There's been lots of decision making in the past few weeks. The new year is right around the corner and it's looking like along with it are going to come some changes. With news that Aaron's blood pressure is high, we'll be making some changes to our diets and amount of exercise. With the decision to look into finishing our basement, we'll find ourselves on a much more strict budget...
The hopes are that we may have a finished basement by early summer at the latest... and my hopes are that we may have another Gregg added to our family somewhere in the late spring or summer of 2011 ;) That's been news I wondered if I'd ever get to share, but it seems if a man gets a mancave, a wife gets a baby :) Of course, God changes plans and sometimes cancels them, so we'll see what happens on both of those fronts as the coming months unfold.
I'm excited to see all of the new things that Bryton will be doing this year. It seems like a week goes by and he's a different kid... I'll be sure to keep you posted, and if we so finish the basement, I'll make sure you have pictures to watch the process happen!
Love you all, and happy new year!
We get one journey... here's putting into words what is going on in ours.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Peace in Response to Chaos
It's Christmas Eve. All of Scripture had led up to this morning. All of Creation had led and pointed to this time. The Savior of the world coming to Earth, the answer, the solution, to our sin problem.
And so the song says, "Silent night, Holy night, all is calm, all is bright... sleep in heavenly peace."
All of us who have had children know that nights, especially birthing nights, aren't silent, aren't calm, and aren't always peaceful. But with this birth came the prince of peace. With Jesus came the peace that surpasses understanding. Jesus was the peace that exists in response to chaos. A real baby, he had real baby characteristics. It had to be ironic to Mary when Jesus had a fussy night that He came as the Prince of Peace. That's incredible.
Christmas has never held the wonderment and emotion that it has this year. Christmas songs have, this year, brought tears. The Christmas story, brought joy and appreciation. I've found myself more in awe of God, more in awe of this baby Jesus, than I ever have before. Thank you, God for Christmas, for everything that it entails. For loving us with your strength, for guiding us with your light, and for accepting us in your grace. Oh precious baby Jesus.
And so the song says, "Silent night, Holy night, all is calm, all is bright... sleep in heavenly peace."
All of us who have had children know that nights, especially birthing nights, aren't silent, aren't calm, and aren't always peaceful. But with this birth came the prince of peace. With Jesus came the peace that surpasses understanding. Jesus was the peace that exists in response to chaos. A real baby, he had real baby characteristics. It had to be ironic to Mary when Jesus had a fussy night that He came as the Prince of Peace. That's incredible.
Christmas has never held the wonderment and emotion that it has this year. Christmas songs have, this year, brought tears. The Christmas story, brought joy and appreciation. I've found myself more in awe of God, more in awe of this baby Jesus, than I ever have before. Thank you, God for Christmas, for everything that it entails. For loving us with your strength, for guiding us with your light, and for accepting us in your grace. Oh precious baby Jesus.
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Gospel
It’s the Gospel... God becomes man as a baby, through a woman who is a virgin. He lives a sinless life on this sinful Earth, teaches great truth, heals the sick, feeds the people, walks on water and is crucified for the sins of the world. Three days later this God-man raises from the dead, spends 40 days teaching and appearing to His people, and makes His way back to Heaven with a promise to one day come again. It’s amazing. It’s unbelievable. It isn’t everyday a 33 year old sinless male is hung on the cross, the supernatural happens, he’s put in a grave and he enters back among the living three days later. But somehow, we still manage to live our Christian lives like this is a hum-drum event, like it happens everyday, like there isn’t much special about it.
The power of God can’t transform us because we don’t allow the power of His message change us. We say we believe, but do we really? If we did, would we be hum-drum in our excitement about Christ? Wouldn’t we tell everyone we knew? Wouldn’t we be ecstatic that we aren’t doomed to Hell forever? Wouldn’t there be more joy and anticipation in our lives?
What would happen if we really believed? Would our towns be revolutionized? Would our country forever be changed? Would the world be introduced to a living God? What would happen if we believed the gospel to be exactly what it claims to be, the Good News of Jesus Christ?
The power of God can’t transform us because we don’t allow the power of His message change us. We say we believe, but do we really? If we did, would we be hum-drum in our excitement about Christ? Wouldn’t we tell everyone we knew? Wouldn’t we be ecstatic that we aren’t doomed to Hell forever? Wouldn’t there be more joy and anticipation in our lives?
What would happen if we really believed? Would our towns be revolutionized? Would our country forever be changed? Would the world be introduced to a living God? What would happen if we believed the gospel to be exactly what it claims to be, the Good News of Jesus Christ?
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Mary Like Me
At the time when we celebrate Christ’s birth, I think sometimes we overlook it’s significance. As a parent now, I experience the amazingness (haha my own made up word) of raising a son myself. Every day is a new joy and a new challenge. Every day I’m reminded how fortunate I am. I realize this year what a miracle a child is... and even moreso, what a miracle a virgin birth is, and just as much, the everyday life of Mary and Joseph raising a son as a child, but having the unique challenge of raising the Son of God.
Here’s a little of my reflection:
It’s 7:00 a.m.
The alarm has not gone
And I hear a hand beating
Like the sound of a drum,
And some babbling coming
From the end of the hall,
And I know my days started at the sound of your call.
And up from the crib you reach up to me,
And I’m no longer concerned about the little lost sleep,
With your beautiful smile you light up my day.
And I look forward to watching you learn as you play.
And I wonder if Mary felt the same way.
And your little soft feet now pitter my floor
From hallway to table, from window to door,
And on an occasion you’ll slip and you’ll fall,
And my little heart breaks though there are no tears at all.
And I want to protect you from all of life’s pain,
From every scraped knee to every mean name,
And I wonder if Mary thought the same thing.
And I’ll watch as you grow and experience life,
All of the joy and all of the strife,
And I’ll pray you find Jesus and follow Him close,
That you’ll follow His path for you, wherever it goes
Because His hand will guide you better than I,
I wonder if Mary knew her Son could save mine.
