Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas

So, it's Christmas Eve...the tree is lit, my tummy is full, presents are wrapped and under the tree, yet it still doesn't feel like Christmas. Maybe it's because thanksgiving was so late this year, maybe it's because I didn't get home from school until last week...I don't really know. I want the "Christmas spirit" I want the joy and excitement...

Is it because I am growing up?
As a kid Christmas was my favorite time of year. I wouldn't sleep well for days. I would wake up about ten times and lay awake in anticipation of the coming morning. I know that a lot of it was due to the presents...but I think there was something else too. There was something about the whole family sitting around the living room together laughing, relaxing, seeing each other excited...there was a peace there. A peace that came only on Christmas.

That is how Christmas should be...forget the presents and the decorations...sure you can have them, but put it on the back burner for now...Christmas is about Christ. It is about the celebration of the God coming to live here on earth, coming as a baby boy. I can just imagine this little baby boy in the arms of Mary and in the embrace of Joseph. This little family sitting around together, laughing, relaxing, seeing each other excited, and at peace. God Himself was in the arms of Mary and safe and sound from the turmoil of the world...the grace and peace that followed was probably unimaginable. Angels surrounded them and that is what Christmas was...and should still be. Christmas is enjoying our families and remembering the family that begun so long ago.

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

little ones.

I have this passion for children...

for some reason or another God has really gifted me for working with children and teens. Ever since I was little I have had an understanding of them...like they just get me and I get them...

So I work with these kids from a pretty rough area...sure they aren't always the best behaved...sure they aren't always doing what I tell them, but they are totally awesome.

They smart off, run away, fight, threaten, laugh at inappropriate times, and know way too much for their own good...but there is something more. They see it. They see it all...everyday...all day...

They hold secrets...pains...wounds...fears. They are hungry, tired, and lonely. They pass it off like they are tough, like they are big and bad, but really they are terrified. Really they just don't understand. Really they just need someone...anyone to show them love. It breaks my heart...

we pass it off like they know nothing
but really let me tell you something

these little ones with eyes open wide
keep big secrets by those who confide

they understand life in a way we can't
they see things at a different slant

we wander why the world is broken
yet we neglect those who go unspoken

the future of tomorrow lays
behind those big, bright, innocent eyes

so you tell me who will hold them
you tell me who will love them

those little ones with broken hearts
were never meant to be torn apart

so hold them Jesus, hold them tight
because I can't reach them day and night...

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

"Footprints"

Walk before me in my daily life
Walk before me in this very moment

I will look for Your Holy footprints
I will look for You...

The dust from Your feet will cover me
I will walk close and follow You

I will look
I will look for You...

When life overwhelms, and I feel like crying
Draw near to me and help me to see

I will look for Your Holy footprints
I will look for You...

Guide my life, my path, be my light and strength
I will follow You out onto the water

I will look
I will look for You...

rooted south

...rooted south...


my heart, my soul, my mind, my all wants ...yearns to be forever rooted in deep soil. so deep in the soil of God that nothing shakes me...so rooted that there is no doubt that i belong. no question that i am ...planted by God.

A Prayer for the Ephesians...and a prayer for you...and a prayer for me...

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." ---Ephesians 3:14-21

my desire is to know...that love...that love that surpasses all knowledge...I cry out to be filled by God...