Losing Jesus

Friday, December 14, 2007

Three Wisemen looking for Jesus. Was Jesus lost, OR am I lost?

Here it is the Friday of the second week in Advent. A time of preparation, expectancy, being pregnant with Hope. Were Mary and Joseph lost in the jostling confusion of overcrowded Bethlehem, O Lord? Were YOU? In the jostling confusion of my life, (especially during this hectic season)I can lose you. What an odd coincidence--that I might lose you during this season in which I am awaiting you. You are the Savior of the world. You have come to earth. You have entered my life. Keep me close, even as I keep my attention on You.

For this and all your many graces, I thank and praise you, Lord, my God. Amen

This message is so on point for me. For some reason today I was feeling lost in the crowd. I felt I was losing Jesus. Why, I don't know, but that doesn't matter. I feel I have found him again while reading and writing this devotion. I am so glad that these devotions mean so much to all of you, but I need these daily as well to stay focused on the Lord. I sometimes have a short attention span, and I can easily lose Jesus if I am not careful.

Dear God, Thank you so much for re-uniting me with your Son when it feels to me like I am going farther away from Him in my walk than I should. I cannot afford to be away from him at all, no matter if it is a very small step or a huge step away . Please help me to keep my life line tethered to him at all times. He is my life-line.

Love,
Elayne

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

UGOGIRL51 12/15/2007 10:42AM

You are so right Elayne. It is so easy to lose sight of Jesus in the hustle of this busy season. let me not lose sight of him. Thank you for reminding me of this. We all ned reminding every once in awhile. Another good lesson learned. HUGS....Annette Report Inappropriate Comment

I Am A Citizen of Heaven

Thursday, December 13, 2007

No, I am not an angel, but I am a Citizen of Heaven.


The preparation continues on this second Thursday in Advent. As the tiny "city of David" swelled with the influx of visitors from Caesar's enrollment, the mighty Augustus sought to put a claim on you, O Lord. Yet you are the One with the claim to stake. You have claimed me as your own-not with enrollments, taxes, or wealth. You have bought me with your precious blood. I am a Citizen of Heaven ! Help me to "stand and be counted." I am Yours. Let me shine.! For this and all your many graces, I thank and praise you, Lord, my God. Amen


When I read that I am a "citizen of Heaven", I was blown away. What a wonderful thought. What a wonderful gift. This puts my existence into a whole new light. I want to be an upstanding citizen of your wonderful city.

Dear God, Thank you so much for allowing me to be Yours..to be a citizen of your Heaven. Please help me to be worthy of that citizenship, although I now I can do nothing to be worthy. I believe, and that is enough thanks to your sending your Son to die so that I may live. May my light shine here on earth so that I may stand up and be counted when it comes time to take Heaven's census.
Love,
Elayne

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BUSBYBOTTOM 12/15/2007 8:08AM

My bumper sticker says "I may live in Texas but heaven is my home". Report Inappropriate Comment

UGOGIRL51 12/14/2007 12:11PM

Thank the Lord that HE has gone and prepared a place for us in heaven...I think that if I had to do it, this tired ol body could not have done it justice. Elayne...Thank You once again for a beautiful message. You are truly annointed by God. HUGS...Annette Report Inappropriate Comment

LINDA! 12/13/2007 9:11PM

Wonderful message. I am also a Citizen of Heaven and anxiously awaiting seeing my HOME one day. Report Inappropriate Comment

A New Ruler

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

I sometimes wish our rulers could be as playful as the teddy bear and the kitten pictured above.


Once again The Bethlehem Candle sends out a sense of urgency in it's light to continue to be expectant with Hope, and to be prepared for something wonderful to happen. That Hope will be in a New Ruler.

O Lord, you inspired Micah to foresee a new sort of ruler coming once again from David's tiny town---a Prince of Peace, Angels proclaimed him to Bethlehem's field -hands. And even foreign kings would follow Micah's words to find the place where Jesus lay. Open my eyes to see in this candlelight the reflected starlight that bids all people, " Come and follow that Star!! See firsthand, God's saving grace !"

For this and all your many graces, I thank and praise you, Lord, my God. Amen


I can't even begin to imagine that wonderful night of Jesus' birth when the angels appeared to the shepherds, or "field-hands" and proclaimed that a Savior was born. I have to wonder if I would be willing to follow a star to find the place where Jesus lay. How many times today has God asked me to follow a sign that he has given me, and I have chosen to ignore that sign because it was too simple or too hard or to 'something'?