And it’s 2000 years ago in the mid of the night,
Man and a woman in midst of a fright,
Have no bed to rest on, No room in the inn,
And the little boy’s coming, His life would begin.
The only birth that gave birth to light,
As a star appeared in the midst of the sky,
And I wonder if Mary had any clue why.
And her baby like mine, he learned to sit up,
Said his first word, drank out of a cup,
Took his first steps and then learned to read,
And I’m sure she’s as proud as any mother would be.
Is it possible she loved him the same kind of way,
That I love and cherish my son everyday?
I wonder how Mary and Jesus would play.
I’d imagine Mary was like you and like me,
Raising a baby to be what God wants them to be,
Yes, I’d imagine we could talk of our sons,
Of the joy they gave with little things done,
The bedtime routines and the silly games played,
The bedtime kisses and little prayers prayed.
I wonder if Mary knew of the lives that’d be saved.
And I wonder the memories that flooded her thoughts,
Of his first word, or the first fish he caught,
As she witnessed Him hung up on a tree,
I can’t imagine any solace that He was there to save me,
When her baby boy, the one that she loved,
Was grieving in pain and covered with blood.
Yes, to imagine our Savior born into this world,
Like you and like me, born of a girl,
Who would do her best to raise her Son right,
Often up in the midst of the night,
And I wonder what stories Mary would name
of her Son’s favorite color and His eternal reign.
Here’s a little of my reflection:
It’s 7:00 a.m.
The alarm has not gone
And I hear a hand beating
Like the sound of a drum,
And some babbling coming
From the end of the hall,
And I know my days started at the sound of your call.
And up from the crib you reach up to me,
And I’m no longer concerned about the little lost sleep,
With your beautiful smile you light up my day.
And I look forward to watching you learn as you play.
And I wonder if Mary felt the same way.
And your little soft feet now pitter my floor
From hallway to table, from window to door,
And on an occasion you’ll slip and you’ll fall,
And my little heart breaks though there are no tears at all.
And I want to protect you from all of life’s pain,
From every scraped knee to every mean name,
And I wonder if Mary thought the same thing.
And I’ll watch as you grow and experience life,
All of the joy and all of the strife,
And I’ll pray you find Jesus and follow Him close,
That you’ll follow His path for you, wherever it goes
Because His hand will guide you better than I,
I wonder if Mary knew her Son could save mine.
And it’s 2000 years ago in the mid of the night,
Man and a woman in midst of a fright,
Have no bed to rest on, No room in the inn,
And the little boy’s coming, His life would begin.
The only birth that gave birth to light,
As a star appeared in the midst of the sky,
And I wonder if Mary had any clue why.
And her baby like mine, he learned to sit up,
Said his first word, drank out of a cup,
Took his first steps and then learned to read,
And I’m sure she’s as proud as any mother would be.
Is it possible she loved him the same kind of way,
That I love and cherish my son everyday?
I wonder how Mary and Jesus would play.
I’d imagine Mary was like you and like me,
Raising a baby to be what God wants them to be,
Yes, I’d imagine we could talk of our sons,
Of the joy they gave with little things done,
The bedtime routines and the silly games played,
The bedtime kisses and little prayers prayed.
I wonder if Mary knew of the lives that’d be saved.
And I wonder the memories that flooded her thoughts,
Of his first word, or the first fish he caught,
As she witnessed Him hung up on a tree,
I can’t imagine any solace that He was there to save me,
When her baby boy, the one that she loved,
Was grieving in pain and covered with blood.
Yes, to imagine our Savior born into this world,
Like you and like me, born of a girl,
Who would do her best to raise her Son right,
Often up in the midst of the night,
And I wonder what stories Mary would name
of her Son’s favorite color and His eternal reign.
Traditions
I’m a mom this year at Christmas. Well, I guess I was last year too, but this year, I really feel like a mom. I have a little boy who runs to me with open arms, who I really believe knows who I am, and, I must admit, I know a little bit more this year about being a parent than I did last year. So I realllly feel like a mom this year.
Christmas is a weird thing to “figure” out when you have a ‘family’ and you aren’t just a ‘couple’ anymore. I’m working on trying to find family traditions for us for holidays, you know, not just for Christmas but for the 4th of July, and New Years, and Halloween, you know... holidays. So obviously, now, I’m talking about Christmas.
I have some simple things I’ve already instilled... like buying a new tree ornament every year, symbolizing something that has happened in our family. I want it to be something we can do together. And baking cookies. And of course, we’re trying to figure the Santa thing out. We do stockings for each other... and I want to read the Christmas story together on Christmas Eve as a family.
So in thinking about all of these things and finding the balance between overwhelming ourselves with traditions that we tolerate and being excited about traditions we enjoy, I started thinking back to my own childhood and what I remembered about Christmas, in general. Here’s a little of my recollection:
- We always opened presents together, as a family, on Christmas morning. I liked that. I enjoyed having that time, even if it was early because we were gone the rest of the day.
- My mom and I ALWAYS baked cookies together. Especially her Snowballs. This tradition is so important to me that I’ll try to do it exactly with Bryton, if he enjoys it. Snowballs and all. I loved this!
- We watched The Grinch, the original Grinch, every year together as a family, as well as National Lampoon’s family vacation. I foresee lots of those traditions in my family as well.
- As I got older we all opened one present early. Kids choices. I’ll never forget my last Christmas as a ‘kid’ in my parent’s house... I chose an awesome present for me and my mom. My dad, on the other hand, opened socks. bahahahaha!
- We always decorated the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Would love to say I may carry on this tradition, but I may be too early for that ;)
- We went at least one night out driving and looking at Christmas lights.
- I got an apple and an orange in every Christmas stocking I ever received... all the way through age 20! I’ll repeat that one! Sure beats a whole stocking of candy!!!
