I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Do you remember bells, Church Bells, Belfries or Carillon Bells ringing in the city when you were young?  I do!  It is one of my favorite childhood memories. The church up the street where I grew up had them ringing every Sunday and many mornings to awaken you to a new day!  And, I especially loved the bells ringing on Mackinac Island in the summers of 1971-1972 with my grandparents.  Ahhh.....they brought such joy to my heart!

If you do remember church bells ringing as a child, then some of you may remember the old Christmas Carol called "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."  It is a beautiful old carol with words or lyrics written by Henry W. Longfellow, the famous poet. 

Henry Longfellow wrote the carol in 1864 in the midst of the Civil War, one of the darkest hours in this country.  Along with that, he has just lost his beloved wife, Fanny due to her dress catching on fire from a candle.

The words are poignant. They prick our senses or they become keenly distressing to the mind or our feelings or can arouse a lot of sentiment in our hearts. See what you think:

Verse 1:  I heard the bells on Christmas day, their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat of Peace on earth, good will to men.

Verse 2:  I thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom, had rolled along the unbroken song of Peace on earth, good will to men.

Verse 3:  And in despair I bowed my head; There is no peace on earth, I said, "For hate is strong, and mocks the song of Peace on earth, good will to men.

Verse 4:  Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:  "God is not dead, nor does he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With Peace on earth, good will to men."

Verse 5: Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day; A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, of Peace on earth, good will to men.

Here are a couple of questions to ponder this season:

1) What is wild and/or sweet in your life right now? Do you have a grandchild that runs wild and drives you crazy?  Or do you have a sweet child, grandchild, niece or nephew, or neighbor child who has stolen your heart?  Ring a Bell for that child!

2) What unbroken song sings in your heart?  Do you have a longing that won't quite go away?  Ring a bell in your heart!  Let joy flow from that song!

3) How is your mood lately?  Does despair crop us occasionally?  With all that has happened in our country and the world over the past couple of years, do you hear or feel the hate that seems to be so strong?  Have you noticed the mocking?  Ring a bell and keep the light of love strong in your heart! Share it with others!  Ring a Bell!

4)  How is your faith holding up?  There are a lot of reasons to be confused about faith these days. Listen for the church bells.  Find hope.  You might think God is dead, but guess what?  He is NOT dead nor does He sleep! He is WIDE awake!!!  All the wrong that seems to be so pervasive, will NOT prevail!  I believe that with all my heart! And, God's Word tells us so!  Take heart, Listen, and Ring a Bell!

5) Look up! Have you noticed?  The world keeps revolving!  It does not stop, even when our hearts are heavy. Listen for a voice, a chime, a chant.  Then, let PEACE rule in your heart!  

PEACE acronym: 

P = Praise: Find a reason to sing Praises 

E = Exalt God

A = Adore Him

C = Created:  KNOW that He created you, He is calling you, and He may have already claimed you as HIS!

E = Eternity - you are His for all of eternity!  REJOICE! 

Let the church bells ring in your heart! Let a little "lilt" show in your step! Let music surround you this season!  Feel the tingle of a song that gives you chills! Allow yourself to cry when you need to do so!  

Watch the movie:  "I Heard the Bells on Christmas day."  Stay up until midnight on Christmas eve and see if you hear church bells somewhere in the community!  Go to a Midnight Service! 

Pretend you are a Christmas ornament and lay underneath your Christmas tree and look up through the lights.  Let that light shine through you the next day!

 Most of all, I pray you will "hear" the church bells ringing in your heart!

 Then peeled the bells more loud and sweet:  "God is not dead, nor does He sleep!"

Let the Bells Ring!!!

An Orphan's Destiny

This past weekend, out church had an awesome Women's retreat called Restored!  It was an amazing day filled with laughter and tears!  We had wonderful music along with three speakers who were fabulous!  Each had their own idea of what "Restored" meant to them and each shared their story.  Each one was so unique and so honest.  As they gave their testimony as to what had happened in their lives, we each took away something to comfort our hearts.  And, some women felt that a part of them began to heal.  What an incredible gift it was!

