Can you feel it?
The excitement in the air.
Christmas is coming!!!!
Years ago, a dear pastor preached his sermon about anticipating Christ's arrival. All the while, unbeknown to us, he had a bread machine under the pulpit baking bread. Throughout the service we all started smelling the wonderful aroma of warm bread baking.
Oh, just the thought of it now makes my mouth water. We all felt that anticipation by the end of that sermon. It has really stuck with me - the idea that Christmas excitement is about Jesus' birth. Just as we get excited for the birth of our own babies or for those close to us, we should have that same excitement for Jesus' birth.
I was reminded that even though I know the story of Jesus' birth, I can still be excited about it. God's word is living and breathing and He can make this story and my experience new each year.
As the sweet aroma of Christmas gets closer I get more and more excited.
Jesus is coming!!! Jesus is coming!!!!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Mary
Our pastor preached a sermon today about the three wise men.
They brought gifts to Jesus and he said, more than that, they brought the reassurance to Mary that Jesus WAS God's son. Jesus WAS who the angel told her He would be. These wise men traveled a long way to worship Jesus. And these wise men, of course we all know, brought gold, frankincense and myrrh.
I wonder what Mary thought as she saw each gift opened and presented to them.
When the first wise man unwrapped gold and handed to them she must have thought
"Oh! Joy!" This was confirmation that Jesus was royalty. The Son of God.
Then the second wise man opened the frankincense and Mary must have smiled and thought
"Yes!" This was confirmation of his Priesthood. It was just as the angel had said.
But then the third wise man opened his gift. I wonder what Mary's heart felt. I wonder whether confusion or confirmation filled her bittersweet spirit.
Myrrh.
It was the spice used for burial. And it was being offered to her sweet baby boy.
Her Son.
I wonder if God had placed the knowledge somewhere deep in her that the baby she carried, birthed and now held in her arms was destined for sacrifice.
The baby that smiled at her and cooed and giggled when she made faces at Him... if she knew that same sweet face would be later beaten.
I just wonder what went through Mary's heart and mind. I can only imagine the anguish she must have felt as those wonderings crept into her mind over the years.
Death would find her baby.
Then Joseph was warned in a dream to flee with Mary and Jesus and go to Egypt to save Jesus' life. I wonder if that began the black spot in Mary's mind and soul that someday her Son would be killed and the Myrrh would be needed.
How many times did Mary lay awake and wonder if and when He would die.
But it didn't come.
Years passed and Jesus grew up. Did she push that Myrrh so far into the back of her mind that she let it go?
Then she asked Jesus to perform His first miracle (recorded) when they were at the wedding and the wine ran out.
I wonder how she knew He could do it. What all did she know in her heart about her blessed Son?
God asked so much of Mary. He asked her to give from the beginning. He asked her to give up her reputation, her excitement of her first pregnancy, and ultimately give up her first born.
And she did it.
I'm sure that's why God went to her. He knew she would do it. He knew her heart and knew her spirit.
I am thankful for faithful saints like Mary. I am sure she was very thankful for the gold. It reassured her that Jesus was royalty and practically, it was a great resource for their family since they were poor. Our pastor said it probably was the only means they had for their upcoming trip to Egypt.
I'm sure they were thankful for the frankincense too. It had medicinal purposes and reminded her that Jesus was our Great Priest.
However, I'm sure the myrrh was hard to accept. Some of God's gifts are. Sometimes the very thing He gives us, knowing it's the very thing we need the most, we are the saddest to recieve. It feels bitter at the time. But on the other side of the cross. I am the most thankful for this gift brought to Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Because this myrrh was used on my Savior. It was used in His death and through it I am saved.
I am thankful for Jesus this Christmas.
They brought gifts to Jesus and he said, more than that, they brought the reassurance to Mary that Jesus WAS God's son. Jesus WAS who the angel told her He would be. These wise men traveled a long way to worship Jesus. And these wise men, of course we all know, brought gold, frankincense and myrrh.
I wonder what Mary thought as she saw each gift opened and presented to them.
When the first wise man unwrapped gold and handed to them she must have thought
"Oh! Joy!" This was confirmation that Jesus was royalty. The Son of God.
Then the second wise man opened the frankincense and Mary must have smiled and thought
"Yes!" This was confirmation of his Priesthood. It was just as the angel had said.