And here are some I’d like to add to my family:
- The ornament thing listed above.
- The Christmas story, listed above.
- Giving as a family. More specifically, allowing Bryton to “buy” for an Angel child every year.
- Secret Santa stockings. (This may be how we touch on the story of St. Nick in our Christmas celebration... it still points back to Jesus’ gift.)
- The possibility of ‘gold, frankincense, myrrh gifts.’
- Of course, Christmas cookies, movies, and hot chocolate.
- And, as children get older, skiing, if only in St. Louis.
But I'm open to suggestions! What are the family traditions YOU love?
Christmas is a weird thing to “figure” out when you have a ‘family’ and you aren’t just a ‘couple’ anymore. I’m working on trying to find family traditions for us for holidays, you know, not just for Christmas but for the 4th of July, and New Years, and Halloween, you know... holidays. So obviously, now, I’m talking about Christmas.
I have some simple things I’ve already instilled... like buying a new tree ornament every year, symbolizing something that has happened in our family. I want it to be something we can do together. And baking cookies. And of course, we’re trying to figure the Santa thing out. We do stockings for each other... and I want to read the Christmas story together on Christmas Eve as a family.
So in thinking about all of these things and finding the balance between overwhelming ourselves with traditions that we tolerate and being excited about traditions we enjoy, I started thinking back to my own childhood and what I remembered about Christmas, in general. Here’s a little of my recollection:
- We always opened presents together, as a family, on Christmas morning. I liked that. I enjoyed having that time, even if it was early because we were gone the rest of the day.
- My mom and I ALWAYS baked cookies together. Especially her Snowballs. This tradition is so important to me that I’ll try to do it exactly with Bryton, if he enjoys it. Snowballs and all. I loved this!
- We watched The Grinch, the original Grinch, every year together as a family, as well as National Lampoon’s family vacation. I foresee lots of those traditions in my family as well.
- As I got older we all opened one present early. Kids choices. I’ll never forget my last Christmas as a ‘kid’ in my parent’s house... I chose an awesome present for me and my mom. My dad, on the other hand, opened socks. bahahahaha!
- We always decorated the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Would love to say I may carry on this tradition, but I may be too early for that ;)
- We went at least one night out driving and looking at Christmas lights.
- I got an apple and an orange in every Christmas stocking I ever received... all the way through age 20! I’ll repeat that one! Sure beats a whole stocking of candy!!!
And here are some I’d like to add to my family:
- The ornament thing listed above.
- The Christmas story, listed above.
- Giving as a family. More specifically, allowing Bryton to “buy” for an Angel child every year.
- Secret Santa stockings. (This may be how we touch on the story of St. Nick in our Christmas celebration... it still points back to Jesus’ gift.)
- The possibility of ‘gold, frankincense, myrrh gifts.’
- Of course, Christmas cookies, movies, and hot chocolate.
- And, as children get older, skiing, if only in St. Louis.
But I'm open to suggestions! What are the family traditions YOU love?
Friday, December 18, 2009
An Updating Blog
It's not often that I just talk about us... so that's what I'm doing.
It's the Friday before Christmas... and all through the house, husband and baby are sleeping,
well, that's what's going on at this very moment mind you. And I'm blogging, and watching Ellen.
And Aaron and I both have headaches. I'm praying for relief for mine, he's been to the chiropractor and is headed to the doctor this afternoon. Apparently he's had a headache for, oh, about 2 months straight now. So, the sleeping is in an effort to help a headache.
I LOVE this time of year. I love the decorations and all of it. (I'm sure you all know this if you read my blogs at all :) But as much as I LOVE this time of year, I hate it all the same on December 26th. There's almost this post holiday funk we all get into. It's almost... depressing. So I'm mentally trying to prepare myself for that this year, and giving myself things to look forward to.
We have Christmas with my 'rents on Sunday. We are leaving for Aaron's rents on Tuesday, and will be back for my grandparents Christmas on Christmas day, doing our Christmas together on Christmas night. Busy Busy, but I'm definitely looking forward to it.
Tonight Aaron and I are supposed to be doing Fujiamas for a much needed date night. Praying the headaches get better before then!
In new new news :) it's looking like we may be taking on a huge project for 2010... finishing our basement. I'm praying that the basement project may eventually lead to the project of bringing another Gregg into the world ;) We'll see how that goes. For this year I'll enjoy the two that I have ;)
So that's basically the update on us. Please be praying for the headaches in our family... what's this all about anyway? Ugh.
It's the Friday before Christmas... and all through the house, husband and baby are sleeping,
well, that's what's going on at this very moment mind you. And I'm blogging, and watching Ellen.
And Aaron and I both have headaches. I'm praying for relief for mine, he's been to the chiropractor and is headed to the doctor this afternoon. Apparently he's had a headache for, oh, about 2 months straight now. So, the sleeping is in an effort to help a headache.
I LOVE this time of year. I love the decorations and all of it. (I'm sure you all know this if you read my blogs at all :) But as much as I LOVE this time of year, I hate it all the same on December 26th. There's almost this post holiday funk we all get into. It's almost... depressing. So I'm mentally trying to prepare myself for that this year, and giving myself things to look forward to.
We have Christmas with my 'rents on Sunday. We are leaving for Aaron's rents on Tuesday, and will be back for my grandparents Christmas on Christmas day, doing our Christmas together on Christmas night. Busy Busy, but I'm definitely looking forward to it.
Tonight Aaron and I are supposed to be doing Fujiamas for a much needed date night. Praying the headaches get better before then!
In new new news :) it's looking like we may be taking on a huge project for 2010... finishing our basement. I'm praying that the basement project may eventually lead to the project of bringing another Gregg into the world ;) We'll see how that goes. For this year I'll enjoy the two that I have ;)
So that's basically the update on us. Please be praying for the headaches in our family... what's this all about anyway? Ugh.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Good Friends...
