Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 165

Scripture for the Fourth Thursday in Advent 2010

Luke 2:8-14

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14″Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Lord, as the angels declared on the night of our Savior's birth, we sing glory to God on high. We rejoice in the wonder of this magnificent moment in history but even more in the wonder of the Second Coming, when we will stand before Jesus. Prepare our hearts and spirits so we are ready for that great day and give You glory forever and ever. Amen.

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Published on December 22, 2010 22:37

Memories of Christmas Giving

I have many wonderful memories of Christmas with my family—with my parents and siblings when I was growing up and with my husband and extended family in adulthood.

But I also have wonderful memories of Christmas events with complete strangers—Christmases that reminded me of the true reason for the celebration. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. He came so that we might have life and have it abundantly. He came to show the love of God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I have been blessed to have had several occasions at Christmas when I could share that love with others.

I wrote about Christmas memories a couple of years ago. One of my favorites is the first year a group of womens business owners gave a party for mothers and their children who were in transition from the Battered Women's Shelter. We had originally offered to give a party or provide gifts for women and children in the Shelter, but staff told us the Shelter received much support from the community at Christmas. However, nothing was being done for a group of women who were in a new transition program. We agreed to give a party and gifts for these twelve women and their children (a total of about twenty children).

The families had stayed at the Shelter for weeks or months until the women found jobs and moved into their own apartments. This was their first Christmas without the husband and father, and although the man had been abusive, being apart from their father during the holidays was difficult and stressful for many of the children. The women were struggling to support and care for their children on their own for the first time. Although the Shelter staff explained all this to us, we didn't fully comprehend the situation.

We got a list of names and ages of the children and members of the businesswomen's group bought two or three gifts for each child. We gave the mothers gift certificates to a discount store, and we packaged up some food for each family.

About six of us went to a church in the neighborhood of the Battered Women's Shelter to host the party. One of our members had played Santa in the past and owned a Santa suit, so she offered to be Santa at the party. As I was leaving the office to go to the party, I had a sudden inspiration. I pulled my Polaroid camera out of my desk and took it with me. I didn't have any film, so after we assembled at the meeting place and loaded everything into a couple of cars, "Santa" and I made a trip to a nearby drugstore to buy film.

Kids came running from all directions to follow Santa through the store. After we bought enough film to take several pictures of each child, we headed down to the church. The room was already filled with women and children—we learned they had to arrive early because buses didn't run very often in that area, and if they had waited for the next bus, they would have missed most of the party.

We served refreshments, and although the children and their mothers were shy, they seemed to enjoy the cookies and punch. Then Santa got in position for gift distribution and photo-taking. All the kids hung back—they didn't seem to want to go up to Santa to get their presents and have their pictures taken. I walked around the perimeter of the room, encouraging the kids to go see Santa. They all nodded politely, but no one said or did anything.

Finally, one of the women, asked in a low voice, "How much does it cost?"

It had never occurred to me that they were afraid they had to pay, but their only experience of pictures with Santa was at the malls, and they could never afford to have their kids' pictures taken. When I told them it was free, the kids lined up quickly with big grins on their face.

Then one of the mothers asked me, "Would you take a picture of me with my kids? I've never had a picture of all of us together."

I could hardly see through the tears glistening in my eyes and could barely answer through the lump in my throat. "Of course, I'll be glad to take your picture." Looking through the camera lens to take the photos, I saw some of the biggest smiles I've ever seen in my life. And I can't begin to describe the joy on each mother's faces when the Polaroid picture developed and she saw the first photo ever taken of her with her children.

The kids clutched their big bags of gifts and the mothers held tightly to their own bags. No one made a move to open the gifts, so I encouraged the family nearest me to open their gifts.

"Oh, no!" the mother said. "They're saving their presents so they will have gifts to open on Christmas Day."

Can you imagine any child you know joyfully saving a gift for a couple of weeks, thrilled they would have a present to open on Christmas morning?

The other ladies and I looked at each other in amazement. We thought we were making Christmas a little brighter for these families. Instead, we were giving them the only Christmas they would have.

I know the party and the gifts meant a lot to those families, but the experience was as meaningful to me as it was to them. We have so many blessings, and we take them so much for granted. Those of us putting on the party were so naive that we never imagined that party and those gifts would be Christmas for the families who attended. We never imagined that a simple Polaroid picture would mean so much to a mother.

