Christmas: God's Grace at Work

by Jon Walker 

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT) 

God says, “I will give you my grace.” What is grace? It’s when God gives you what you need — not what you deserve. Grace is when God says, “I’m going to take your problem and make it my problem.” Grace is God’s Riches given to you At Christ’s Expense. 

The Bible says: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).In other words, you can’t earn your way to heaven. You can’t work your way in. It’s just a gift. 

Did you know that’s why we give gifts at Christmas? Because that’s when God gave the gift of his Son to you, by grace. We give gifts because God gave us the greatest gift at Christmas. 

I know you can’t tell by the way I look today, but for three years I was a lifeguard. Every lifeguard knows you can’t save someone as long as they are trying to save themselves. If somebody is drowning and flailing around in panic, a lifeguard knows to just stay back for a few seconds and wait until they give up. Because if you try to save them while they’re trying to save themselves, they will pull you under, too. 

When they finally give up and relax, you put your arm around them and just swim back to shore. It’s really quite easy. 

God wants to save you. Jesus Christ wants to save you from your hurts, your habits, and your hang-ups. He wants to save you for his purpose and by his grace. But you have to quit trying to do it yourself. You have to relax. You need to let go and let God be God.

Awww! Cute cousins.

Quote of the day

As I kissed Emma goodbye at school yesterday she looked up and said:

"I'm gonna take good care of myself!"

Toby is also bringing me great joy with words like "bus" or "bird"
when he sees something - and I can understand him!!

This was Toby on the phone to Scott this morning! He was walking
around, talking gibberish! He got really upset when it was time to
say goodbye.

Confession

Later yesterday Emma "remembered" that she did not, in fact, make up that song, but learned it at pre-school. 

She was adamant that she made it up herself, and only after hearing me say to Scott we'll know for sure after the school Christmas show on Wednesday did she say "Wait, I know!  I heard that song in Mrs. D's school."  She's quite the actress!

She does make songs up, but nowhere near as sophisticated as that one!!

Nativity

Today was a big day.  Emma was signed up to be an angel in the nativity at church, for both services.  She did great at the dress (and only) rehearsal yesterday.

 with buddy Savannah at rehearsal

This morning I put her in light leggings and white t-shirt (a little small) so that she blended in with her white angel costume.  Unfortunately she was not happy wearing the halo, but that was not a big deal.  

First service Scott was ready to video (since I was the narrator and on stage myself) but it didn't take.  She did so great and I was really proud.  At one point when I looked over she waved to me and my heart nearly burst with pride!

Second service he got set to video again.  Everything was running smoothly, but when the angels came in Emma, who was the leader (to her delight) was not with them.  Scott and I exchanged a disappointed look, but the show must go on.

Then the back drop fell over, for a great laugh and it was great to capture on video.

The next part was "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and then I saw Emma.  For this service they had brought in a part that had previously not been included - little stars.  Emma and Josiah came in for the song.

It was great...

If I'd known she'd have that costume on, I'd have gone with a whole different outfit!!

After church, Grant came over for lunch.  I put Toby to bed and came back to hear Emma singing a song of her own creation (or so she says) to Scott and Grant.  I caught the rest on video - it is priceless...

Here are the lyrics for you to sing along:
There was a little baby Oh my Lord (x3)
Way down in Bethlehem

The angels sing so sweetly Oh my Lord (x3)
 Way down in Bethlehem

They laid him in a manger Oh my Lord (x3)
Way down in Bethlehem

They named the baby Jesus Oh my Lord (x3)
Way down in Bethlehem

Playdate

The kids and I headed over the river to visit Abby, Joshua and mom Chrissie.

The two girls are just two months apart in age, the boys just two
weeks. Chrissie's expecting her third, we are not matching them this
time!!

Enjoying Chrissie's smoothie made with home-made yoghurt. I don't
know how she does it with two kids and one on the way!

Weekend past

On Saturday we met up with Melissa and Keith at Sweet Lucy's BBQ - apparently even better than those in Nashville!

We got there ahead of them, but the kids were easily amused while we waited...

 

We sat down to a feast of beef brisket, pulled chicken, chilli, wings - you name it, we had it!  And it was good.

The kids were however less interested in eating, and more for playing around.  It is a casual place and was not very busy, so we loosened the leash a little, letting them move around.  Toby got stuck under a bench, they found animals to play with...

 

and spoons to drum with...

 After an hour or so (!) the staf brought us some hats and coloring books - right before we left!

Then we went back to Mel and Keith's to help them put up their Christmas tree.   The kids helped hang over 100 ornaments (only breaking one), and also amused themselves elsewhere...

Poor snowman - usually stands up!

And who doesn't love a dancing Santa!

After I lamented over my one monochrome, sparse tree (more kid proof than kid friendly) Melissa donated a box of colored plastic ornaments to us.  They look great - and don't break!!

God Wired Us to Be on Mission

by Rick Warren 

"Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.” (Mark 8:35 TLB) Why don’t we feel more fulfilled? Far too many people are asking themselves that question. We’re not happy, we’re not satisfied — in fact, we’re miserable.

Why? In his book Rich, Free, and Miserable, sociologist John Brueggemann shared a great story that illustrated why. Climbing Mount Everest is one of the challenges that inspire people to do something big. Lots of people try, even though nearly 10 percent of the people who do, die in the process. Many of the corpses still line the path up the mountain. Yet people still want to climb the mountain — though it has no real redeeming social value.

A few years back one climber, David Sharp, was clearly in trouble on the mountain. There were 40 climbers who noticed his obvious need but passed him that day. He died on Mount Everest because none of the other climbers were willing to put their personal goal on hold to help him.

