dear emily,
in this advent season i pray that my heart will be expectant for His
coming and prepared to stand before Him. i worry that when i
remember Him as a baby, i forget that those who have seen Him
since His resurrection could not stand before Him. He was a baby
who we cherish and sing songs about, but He is not now One.
"it is very remarkable that we face the thought that God is coming,
so calmly, whereas previously peoples trembled at the day of God."
(dietrich bonhoeffer)
since our earthquake a few weeks ago, i feel the trembling of after
shocks throughout the day. it is quite unsettling, and i have begun
keeping a glass of water beside my bed to see if my imagination is
acting up or the earth shaking. they are a new reality for me, and i
realize i have taken the past stillness of my foundation for granted.
"only when we have felt the terror of the matter, can we recognize
the incomparable kindness. God comes into the very midst of evil
and death, and judges the evil in us and in the world. . . God cleanses
and sanctifies us, comes to us with grace and love."
(bonhoeffer)
the sweet little Jesus boy is deeply rooted in my heart, and i adore
Him, but how do i rightly worship Him as King of Kings at the same
time? it takes a miracle, and i believe in them.
love,
lea
in this advent season i pray that my heart will be expectant for His
coming and prepared to stand before Him. i worry that when i
remember Him as a baby, i forget that those who have seen Him
since His resurrection could not stand before Him. He was a baby
who we cherish and sing songs about, but He is not now One.
"it is very remarkable that we face the thought that God is coming,
so calmly, whereas previously peoples trembled at the day of God."
(dietrich bonhoeffer)
since our earthquake a few weeks ago, i feel the trembling of after
shocks throughout the day. it is quite unsettling, and i have begun
keeping a glass of water beside my bed to see if my imagination is
acting up or the earth shaking. they are a new reality for me, and i
realize i have taken the past stillness of my foundation for granted.
"only when we have felt the terror of the matter, can we recognize
the incomparable kindness. God comes into the very midst of evil
and death, and judges the evil in us and in the world. . . God cleanses
and sanctifies us, comes to us with grace and love."
(bonhoeffer)
the sweet little Jesus boy is deeply rooted in my heart, and i adore
Him, but how do i rightly worship Him as King of Kings at the same
time? it takes a miracle, and i believe in them.
love,
lea
61 comments:
Yes it takes a miracle and I too believe.
As for the mountains trembling...I recently read Martin Smith's book on the group Delirious...one of their most anointed songs is "Do You Feel the Mountains Tremble" It puts me in the posture of worship every time I hear it.
Great post...as I expectantly watch for his second coming...being ready with my lamp full of oil
I've never felt an earthquake and hope never to do so. I hope you and yours are all well.
I think that so much emphasis is placed on Jesus as a baby. Of course His birth is important, but the fact that our Lord is grown, up, died and resurrected, is the way I like to see Him most.
Earthquake? I don't know where on this powerful earth you are. I'm glad you're fine, and can interpret God's message to you.
That's a very good point. It is hard sometimes for me to separate the baby from the God. Especially with all my own babies running around.
I’m trying to show you the living room! It’s just terribly foggy so all my pictures turn out black... which is not sexy. Well, not when the color is supposed to be soft and pretty. ;) Soon!
Is Oklahoma still shaking? I can well imagine how disconcerting that must be.
You weave a thought together so well, Lea. I have a fine time thinking of Jesus and a bit rougher time thinking of Jehovah God "I AM that I AM." Perhaps that's why I so enjoyed reading The Shack.
Merry Christmas to you, as well. And I hope that you're going to be around a few more times so I get to say it again and again.
First, I love D.Bonhoeffer, and some of his statements are so perfectly expressive of how I feel.
Yes to your question of how we view HIM! You are right on the money when you say we worship the baby Jesus, but what about Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords... which He also is! The manger was the very beginning, but we have so much more. As always, your heart and thoughts on these things brings a smile and a nod of agreement!!
As to earthquakes... growing up in California, I remember the beds in our bedrooms lightly bouncing across the floor as the earthquakes came close. We lived in the same city as Cal Tech, where the richto scale was always measured for us. This earth is not a sure foundation for anything lasting... and yet, HE inhabits and controls our earth too. What a GOD!
I'm out of pocket for a week or 2, so Happy December!
xo
P.S.... as to the hair style...one more time I enjoyed a good laugh at your comments! :)
I have only experience a few earth tremors and found them very disconcerting. What a great reminder of our all powerful Lord. As always your analogy is perfect.