The photos weren't even planned—by the women putting on the party, at least. They were planned by God, and I know the Holy Spirit prompted me to reach for that camera when I had no thought of doing so. I am so grateful for this experience.

The women business owners put on a party for women in transition from the Battered Women's Shelter for a number of years after that until the group disbanded. By the second year, there were dozens of mothers and nearly a hundred children. After a few years, there were several hundred children. We always took Polaroid pictures of the children and of the family groups, and we always expected to see the mothers and their children lugging their packages to the bus stop after the party.

That first party, though, will always be a very special Christmas memory.

photo credit: wlashbrook

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Published on December 21, 2010 23:39

Scripture for the Fourth Wednesday in Advent 2010

Luke 2:1-7

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and 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.

Lord, thank You for the gift of Jesus, Your Son, who came as a babe in a manger, born so He could die for my sins on the cross. Thank You for the gift of salvation. Lead me in Your ways so I live in accordance with the marvelous gift of salvation. In the name of Jesus Christ, who came as a babe and died as a sacrifice and rose as a Savior. Amen.

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Published on December 21, 2010 22:30

Scripture for the Fourth Tuesday in Advent 2010

John 1:1-5

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

Lord, the Light of Jesus is shining, but our dark world doesn't understand it. Open our eyes to see Your Light and our hearts to understand it and to reflect it to a dark world. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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Published on December 20, 2010 22:28

Review: It's Murder, My Son

It's Murder, My Son

Lauren Carr

Paperback, 286 pages, published by CreateSpace, June 23, 2010, $14.99

Kindle edition, Published by Lauren Carr, June 23, 2010, $4.99

Fiction: Mystery

Mac Farraday suddenly finds himself the heir to the estate of a rich and famous mother he never knew. He trades in his life as a homicide detective for a life of leisure in his new home, his late mother's mansion. However, he is immediately drawn into the mystery of the recent murder of the woman who lived in the house next door.

I don't get excited about zillionaire protagonists–I'd rather read about more believeable characters. However, I'm sure Mac's sudden rise to riches will appeal to many readers. There is an interesting assortment of other characters, including a dog that's almost human.

The mystery is very complex and kept me guessing all the way through the book. Anyone who enjoys a good mystery will want to try to solve this puzzle.

Disclosure: I received an electronic copy of the book from the author. I have not accepted any compensation for this review and made no commitment to give a favorable review. The link to Amazon.com is an affiliate link.

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Published on December 20, 2010 01:45

Scripture for the Fourth Monday in Advent 2010

Zephaniah 3:14-17

14 Sing, O Daughter of Zion;

shout aloud, O Israel!

Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,

O Daughter of Jerusalem!

15 The LORD has taken away your punishment,

he has turned back your enemy.

The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you;

never again will you fear any harm.

16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem,

"Do not fear, O Zion;

do not let your hands hang limp.

17 The LORD your God is with you,

he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing.

Thank You, Lord, for taking away our punishment and saving us—for taking delight in us and quieting us with Your love, for rejoicing over us with singing. We praise You and sing to You in joy, glad and rejoicing in heart. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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Published on December 19, 2010 22:25

Scripture for the Fourth Sunday in Advent 2010

Galatians 4:1-5

1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. 4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

Lord, thank You for giving us the rights of heirs in Your glorious Kingdom. Empower us by the Holy Spirit to live as Your beloved sons and daughters, reflecting Your love to a hurting world. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

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Published on December 18, 2010 22:07

A Social Media Christmas

In this video, we see the Christmas story played out on Facebook. At first, I thought it would be irreverent, but instead seeing the story from a new perspective makes it even more impactful.

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Published on December 17, 2010 22:23

Scripture for the Third Saturday in Advent 2010

Matthew 3:1-6

1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

"A voice of one calling in the desert,

'Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.' "

4John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

Heavenly Father, we sin every day. Without You, we cannot be righteous. We confess our sins and repent for our wrongdoing. Forgive us and lead us into Your righteousness. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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Published on December 17, 2010 22:06

Post #900

[image error]In the past four and a half years, I've typed drivel, brilliant insights, thought-provoking words, rants, musings, or you-fill-in-the-blank, then hit "Publish" 900 times. On my way to 1000!

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Published on December 17, 2010 02:29