0 muddy hands: December 2005

Monday, December 19

gift giving


Joy to the world. Love has come.
Quickly approaching us are the final pages to another year in the book of life. I’m pleased with the chapter of 2005. God has been tremendously gracious to us and overwhelmed us over and over with his love.
In just five days, we will all be receiving or giving gifts to our dear loved ones and the question that continues to bombard my mind is -- what really is the best gift to give or receive? What gift would anyone enjoy? What gift would satisfy when all others lose their newness and usability? You know the answer -- it is simple. Yes, real simple, but the hardest to give and receive at times. It is not cheap – it costs everything! We all want it and need it. The greatest gift is LOVE.
Love, as I understand it, means doing what is in the best interest of another, regardless of the cost to me. Read that sentence again and let it ruminate in your spirit for a moment or two.
The real spirit of Christmas is Love. God, the Father, sent his only son to be born of flesh and die a cruel death just for us. That is Love – doing what is in the best interest of another, regardless if the cost means death. That is Christmas.
As I have pondered the meaning of Christmas this year, I’ve had to ask myself – Am I really good at “gift giving”. Do I go out of my way for others? Do I allow my schedule to be interrupted to give love? Do I make myself available? Do I care about others more than myself? Do I give with no expectation of receiving? My prayer is that we all become better gift givers. I pray that when people see us coming, they are anxious to receive what we have to offer. May others see in us, the gift that keeps on giving. May we be on every party list, because they know we give the best gift. May we understand the sacrificial love that Christ gave to all who believe in him and never withhold giving him to others.
So if I might ask. How have you spent your Christmas season this year? Too Busy? Tired? Searching? Indulging? Depressed? Wishing for the season to hurry and end? Or have you been – Relaxed? Refreshed? Reflecting? Satisfied? And joyfully waiting for the day with hope that it would never end? My dear loved ones, it is not too late. We still have time to enjoy the celebration of Christmas. We still have time to give the best gift to others and receive the best gift ourselves!
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Daily may I remember the love that has been shown to me. Daily may I give that love to others. May others see Jesus in me. I desire to spill out the love of Christ to those around me. Help me Lord not to be selfish with your beautiful gift. Thank you for sending your son to die, so that I might live. Thank you for abundant life. You are all I could ever hope for.
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Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies... 1 Cor. 13:4-8

posted by muddy hands at 9:59 PM | 1 comments

Tuesday, December 13

turkish delight

turkish delight.
turkish delight.
more turkish delight.
my eldest son and I had been excitedly waiting for the debut of "The Chronicles of Narnia" with a countdown of days. We love to watch the old version of the movie, and just as we do with all our favorite movies, it is a must to take on characters and quote them throughout our days. My husband believes that we are quite cooky, but I am convinced that his life would be boring without our family drama team. hee..hee..hee.. I love the characters so much in this story, because they possess such great character. Lucy so valiant, Fawn so kind, Susan so gentle, Aslan so strong -- and so on. But the role that is so fun to act out is the white witch. I love to sternly yell - NARNIA - and watch my son bust out laughing or even yelling back. What fun. And for those of you who know the story, you know the spiritual undertones or symbolism that are in the story. I love the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus. Even a child can understand his truth portrayed through a story about children and animals.
In the story, the white witch asks Edmund if he could have anything what would it be? His reply -- turkish delight. Tahdah. It is granted. Later in the story he is wanting more. Recently we were sent some turkish delight from Narnia and I must tell you that it is sickening sweet. But you do want more. Here's where I'm going ---- Isn't that how sin is in our lives? We get just a "little taste" and then we are back for more. Instead of craving the artificial sweetness of sin, why don't we crave more of the true bread of life? Why not feast on the true delight. His words are like honey to our lips. He satisfies like nothing else can. He never runs out. We don't have to ask for more -- we just have to show up and "sup" with him. He is more than we could ever need. Enjoy him. Delight yourself in him. The more you have of the "real thing", the less you want of the artificial substitute. There is no substitute for him. Nothing!!! Promise ya. Once you get a little bit of Jesus -- you will always come back for more. Take this thought with you -- what do you delight in? what brings you most joy, pleasure, or amusement? Oh my dear friend, yes, there are many good things to delight in, but if Jesus is not one of your first responses -- you do not know what real delight is. Spend time with him today. Open his holy word and you will "taste and see that the Lord is good". Then.... Sit still. Quiet. Reflective. Asking. Seeking. Listening. Praising. Reading. Singing. Thanking. Enjoying. Go - Find out who he is and why he is so delightful!!!!
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I love your word. Your word is honey to my lips. Water to a parched soul. Comfort to the hurting. A healing balm for the sick and wounded. Your word is also the sharp knife that cuts away the cancer of sin. Cut me to the bone and marrow that I may be called your righteousness. Oh how I love your laws and precepts. May I be found delighting in your commandments. Your word captivates me and embraces my spirit. My desire is to enjoy you more and more. Draw me to you -- teach me to delight in you. May I dwell in your presence daily. Hourly. Minute-by-minute. Lord, I want more of you. Thank you for giving me my daily bread and even more. You alone are worthy of all my attention, affection and admiration.
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Delight thyself also in the LORD;
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4