Hope you have a great thanksgiving :-)
I am so sorry that you are still having earthquakes. Your earthquakes are so different from ours. Yours just keep going and going.
Ours are never quite that long lasting.
My sister keeps me updated on them. She said they are much more different than the ones we have.
It is good though to remember that it is our Rock and our Redeemer and our foundations can never be shook.
Hope the earthquakes settle down.. it must be terrifying. xo HHL
Miracle! Absolutely!! I believe. I believe!!!!!
blessings,
ashley
Wonderful post - again! One of my fav contemporary chrisitian songs is "Love Crucified Arose" and one of the verses goes, "and in the stall a cross He saw, through the first of many tears..." since hearing that song I can never look at the Christ of Christmas without thinking of the cross of Calvary. I even made homemade ornaments from some kind of rustic looking nails by wrapping copper wire around them and molding it into a hook of sorts.
Thanks for your kind comments at my blog!
Hugz,
Tamara
I share your prayer--may I look for Him in my every walk of life--expecting Him at every turn and giving Him my best gifts of all....
I believe in miracles right along with you. Thank you for this beautiful post.
He will come again! Isn't that something that we wish for everyone to realize? What a beautiful post, my friend. Carla
Absolutely beautiful!!! Love the quote that you included as well. Wonderful reminder to my heart. Thank you.
Hugs,
Melanie
even in Norway we right here where I live is an epicentre for an earthquake start some miles east of us. Right near are liquid gas from the North Sea brought ashore. When the ground tremble as bit, I shiver. They must have had lots of faith building that terminal so close to the epicentre.
For us there's nowhere to hide if a gas cloud is spreading after a pipeline burst.
Except of course in the arms of Jesus.
No wonder we live in the Bible belt.
If anything can put people closer to God, that must be a good thing, don't you think?
Ecclesiastes 12
1 Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”—
2 before the sun and the light
and the moon and the stars grow dark,
and the clouds return after the rain;
3 when the keepers of the house tremble,
and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
and those looking through the windows grow dim;
4 when the doors to the street are closed
and the sound of grinding fades;
when people rise up at the sound of birds,
but all their songs grow faint;
5 when people are afraid of heights
and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
and the grasshopper drags itself along
and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home
and mourners go about the streets.
6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel broken at the well,
7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.
“Everything is meaningless!”
How blessed we are who have taken our refugee in him.
Earthquakes can make you nervous. I live in California,,,I have experienced many of them!! I have heard they aren't as unsettling as tornadoes or hurricanes (from my sister who grew up in earthquake country with me). You don't know an earthquake is coming. After shocks can be pretty frightening too though. :/ I hope everything is ok with your family.
I love the Nativity images. Right now my focus is more that Jesus is my loving Holy Savior, worthy of our worship, my Comforter, but yet my dearest and closest friend. I am so grateful He loves us so much, and that He is always here for us, especially during those shaky moments.
Enjoy the Season!
xoxo...Gloria
Absolutely hit me to the core - this post, Lea. Thank you for it. You may have read a post of mine earlier this week where I pasted "The Living Christ" - a page of testimony that I am working on memorizing. Your post today reminded me of one of the closing lines: "He will rule as King of Kings, reign as Lord of Lords and every knee will bend and tongue speak in worship before Him."
Thank you for your open comment on my post about my son's mission. I appreciate you Lea. In fact, I LOVE you!
oxoxo
Denalee
Merry Christmas! Where is the earthquake? xo Jenny
I have such trouble reconciling the exact same thing! You put it far more eloquently than I could.
May I always be amazed.
Miracles surround us but we've got to open our eyes, our ears and our heart. Lea, many thanks for your kindness and prayers; they have helped.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Great post! I was thinking this morning to make sure the true meaning of Christmas doesn't go unnoticed this year. Sometimes it takes effort to keep reminding the kids, and now my sweet grandkids.
When I read about the earthquakes, I was so confused. I realized I don't really know where you live. I heard about the quakes on the news, but didn't know you are still having aftershocks.
Keep calm and carry on!
Beautiful! Yes may we all believe in this miracle and hold it close and dear! May we all be in awe of who He is and what He came to earth to accomplish!
well said Leah! well said . . . blessings`
Cheri
Miracles? Certainly! Wishing you a wonderful advent!
