decisions in Uncertainty

Ask God to Shepherd Your Decision.

Let’s talk sheep. Sheep have a strong flocking behavior. So when one sheep moves, they all move. But sometimes a sheep gets off course, gets caught in a valley, or stuck in bramble. Which is why shepherds carry hooks. The shepherd’s hook guides—sometimes grabs—sheep who occasionally wander away or find themselves in hard situations and need help. 

Chances are, if you are doing this devotional you are in a hard spot. So the very idea of God being the Good Shepherd is comforting when we don’t know which way to turn. When we feel stuck, entangled, and in the dark. We need to stay close to the Shepherd and ask Him to guide us to the next best decision.

Take the time right now to slow down. Resist the urge to act. Instead, come quietly to the Good Shepherd and listen. Bring your choices in front of Him and look to His goodness and character to lead, guide, restore, comfort, and prepare provisions for you. Be with your Shepherd.

Open your palms as a posture of humility and need. Using Psalm 23 as a template, pray through the verbs describing God’s leadership in your life. 

“Even in this decision making process, God, You make me lie down in green pastures.” (Psalm 23:2)

“Even in this uncertain season, God, You lead me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm 23:2)

“Even in this hard place, God, You refresh my soul.” (Psalm 23:3)

“Even when I’m at a complete loss, God, you guide me on the right path.” (Psalm 23:3)

“Even when I feel overwhelmed and I’m losing sleep, God, you are with me, you comfort me, you prepare provisions for me.” (Psalm 23:4-5)

“Even when goodness and mercy feel far away, God, I will trust that they are following me in this decision.” (Psalm 23:6)

God, thank you that you are a good Shepherd. Thank you for providing for me in this. Thank you for the process of making this decision and that the process itself brings me closer to You. Thank you that this entire path is not in vain but bringing me closer to you as my Shepherd. You are good to me! Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

John 10: 14-16

 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

See you tomorrow!

Amy

Making Decisions in Uncertainty: Day 1

Welcome to Decision-Making in Uncertainty!

Making future decisions about schooling, jobs, and life choices feels extremely tricky right now. How do we make solid decisions in a world that is shifting underneath our feet? What if we make the wrong decision or we regret our choice? What if the choices we have are between a rock and a hard place? Over the next 6 days, let’s explore practices and principles for decision-making.

Day 1. How You Treat People Matters In The Decision-Making Process

I read the news article and started sweating. 

These are my options for schooling my children next year? This is the “plan”? What in the world? Is there any other possible way? I was starting to become annoyed and frustrated and overwhelmed. My flesh wanted to blame others and be angry, especially at “whoever was in charge.” Entitlement had reared its ugly head and it was not pretty. But thankfully the Spirit whispered, “They are doing the best they can.” 

Dang. It’s true. They are. 

And don’t I want that same grace? 

Yes. Yes I do. 

I want others to say of me that I am doing the best I can with what I’ve got. 

Are you living this out? Are you kind and gracious towards the ones who give you  information that causes you to make a choice? Do you assume the best in that individual? Do you feel your defenses rise or fall toward that person or group? 

Sometimes our options for making decisions come top down and often from people we do not personally know. And because of this, we are tempted to see them as props, not people. But how we treat others matters in the middle of making hard decisions. It’s not just about the decision-making itself. It never is. It’s about loving God and loving others as we make that decision. In every single possible corner of our life, Jesus says following Him means to deny ourselves (our rights, our privilege, our entitlement) and to take up our cross. As well, when asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus answered: to love God and to love others. 

Today, as we are facing a hard decision, let’s pull back the lens and gain perspective. This is not just about the decision in front of us; it’s about the souls in front of us. It’s about loving God in this space, acting in loving ways towards other human beings, refraining from complaining and grumbling, and doing so all with a humble heart. The people who have delivered the information are precious to God. Every last one of them. He made them and loves them. We cannot throw rocks at God’s precious people. 

God calls us to be humble, gracious, and kind to others. Grace must be the blanket that wraps around any decision-making process. Whether or not you personally know those giving out the information—give them grace. They are doing the best they can. So are you. 