But then the third wise man opened his gift. I wonder what Mary's heart felt. I wonder whether confusion or confirmation filled her bittersweet spirit.
Myrrh.
It was the spice used for burial. And it was being offered to her sweet baby boy.
Her Son.
I wonder if God had placed the knowledge somewhere deep in her that the baby she carried, birthed and now held in her arms was destined for sacrifice.
The baby that smiled at her and cooed and giggled when she made faces at Him... if she knew that same sweet face would be later beaten.
I just wonder what went through Mary's heart and mind. I can only imagine the anguish she must have felt as those wonderings crept into her mind over the years.
Death would find her baby.
Then Joseph was warned in a dream to flee with Mary and Jesus and go to Egypt to save Jesus' life. I wonder if that began the black spot in Mary's mind and soul that someday her Son would be killed and the Myrrh would be needed.
How many times did Mary lay awake and wonder if and when He would die.
But it didn't come.
Years passed and Jesus grew up. Did she push that Myrrh so far into the back of her mind that she let it go?
Then she asked Jesus to perform His first miracle (recorded) when they were at the wedding and the wine ran out.
I wonder how she knew He could do it. What all did she know in her heart about her blessed Son?
God asked so much of Mary. He asked her to give from the beginning. He asked her to give up her reputation, her excitement of her first pregnancy, and ultimately give up her first born.
And she did it.
I'm sure that's why God went to her. He knew she would do it. He knew her heart and knew her spirit.
I am thankful for faithful saints like Mary. I am sure she was very thankful for the gold. It reassured her that Jesus was royalty and practically, it was a great resource for their family since they were poor. Our pastor said it probably was the only means they had for their upcoming trip to Egypt.
I'm sure they were thankful for the frankincense too. It had medicinal purposes and reminded her that Jesus was our Great Priest.
However, I'm sure the myrrh was hard to accept. Some of God's gifts are. Sometimes the very thing He gives us, knowing it's the very thing we need the most, we are the saddest to recieve. It feels bitter at the time. But on the other side of the cross. I am the most thankful for this gift brought to Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Because this myrrh was used on my Savior. It was used in His death and through it I am saved.
I am thankful for Jesus this Christmas.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Grandparents are great!
Jon and I were able to get away for a date last night! yay! Grandma and Grandpa kept the kids and they had this project to do with Emma.
She was thrilled. She has been asking about a gingerbread house for over a week and Grandma already had one for her to decorate. So it made us leaving for our date much easier for Emma. (She had been asking why she couldn't come with us on our date.)
She loves her grandparents (both sets) and we are so blessed to have them available and wanting to spend quality time with their grandkids. They love Jesus and show that to their grandkids too. What a joy to know that Emma has such a wonderful relationship with Nana and Papaw and Grandma and Grandpa. Greyson is developing that already and I don't take for granted that it is rare to find such incredible grandparents.
So last night, Grandma and Grandpa kept the kids and Jon and I went to Strongsville Mall. We had a wonderful time. We got to talk uninterrupted in the car and laughed and sang along to Jon's itunes. I was able to finally use a gift card I recieved LAST Christms and pick out my present from Jon for this Christmas. We grabbed some (messy) dinner to eat on the way home and enjoyed every bite.
I'm so thankful for Jon. He is a wonderful husband and friend to me (not to mention a great daddy). I love laughing with him, debating with him and I even learned some new things about his childhood. It felt like we really connected and got to focus on each other. I have missed that lately. We are still adjusting to him working third and having and infant at home to care for along with our busy three year-old. We are finding our "normal" just in time for it to change in January. I'll be back to work for tax season. I'm super glad that I only work those three and a half months but it will be a whirlwind I'm sure.
We might feel like ships passing in the night sometimes but we'll get through it. And those wonderful grandparents I mentioned... they are going to help babysit during tax season. Could I ask for better? I think not!
She was thrilled. She has been asking about a gingerbread house for over a week and Grandma already had one for her to decorate. So it made us leaving for our date much easier for Emma. (She had been asking why she couldn't come with us on our date.)