That’s us. Our own personal drive to have more, be more, and do more causes us to lose sight of what really matters. But that isn’t how God wired us. Life isn’t about what you make, who you know, or what you do. Life is all about love — loving God and loving others.

Jesus tells us in Mark 8:35, "Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live” (TLB). God wired you in a way that you’ll never be happy unless you’re giving your life away in his work. You were made for something greater than yourself. The Bible calls this your mission in life. Significance doesn’t come from status, salary, or sex. It comes from service. Only by giving your life away can you feel that your life has significance.

12 Days of Christmas

 From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.

Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.

Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

A friend sent this to me, and I don't know the authenticity, but it certainly is a good way to view it!!

I asked Scott to give Toby a haircut...he really did!!

Chilli

I was on top of my game today, cleaning the bathroom and kitchen! I
also prepared our lunches for tomorrow and made dinner.

For dinner I made chilli with the recipe my grandma gave me when I
moved out here. I've never tried it before,not wanting the
disappointment if it wasn't the same.

I am so excited that it came out great, and tastes a lot like hers!

This is our tree today. Notice all candy canes and delicate ornaments
have been moved 4 feet up the tree!

Unfortunately we did lose our World Series ornament. Oh well, they
are just "things"!!

Toby is especially partial to a candy cane at any time of the day.
Plastic wrapped or not!!

This is how Toby gets around when he has a drink but needs both hands!
His teeth will be very strong!!

New week

On Monday I had the day off with the kids, but far from taking it easy we had a full day!  We started out with speech therapy at 9am, followed by physical therapy at 9.30am.

This was a special PT appointment because it included a consult with an orthotic specialist.  As you may recall, Emma has very flat feet, no arches and protruding heels.

It went well and although Emma's feet are preventing her from running or jumping properly, there is still hope.  We are getting orthotics for her shoes, which over time will hopefully strengthen the muscles so her feet can flex and be more functional.

Something really interesting the consultant said was that shoes are like underwear - you should not accept hand-me-downs!!  Your feet leave indelible impressions in the sole, and when put on by someone else, it can impact how that person walks. 

Luckily Emma's sneakers were new when she was handed them down!  Even though they are not a fancy brand they are actually great - not too narrow in the sole and a firm heel with cushion. 

There is even more hope for Toby because his feet are still growing.

After that we had to go to the jewellers for my semi-annual ring inspection!  A hassle, but worth it for the assurances.  It's about a half hour drive away, and I thought Toby might pass out on the way, but no. 

After that we stopped in the mall for a browse and some lunch, before heading to Melissa's for an impromtu visit.  By now we were well into nap time, but instead of sleeping in the car Toby and Emma pigged out on Chick Fil A nuggets!

A fun couple of hours at Melissa's, where Emma ran from Harley and Toby chased the little dog!  He also rolled around in the dog bed getting himself covered in fur!

We left there about 3pm and still Toby did not sleep in the car!

We arrived home and all was fine until...

It was only 4pm!!

We woke her up and all went grocery shopping - Toby finally fell asleep then and slept all around Walmart!

This week has been great.  Scott's been home in the evening, and making dinner for us to eat together.  The kids even ate fish ("chicken"!) and green beans (in cheese sauce!) tonight.

Then Emma treated us to a song...

Toby managed to eat one of the blue candy canes!

Emma drew this picture at therapy on Monday, and I just had to bring
it for my desk.

It's a rainbow "because you're wonderful."

Feeling happy

I had a monk on today.

If you are not a member of my family you might not know what that means.  It's how we describe someone who is being mopey, down in the sumps, grumpy.  (Probably because monks always look miserable in pictures!)

I can't tell you why.  Probably an emotional hangover from yesterday.  It was clear from my total lack of patience with the kids and Scott, immediate frustration over the smallest thing and the refusal to join in the excitement as Scott hung obnoxious blue led lights like icicles from our gutters!

I searched my soul throughout the day, for the source of my lingering sadness, but came up empty handed.  

I was totally gutted when Emma asked me why I was "being so mean"!  In my defence, neither Emma or Toby was listening or following instructions!!

I wasn't feeling particularly spiritual as we headed to church for prayer night, more like a reluctant child going to see a parent they know won't like their attitude!  

But rather than let that stop me from going, I did what I know God wants us to do when we feel alone and confused and far from him - run to him as fast as we can!

Scott opened the service with a word for the people in attendance.  I listened, but honestly I could not get past my own pity party!  Then we all took time to pray by ourselves.

I was hoping for a strong feeling of God's love and support.  I wanted to feel His embrace and assurances that I was doing okay.  Most of all, I wanted to know what was causing my feelings.

However, that is not what happened.  I know God heard my questions and cries, but his response was that of a WISE, loving parent.  

The issue is not what caused my stress last week or yesterday.  The past is past, and hopefully this week will be different.  However, I need to choose to make it different.

I can't change the past.  But I can choose the future.  Our emotions are subject to our will - we can choose to be happy, by not dwelling on circumstances, or in my case the feelings that circumstances had produced!  (How much time have I wasted in life being sad about being sad?)  (That was rhetorical!)

Sounds so simple, but for me, to understand this is so freeing.  I can change my mood, I don't have to wait for the memories of a tough week to fade!

And I did just that.  Be happy today.

Sunday treat

Today we did not go to our church.  Instead we went undercover at a new church in the city to check out one of their programs.  We invited Scott's sister and her boyfriend to go with us, and afterward we hit a local eatery for one of their world famous cheesesteaks (and cheese fries)!!

Then the kids tried to catch the pigeons!!

I don't like missing Pastor Bob's preaching, but it was nice to have an excuse to show the kids a bit of the city!