I had the privilege of taking one of the speakers to the airport on Sunday and what a beautiful gift she gave me as we talked at lunch and then on the way to the airport.  Her name is Stephanie Fast and I hope you get her book from Amazon called "She is Mine." God made that statement to a mission nurse as she started to walk away from this little girl dumped in a garage heap.  The nurse named Iris' feet were like concrete.  She could not walk away and leave this little girl and audibily heard God tell her that "She is Mine!"  Wow!!  What a story she has to tell!

What Stephanie has gone through in her life was so startling and so sad on one hand and yet, she brought out the redemption that only the Blood of Jesus could bring!  I am not going to tell her story, but I am going to reflect on what she taught me through her story and her resilience!  I really hope you will buy the book or borrow it to read or learn more from her website.

I know some people have gone through so much pain and suffering as a child and I do not want to trample on anyone's heart in a negative way, so please forgive me if this blog triggers some of those feelings you thought you had worked through and perhaps healed from.  And, I hope this will not create a new fracture line in your heart.  My intention is that this writing may bring you hope and ultimately JOY!  There is so much to be grateful for even in our suffering......I hope you will agree.

If you were born in to a "regular" family, and had all the comforts of a loving home, I pray that you will stop and give thanks for those parents, grandparents and siblings that you may have grown up with over your lifetime.  If not, I pray this will encourage you to seek help with friends, prayer warriors and/or a counselor that can help you learn to work through all those rough spots in your upbringing.  There is so much to learn from our past even if it wasn't the brightest or the best.  

But, KNOW this:  You are Loved with an everlasting love that cannot be extinguished!!!  Yes, YOU!  Zephaniah 3:17 says:  "The Lord your God is with  you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

Let that sink in for a few moments.....God delights in you.  He rejoices over you.  He sings over you!

Now, let me ask you a tough question:  Can you imagine being an orphan?  And, especially an Orphan of War from the 1950's???  I cannot.  Being told by your grandfather that you are NOT wanted and then having your mom forced (in a sense) to "get rid of you!" Gone from the village you were born in, gone from the young mother who loved you, gone from having anyone to care for you.  Gone.

This would be more than any little four year old heart can understand or fathom  (Or, any 67 year old, for that matter, hearing the story for the very first time.)

Imagine yourself at four years old!  Were you snuggled and held  as a child? Did you have a roof over your head?  Did you have food and water and even desserts or treats many days of your life?  Did you have a soft warm bed with sheets and blankets that kept you warm in the winter time?

Well, now try to imagine the opposite.  Imagine your mommy taking you to a train station in Korea at four years old, giving you a handkerchief with a pickle, an egg and a pad of cooked rice in it and telling you to be a good little girl and stay on the train all the way until it stops. At the end of the train ride there will be an "Uncle" who with pick you up and take care of you.  Then, imagine a little further, when the train stops and there is NO ONE there for you.  No one.  No uncle. Not anyone who will care for you.  No one.

Now imagine being half Korean and half British and not belonging to anyone.  Could you fend for yourself at four years old?  Could you find shelter, food, water, clothing, something to keep you warm at night?  Could you ask for help and stand being turned down time and time and time again because you were a half breed?  Imagine being spit on, beaten, tossed out, and treated as horribly as you can imagine.  Then, remember,  you are FOUR years old! 

What a frightening journey this little girl had!!!  Day and after day, she was treated horribly.  Hungry, tired, and scared with NO place to go and no one to help you.  Could you have survived?  Stephanie's story is compelling and riveting.  And, it is a miracle!!!  Stephanie learned through many grueling and very tough situations to survive. Now, she is around 70 years old (she never knew her birth date!) and she is living in the United States.  She survived to tell her story and what a  journey it has been!!!  She learned to THRIVE! And, she learned what many orphans never learn:  LOVE.  And, love from the ONE True God who brought her through so many twists and turns to tell this incredible story.  

I truly hope you will look up her website at:  www.stephaniefast.org or get her book to read!  It is truly gut wrenching and yet amazing!  Sad, but glorious!!!

What did I learn from Stephanie?  That hope is never lost.  A person can survive unmentionable things.  A person can heal from very, very tragic occurrences in your past.  And, a person can find God's love despite being treated very cruelly for the first 9 years of your life!

My prayer is that anyone reading this or passing it along to others, will find the Love of Jesus and put their trust in Him.  He is waiting for you.  He is mighty to save.

The MRI Club Rides Again!