God, help me to see each person in this process as who they are: precious and loved and created by You. Help me to be full of grace and compassion even in the face of my flesh. Forgive me for the ways I have complained and thrown rocks at others. Free me from myself and my fears and my judgement and help me to receive your grace so I can give it.

Scripture to Meditate On:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” -  Matthew 22:36-40 ESV

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world”. - Philippians 2:14 ESV

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2, NIV

A Few of My Favorite Quarantine Things

 

Isn’t it funny what has become a lifesaver in your house these days? These are a few of my favorite things over the past 45 days or so that are SAVING MY LIFE. I have tried all of these products and love them (along with my affiliate links). Here’s my current Top 5. I’d love to hear yours!

Flexible Routine

We have a flexible routine for our day. It bends with us depending on motivation levels, anxiety, and weather. I find that if we have a loose outline, it gives everyone an anchor to their day, even if we drift a bit. I don’t assign times to these sections so that we aren’t tethered. It’s just what’s next, with no time limit. It stays on our wall so kiddos can reference it. This is for my elementary littles and my middle school has a slightly different routine:

Our School Days:

-Breakfast

-Make Bed

-School

-Outside/Recess

-Creative Play (legos, art time, painting, coloring, building, sewing, etc)

-Lunch

-Chores

-Kindle Time

-Outside/Recess

-Reading time

-Free Play

-Dinner

2. Art Supplies

I love having Creative Play built into our flexible routine in the morning. I set all kinds of art supplies on our table and let them create away! Here are some of my favorites to set out:

Plain White Paper

Marker/Crayon Bin

Scissors

Colored Construction Paper (they love the thickness of construction paper vs. white paper)

Washable Paint (we used this on our “stained glass window art” for Easter and washed right off!

Stickers (hours of fun for ages 3-8!)

Bead/Bracelet/Necklace Supplies

Felt

Glue/Tape

3. Nail Polish

I hardly get my nails professionally done, but I do love painted nails as I constantly see my fingers working during the day. This color is easy and feels natural but nice:

OPI Nude Nail polish

4. Bamboo Curtains

My latest kitchen update project was hanging bamboo roller shades and I LOVE them! So many of you asked about these warm wood accents so here’s the link below. They are a fresh update, are inexpensive when it comes to curtains, and give a mod feel.

Bamboo Shades

5. No Tie Shoe Laces

Because we are doing ALL THE WALKS these make your shoes automatic slip-ons and zero tripping when you are on your run/walk. Where have these been all my life? Why has it taken me so long to find these? My friends tried to tell me, why didn’t I listen? I want to convert every lace to these. I am seriously in love for my shoes and my kids!

No Tie Shoe Laces

I hope these favorites give a little grace to your day! I’d love to hear yours!

 

Women and the Empty Tomb

There's something incredibly sweet about who is first given the knowledge that Jesus is alive.
That He is a tomb-surviver. 
That He slayed death.

There is something lovely and telling that God wanted a faithful group of women, who came carefully and tenderly to wrap up a broken body, to be first to know. To be first to understand that the one they put so much faith in could still be trusted. Now more than ever. 

They came ready to wrap up death. But instead God unwrapped life.

To some average women.

“But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

Then they remembered that he had said this. So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened......

”

— Luke 24

It's healing. Seeing these women and sisters and mothers running to tell some incredibly, shocking news.

It's beautiful. Seeing women–equal to property in that day–given the privilege to be the very first preachers of the gospel.

It's redeeming. Seeing women carry this news to others. After Mary carried The Good News in her belly. After Eve carried death and separation with her out of Eden. 

God carefully unwrapped such a beautiful redemption story. As carefully as the women came to wrap up Jesus' broken body, He came carefully still. Tending to hearts and binding up our brokenness. 

This is not to be missed: Jesus is the Hero of Our Story. And truly, there is no hero without a sacrifice. He was crucified. But then He defeated death. He is full of power. He is unmatched in might.

And still God gives great attention to the characters in need of the hero. Which is so gracious of Him– aren’t we always looking for ourself in the narrative? He not only took the punishment for our sins, but he took the positions of the lowly and gave them honor. He blesses women, and sends them as delegates. He honors Thomas, and restores the doubters. He loves Peter, and restores the deniers.