(Some mentioned are not pictured!) :)
Are hard to come by. It's true. As a member of the female gender, I had good friends growing up, but there were always those females who were all out for the drama. Girls were constantly backstabbing one another, and the Lord knows how difficult it was to be 'just' friends with guys. Then, my senior year of high school I was certain I'd never have a friend again. The friends I had known all my life no longer showed much interest in me, and I felt for sure no one would ever want to befriend the girl who'd been labeled 'Jesus' as a derogatory term.
I had to get to a place where I could accept that. If I never had a "best friend" again... or even a boyfriend again... that had to be okay. Jesus had to be enough. It wasn't comfortable, in fact, it hurt. The sting of attending school every day and feeling alone was deep. But I constantly had to remind myself and proclaim to God that He was enough in my life.
Fast forward, well, apparently about 7 years since I'm 25 now, and I realize the blessings I have in my life. I've obviously had a boyfriend, as I now have a husband and a beautiful baby boy. Together they give me great joy! I read some lyrics to a song yesterday that echoed in my heart all day:
"He loves your old guitar
Yeah he's taught himself to play
He melts my heart
Tells me he loves me everyday
And cracks a joke at the prefect time
Makes me laugh when I wanna cry
That boy is everything to me
He gets that from you
He gets that from you "
I cry just reading them. Aaron and Bryton are such blessings in my life. Every perfect gift is from above.
And then there are the friends. Wonderful, beautiful, amazing friends. A group of women in my life, that, to be honest, I never would have put together. A wonderful working mom of 3, almost 4 children, with a great deal of wisdom to share, a compassionate stay at home mom of 2 who adds joy and constant fun in my life, a beautiful mother to be who I can always count on to be honest and to help me carry my burdens, 2 other trying-to-be-mom-to-bes ;) who are encouragers and always make me laugh. And the list continues.
It was such an incredibly hard stint in my life to feel so very alone, but two amazing victories came out of it. First, Jesus and I became very very close. He really was enough for me. Second, I realized that the friends worth having are worth the wait. I don't feel the pressure of drama or worry about anyone being mad at anyone. We all recognize that we all have faults, but love each other regardless.
To all of you friends and family in my life: Thank you... and know that I thank God for you daily!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Dear Tiger
Dear Tiger,
We’ve never met. You’ve never passed me on the street. Your eyes have never caught a glimpse of me. But I know much of you.
Odd isn’t it. You don’t know my name or face, but I know both about you, and so so much more.
Well, anyway. I wanted to tell you that I’m a sinner. Maybe I feel an obligation to do so. I mean, if we’re going to communicate on an even playing field, and I have been exposed to so much of your... lifestyle... I need to tell you, and remind myself, that we’re in this thing together. We’re both living life and fighting a common enemy... sin. I can be more specific with you regarding my sin at a... well... at a less public writing.
But you know... in saying that I realize how fortunate I am that I can make that decision, to be less public about my personal life, because you, Tiger, obviously don’t have that advantage. And to you, I’m sorry. When you’ve made poor decisions, it isn’t just your immediate family, or your employers, or even the media, it’s millions of people all over the world casting judgment and picking up stones. And you know, Tiger, I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t bend over to pick one up myself.
I mean, seriously, I’m a female, so can obviously relate to your, may I mention, beautiful wife. And I’m married to a huge golf fan, and I work with youth who think you are made of gold. To say that the recent allegations are a let down is an understatement. I’m not going to condone your sin. What you have done is wrong. (And so is what I have done.)
But, on the same hand, I have sympathy for your situation. Sympathy for whatever has led you to this point in your life. Sympathy for the loss of your father. Sympathy that your family has fallen apart. But mostly, sympathy that your chances of reconciliation are much less than the average person. You have many more people in which to reconcile with. You have fans, and employers, and yourself. Not to mention your family, and most importantly, God. I have sympathy that the task at hand, even if you are repentant, is so large and so difficult.
Granted, sin always has consequences.
I’m not sure why I have sympathy. If my husband behaved as you have, I’d have more than stones in my hand... I’m sure I’d have divorce papers. Maybe it is because our eyes have never met, that our hands have never shook, that our paths have never crossed. Maybe it is because, to me, our only common ground is that of a spiritual concern, that we are both heading to the same place (despite our beliefs), and that, at death, we’ll both be judged accordingly. Maybe it is because I know in the big scheme of things, if you are, in your heart, repentant and saved, that we are both one in the same... Christians, saved by God’s dear grace. Your sin no greater than mine, both debtors, forgiven.
So Tiger, I just wanted to say this, I bent down to pick up those stones, and as these thoughts flooded my mind, I grabbed them quickly and hid them. I have no desire to be stoned today for my wrong-doings, and you’re catching enough off the cheek as it is, you don’t need anymore from my direction.
My prayers for you are repentance, healing, and salvation.
Sincerely,
Alicia Gregg
We’ve never met. You’ve never passed me on the street. Your eyes have never caught a glimpse of me. But I know much of you.
Odd isn’t it. You don’t know my name or face, but I know both about you, and so so much more.
Well, anyway. I wanted to tell you that I’m a sinner. Maybe I feel an obligation to do so. I mean, if we’re going to communicate on an even playing field, and I have been exposed to so much of your... lifestyle... I need to tell you, and remind myself, that we’re in this thing together. We’re both living life and fighting a common enemy... sin. I can be more specific with you regarding my sin at a... well... at a less public writing.
But you know... in saying that I realize how fortunate I am that I can make that decision, to be less public about my personal life, because you, Tiger, obviously don’t have that advantage. And to you, I’m sorry. When you’ve made poor decisions, it isn’t just your immediate family, or your employers, or even the media, it’s millions of people all over the world casting judgment and picking up stones. And you know, Tiger, I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t bend over to pick one up myself.