She loves her grandparents (both sets) and we are so blessed to have them available and wanting to spend quality time with their grandkids. They love Jesus and show that to their grandkids too. What a joy to know that Emma has such a wonderful relationship with Nana and Papaw and Grandma and Grandpa. Greyson is developing that already and I don't take for granted that it is rare to find such incredible grandparents.
So last night, Grandma and Grandpa kept the kids and Jon and I went to Strongsville Mall. We had a wonderful time. We got to talk uninterrupted in the car and laughed and sang along to Jon's itunes. I was able to finally use a gift card I recieved LAST Christms and pick out my present from Jon for this Christmas. We grabbed some (messy) dinner to eat on the way home and enjoyed every bite.
I'm so thankful for Jon. He is a wonderful husband and friend to me (not to mention a great daddy). I love laughing with him, debating with him and I even learned some new things about his childhood. It felt like we really connected and got to focus on each other. I have missed that lately. We are still adjusting to him working third and having and infant at home to care for along with our busy three year-old. We are finding our "normal" just in time for it to change in January. I'll be back to work for tax season. I'm super glad that I only work those three and a half months but it will be a whirlwind I'm sure.
We might feel like ships passing in the night sometimes but we'll get through it. And those wonderful grandparents I mentioned... they are going to help babysit during tax season. Could I ask for better? I think not!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Milk free - the way to be
So I have found that as long as I am nursing Greyson I can't eat any dairy. That means no dairy AT ALL.
You wouldn't believe how many food items have dairy in them. Well, maybe you would believe it (especially you Mrs. B from Vegan Bees:)) but I sure was surprised.
I was also surprised to find that Oreos do NOT have dairy in them. Neither do Lays Chips or animal crackers. There is one brand of cake mixes and one brand of icing that I can eat.
My fridge currently houses non-dairy "butter" and veggie cheese. That's right "Veggie slices" are sitting in my fridge just waiting to be paired with the non-dairy "butter" for a milk free grilled cheese.
I have also branched out -with help from a friend- to find that I can substitute Rice milk for most recipes that call for cow's milk. The biscuits were actually more soft and fluffy and the mashed potatoes had no idea that I had mixed them with it along with the non-dairy butter.
Jon wanted some milk to drink the other morning and I asked "almond, rice, cow or breast"? He opted for plain ole cow's milk. I guess he's not as into trying new forms of calcium as I am...
And the most important thing is that I also found chocolate chips that are virtually dairy free. Enter Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips. Since I don't cheat on any other dairy I can get away with eating a small pile of these mouth watering chips occasionally without poor Greyson being miserable.
Today I splurged on some dairy-free ice cream- made with coconut milk. It's mint choco-chip and tastes...well, kind of like coconut. It's pretty good once my taste buds knew what to expect. However, for $4.50 per pint I think I'll pass in the future.
I have never been eager to learn vegan cooking or been conscientious of allergens in cooking. But I am catching on.
Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
You wouldn't believe how many food items have dairy in them. Well, maybe you would believe it (especially you Mrs. B from Vegan Bees:)) but I sure was surprised.
I was also surprised to find that Oreos do NOT have dairy in them. Neither do Lays Chips or animal crackers. There is one brand of cake mixes and one brand of icing that I can eat.
My fridge currently houses non-dairy "butter" and veggie cheese. That's right "Veggie slices" are sitting in my fridge just waiting to be paired with the non-dairy "butter" for a milk free grilled cheese.
I have also branched out -with help from a friend- to find that I can substitute Rice milk for most recipes that call for cow's milk. The biscuits were actually more soft and fluffy and the mashed potatoes had no idea that I had mixed them with it along with the non-dairy butter.
Jon wanted some milk to drink the other morning and I asked "almond, rice, cow or breast"? He opted for plain ole cow's milk. I guess he's not as into trying new forms of calcium as I am...
And the most important thing is that I also found chocolate chips that are virtually dairy free. Enter Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips. Since I don't cheat on any other dairy I can get away with eating a small pile of these mouth watering chips occasionally without poor Greyson being miserable.
Today I splurged on some dairy-free ice cream- made with coconut milk. It's mint choco-chip and tastes...well, kind of like coconut. It's pretty good once my taste buds knew what to expect. However, for $4.50 per pint I think I'll pass in the future.
I have never been eager to learn vegan cooking or been conscientious of allergens in cooking. But I am catching on.
Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
Monday, November 21, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