What a DAY.

Breaking through death with the power of life.
Forgiving the sins of all who repent.
Restoring the souls of all who will come.
Upending social structures because He is above it all.
Ushering in the real Kingdom. Where He is the King. And we are His sons and daughters.

Amen.

He is risen!

He is risen, indeed. 

 

Grace and Good Friday

It's Good Friday and this is in my Bible:

“ The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on him, on him. ”

— Isaiah 53 (The Message)

I see Jesus and then I see these words: 

Scrawny
Scrubby
Not-attractive
Scum

And then I see myself and my sin and I see these:

Ripped
Torn
Crushed
Bruised
Piled upon Him

And I see His suffering and I see

Made us whole
Healed us

I just can't get away from one word. Ripped.

When I see that word I think about paper or something flimsy that is easily torn. But we are talking about a person. To think about a human being ripped and torn, about your mom or your dear friend or your child being ripped, that's vivid and horrifying.

People aren't like paper; they have bones and flesh and souls and dreams and abilities and hopes and laughter. And He wasn't just a person. He was fully a person AND fully God, God-King.

God was shredded. That's what happened today on Good Friday.

A few years ago my 10 year old at the time asked, “Why is it called Good Friday when it's when Jesus was crucified, mom? That's not good.” 

Oh buddy...He was crushed and killed for our good, bud. It was horrible...for our good. So we could be made whole and healed. Ripped for our good. He was always doing things for our good. We have a good God who came for our good.

And then I see that there was somehow, in some way, joy involved on Jesus' end. Which seems like the biggest juxtaposition we can think of: joy and ripping. But somehow, He saw that this was the way, that it was somehow good, and for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross. He saw that this was good, though be it horrifying. He chose joy in the middle of anguish. He fixed His eyes on things above and endured the cross. We have a good, good Father who sent a good, good Son. Who was soon...soon...three times soon…..raised from the grave by a good, good Spirit. 

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ”

— Hebrews 12:2

Finding grace on good Friday has nothing to do with us. It has everything to do with Him.

No One Can Pray And Worry at the Same Time

“No one can pray and worry at the same time.”

— Max Lucado

Is your worry off the charts these days?

Mine has been. My sleep has been pretty fitful. I have been waking up in the middle of the night and often laying there as my thoughts bounce around like ping pong balls. They ping around about my husband's small business, my friends who are nurses and doctors, my children’s lack of rhythm, my book launch, my parents and their age, this global pandemic, my hall closet, that thing I said the other day I didn't really mean, my hair. You name it. I’m giving it worry time.

What are we to do about all of our racing thoughts?

Max Lucado said it best. We can worry or we can pray, but we can't do both. So I am practicing, as best as I can, to put God in front of it all. Putting God as my first word in front of all these worries is proving to be a helpful and calming practice.

Grace looks amazing on us when we put God first.

"God, what about my single mom friends right now? God, how long can we keep up this social distancing that has turned to cabin fever? God, bring me peace. God, You are the Prince of Peace and You reign over every thought. God, You are King and I am not. You are mighty. You are powerful. You are merciful. You are compassionate. You are gracious. You are a rock. A shield. A fortress."

The more we put God in front of it all, the more we will think about who God is instead of what we cannot control. Let God take the lead. Turning our worry into prayer has a domino affect. We begin focusing on God and His good character. And we start to rest and trust. And we find peace. We begin to see He is so much bigger than any fears we have.

When we place God in front of our worry, our fears slow down and our faith strengthens.

But maybe you feel like you’re not sure about God’s character or you are having trouble remembering who He is when you are worried? God’s word is the perfect place to go. Memorize a few of His characteristics in the light to recall in the dark. Here are my favorite places to remember God’s character:

"I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies." - Psalm 18:1-2 ESV

“The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” - Psalm 108: 3 NLT

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob,  he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” - Isaiah 43:12 ESV

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” - Psalm 23 ESV

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27 NIV

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Phil 4:6-7 NIV

May you know grace looks like prayer. May you put God first and find peace. May you find calm in the night.