I mean, seriously, I’m a female, so can obviously relate to your, may I mention, beautiful wife. And I’m married to a huge golf fan, and I work with youth who think you are made of gold. To say that the recent allegations are a let down is an understatement. I’m not going to condone your sin. What you have done is wrong. (And so is what I have done.)
But, on the same hand, I have sympathy for your situation. Sympathy for whatever has led you to this point in your life. Sympathy for the loss of your father. Sympathy that your family has fallen apart. But mostly, sympathy that your chances of reconciliation are much less than the average person. You have many more people in which to reconcile with. You have fans, and employers, and yourself. Not to mention your family, and most importantly, God. I have sympathy that the task at hand, even if you are repentant, is so large and so difficult.
Granted, sin always has consequences.
I’m not sure why I have sympathy. If my husband behaved as you have, I’d have more than stones in my hand... I’m sure I’d have divorce papers. Maybe it is because our eyes have never met, that our hands have never shook, that our paths have never crossed. Maybe it is because, to me, our only common ground is that of a spiritual concern, that we are both heading to the same place (despite our beliefs), and that, at death, we’ll both be judged accordingly. Maybe it is because I know in the big scheme of things, if you are, in your heart, repentant and saved, that we are both one in the same... Christians, saved by God’s dear grace. Your sin no greater than mine, both debtors, forgiven.
So Tiger, I just wanted to say this, I bent down to pick up those stones, and as these thoughts flooded my mind, I grabbed them quickly and hid them. I have no desire to be stoned today for my wrong-doings, and you’re catching enough off the cheek as it is, you don’t need anymore from my direction.
My prayers for you are repentance, healing, and salvation.
Sincerely,
Alicia Gregg
Thursday, December 10, 2009
So I Was Watching TCT
Mark this day on your calendar, folks, you may never see a title like this ever again!
So let me clarify, I was flipping through our 20 channels tonight and noticed that TCT didn't look like TCT normally does (you know, preacher hair, a bluegrass band, and lots of happy congregants). Nope, this time it was a woman standing in a kitchen talking about the practical side of Christmas stuff. You know, how to throw a good, easy, informal party, how to pack and ship perishable items (I actually found that to be good information, though I've never packed and shipped Banana Bread before), and how to shop for baskets through the year, wash them out, and use them to make great Christmas baskets as inexpensive gifts.
After my shock that TCT was actually addressing practical life occurences wore off, I began thinking about what she was saying about her basket thing. And it started a whole train of thoughts... it went kind of like this...
She said: "And you don't just have to do this at Christmas time either, if you have a sick friend pack the basket full of soup, cough drops, medicines and hot herbal teas. Maybe even a crossword for laying in bed."
And here is my train of thoughts:
Why didn't I think of that?
Why do we just do things like that at Christmas?
I'm sick, and that totally would have made my day!
It would have been so convenient to have things delivered to my door.
Practical things!
But it would have been even better to know that someone cared and thought that much of me!
That, in and of itself, would have made me feel better!
Why don't I ever do this for anyone else?
Why is this not part of our Christian experiences?
I mean, it makes us feel good too!
And it shows people that we really do love them!
Maybe I should start doing this... really trying to heed my opportunities!
And not just for my "good friends", but for people I just kind of know, and for people I don't really know, and maybe, yes maybe, I can even do it for my enemies.
Like the book Enemy Pie Mrs. Dublo read.
Maybe I should blog about that book. I was inspired.
Anyway, baskets.
They don't have to be baskets.
They can be gift bags.
Or flowers when someone is down.
Or a card in the mail.
You know, all depending on the circumstances.
Yep, I smell another new december's resolution.
Where's the laptop, I gotta blog...
So let me clarify, I was flipping through our 20 channels tonight and noticed that TCT didn't look like TCT normally does (you know, preacher hair, a bluegrass band, and lots of happy congregants). Nope, this time it was a woman standing in a kitchen talking about the practical side of Christmas stuff. You know, how to throw a good, easy, informal party, how to pack and ship perishable items (I actually found that to be good information, though I've never packed and shipped Banana Bread before), and how to shop for baskets through the year, wash them out, and use them to make great Christmas baskets as inexpensive gifts.
After my shock that TCT was actually addressing practical life occurences wore off, I began thinking about what she was saying about her basket thing. And it started a whole train of thoughts... it went kind of like this...
She said: "And you don't just have to do this at Christmas time either, if you have a sick friend pack the basket full of soup, cough drops, medicines and hot herbal teas. Maybe even a crossword for laying in bed."
And here is my train of thoughts:
Why didn't I think of that?
Why do we just do things like that at Christmas?
I'm sick, and that totally would have made my day!
It would have been so convenient to have things delivered to my door.
Practical things!
But it would have been even better to know that someone cared and thought that much of me!
That, in and of itself, would have made me feel better!
Why don't I ever do this for anyone else?
Why is this not part of our Christian experiences?
I mean, it makes us feel good too!
And it shows people that we really do love them!
Maybe I should start doing this... really trying to heed my opportunities!
And not just for my "good friends", but for people I just kind of know, and for people I don't really know, and maybe, yes maybe, I can even do it for my enemies.
Like the book Enemy Pie Mrs. Dublo read.
Maybe I should blog about that book. I was inspired.
Anyway, baskets.
They don't have to be baskets.
They can be gift bags.
Or flowers when someone is down.
Or a card in the mail.
You know, all depending on the circumstances.
Yep, I smell another new december's resolution.
Where's the laptop, I gotta blog...
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Become What You Believe
I've been perplexed lately, and I can't really pinpoint why for sure. But here is what I do know.
I know that this holiday season I have felt more joy and have offered more sincere prayers of "thanksgiving" than I have in years past. I know that, though not always easy, I've been blessed with an amazing husband and an amazing son, and I want nothing more than to grow our family and to grow together as a family. I know that this year I realize that these things in my life are gifts, given to me as a privilege from God in heaven, that I not only am not worthy of such blessings, but moreso, I do not deserve them.
