I Want to Know MY WHY for Christmas

12 / 6 / 1912 / 6 / 19

It’s December 6th and for most of us our Christmas preparations are in full swing.

Our calendars are full and our to-do lists are long. And we’re starting to wonder…

How am I going to get everything done in less than three weeks?

THREE WEEKS! Are you kidding?

But before full-on panic sets in and I start to hyperventilate, I want to pause for a moment and ask an important question…

Why do I celebrate Christmas?

Well..?

Be honest. What was your first thought?

Just for fun, I did a quick Google search to find out what others had to say about it. And I found:

Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th?
What is the history of Christmas?
Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?
Is it wrong to celebrate Christmas?

I found a lot of facts, details, and history but that wasn’t what I was looking for.

I’m not curious about why December 25th was chosen or whether someone else thinks celebrating the holiday is appropriate, I want to know “why” or to be more specific … I want to know the emotional reasons people celebrate Christmas.

Because I’m a Sanguine and I want to know the emotional reason behind everything!

Picture me smiling here – but seriously, I really want to know why? Why do we invest so much in the Christmas season? Why do we shop, bake, decorate, and celebrate?

Why do we celebrate Christmas the way we do? Is it…

to impress our friends?
to make memories for our children and grandchildren?
to keep up with the neighbors?
because we love it?
because it’s a tradition?
because it’s expected?
because everyone else is celebrating?

In all the years I’ve celebrated Christmas I don’t believe I’ve ever asked myself . . . my why for Christmas?

I know it’s the celebration of Jesus’ birth. But I’m stopping today to wonder if the way I celebrate … really celebrates and worships Him?

I wonder—do I celebrate Christmas this way for Him or for me?

Because in all honesty, I don’t think Jesus cares if my tree is decorated perfectly; if I attend every party or even if I host a party. I don’t think He cares if my family has the perfect outfits to wear. I don’t think He cares if I give the perfect gifts.

I even asked myself if…

I want to give the perfect presents because I want to be appreciated … more than because I love the people for whom I’m buying gifts?

I don’t know about you but I’m squirming a little. These are tough questions, aren’t they?

If I’m going to invest an entire month out of every year in something, I want to look way past the surface and know why. I want to know MY WHY. And that isn’t easy, especially when we’re so scheduled and overwhelmed that slowing down for even a minute of reflection seems unthinkable.

But that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to stop for a moment and figure out MY WHY for Christmas.

I want the way I celebrate Christmas to have value. I want quality over quantity.

I Want to Know MY WHY for Christmas

My goal this year, and every year going forward is to celebrate Christmas in ways that really celebrate Jesus.

When I remember that Jesus was born to a teenage mother in a far less than a beautifully decorated setting, I don’t believe all the trappings we include are important to Him.

So what is..?

For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus… What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
Galatians 5:6

Faith. Love.

That’s it!

Everything! Yes, everything …. even and maybe especially Christmas is about living my faith as an expression of God’s love.

Everything else, all that you and I do beyond that … it’s all just stuff.

Jesus gave up the glory of heaven because of His overwhelming love for sinful and broken people.

So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John 1:14

I don’t know about you, but that thought overwhelms me. I don’t like to spend an afternoon doing something difficult or unpleasant.

Jesus entered the restrictions of time and space, brokenness and filth, illness and pain all because of love!

Love for the broken and imperfect, for the lost and wandering, for the hopeless and helpless … for people like you and like me.

Love was and is Jesus’ why for Christmas!

I love this quote…

“So God throws open the door of this world—and enters as a baby. As the most vulnerable imaginable. Because He wants unimaginable intimacy with you. What religion ever had a god that wanted such intimacy with us that He came with such vulnerability to us? What God ever came so tender we could touch Him? So fragile that we could break Him? So vulnerable that His bare, beating heart could be hurt? Only the One who loves you to death.”
Ann Voskamp

And He invites you and me to trust His love as if our very lives depend on it … because they do. Not just our eternal lives but our every day “walking around interacting with other people” lives, even during the month of December.