5 Ways to Find Grace in the Face of Disappointment

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

I tasted tears in my toothpaste. I didn’t stop them from coming, even when I was doing a simple thing like brushing my teeth. Dancing down my face, doing what they wanted, when they wanted—I let them come. If it’s one thing I know about disappointment, it’s to let the tears tell your story. Let them come, let them loose, let them dance.

What do you when you’re faced with disappointment?  What do you do when the trip is cancelled?  When the relationship takes an unexpected turn? When a friend fails you? When your boss says, “I’m sorry, but we have to let you go?” When you expected one fantastic treat, but instead it’s a treat gone rancid?

What do we do with disappointments of all shapes and sizes? 

Because disappointment and grief are cut from the same cloth, grief can be our guide in our search for grace. Here’s 5 ways I have found grace in the face of disappointment. May one of them speak to you.

5 Ways to Find Grace in the Face of Disappointment

1.Host a Pity Party.
That’s right. Get on your best sweats and worst top knot and cry. Grieve. Hold space for pain and sadness. Let your tears tell you what is lost. Name the losses. Naming says they are real, they are seen, they matter. Name the loss of adventure. Of a relationship. Of an opportunity. Of unmet expectations. Of a party. Of a hope. Of a friend. Name it all. Eat chocolate. Party with your pity. Whip soft things at walls. Tears release tension and heal hurt. But here’s the thing: parties eventually end. Maybe it’s a 15 minute pity party. Sometimes I commit to a 10 minute pity party, set the timer, and have at it. And sometimes it’s an all night rager. Either way, give yourself time to be sad. But then give yourself permission to get back in the game.

2.Share with Safe Friends.
Tell your friends about your disappointment—but the safe ones. The ones that won’t shame you for having big feelings about big (or little) things. The ones who will sit with you in the darkness and feeling your feelings. The ones who will say, “Me too, friend.” The ones who will send you SNL videos featuring alien invasions because laughter really is good medicine. The ones who have empathy, compassion, and grace.

3.Write A Great Next Paragraph. 
You are in the part of your story featuring a valley of disappointment and grief. What would you like to happen next? What kind of person do you want to be after this? How do you want to come out of this? What do you want to learn? You can make some choices from here and write a great next paragraph to your story. You can imagine a better day, a better job, a better life. Our thoughts are powerful. Think good ones. Write great ones. 

4.Coach Your Soul.
The writers of the Bible were no strangers to disappointment. They grieved. They lamented. They wept. Jesus very much included. I love how Habakkuk coaches his soul as he looks at all the devastation. He names it all, very specially. But then He names a good God. He coaches his soul to see the strength standing there with him. He writes:

“Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.”

— Habakkuk 3:17-19

5.Get your Chin Up.
Even if it’s one degree at a time. Try to look outside of your disappointing situation, even for just 30 seconds. Try to see something sweet. Look for the lovely. You find what you are looking for, so try to find the good. Even if it’s looking up from the floor to the window and seeing that the sun coming through. Light is good. It tells us darkness isn’t forever. It gives hope of a new day. It grows things into the beautiful flowers they are meant to be.

Oh friend, disappointment is no joke. May one of these five be grace to you today.

Why Free-Will Family Fun Might Change Your Parenting

Forced family fun. Maybe that’s a weekly occurrence in your house, maybe it’s only referenced on vacation when everyone piles into the van to play putt-putt, but only half of the humans actually want to go.

Our culture often jokes about “forced family fun” and the memories we set out to make with our kids. As a mom of three, I have been notorious for trying to get all three of my kids to love the same activity at the same time and to MAKE THOSE MEMORIES. But inevitably, some child is not into whatever the activity is. And most likely said family member just happens to be in the tween or teen years. In our family, we’ve noticed the ten-and-unders are usually up for any kind of adventure: parks, hiking, sledding, walks, movies, games, etc. But when it comes to kids above ten, we’ve noticed a few things. And when I say “notice,” I mean the observations that come from miserably failing and everything turning into a dumpster fire. So if I may, I offer you the gifts from our wreckage.