Beautiful post. It's always a challenge to keep Cross in focus when we look at the manger, but they're really inseparable, just as the King of Kings is inseparable from the infant who came to share the experience of an earthly existence.
Wishing you and our family a wonderful season of Advent, and a blessed Christmas!
Love,
Margaret
I have never experienced an earthquake. What a jolting and frightening feeling that must be! You're in CA, correct? Here in WI we get an occasional tornado. I don't know if it's much easier to take than an earthquake...the shaking comes from above rather than below. Trusting that God will keep us safe!
Have a blessed Christmas, my friend!
Beautiful post. Thank you for this wonderful reminder of who we serve.
Lea:
I know you're 'out there', but I miss 'seeing' you!
I hope your Christmas is so special, and that the time with your kids all around is as precious as I know it will be. Here too, there is nothing like it!
I haven't dared to bake any of the Norwegian cookies yet... I have to wait till the last minute, or I would be sneaking one after another. When the kids all come, they will do the sneaking!!
Merry Christmas!
xo
Beautiful analogy during this wonderful and glorious season. And I hope that no more earthquakes are felt in your region...
I always wonder what his birth would look like if it happened today. Who would He choose to be Mary? The shepherds, and Joseph. Would I stop to worship this new king? Thankfully I know the rest of the story so I can celebrate. Happy Birthday to Jesus and wishing you and your family blessings on this wonderous day!
Kate
Poking my nose in again...miss you! and wanted to say Merry Christmas...wherever you are celebrating it, may you see God's faithfulness and hand on all your love ones...may you continue to sing to His glory!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugs...
Beautiful. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas.
Lea, I know you will be having a busy time with family and church but I just wanted to pop by and wish you all a wonderful and blessed Christmas. Thanks so much for the generous way you share Christ's love throughout the year in your blog.
Beautiful post. I agree with what your saying.
Oh my earthquakes. I hope you are okay and everything quits trembling.
Just wanted to come by say hello and to wish you a very Merry Christmas
Love
Maggie
Hopping over here to say, I hope you had a lovely Christmas, and to wish you a Happy New Year!
Oh I know that I am breaking every rule in my own book by even being here. I have been notorious for knocking at bloggers' doors when they only want a little space and are happily hanging out with their real people. Just wanted to wish you a wonderful New Year and I hope that you'll not think me too selfish to say that I hope to see you every now and again in it. More if you can swing it. Many blessings!
Oh too funny of Vee...I am coming to do the same thing, so two rule breakers. Just wanted to say I miss you and I know you are just having the best of time with that wonderful family of yours.
Thanks for your prayers, for your encouragement and for your blogging friendship.
I am praying that God just abundantly overwhelms your heart this year with His joy and love.
Happy New Year!!!! It is beautiful here I hope you are enjoying this sunshine also.
Wanted to come by and wish you a very Happy New Year.
I hope your ok
Love
Maggie
Hello Lea,
Just wishing you a glorious New Year. Happy 2012!
Kate
...and i believe in HIM, too. sometimes it takes something terrible tragic to pull you back to the understanding that life just isn't always perfect. through all i have been through, i never blame God for anything and have to give thanks and praise for all He blesses us with in His love and grace.
**peace be to you, always - and may this year bless you.
xo
becky
Dear Lea,
I think the last time I dropped in with a comment I called you "Emily"... whoops ... getting your blog title and self mixed up. I have missed seeing your posts and wondered if you had just taken a break through the Advent season. I thought a lot about Jesus as a baby this year too, in the real sense of all that this means, delivery and first hours of life in a dirty, common stable. But I was also really struck by something a friend shared from the book "Moments with the Savior" by Ken Gire.... Why did He have to come this way? He's the King of heaven.... "On that starlit night in Bethlehem, God came to earth to do the one thing he could not do in heaven.... Die."
Hope that you and yours are well in the midst of all.
Just sharing a few random thoughts to connect and let you know you are missed.
Stepheny (KatiewhatcanUdo)
I'm laughing as I lilne up behind Vee and Janette... in case you think you've been forgotten, forget it!!