Hold onto your hat - You're in for a treat!!!  (Oh!  You don't have a hat? Please go get one - you are going to need it!)

Have you ever heard of the Red Hat Club?  Well, it is a group of ladies whose are in the age range above 50 years old.  And, they wear Red hats with purple outfits and it is based on a poem called "When I Am an Old woman."  It is written by Jenny Joseph and Elizabeth Lucas.  (Is 50 really old?  Not in our club!!!)

Here are a couple of lines from the poem:

"I shall wear purple with a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me....I will sit down on the pavement when I'm tired and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells and run my stick along the public railings...I shall go out in my slippers in the rain and pick flowers in other people's gardens and learn to spit."

Basically, the poem is advocating that as we grow older we can do what we want and not care what other people think about us!  (Ha! Ha!)  Irreverent you say?  Not a bit!!!  It is called FUN!!!

Well, a NEW club is in town now!!!  We call it the "MRI club."  It is a group of ladies from my church who happen to sit in the back row at church every Sunday and then go out to lunch together.  We have a ball together!!!  We laugh and giggle, discuss the sermon from the morning and generally enjoy each other's company.  The funny part about it is the age range:  93, 85, 84, 82, 68 and two 67 year olds!  

The ODD part about it (or, the funny part) is that the 3 younger ladies of the Back Row Church Ladies, all have had to have MRI's lately for various health issues and now are having surgery for those ailments!  

What in the world?  The older ladies of the group are "healthy as a horse" as the saying goes!!!  The younger ones are falling apart at the seams..........LOL

Then, to top those ages, we have 2 other friends who do not go to the same church, but are part of our MRI Club and adventures.  They are are ages 58 and 51 who are  also having surgery!!! Go figure!!!

But, the most beautiful part about our MRI club is the commradre.  We would do anything for each  other!!!  We pray for each other, give each other rides (after surgery), ocassionally play cards together, have brunches at our homes for each other, celebrate birthdays at restaurants ( and yes, we bring our own cake!), go to movies, and go on adventures to places like the Carousel Museum in Leavenworth and Weston, MO.  You name it - we have a BLAST!!!

What a blessing this group is!  We not only have fun, but we help carry one another's burdens, pray for our health and families, and spur one another on to a deeper faith!  God has truly blessed us with these special relationships and friendships. 

I encourage you to gather a couple of special ladies around you and do the same!  We only live once and why not live it with special people who make you smile???

Watch out:  The MRI clubs rides again and more adventures are sure to come!!!!

Peaceful Acceptance

 Have you ever been in pain unexpectedly?  Or in pain that you knew was coming, but did not expect it to be quite so challenging?  Well, I find myself in this spot this week after Arthroscopy knee surgery.  I expected to have pain  Post- Op, but did not think it would be greater than what I experienced 2 years ago when I had a total knee implant on the opposite knee!  How exciting, right?  

As many of my readers know, this blog piece is NOT for sympathy, but awareness.  Sometimes, we go through things in this life that we honestly do not understand and/or cannot comprehend.  At times like these, I like to reflect on what lesson I am supposed to be learning through all this?

So, in my despair and discomfort (to say the least!), I came up with an acronym to help me through this rough season:

PAIN = 

Peaceful

Acceptance

Infirmities

Nailed 

I am not sure how many of you have gone to Al-Anon (the spouse/family member support group to Alcoholics Anonymous), but it has taught me well.

One of my favorite definitions I learned in the program for 15 years after my divorce was the definition of  "Acceptance."  Acceptance is simple acknowledgement, without blame, without shame, without guilt and without regret.  Boom. Simple Acknowledgement.  Learning to accept or receive willingly.  Sometimes, acceptance is admitting that you are wrong.  Sometimes, it is simply acknowledging something is what it is, or someone is who he/she is.....right or wrong, good or bad, the thing or person simply is what it is and/or who they are. Period.

No blame, no shame, no guilt, no regret.  Acceptance.  Period.

Now add peaceful acceptance. Think about that:  Peaceful.....acceptance......peaceful......acknowledgement.  No need to challenge the situation or try to change that something or someone.  Simply accept.  Simply acknowledge.

It is a game changer!!!  All of a sudden you think about your situation differently.  Or, perhaps the acceptance comes slowly.....imperceptibly.  Almost as a whisper in the night.....whichever way it hits your heart - let it!!!