I know that all of the talk I hear of 'Santa Claus' and 'presents' this year at school has made my skin crawl. Please don't misunderstand, I myself love buying and getting presents for Christmas every year. But the imbalance between what I hear about presents and what I hear about Christ is insane. In fact, it's safe to say that the only place I hear of Jesus at all is at church. Which urks me almost the same because I feel like there is no extra excitement this time of year.
For goodness sakes, we are celebrating the birth of a savior after what was 400 years of NOT hearing from God. That's pretty awesome! We don't have to go to hell.
I know that Christmas music, the hymnal type, is making me oh so wonderfully excited about celebrating our Savior's birth. For the first time I'm noticing that worship happens in that "everyday" Christmas music too!
On the same turn, I'm frustrated now that it's just everyday Christmas music.
All of that said to say this:
I've been reading my "message" every night before bed. (Ok, not every night, but I'm trying really really hard.) In Matthew 9:29 Jesus says (in the message paraphrase), "Become what you believe." Isn't that amazing? Become what you believe.
We talk a whole lot this time of year about 'believing.' To be frank about it, I'm confused when I see Christmas decor or items with this phrase on it if it's referring to Jesus or to Santa. The confusion frustrates me. Why should there be confusion? All in all, I think we do become what we believe. If we believe Jesus, and His words, and His life, we become more like Jesus. If we believe commercials and society who tell us we can't live without the next great thing, chances are we'll become extremely materialistic.
Again, please don't misunderstand me, I love presents like the next one... but I want Christ to be the center of our Christmas this year!
I know that this holiday season I have felt more joy and have offered more sincere prayers of "thanksgiving" than I have in years past. I know that, though not always easy, I've been blessed with an amazing husband and an amazing son, and I want nothing more than to grow our family and to grow together as a family. I know that this year I realize that these things in my life are gifts, given to me as a privilege from God in heaven, that I not only am not worthy of such blessings, but moreso, I do not deserve them.
I know that all of the talk I hear of 'Santa Claus' and 'presents' this year at school has made my skin crawl. Please don't misunderstand, I myself love buying and getting presents for Christmas every year. But the imbalance between what I hear about presents and what I hear about Christ is insane. In fact, it's safe to say that the only place I hear of Jesus at all is at church. Which urks me almost the same because I feel like there is no extra excitement this time of year.
For goodness sakes, we are celebrating the birth of a savior after what was 400 years of NOT hearing from God. That's pretty awesome! We don't have to go to hell.
I know that Christmas music, the hymnal type, is making me oh so wonderfully excited about celebrating our Savior's birth. For the first time I'm noticing that worship happens in that "everyday" Christmas music too!
On the same turn, I'm frustrated now that it's just everyday Christmas music.
All of that said to say this:
I've been reading my "message" every night before bed. (Ok, not every night, but I'm trying really really hard.) In Matthew 9:29 Jesus says (in the message paraphrase), "Become what you believe." Isn't that amazing? Become what you believe.
We talk a whole lot this time of year about 'believing.' To be frank about it, I'm confused when I see Christmas decor or items with this phrase on it if it's referring to Jesus or to Santa. The confusion frustrates me. Why should there be confusion? All in all, I think we do become what we believe. If we believe Jesus, and His words, and His life, we become more like Jesus. If we believe commercials and society who tell us we can't live without the next great thing, chances are we'll become extremely materialistic.
Again, please don't misunderstand me, I love presents like the next one... but I want Christ to be the center of our Christmas this year!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven
But nobody wants to die. It's my current read, and it's David Crowder, which of course = amazing. It's weird. I didn't expect the book to really be about death as much as it is. But, it is definitely about death. (Ok, and bluegrass.) (Who would have thought, a book really about what the title says its about. What a concept.)
Anyway, it's bringing to light a topic that I rarely choose to talk about and, well, rarely want to talk about. It's revealing the truth, the dirty truth, about the thoughts that come from such a topic. Even amongst Christians.
You'll have to wait for the complete synopsis until I get finished reading... but I'd encourage you to read it on your own. The vocabulary alone is impressive. (I mean, come on, it's Crowder.)
Anyway, it's bringing to light a topic that I rarely choose to talk about and, well, rarely want to talk about. It's revealing the truth, the dirty truth, about the thoughts that come from such a topic. Even amongst Christians.
You'll have to wait for the complete synopsis until I get finished reading... but I'd encourage you to read it on your own. The vocabulary alone is impressive. (I mean, come on, it's Crowder.)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
AHHH date night!
I love having plans. I love going out. I love having an evening out with the man I love. Can you tell we are going on a date tonight? I'm pretty stoked about it too.
So our original plans fell through. We were supposed to be going to Patti's for one mean pork chop and their amazing Christmas lights, but, we called Wednesday and the only available reservation was at 9:15 p.m. Crazy. So, we are going to Giant City Lodge instead. Should be a good time!
Next weekend we go out for my birthday. Dinner, movie, birthday shopping, and Christmas shopping for B. I'm pretty stoked about it! We almost have all of our Christmas shopping finished! Yay!
This is a random, I'm gonna blog like a girl blog ;)
So our original plans fell through. We were supposed to be going to Patti's for one mean pork chop and their amazing Christmas lights, but, we called Wednesday and the only available reservation was at 9:15 p.m. Crazy. So, we are going to Giant City Lodge instead. Should be a good time!
Next weekend we go out for my birthday. Dinner, movie, birthday shopping, and Christmas shopping for B. I'm pretty stoked about it! We almost have all of our Christmas shopping finished! Yay!
This is a random, I'm gonna blog like a girl blog ;)
Thursday, December 3, 2009
You Ever Find it Funny
That we celebrate the birth of the Light of the world during the darkest time of the year...
That we celebrate the giver of life when everything in nature seems to be dead and cold...
Granted... it isn't that way for everyone in this world, but to me it seems fitting.
