Than Tongue or Pen can ever Tell

God is rich in mercy and loves mankind with a great love.  It is His kindness that draws us to Him.  God made/provided the peace, the conflict resolution before the conflict so that every person can be His Son and share in the Heavenly inheritance.  Each person is God's workmanship, uniquely created to reflect God and created for good works.  Each person has gold hidden inside of them which is meant for their own good/benefit and for the benefit of others. 

Earnestly seek, find and encourage that gold in every person with whom you come into contact. 

What are you willing to fight for in that person? 

Who championed you?  How did that affect you? 

Who seemed to bring only correction to you?  How did that affect you? 

What are you going to do now?

I didn't know I needed to clean the fish before I caught them ~ John Wimber

"The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Oh, the love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.”

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Creation Nativity

Another pondersketch...

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The Best Gift

I'm a little confused about what day it is, but I am on vacation!  You see, Saturday was not like any ordinary Saturday because we were hosting our annual 1Voice Cookie Baking and Come Have Fun Hanging Out overnight, which was fabulous because of the amazing world-changers who attended; we missed very much all of the team who were unable to come! 

As a result of this fun-filled event, Monday became my Saturday, which meant Tuesday became Monday.  Although today is Wednesday, in my mind, today is Tuesday.  Add to that the unheard of fact that I attended a movie theater both Sunday night and Monday night (the real nights and not the ones in my mind), AND I just don't know for sure...

Regardless all the days have been fun and have felt like celebrations.  I do love a party.  I also have learned that I need quiet, reflection times, too.  Today while on my way to do the weekly grocery and miscellaneous shopping a song inspired me and filled me with joy, peace, thankfulness and awe.  I love it when God shows up in my day-to-day routine, like driving in the car along a familiar path.  His love is the best gift!  Here are those lyrics that rocked me to the core today:

God loves a lullaby
In a mother's tears in the dead of night
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes

God loves the drunkard's cry
The soldier's plea not to let him die
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

The woman holding on for life
The dying man giving up the fight
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes

The tears of shame for what's been done
The silence when the words won't come
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

Better than a church bell ringing
Better than a choir singing out, singing out

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

(Better than a Hallelujah sometimes)
Better than a Hallelujah
(Better than a Hallelujah sometimes)"

Amy Grant, Better Than a Hallelujah 

Songwriters: Sarah Hart, Chapin Hartford

My favorite line:  "Beautiful, the mess we are."

What stirs in your heart when you read these lyrics? 

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Going Out on a Limb or O Christmas Tree

Do You Hear What I Hear?

I love this season of wonder -- what an amazing gift that God came to earth in the form of a precious baby to be our example and to make a way for us to be a part of His family.  What gift will I bring to lay at His feet as I pause to adore Him?  What comforts and joys are heading my way in the days to come?  How and where will I tell my Noel stories? 

What about you?  About what do the carols and songs of Christmas cause you to pause and reflect?

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Hearing

Seven days into December and this elf has 90% of her prep work completed.  That's what I'm talkin' 'bout.  The process has been mostly enjoyable and not stressful, also.  The thoughtfully given, sweet reminder from dear husband to see it like I am riding in the antique cars at an amusement park has helped to frame my perspective.  Papa keeps sending reminders through other means, also, like emails, blog posts and "random" snippets of radio shows.  Though sometimes I don't recognize it, He always gives me just what I need, just when I need it.

I am curious about the doors that He keeps speaking to me about.  These are doors of opportunity for which I am to be seeking, and then He will open the doors.  If you have any ideas or insights about door of opportunity for me, please send me an e-mail!

Another thing we've been talking about is John 15, the first batch of verses that speak about Jesus being the true vine.  I keep returning there after a nudge to spend 100 days in that passage.  And the depths of it have not yet been reached, on approximately day 70.  A nugget He gave me today, when I wasn't even in that passage is that God prunes us so that we will be able to stand up to the blessings (fruit) He has planned for us in the future.  It's a discipline of love and preparation for abundance, not a punishment. 

What are you hearing from Papa, in whatever way He speaks it to you?

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http://www.untanglingchristmas.org/