Infirmities happen to all of us ......I have a group of friends who have ALL gone through MRI's, CT Scans, and finally surgery to alleviate their pain and health conditions.  We call ourselves the "/MRI Club!"  It is hilarious!!!  So many close friends all facing uncertainty with outcomes of surgery, physical therapy, etc. yet all of us are hopeful that our bodies will come back to "normal" someday!!! LOL

With the love and support of so many wonderful family members and friends, each of us are "on the mend,"  So, it is with PEACEFUL acceptance that I write this blog in honor of so many people going through so many challenges in their lives.

And, finally, I am nailing my infirmities to the Cross of Christ!  Philippians 4:13 says:  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"  And, with this new peaceful attitude and awareness, my infirmities are lessening........day by day, minute by minute.  He holds us in His mighty hands.

Peace that passes all understanding wins.

Christ's Power

Come sit for a while.........this blog will be a long one....come linger awhile and contemplate what your heart feels and what emotions arise.

In recent days, there has been so much anger, fear, doubt, anxiety and total shock over recent events reported on the news that affects so many people that I know and love.  It is devastating to the family that this horrific act happened to AND to all who knows the heartbreak. Something so unbelievable and unfathomable that a person has to shake their head and say: "Why, God, why???"

The beautiful part is that the community of FAITH around this family is gathering..........hunkering down.......staying committed to helping in every aspect possible............praying............and trusting God with all our hearts!!

God will NOT be defeated! The Lion of Judah is roaring and we will get past this! And, we will stand tall together.  We will be a community that will have an incredibly positive "Ripple effect" so far and wide that people will say "How in the world do they stay positive?  Committed?  How are they becoming Stronger?  

How?  Our God is an AWESOME God!!!  He is mighty to SAVE!!!  He will NEVER leave us, nor forsake us!!!  He WILL be glorified somehow through this tragedy!!!

Psalm 46 resonates for us as a church family!!! 

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will NOT fear, though the earth give way, and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.  God is within her, she will NOT fall; Nations are in an uproar, kindgoms fall; He lifts His voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty IS with us, the God of Jacob IS our fortress.  Come and SEE the works of the Lord, the desolations He has brought on the earth.  He makes wars to cease to the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, He burns the shields with fire.  BE STILL AND KNO THAT I AM GOD. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty IS with us, the God of Jacob IS our fortress."

Never before have I felt SO strong in my faith. SO certain there IS a God.  My faith is growing by the minute!  Our church WILL Grow. Our church family WILL unite. Our Kids Ministry WILL survive.  Our Preschool will THRIVE.  We will OVERCOME by God' Grace and Mercy.  His Grace IS enough.

Last night we gathered.  We prayed together.  We sang songs like "His Grace is Enough" and "Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone." These songs will ring through our heads and our hearts forever. We will NOT give up.  We will NOT give in to the devil's schemes.

Prayer will be our mantra.  Prayer will lead us to VICTORY.

CHRIST'S Power will prevail and WILL overcome the evil that darkened our doorstep.

Changing gears for a minute, I had the privilege of creating an acronym with a young 10 year old friend, named Bella Lugo last week before this tragedy hit our church.  Bella and I poured over a Bible's Concordance for each letter in the word: POWER.  After writing down all the possibilities, we came up with this acronym:

Provides

Outstanding

Way

(for)

Everlasting

Righteousness

Isn't that amazing???  A ten year old, opening her Bible, picking out words to put together to create something that will resonate in my heart the rest of my days...........when I first learned of this tragedy, I thought, I don't even know HOW to pray, what to pray, could I pray?  Then, this acronym came to my mind.  God just provided HIS outstanding WAY.  He provides the Everlasting Righteousness through His son.

POWER.  Christ's Power.  

We have it because He sacrificed it ALL for each of us!!!  

HIS POWER!!!

His death. His burial. His resurrection.

Our Salvation. Our Santification. Our Sacred Privilege of being one of HIS followers.

His Provision.  His Way.  His Everlasting Righteousness.

His POWER.  

WOW!!!