So, I’m pausing and I’m grabbing my calendar and my to-do list and doing a bit of prayerful soul-searching. I want to give myself grace to not attend every event and do every traditional task. I’m giving myself permission not to plan the perfect menu or have my home impeccably decorated.

And I’m writing in time to spend as many quiet moments as possible sitting at Jesus’ feet … being still and knowing His love. I’m also slowing down enough to notice the people around me wherever I am and to make the intentional effort to show everyone God’s love and kindness.

And yes, I’ll probably do many of the things that have become family traditions but my prayer is that I’ll know why I’m doing them.

That I’ll know MY WHY for Christmas is to show the people around me how much they are loved by Jesus and by me.

I want to focus on…

Thank[ing] God for this gift too wonderful for words!
2 Corinthians 9:15

Because as Frank McKibben said…

“This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ.”

Thank you so much for joining me today.
And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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When You Need to Be Sure God Loves You

2 / 11 / 192 / 11 / 19

Love…

It’s a fickle thing, isn’t it?

We don’t want it to be. In fact, most people are desperately looking for a love that is guaranteed to last.

Oh, we promise to love our spouse forever but nearly half of all marriages end in divorce. We hope our families will remain united and loving from one generation to the next but we all know that doesn’t always happen. We believe our besties will see us through no matter what but…

Love is a fickle thing. Imperfect people love imperfectly. But God loves you perfectly. Here are 4 Ways that will show you just how much! #Godislove #Bible #Faith #ChristianCommunity #BlessingCounter

So, have I cheered you up yet?

You’re probably thinking … what in the world is wrong with her. Aren’t we supposed to be all warm and fuzzy as we talk about love this week?

Well…

You know I wouldn’t start this discussion if I couldn’t give you hope and tell you about the perfect unfailing love that is forever and no matter what…

God Loves You Always and No Matter What

The other night I found myself wide awake for a couple of hours pondering and praying about what to write here … a relatively common occurrence for me.

Anyway…

I didn’t sense any clear direction so I finally gave up and went back to sleep.

But the next morning as I sat and read my scheduled Bible Reading, God whispered … “this is how much I love you!”

4 Ways You Can Be Sure God Loves You

1. God loves you – He sees you. He hears you. And He rescues you when the time is right!

The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey
Exodus 3:7–8

God’s people had been suffering under slavery and genocide. And it was time to act. Moses had been raised in the house of Pharaoh and understood the ways of the Egyptians.

But God had also allowed him to live for years as a shepherd and nomad to teach him all he needed to know to lead the Children of Israel through their wilderness wanderings.

Whatever you are going through, whatever has you burdened and enslaved … when you cry out to God you can be sure He sees, He hears, and He is preparing a way to help you.

2. God Loves You – at the perfect time He saved you.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
John 3:16–17

God not only showed how much He loves … He proved He is the very definition of love.

Perfect self-sacrificing love!

Love that saves and promises a future filled with hope.

And what does He ask in return?

That you and I would believe in His one and only Son, Jesus!

I love the way the Life Application Bible defines belief…

To believe is more than intellectual agreement that Jesus is God. It means to put our trust and confidence in Him that He alone can save us. It is to put Christ Jesus in charge of our present plans and eternal destiny. Believing is both trusting His words as reliable and relying on Him for the power to change.
Life Application Bible Notes John 3:16

God’s love not only provides for our eternal future … His love provides a way to make today better, too.

3. God loves you – He gave you His Holy Spirit Inspired trustworthy Word so you might be able to know Him.

For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love.
Psalm 33:4–5

I believe the Bible is a miracle.

The Bible was written:

over a 1500 year span (from 1400 B.C to A.D. 100)
over 40 generations
over 40 authors from many walks of life (i.e. – kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars)
in different places (i.e. – wilderness, dungeon, palaces)
at different times (i.e. – war, peace)
in different moods (i.e. – heights of joy, depths of despair)
on three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe)
in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek)
~ Bible Facts – All About God

And…

Through all those details … from Genesis to Revelation, the message. of the Bible points to one single message … God loves you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus!

