Friday, December 30, 2011

Jack


Friday - 7:30am....

Just moments ago, Jackie handed me her cellphone with: "Listen to this."

I put it up to my ear and for a few minutes listened to the recording of the squeaks and soft "chirps" of our 12th grandchild...Jack...sleeping soundly at 1am.

We had already seen pictures of the little man, looking so much like his strong father.

Born in California at 6:59 last night and weighing in at 7 pounds, 12 ounces, he has already won our hearts.

His name means "God is gracious."

Micah, his army dad, got to fly home for the birthing and all went well.

A faith triumph for our kids...having lost Gracie at birth in March 2010.

Congratulations Sarah and Micah...and Ella!

"The Lord is gracious." I Peter 2:3

We are grateful for His goodness in our lives today.

Thanks be to God.

And welcome be to Jack.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Day

Reflecting back on yesterday will be like a piece of something so fine that you eat is slowly, savoring the taste and hoping it lasts for a very long time.

We gathered in the morning at Church at Briargate....the staff supposing their might be 20 or so that would come....and instead, we were all to be a part of a gathering of 125+....festive, excited and buzzing with joy. The service was shortened, but packed with meaning and life: *an international children's portrayal of christmas
*a quartette bringing down the house with a blue grass song
*a chance to present our offerings at a christmas creche
*an open time of prayer (I won't soon forget the children who joined in with all of us as many prayed out loud in turn!)
*a presentation of Sarah's Home, the women's ministry project of 2012
....and finally an interactive time with the young at the huge christmas tree, talking about bad dogs and good dogs and how we can tell
....and how God came, a baby in a manger to start it all by showing us he is kind, good, gentle
....God is good, all the time.
And there was worship, wonderful songs chosen so well.

It was truly Christmas...and a gathering of the Family of God, each part of the gathering filling our hearts even more with the joy of this season.

Then we scattered to homes to eat some wonderful food from festive table....great times with family (and we missed those who were not here this year)
....and a long walk in the warmish day and blue-skyed world.

Christmas Day.

This one was good.

Thanks be to God for His manifold graces.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Enough

Reading John Piper's devotional today - A Godward Life - and was caught by an idea...the idea of enough.

Enough - in Jesus' words:"each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34. You don't have to go seeking it...it will come to you. So don't spend your time moaning and groaning, but realize you and I are connected to One who says to the daily trouble..."enough."

That's good news...and a bunch of relief.

Oh, and on the other side of the coin, His presence with us by the Spirit is more than enough..."God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." I Corinthians 10:13. As the Message translates it..."God will never let you down; He'll never let you be pushed past your limit; He'll always be there to help you come through it."

May you and I live in the content peace and joy of enough.