posted by muddy hands at 8:39 PM | 0 comments

Monday, December 12

jailbird

do not pass go. do not collect $100.
wait a minute! did you say - get out of jail free?
one of my favorite games as a kid was monopoly. not because i could acquire lots of property, but the simple fact that if I landed in jail, I had a good chance to get out of jail free. I'm fortunate to have never spent a single night in jail, but I have lived many days and nights in my own prison. At times my thoughts and actions have been held captive and bound by chains like a prisoner. Therefore, causing my life to be put on hold because of a "bad move" that led to regret, shame, sorrow, discouragement, bitterness and lack of joy. Living a life of daily torture. How silly of me to play those "head games". Even though I have plead guilty to many accusations --- I still am granted the "chance" for freedon. My saviour came to set me free. He came to release the hostages. He came to loose the tight ropes that keep us bound. He came to break the ball and chain that holds us back. He came to present a "get out of jail free" card to anyone willing to accept. Instead of allowing our minds and bodies to be held captive to the lies and destruction of the adversary--- Christ Jesus tells us to "cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ". His word says that even though I'm guilty of sin, he came to pardon me. He was given the ultimate penalty -- death. Death row was reality for him. For he "who knew no sin" became sin for us, so that we were made righteous for God. Whoa! That is so incredible. So then, the next time Satan tries to "monopolize" or obtain posession of our minds -- remember to redeem your "chance card".
My Jesus is a God of second chances.
Praise God that I am no longer a jailbird.
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Thank you Jesus for setting me free! Continue to pierce my heart and mind with your truth. When my flesh and mind are not in line with your word, cause me to be sick from my sin. I so desire to no longer be captive to sins of the mind, will and emotions. I want to dwell on things that are true, noble, and praiseworthy. Lord, thank you for teaching me to cast down those things that are not obedient to you. Praise you for real forgiveness. Thank you for helping me to forgive. Honestly, it is really hard at times to relinquish my right to be angry with someone. It is hard to humble myself, but what freedom I experience when I let go and let you control my life. I know that you are still perfecting me and I am grateful that you never give up or leave me. May my heart, soul, and strength be captured by your love. May I become a slave to righteousness. Bind me to you. Thank you for freedom. Unchained. Loosed.
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The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; Isaiah 61:1

posted by muddy hands at 8:37 PM | 1 comments

Monday, December 5

birthday preparations

celebration. excitement. gifts.
cleaning. cleaning. cleaning.
I don't know about you, but when we have birthday parties around my house, we clean for days. We hang pictures, plant flowers, paint, and we also finish projects that started long before or needed to be started. In other words, I love to have parties because we "get stuff done".
My family is getting ready to celebrate a birthday together. We will be celebrating Jesus Christ's birthday. And once again, I told my family that we would not bring a Christmas tree into this house until we cleaned. Little did I know that the house cleaning that would take place would be in me. You see dear friend, my body is the temple of the Lord. He dwells in me. He has taken up residence in my heart. And He does not like a dirty, stinking vessel. He wants a clean heart and he loves to cleanse me. I realize my need for cleansing. I have even called the "funk" by name. He has just the solution and knows just how hard to scrub, rub and rinse.
In Psalm 51, the psalmist writes "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me , and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation." Wow! Once we recognize that the "dwelling place is dirty", then we can allow the cleaning to begin. What a joy to know that when we are willing and able to call our sins by name, he is willing and able to forgive us and cleanse us. Once our spirit is clean, we really want to celebrate. As we approach this Christmas season and all the festivities that are involved, I pose this question to you, as well as myself. What needs to be cleaned out, finished, or started in our hearts? What will it take for you to enjoy yourself this year on Christ Jesus' birthday? Is there any jealousy, anger, greed, or pride that is keeping you from experiencing Christmas in the way that he intended you to? Is there anything at all in your "house" that stinks? If so, muster up the energy and get busy. We only have a few weeks left to get ready. Cleaning is not much fun, but the end result is dazzling. Birthday preparations are time consuming, but watching others receive their gift is so delightful. Give the best gift this year to someone. Give them Jesus. When we receive him --- life becomes a party!!
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Oh Jesus, I have called upon you and you have answered. Thank you for searching me and showing me what needs to be cleansed. As I allow you to remove these things in my life, be patient with me. Sometimes the tearing and stripping away really hurts. I know that the end result is dazzling. Your love and forgiveness is beyond compare. Thank you for speaking to me so clearly. Your word says that if we seek you with all our heart, we will find you. I have found you. I have found where real life is. Keep me from sin. Heal my brokeness, but leave the cracks so that I may spill out drops of the living water wherever my feet may go. May I celebrate you.
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Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts,
and see if any wicked way is in me; and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

posted by muddy hands at 9:22 PM | 0 comments