I miss you! :)
Hello Lea,
Just stopped by to catch up with you and all your wisdom, and to wish you a glorious 2012. Can't believe we are almost into the second week of January. Now I know what my dad was talking about when he used to tell me the older I got the faster time would march by. I remember sitting in the sun on a beautiful summer day, while counting all the scabs on my knobby knees (oh, so wish I still had knobby knees...)in my tube socks, none the less. And thinking, time couldn't go any faster than the last week of summer vacation. Now, I know what he meant.
Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas together too!
And then I realized, that not only does time go faster, that my memory went too! Already stopped in to wish you a Happy 2012! Sheesh, I am loosing it over here.
Well, have the best first weekend in January you have ever had!!!
Kate
Is your Christmas sabbatical almost over? I miss your posts!
Margaret =(
Very niсe post. I just stumbled upon your
weblog anԁ wisheԁ tо mention that I have truly lovеd browsing уour blog
posts. Afteг all I'll be subscribing in your feed and I am hoping you write once more soon!
My webpage - loans for bad credit
Ηi there matеs, its enormous article concernіng tutогinganԁ entіrеly defined, keеp it up all the time.
Here is my webpage ... loans for bad credit
I think thіs is one оf the mοst ѵіtаl info for me.
And i am glаԁ гeading your article.
But want tο гemark on few genеral thіngs, The ѕite stуle is wоndeгful, the агticles is really excellent
: D. Goоd job, сheers
Also see my website > loans for bad credit
Hi theгe I am so delighted I found yοur websitе, I rеally founԁ you by errοr, ωhile I waѕ гesearсhing on Askϳеeve for something else, Nonetheless Ι am here
noω and wοuld just like to say kudoѕ foг a trеmendous ρost and a all гounԁ ехсiting blog (I аlso love the thеme/ԁesign), I don't have time to browse it all at the moment but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the fantastic job.
Have a look at my web-site; Eternity rings
My website :: Eternity rings
What's up to all, because I am actually keen of reading this webpage's post to be upԁated regulaгly.
It contains good material.
My web sitе: quick payday loans
Hеllο! Someone іn my Fаceboоk gгοup shaгеd
thіs website with us ѕo I came to take a loοk.
I'm definitely loving the information. I'm bookmаrκіng and will bе tweetіng thiѕ to
my follοwers! Fаntastic blog anԁ wonԁerful stуle and ԁesign.
Ηeгe is my web-sitе diet
It іs in rеality a grеat and usеful
piece of informatіon. I am happy that you simply shared thіs helpful
info with us. Pleasе stаy uѕ up to date likе this.
Thankѕ fοr sharing.
Feel fгеe to vіѕit my ρage .
.. instant cash
my site - instant cash
Ρагagraph writing іѕ alѕο a
excitеment, if yοu bе acquaintеd with
after that you can ωritе if not it is сomplicated to write.
Feel fгee to νіsіt my wеb blоg
- keyword
Way cοol! Some eхtrеmely valіd pоintѕ!
ӏ apρreсiate уou penning thiѕ writе-up anԁ also thе rest of the website іs аlso really gooԁ.
My ωeb-ѕite lose weight
It's truly a nice and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
Here is my blog - payday loans
Also see my webpage :: payday loans
It's in fact very complicated in this active life to listen news on TV, so I simply use the web for that reason, and take the latest information.
My blog post :: payday loans
Attractіνe сοmponent to сontent.
I just stumblеd upon your blog аnd in аccessіοn
capitаl to clаim thаt I gеt in fасt loνеd acсount your weblog poѕts.
Аny waу I will be subѕcrіbing tο your augment
or even I fulfillment you get entry to сonѕtаntly quickly.
Visіt my pаge payday loans
Appгeciate this post. Let me try it out.
My blog: Property for Sale
Good poѕt. I learn something totally nеw anԁ challenging on
blogs I ѕtumbleupon on a daily basis.
It will always be useful to rеаd content from
other аuthors аnd use somеthing from other web ѕіtes.
Fеel frее to vіsit my
websіte - payday loans
This is rеally inteгesting, You're a very skilled blogger. I'ѵе јoinеd your feed аnd look forωard
to seeking more of уour excellent post. Alsο, I havе sharеd your web site in my sοcіal netωorks!
Hеre іs my ωeb page; Same Day Payday Loans
Excellеnt blog you hаvе got hеrе.
. It's difficult to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! Take care!!
Also visit my webpage :: payday loans uk
Whаt's up to all, how is everything, I think every one is getting more from this web site, and your views are good for new viewers.
Also visit my site; payday loans
Post a Comment