When we are in our darkest places, our lowest valleys, when life doesn't seem to be worth living... Jesus comes. He comes in a manger, in ways we'd never expect Him, but He comes.
He is faithful through all seasons, but during the darkness the light can lead us most effectively (think shepherds and wise men here), and during are hardships Jesus can comfort us more fully.
I absolutely love this time of the year. I love the bustle and the decorations, I love the food, and even lavish parties (though I don't believe I've ever been to one ;), I'll even admit that I love presents. The giving and the getting. Most importantly though, I love Jesus, and it is He that we celebrate during this time of year!
That we celebrate the giver of life when everything in nature seems to be dead and cold...
Granted... it isn't that way for everyone in this world, but to me it seems fitting.
When we are in our darkest places, our lowest valleys, when life doesn't seem to be worth living... Jesus comes. He comes in a manger, in ways we'd never expect Him, but He comes.
He is faithful through all seasons, but during the darkness the light can lead us most effectively (think shepherds and wise men here), and during are hardships Jesus can comfort us more fully.
I absolutely love this time of the year. I love the bustle and the decorations, I love the food, and even lavish parties (though I don't believe I've ever been to one ;), I'll even admit that I love presents. The giving and the getting. Most importantly though, I love Jesus, and it is He that we celebrate during this time of year!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
On Precipitation
Precipitation is so consequential. I mean, really. Check it out, here are my thoughts (and opinions) on precipitation.
Rain is lousy, almost always. Unless it's a short summer shower in the middle of an extremely hot day and it cools things off as opposed to steaming them up. Oh, and of course to make the "unlousy" category there must, obviously, be a rainbow.
Snow is more complicated. It is acceptable, and even encouraged, if occurring after Thanksgiving Day and before New Year's day. It is prayed for on Christmas Eve. Snow with no accumulation is pretty, but somewhat purposeless, thus, snow should really be encouraged to fall in heavy amounts. THEN, snow should not prevent already planned events from occurring due to hazardous roadways and being snowed in, unless of course the being snowed in is alone with my husband in a cottage in the woods with a big fire in the fireplace, then we can take that into consideration. Snow should cancel exactly two school days in any given school year, and children should be encouraged to play in this snow by making wonderful jolly snowmen and by tubing down large glistening hills.
Of course, rain and wet snow are incredibly inappropriate during the timing of outdoor events.
Hail, or "icelated" rain (haha, it's a joke), is acceptable exactly one time in any given year for the exclusive purpose of "wowing" us with such a miracle. It should be exactly 3/4 of an inch in diameter, enough to 'wow', but not enough to cause any major damage. The size should be that between a pebble and a golfball. It must, of course, happen in late March or early April, and thus, be followed by a rainbow. It may only occur when every automobile is parked safely in shelter, and the temperature must be low enough that the remains may be played with and collected after the hail has ceased to fall.
Obviously, if I was in control of precipitation, not only would farmers be without jobs, we all would not exist as we would have died of dehydration eyons ago. However, you can see my perspective now, that precipitation is consequential. The circumstances dictate whether it is appreciated or loathed. Today, it was loathed.
-a
Rain is lousy, almost always. Unless it's a short summer shower in the middle of an extremely hot day and it cools things off as opposed to steaming them up. Oh, and of course to make the "unlousy" category there must, obviously, be a rainbow.
Snow is more complicated. It is acceptable, and even encouraged, if occurring after Thanksgiving Day and before New Year's day. It is prayed for on Christmas Eve. Snow with no accumulation is pretty, but somewhat purposeless, thus, snow should really be encouraged to fall in heavy amounts. THEN, snow should not prevent already planned events from occurring due to hazardous roadways and being snowed in, unless of course the being snowed in is alone with my husband in a cottage in the woods with a big fire in the fireplace, then we can take that into consideration. Snow should cancel exactly two school days in any given school year, and children should be encouraged to play in this snow by making wonderful jolly snowmen and by tubing down large glistening hills.
Of course, rain and wet snow are incredibly inappropriate during the timing of outdoor events.
Hail, or "icelated" rain (haha, it's a joke), is acceptable exactly one time in any given year for the exclusive purpose of "wowing" us with such a miracle. It should be exactly 3/4 of an inch in diameter, enough to 'wow', but not enough to cause any major damage. The size should be that between a pebble and a golfball. It must, of course, happen in late March or early April, and thus, be followed by a rainbow. It may only occur when every automobile is parked safely in shelter, and the temperature must be low enough that the remains may be played with and collected after the hail has ceased to fall.
Obviously, if I was in control of precipitation, not only would farmers be without jobs, we all would not exist as we would have died of dehydration eyons ago. However, you can see my perspective now, that precipitation is consequential. The circumstances dictate whether it is appreciated or loathed. Today, it was loathed.
-a
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Santa's in our Manger
When I was little my parent's had to leave the presents from Santa Claus out on our deck because I was terrified of a fat man in a red suit being in our house. And who's ever heard of reindeer who fly, anyway. So (spoiler warning), when I found out there was no Santa Claus I asked first, "Do I still get presents?", and second, "Then why did we do this?" If my parents had been giving me those presents all along, why would they put someone else's name on the "from" part of the tag?
And now I'm the parent. Bryton is one, still young enough that he'll have no recollection of this Christmas. I'm okay with that because we are now fighting the Santa battle. No, not where the presents should be left, but whether he should be included at all.
I should state before moving on that I don't dislike all things that are "Santa". I love the movie Elf, and The Grinch, I have a Santa statuey figurine thing that I really enjoy, I enjoy The Santa Clause, and even a few songs about Santa. I'm not saying that the story of Saint Nicholas isn't a story that should be mentioned to your children in lessons regarding the beauty of giving. I think that is important in a persons life. In fact, when we give gifts to our children and to each other at Christmastime, it would be a wise story to tell.
