I read this on one of the blogs I follow. http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/ to be exact. Ever since I read this post, I've been thinking about my own. What is my greatest success and failure of 2010?
I would have to say my greatest success was definitely marrying my best friend and committing to living life and serving God with him for the rest of our lives.
Biggest failure... choosing myself over God more times than I would like to admit.
My hope and prayer for 2011 is that my 2010 failure can become a success.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
"A Stick, A Carrot & String" by mewithoutYou
The Horse's hay beneath His head our Lord was born to a manger bed, that all whose wells run dry could drink of His supply.
To keep Him warm the Sheep drew near, so grateful for His coming here: You come with news of grace, come to take my place!
The Donkey whispered in His ear: Child, in thirty-some-odd years, You'll ride someone who looks like me (untriumphantly).
While the Cardinals warbled a joyful song: He'll make right what man made wrong, bringing low the hills, that the valleys might be filled!
Then Child, asked the birds, well, aren't they lovely words we sing?
The tiny Baby lay there without saying anything.
At a distance stood a mangy Goat with a crooked teeth and a matted coat, weary eyes and worn, chipped & twisted horns.
Thinking: Maybe I'll make friends some day with the Cows in the pens and the Rambouillet, but for now I'll keep away - I got nothin' smart to say.
But there's a sign on the barn in the Cabbagetown: WHEN THE RAIN PICKS UP AND THE SUN GOES DOWN, SINNERS, COME INSIDE!
WITH NO MONEY, COME AND BUY.
NO CLEVER TALK NOR GIFT TO BRING REQUIRES OUR LOWLY, LOVELY KING.
COME YOU EMPTYHANDED, YOU DON'T NEED ANYTHING.
And the night was cool and clear as glass with the sneaking Snake in the garden grass, as Deep cried out to Deep, the Disciples fast asleep.
And the snake perked up when he heard You ask: if You're willing that this cup might pass we could find our way back home, maybe start a family all our own...but does not the Father guide the Son?
Not my will but Yours be done!
What else here to do?
What else me but You???
And the snake who'd held the world, a stick, a carrot and a string, was crushed beneath the Foot of Your not wanting anything."
To keep Him warm the Sheep drew near, so grateful for His coming here: You come with news of grace, come to take my place!
The Donkey whispered in His ear: Child, in thirty-some-odd years, You'll ride someone who looks like me (untriumphantly).
While the Cardinals warbled a joyful song: He'll make right what man made wrong, bringing low the hills, that the valleys might be filled!
Then Child, asked the birds, well, aren't they lovely words we sing?
The tiny Baby lay there without saying anything.
At a distance stood a mangy Goat with a crooked teeth and a matted coat, weary eyes and worn, chipped & twisted horns.
Thinking: Maybe I'll make friends some day with the Cows in the pens and the Rambouillet, but for now I'll keep away - I got nothin' smart to say.
But there's a sign on the barn in the Cabbagetown: WHEN THE RAIN PICKS UP AND THE SUN GOES DOWN, SINNERS, COME INSIDE!
WITH NO MONEY, COME AND BUY.
NO CLEVER TALK NOR GIFT TO BRING REQUIRES OUR LOWLY, LOVELY KING.
COME YOU EMPTYHANDED, YOU DON'T NEED ANYTHING.
And the night was cool and clear as glass with the sneaking Snake in the garden grass, as Deep cried out to Deep, the Disciples fast asleep.
And the snake perked up when he heard You ask: if You're willing that this cup might pass we could find our way back home, maybe start a family all our own...but does not the Father guide the Son?
Not my will but Yours be done!
What else here to do?
What else me but You???
And the snake who'd held the world, a stick, a carrot and a string, was crushed beneath the Foot of Your not wanting anything."
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
ezperanza
I'm doing this advent devotional to help me remember the REASON for this wonderful season we are in the midst of. One of the posts I read last week said this:
"Why is the date of an individual's death hidden from him? Clearly it is so that he might always do good, since he can expect to die at any moment. The date of Christ's second advent is withheld from the world for the same reason, namely, so that every generation might live in the expectation of Christ's return."
This struck a chord in my heart. Being (relatively) newly married, I've got a lot of plans left in my head for my life with my husband. Whenever I don't get around to something I am intending to do, I always think, "Eh, there's always tomorrow..." Or, "It'll be better tomorrow..." "I'll be better tomorrow..."
But God intends for us to be expectant and hopeful always. Waiting for the moment when Jesus comes again. I feel like I can't imagine what it would be like to live this way, but I have a great example of it everyday.
There's a couple who go to my church that have adopted two kids, a brother and sister, from Mexico. Legally in Mexico, the kids belong to them... but the United States will not let them come here. Somewhere along the way, during their several year process, some of the laws changed for international adoption- but no one dealing with their case caught the error before it was too late. Now, the kids are continuing to live in an orphanage, knowing that they have two legal, loving parents who are waiting to take them in to their home. Yet, the parents are always hopeful. Always expecting that God is going to move and allow their kids to come home. They do not know the day or time when it will happen, but they are always expectant. I want to be more like that. God change my heart. Take away my cynicism and soften my heart to your power and your glory.
"This is why, when his disciples asked him, "Lord, will you restore the kingdom to Israel at this time?" Jesus replied, "It is not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father has established by his authority."
Quotes taken from Incomplete Work on Matthew, Homily 51
"Why is the date of an individual's death hidden from him? Clearly it is so that he might always do good, since he can expect to die at any moment. The date of Christ's second advent is withheld from the world for the same reason, namely, so that every generation might live in the expectation of Christ's return."
This struck a chord in my heart. Being (relatively) newly married, I've got a lot of plans left in my head for my life with my husband. Whenever I don't get around to something I am intending to do, I always think, "Eh, there's always tomorrow..." Or, "It'll be better tomorrow..." "I'll be better tomorrow..."
But God intends for us to be expectant and hopeful always. Waiting for the moment when Jesus comes again. I feel like I can't imagine what it would be like to live this way, but I have a great example of it everyday.
There's a couple who go to my church that have adopted two kids, a brother and sister, from Mexico. Legally in Mexico, the kids belong to them... but the United States will not let them come here. Somewhere along the way, during their several year process, some of the laws changed for international adoption- but no one dealing with their case caught the error before it was too late. Now, the kids are continuing to live in an orphanage, knowing that they have two legal, loving parents who are waiting to take them in to their home. Yet, the parents are always hopeful. Always expecting that God is going to move and allow their kids to come home. They do not know the day or time when it will happen, but they are always expectant. I want to be more like that. God change my heart. Take away my cynicism and soften my heart to your power and your glory.
"This is why, when his disciples asked him, "Lord, will you restore the kingdom to Israel at this time?" Jesus replied, "It is not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father has established by his authority."
Quotes taken from Incomplete Work on Matthew, Homily 51
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