There will always be people who try to “edit” it’s words and their meaning. Argue the accuracy of the message because of time and translations. Dispute the motives and intentions of those who put the canon together. Debate inaccuracies and inconsistencies. And challenge it all based on “science.”

But that eliminates the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter wrote:

You must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding,or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
2 Peter 1:20–21

I believe … that same Holy Spirit is the one who still affirms, “the Word of the Lord is right and true!”

4. God loves you – He will give you everything you need each day.

Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
Exodus 4:11–12

Moses response was…

“Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
Exodus 4:13

The Life Application Bible Notes say…

It is easy for us to focus on our weaknesses, but if God asks us to do something, then He will help us get the job done. If the job involves some of our weak areas, then we can trust that He will provide words, strength, courage, and ability where needed.

Whatever God asks or allows He will give you and me everything we need one day at a time.

I”ll admit, I have to remind myself often that my needs are not determined by my wants.

The Life Application Notes offer a great set of questions to ask when you feel like you don’t have what you need…

Is this really a need?
It is really good for me?
Is this the best time for me to have this?

Even when you and I answer “yes” to all three questions, it’s important to remember that our greatest needs are spiritual and eternal. And God’s “no” or “wait” may be exactly what we need to grow closer and more dependent on Him.

God’s grace, mercy, and love!

Love between imperfect people is … well, imperfect.

But God’s love…

Sees, hears, and rescues.
Saves from sin, death, and satan’s power.
Is in His Word so people might know Him.
And meets the needs of His children every single day!

That’s not just how much He loves people … God wants you to know, that’s how much He loves you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.
And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

It would bless me so much if you’d take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings so you never miss an update!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment.

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Why I Need to Worship and Pray – Jesus Fix Me!

5 / 24 / 185 / 25 / 18

I’ve thought so much about worship this week. What it is. What it isn’t. Even what it should be.

And one verse keeps coming to mind…

But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 (AMP)

Whether we’re talking about worship styles or honestly, any other issue that offers a multitude of opinions – it feels like we, as a culture, are missing the mark when it comes to the “gentleness and respect” part.

I don’t know about you, but I can be quick to know I’m right.

The problem is it’s so easy for my “right” to become self-righteous.

And of course, if I’m right, then you must be wrong if you don’t agree with me.

Which gives me the “right” to judge you!

RIGHT!

Look at the divisiveness in our country and yes, even in our churches … I’m guessing this, self-righteous vs. judgment attitude, is more prevalent than you and I would like to admit.

Seriously, how many times have you watched the news or scrolled through social media and decided who’s right and who’s wrong, who’s guilty and who’s innocent, who’s godly and who’s not based on just a little bit of information?

Jesus told a couple of stories about the problem of judging others through a lens of self-righteousness…

“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Luke 6:41–42

And…

“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. Luke 18:10–14

I want to be more like the repentant tax collector. I want to give Jesus first place in my life. I want to SEEK His truth, His will, His direction. I want to live my life surrendered completely to Jesus. And I want to gently and respectfully tell anyone who will listen about the blessings of the “hope and confident assurance” I have in Him.

So, I’m humbly asking Jesus to forgive and remove my self-righteousness and cover me with His righteousness and teach me His truth. I’m praying, “Fix Me, Jesus.”

Will you please, pray with me? Jesus Fix Me!

Jesus, Fix me. Forgive me. Heal me.

I’m sorry! It is so easy to hide behind religion and rules. I can be so self-righteous and quick to judge the actions and attitudes of others.

Jesus, Fix me. Forgive me. Heal me.

We are sinners. Not because we sin. We sin, because we are sinners. ~ R.C. Sproul

It’s hard for me to admit that I’m broken and needy. But I am! I am a sinner and I need You.

Jesus, Fix me. Forgive me. Heal me.

Help me. I want to trust You completely, but I look at life through the distorted lens of my personal perspective and experiences. I have foolishly relied on my own opinions and simply trusted those who tell me what I want to hear.