Here's my beef with Santa. And maybe it's not even with Santa, because if what I read about "Ole' St. Nick" is true, he was a Christian, and quite frankly, I think he would roll over in his grave if he knew that people were standing in lines at malls to spend lots of money they didn't have, standing in long lines to get pictures taken with him, and writing his name on the "from" part of the tag when Christmas is really about Jesus.
ANYHOW, Aaron and I are in this awkward time of our lives trying to figure out if Santa Claus is really the way to go. Honestly, the ONLY reason I would 'do' Santa Claus in our house is because it is the social norm (bad reason number 1), and so that my kid doesn't ruin it for all of the other kids (not a horrible bad reason but still not good). So, the question is, "Is it worth it to make Jesus share His season with Santa Claus for the sake of all of the other kids." I'm not sure.
But this is what I am sure of:
Today I subbed in a music class at the elementary school. Kindergarten - 4th grade. For the sake of this particular post we are going to concentrate mostly on K, 1st, and 3rd grades. Here is why:
The 3rd graders (mostly not Santa Claus followers anymore), were required to listen to very poor versions of old Christmas songs we'd all sing in church. You know, Away in a Manger, O Holy Night, Go Tell it On the Mountain, etc. They knew very few of the words. The language was difficult for them. They had no idea what the songs were saying, and to be honest, very few of these kids knew them. I had looked so forward to this part of my day, but it quickly became the part of the day that fell apart the quickest.
The kindergarten and 1st graders, well, they watched a Christmas Sing Along. Not a gospel story in site. Everything Santa and Reindeers you could possibly want. They not only knew the words but were elated at the sight of Santa. In fact, I stopped showing one part of the movie for fear they'd never let me sub again because of the volume level they were reaching when Santa came on the screen. It was sheer... joy. Over Santa. At Christmas. And my heart fell to pieces on the floor.
Supposedly a great deal of what we are going to 'know' in life comes before the age of 6. Everything else after that builds on the important things learned at 6. Ironically, 2nd and 3rd grades... say 7 -9 years old... are about the times most kids stop believing in Santa. What sticks with them after that about Christmas? Gifts. It's just like my question when I found out, "Well, am I still getting presents?" Yep, because that's what it was about to me at that point. That is what I knew about Christmas.
I want my son to know Christ about Christmas. I mean, what is Christmas without Christ? What would have been the reason for 'Ole St. Nick' to begin with? There would be none.
Have we completely ruled out doing 'Santa' in our house... not completely, we are still in the talking stages. Are we judging anyone who does it? Nope, you have to make that call for your family. But I can say this for ours, whether we 'do' Santa or not, He will not be residing in the manger.
-a
And now I'm the parent. Bryton is one, still young enough that he'll have no recollection of this Christmas. I'm okay with that because we are now fighting the Santa battle. No, not where the presents should be left, but whether he should be included at all.
I should state before moving on that I don't dislike all things that are "Santa". I love the movie Elf, and The Grinch, I have a Santa statuey figurine thing that I really enjoy, I enjoy The Santa Clause, and even a few songs about Santa. I'm not saying that the story of Saint Nicholas isn't a story that should be mentioned to your children in lessons regarding the beauty of giving. I think that is important in a persons life. In fact, when we give gifts to our children and to each other at Christmastime, it would be a wise story to tell.
Here's my beef with Santa. And maybe it's not even with Santa, because if what I read about "Ole' St. Nick" is true, he was a Christian, and quite frankly, I think he would roll over in his grave if he knew that people were standing in lines at malls to spend lots of money they didn't have, standing in long lines to get pictures taken with him, and writing his name on the "from" part of the tag when Christmas is really about Jesus.
ANYHOW, Aaron and I are in this awkward time of our lives trying to figure out if Santa Claus is really the way to go. Honestly, the ONLY reason I would 'do' Santa Claus in our house is because it is the social norm (bad reason number 1), and so that my kid doesn't ruin it for all of the other kids (not a horrible bad reason but still not good). So, the question is, "Is it worth it to make Jesus share His season with Santa Claus for the sake of all of the other kids." I'm not sure.
But this is what I am sure of:
Today I subbed in a music class at the elementary school. Kindergarten - 4th grade. For the sake of this particular post we are going to concentrate mostly on K, 1st, and 3rd grades. Here is why:
The 3rd graders (mostly not Santa Claus followers anymore), were required to listen to very poor versions of old Christmas songs we'd all sing in church. You know, Away in a Manger, O Holy Night, Go Tell it On the Mountain, etc. They knew very few of the words. The language was difficult for them. They had no idea what the songs were saying, and to be honest, very few of these kids knew them. I had looked so forward to this part of my day, but it quickly became the part of the day that fell apart the quickest.
The kindergarten and 1st graders, well, they watched a Christmas Sing Along. Not a gospel story in site. Everything Santa and Reindeers you could possibly want. They not only knew the words but were elated at the sight of Santa. In fact, I stopped showing one part of the movie for fear they'd never let me sub again because of the volume level they were reaching when Santa came on the screen. It was sheer... joy. Over Santa. At Christmas. And my heart fell to pieces on the floor.
Supposedly a great deal of what we are going to 'know' in life comes before the age of 6. Everything else after that builds on the important things learned at 6. Ironically, 2nd and 3rd grades... say 7 -9 years old... are about the times most kids stop believing in Santa. What sticks with them after that about Christmas? Gifts. It's just like my question when I found out, "Well, am I still getting presents?" Yep, because that's what it was about to me at that point. That is what I knew about Christmas.
I want my son to know Christ about Christmas. I mean, what is Christmas without Christ? What would have been the reason for 'Ole St. Nick' to begin with? There would be none.
Have we completely ruled out doing 'Santa' in our house... not completely, we are still in the talking stages. Are we judging anyone who does it? Nope, you have to make that call for your family. But I can say this for ours, whether we 'do' Santa or not, He will not be residing in the manger.
-a
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