Polishing Your Character

When was the last time you polished silver?  It has been a long time since I have had to polish any silver dish, tray or pitcher.  When a person polishes something that is silver, it is to make the silver color come back and take the tarnish off.  And, polishing something can make something smooth and glossy by rubbing or friction like a car or boat.

Also, another way to look at the concept of polishing is to render something finished or elegant. You might be redoing wood floors and polishing them and find out that polishing comes very easy and they look elegant when you are finished. My friends Terri and Dennis' wood floors are stunning!

Some people use the term "polish up" to improve or refine their behavior at work or within their family dynamics. So many people think they must compare themselves to others, so sometimes "polishing up" seems to make them feel better about themselves.  And, polishing up an attitude can truly bring about change in a very positive way.

And, what about your spiritual demeanor?  Does it need polishing up?  Or, have you been feeling like you are being polished by the Lord?  Lately, that is exactly what I have been feeling like........I was just reading in Sarah Young's Jesus Always devotional book and as I read the devotion on July 29 that is exactly what God is doing in my life!  There have been many things I have had to "wait" on or have patient endurance.  I have not always been "patient" or understood why so many challenges had to be one right after the other this past year and 1/2, but for whatever reason, He has shown me clearly in the past few days, exactly what He is doing!  And, it is amazing to have this awareness.

One example is not having a car for the past 8 months has been a real lesson in polishing my patience!!!  But, God has provided incredible friends to take me to and from church, work, the grocery, errands, etc.  I have truly been blessed beyond imagination these past 8 months by these precious friends!!!  A huge thank you to each person who helped me along the way!  And, a huge thank you to the Lord for pointing this concept out to me through this devotion!

If you feel like you are being "polished" look up and ask the Lord what He may be doing in your life!

He has a purpose in His plan.  Everything is under His control. That is the biggest lesson I have learned while being polished.  My character is being refined and improved in ways I would never have thought possible.  God is truly an amazing God!!!

Salt

 "You are the Salt of the earth."

(/Matthew 5:13)

Read the scripture and see how you react. Re-read it and consider this: If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, He is talking to YOU!  You are the salt of the earth!  

But, wait, what in the world does that mean?  Does it mean you are salty in your language when you are talking?  Do you sprinkle or season people by your encouragement?  Are you regarded as one of the finest people in a specific area who might be considered to be "The Salt of the Earth?  Or do your words come with a "grain of salt" meaning you exaggerate a lot?  Do you add a little "zest" to other people's lives as salt adds flavor to food? Or, does it mean you preserve things like salt does with food?  Hmmm....salt can mean many things to many different people!

Consider how salt works -  Can it facilitate healing? Can it hasten the closing of wound?  Can it add flavor to a meal? Can it be a symbol of wisdom where we learn from someone who may have more experience than we do in a certain area?  Or, could we be open to teaching something we know that someone might not have any experience in? Whichever way you have seen "salt" work in your life, consider how you might notice and apply one of these principles in your life:

1) Salt as a seasoning - Be an encourager!  Sprinkle a little "salt" around at the office or at home to lighten the load of someone who might need a little nudge.  Or, maybe you are one of the wonderful people who "flavor" other people's lives by splashing a bit of joy around and making people smile. Spread encouragement like glitter! It's a seasoning we all need!

2) Salt as a facilitator to healing - Notice when a person is hurting and ask how you might help?  Sometimes, we each need someone to listen.  Some wounds are really deep and heal very slowly - it takes time to process.  Sometimes the wound just won't close and we need someone to just sit with us as we go through that process.  Sometimes the diagnosis is so overwhelming that we need hope.

3) Salt as a preservative - Could we point out something that is of great value that no one else seems to notice? Or, point out to someone how valuable they are as a person?  Or could we point out what is worth holding onto that might not otherwise be seen?

4) Salt as wisdom - Be willing to share your experience, strength and hope with someone that is struggling or inexperienced. How might you offer to discuss the matter with someone who has not been in your shoes? Or, would you consider mentoring someone in a specific skill to add to their knowledge and skill? What about someone who wants to learn about the Word of God? Would you be willing to share a Bible study with them?

There are a million different ways to be "salt" in this world!  Try it - you just might be the "zest" that someone else might need to move forward on a new path or journey!  

Here is a challenge for you:  Ask God, how may I embark on being salt today for Your glory???  Salt my life Lord and spread Your flavor!!!