Planned Emancipation is the goal. In the book, Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: A Complete Guide to Parenting Adolescents and Launching Them Into the World (so good!) Wilgus makes a case for “planned emancipation.” Freedom and choice are huge when it comes to raising adolescents and launching them well into the world. He talks about making a plan for more freedom each year—and responsibility—that raises adults who have character, who have made plenty of mistakes, who have learned well under your roof, and who have a thriving relationship with you. He advises making plans for your child’s freedom and responsibility at every stage. This book is fabulous. If the only thing you get from this blog is that book, then you are winning.

Having a good relationship with your child means invitation is a game-changer. Instead of requiring family fun,“We are all going for a nature hike. Everyone goes. You have no choice because it’s forced family fuuuuuun!” Try inviting your tween or teen, “We are going for a nature hike and would love for you to come. But it’s your choice. We will miss ya.” An invitation makes a huge difference; it gives them choice, autonomy, and free-will. And if they choose to come, they will do so willingly and with much more joy than if it was forced. But the really hard thing about this is that your child may not choose to join you. Which can feel sad, especially to us moms. But what is the goal? A grumpy, pouting tween who feels handcuffed anytime there is family “fun”? OR a child who is given freedom, and because of that freedom, wants to keep your relationship and moves toward you? And when she chooses, she chooses with a better attitude than if she was forced?

Recently, after forcing fun (but then realizing we actually want to give freedom) we changed our tune and made it an option for our oldest to join us. He chose to stay home. But 5 minutes later, after we left, he texted and said, “I feel bad about not going but I just don’t want to go on a walk right now.” Because he was given a choice, our relationship stayed in tact. Communication was still open and he moved toward us. There have been plenty of times where arms have been crossed, relationship is shut down, and communication is closed because we forced family fun. He was with us, but not really. And I definitely didn’t get the “memory” I wanted.

Be available when your child asks YOU to join HER. I am prone to deciding when we play, have adventures, or engage in activities. But don’t miss the opportunities, (which may grow fewer each year) to be with your kids when they ask you to join. Ping-pong requests often come at very inconvenient times, but I can usually put off what I am doing (unless it’s going to burn on my stovetop) for 15 minutes to hang out and play with my son. It’s a sweet gift when they move toward us and a huge deposit into our relationship.

Give Up on Instagram Moments. I have often forced fun because I wanted that photo or that moment. But when I drop my agenda and leave the need to “stage” some kind of family fun, I am more relaxed and have realigned my focus. May your focus be: enjoying your people. Not perfecting a post.

Choose Joy for Yourself. I can’t make my children enjoy an activity or a moment. But I can choose what is in MY cup during that time. Dump out your expectations, your frustrations, and your grumpiness. Ask God to pour joy into your own cup on the way to that thing and decide to choose joy. It’s there. Even in the hot car and with crying kiddos. I dare you to find some joy in the hardest places.

So, there’s my recent diamonds in the rough of parenting. My something speak to you as you parent in 2020!

Cheers,
Amy

Light

There’s a reason we love the candlelight services on Christmas Eve. When everything goes dark, we are reminded of how much we need light. Of how much darkness there was before Jesus came. Of how much He is the Light of the World.

We then light one candle, and then pass on the light, one by one, to each church member, until everyone is holding the light, as we sing. Slowly the light spreads, the hope moves, the joy is evident. He’s here! He’s here! The Light of the World has come to be with us, to put all of our burdens and sins upon Himself, to remove the barrier between us and God! He is the only hope and THIS is what we celebrate! The Great Light has come! Amen!

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12

Thank you for joining us these last 12 days! I hope your advent season was richer in some way because of our time reflecting on one word at a time. Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

Amy

Love

For the love.

That’s why Jesus came. He did it for the love of his creation, his people, you and me.

I love the way The Message puts it:

“This is how much God LOVED the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.” - Joh 3:16-18

God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending His Son at Christmas to stand there and accuse us, blame us, shame us, or reject us. Nope. The reason we have Jesus in a manger in a tumble down stable is so He could break into the brokenness and make it possible for us to restore fellowship with God again. And all He asks is that we believe in Him. That we trust Him. That we put our weight on Him and lean.

That’s what His love is about.

That’s Christmas.

You have been troopers! Only one more day to go!

See you tomorrow,

Amy