Jesus, Fix me. Forgive me. Heal me.

Help me. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I want to trust you completely and follow You faithfully.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Jesus, Fix me Forgive me. Heal me.

Help me listen with love and speak with kindness. Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

Thank you for forgiving me!

Before I obeyed You. Before I joined a church. Before I did anything, You gave Your life for me. You suffered my punishment. From the cross to the resurrection . . . You fixed me.

Jesus, I thank You. I praise You. I worship You.

“To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God.” ~ William Temple

By Your grace, may my life be an act of worship. May my worship point a broken and hurting world to You. Jesus fix us! Amen.

By God’s grace, through Jesus, you and I are forgiven. We have been fixed not because of who we are but because of who He is.

The next time your self-righteousness rears its ugly head and gets in the way of your worshipful witness and I promise you it will if you’re anything like me, remember this simple prayer.

Jesus fix me and help me love like You!

Love you, dear friend! God bless you!

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlights from the Week!

Learn the Secret: Content in All Circumstances

by Debbie Putnam

@ Uncharted Waters

Breaking the Chains of Depression

by Tammy Kennington

@ Mercy Multiplied

Building an Inclusive Community

by Lauren Sparks
a guest post

@ Be Thee Inspired by Rachel Lee

AND the…

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This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

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The Faith Project – It’s Exciting – Love is in the Air

2 / 1 / 167 / 7 / 16

Love is in the air and I’m excited! It’s February so of course, The Faith Project has to examine and live out love.

What can you expect?

Ways to live out loud our love for God, and tips and ideas to help you apply the 5 Love Languages to your relationships.

I believe intentionally looking for ways to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength . . . and loving the people around me well will bless my relationships and grow my faith.

Are you ready? Let’s go!

Love is universally talked about and wanted. The word itself comes with a long list of definitions. And in this imperfect world . . . living it out is full of both the wonderful and painful.

Love is complicated and confusing isn’t it?

Let’s look at that list of definitions from Miriam-Webster Dictionary:

1a(1): strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties <maternal love for a child>(2): attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers (3): affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests <love for his old schoolmates>b: an assurance of affection <give her my love>

2: warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion <love of the sea>

3a: the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration<baseball was his first love>b(1): a beloved person: darling —often used as a term of endearment (2)British —used as an informal term of address

4a: unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1): the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2): brotherly concern for others b: a person’s adoration of God

5: a god or personification of love

6: an amorous episode: love affair

7: the sexual embrace: intimacy

Is it any wonder we get confused? Love can mean anything from simple affection to passion or enthusiasm to devotion. Pretty non-specific.

Aren’t you glad God gives us a better definition?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13: 5–8

That’s what we want. Love that is perfect patient, kind, non-envying, non-boastful, humble, other-centered, patient, truthful, hopeful, unfailing, and forever.

So, we chase after it but too often miss it.

God’s perfect love lived out among His children.

For today, let’s stop and breathe in the love God has for you and me.

Don’t miss – 10 Things You Need to Remember You are Loved.

And then hold close to your heart:

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. 1 John 4:16

All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) Ephesians 2:3–5

I’m excited about digging deep . . . looking at ways I can better love God and the people He puts around me.

For now, let’s look at a few more quotes . . . God’s Perfect Love for You –

“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely. … He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.” ~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“God is love. He didn’t need us. But he wanted us. And that is the most amazing thing.” ~Rick Warren

“We sinned for no reason but an incomprehensible lack of love, and He saved us for no reason but an incomprehensible excess of love.” ~Peter Kreeft

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.” ~C.S. Lewis

“There’s no place too dark for God’s light to penetrate and no heart too difficult to be set aflame by His love.” ~Sammy Tippit

“Your worth is based on the price someone is willing to pay for you, and God almighty paid for you with His precious Son, Jesus.” ~Rebecca Bryan

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:16–17

God lives. God loves. God loves you. Today. Tomorrow. Forever and Always.

You and I have everything we need to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We receive it through God’s love, grace and mercy.

Let The Faith Project’s look at love begin.