Dear God, Please make me more aware of the importance of the signs you put in front of me everyday so I will follow you and your teachings. Give me courage to be able to just go and "Follow that star" and to know I will find you when I reach my destination waiting there for me with open arms.

Love,
Elayne

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

UGOGIRL51 12/14/2007 12:13PM

All I can say is AMEN! HUGS...Annette Report Inappropriate Comment

HEIDI14DAN 12/13/2007 12:30PM

Great message today Elayne! I'm sure I as well have ignored his calling at times not looking for the signs. Report Inappropriate Comment

AKAYCAT 12/12/2007 2:48PM

Amen Report Inappropriate Comment

A Special Thank You

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

I just want to Praise God and send to all of you, my wonderful spark friends, a special thank you for all your prayers, comments, E-mails, spark mails, and love you have sent me since I first joined spark about 18 months ago now. I never knew I could develop such close friends over the internet, but I have done so. Your encouragement and kind words keep me going every day. I look forward to coming to spark to both give and receive the wonderful gifts of love and friendship. and support as I try to maintain my weight and remain as healthy as I can be.

Spark is such a wonderful place to have the freedom of expression and the freedom to share one's views and to have the wonderful gift of respect given back to you. Spark Guy and all of the other Sparkers that make this site possible, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I wish all of you Peace, Joy, and Love during this wonderful Christmas time, and through out the year in 2008. May we all become as healthy as we can be.

In His Love,
Elayne Mae

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HEIDI14DAN 12/13/2007 12:39PM

I agree with everything you said! I had no idea when I joined this site, how much it would be a daily part of my life. I am thankful for each and every person who has touched my life in some way, shape or form. Thanks for being there for me as well!! ~Heidi Report Inappropriate Comment

UGOGIRL51 12/12/2007 1:59PM

Elayne, I couldn't agree with you more. And I am honored to have met you and to know you and to have you as one of my dear friends. I too wish you all the LOVE, JOY, PEACE, HAPPINESS and HEALTH that 2008 has to bring to you. HUGS....Annette Report Inappropriate Comment

Prayer Works

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

I have great news to share with all of my Spark friends. It is not new, but I can say without a doubt, PRAYER WORKS! I had a doctor's appointment today that I was concerned about. We are almost 100 % sure my mass that was found is NOT cancerous. I am so happy and so thankful to God. I will have another small procedure and biopsy done the first part of January for safety's sake, but I am no longer concerned about it. Thank you to all of my Spark friends for your prayers and good thoughts. Prayer definitely worked. God has given me a wonderful early Christmas gift and now I can focus on celebrating his son's birth, His gift to all of us. Love did come down at Christmas.

Dear God,
Thank You just doesn't seem enough to say to you, but it is all there is to say. All I can add is that I love you with all of my heart, soul and mind. Thank you again, Lord God.
Love,
Elayne

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HEIDI14DAN 12/13/2007 12:42PM

What a great report!! I'm so happy for you...it's great news!!! Isn't is wonderful when we can see the good in our lives that God has provided to us. ~Heidi Report Inappropriate Comment

UGOGIRL51 12/12/2007 9:07AM

Oh Sweetie I am so happy for you. God is good isn't he? HUGS....Annette Report Inappropriate Comment

MOMOFALEX 12/12/2007 8:29AM

That's wonderful news - what a great Christmas present to you. Jean Report Inappropriate Comment

BEFIT013 12/12/2007 5:45AM

So happy for you! That's wonderful news! Report Inappropriate Comment

BUSBYBOTTOM 12/12/2007 12:09AM

Praising God for his love and miracles! Report Inappropriate Comment

TMOMMA 12/11/2007 11:56PM

I know without a doubt that prayer does work. I have seen it to many times! I have seen Gods miracles so many times!! I thank God every day for all he has done in my life! I also had a Cander scare a few months ago. I wrote a blog about it. I have severe abnormal cells. I know that God will be by my side no matter what happens. I have to go back for another biopsy in March. I had to have a procedure to have precancerous cells removed last month. It was the step right before cancer, you can check out my Blog if you want. Thanks for sharing!! Hugs Twana Report Inappropriate Comment