Thoughts on Christmas

I was thinking this weekend about what a miracle Jesus's birth was. How could the Creator of the universe become a tiny baby? The lyrics of a song I heard on the radio started me thinking about it. The words expressed the idea that the tiny baby hands that reached out in the dark were the same hands that spanned the universe at Creation. I wonder what went on in heaven the day that God the Son was transformed into a human fetus. What did Mary feel? Did she know the moment she became pregnant? I like to think that she felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. How was His DNA formed? He must have had a strand from Mary. What was the other half? Did God replicate Joseph's DNA or did He create a strand? I have always loved the story of Jesus's birth, especially the version found in the book My Bible Friends. "Clip-clop, clip-clop went Small Donkey's hooves as he slowly climbed the last hill." My parents would read me this story from the time I was a little kid. I take it for granted. I want this Christmas to be more meaningful and purposeful in that I reflect more on the Messiah's miraculous birth. I need to be like Gladys Herdman in the book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever declaring to the world - "Hey! Unto you a Child is born!" Ellen White expressed in The Desire of Ages what I feel is the most important part of the story: "In the fields where the boy David had led his flock, shepherds were still keeping watch by night. Through the silent hours they talked together of the promised Saviour, and prayed for the coming of the King to David's throne. "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." ...Then the joy and glory could no longer be hidden. The whole plain was lighted up with the bright shining of the hosts of God. Earth was hushed, and heaven stooped to listen to the song,-- "Glory to God in the highest,And on earth peace, good will toward men." Oh that today the human family could recognize that song! The declaration then made, the note then struck, will swell to the close of time, and resound to the ends of the earth. When the Sun of Righteousness shall arise, with healing in His wings, that song will be re-echoed by the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters, saying, "Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." Rev. 19:6. (p. 47-48)

New Job

Life has taken a very interesting turn the last few weeks. I am now the assistant registrar for AS Nursing and MS Nurse Anesthetist students. I didn't know the job was available until the registrar asked me if I wanted to be considered. I interviewed and then received the job last week. I've been training this week and then next week I'll move into my new office. My job will involve working with the students and their school records. I'll be checking transcripts, talking with teachers and other staff, seeing what classes from other colleges can be transferred, and making sure students are ready to graduate. I solicit your prayers as I make the transition into my new life. I know that God lead me to this job and saved it just for me. God knew that I needed to make a change into something more. I was happy as a financial aid counselor, but I realize now that I felt confined to the position. Life is good!

Changes

Hi all! I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I am still here. Life took an interesting turn since my last post. I moved closer to work. After much prayer, I found an apartment 6 miles from work. Now I'm not spending half my day on the highway. I'm still staying at my church. Moving closer to work moved away from church, but I don't mind driving a little farther just on Sabbath. It's been fun decorating a new apartment. Joann's is just down the road so now I have a valid excuse to go shopping for a new project! I am still in awe at how God opened doors and led me to right people to help me find my apartment. Students still need financial aid so back to work I go.

Saving me inspite of me

I am constantly amazed by God's power and watch-care over me in spite of me. Yesterday evening I was driving over to Michael's to buy some yarn. As I came to an intersection, I noticed some sheriffs directing traffic. I remembered that there was a brush fire near there so when it was my turn to go through the intersection I looked over to see if I could see any smoke or flames. I didn't notice that a sheriff had stopped the car in front of me until I looked back to find myself facing the bumper of the car. I slammed on the brakes, but couldn't stop in time. The sheriff instructed both of us to pull through the intersection and park on the grass. I got out of the car shaking and scared of what I would find. I looked at my front bumper and the back bumper of the other car, but couldn't find one scratch or ding! I was so relieved! I rushed over to the other car to make sure everyone was safe. The driver couldn't have been nicer about it all. She assured me that they were all OK. She looked at me kind of funny when I said that our angels were watching over us. Then the sheriff came over to talk to us. He let us both go after he had given me a Barney Fife lecture on paying attention to what's going on in front of me. I got to thinking that this situation is like my relationship with God. If I look ahead at Him I'm in good shape. He leads me and helps me around the potholes and traffic jams of life. If I look around me and get distracted, I get in trouble and "accidents" happen. God is good!

Life's Purpose

Lately, I've been reflecting on the purpose of my life. When I graduated from college, I thought that my purpose was to teach children. I taught for 7 years until circumstances caused me to change my life and job. Now I'm drifting into different areas of education. It's been scary not knowing where I'm going. One Sabbath morning God gave me some assurance that everything is good and I'm going the right way. I prayed on the way to church that God would show me why He had me teach and then change careers. I expected Him to answer, but not for another week or so. Boy was I in for a surprise when He answered during church. It just so happened that the pastor spoke on ministry to others. As I was listening, it hit me like a bolt of lightning that teaching had enabled me to see a need in students - a desire to understand prophecy and end-time events. I have been reading Daniel and Revelation with the purpose of putting something together for 5th - 8th graders to use for studying prophecy. I hadn't really started anything yet. God impressed me with the fact that He had given me this desire to help students understand prophecy and that I had changed careers so that I could work on a study guide. Why was I worried? Jeremiah 29:11 says that God knows the plans He has for me - a prosperous future and an hope.

Love like a dog

Last Sunday, I received an object lesson in love through my parent's cocker spaniel, Cici. I went with my mom to pick up Cici from the kennel on Sunday afternoon. We walked into the kennel to be greeted by all the barking dogs. Cici quickly spotted my mom. I have never seen her so excited. She was bouncing up and down with a silly grin on her face. Then she saw me. The jumping got higher and higher. As soon as Cici was let out she made a beeline for me, covering me with kisses and more jumping. We took her home where she ran around to all her "spots" to check everything out. So what's the point to all this? We should all exuberantly love like Cici. Friends, family, and even strangers should know that we care and are glad to be with them. So, friends and family, know that I love and care for each of you, but I don't think I'll jump up and down and lick your face the next time I see you!

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:7-8

A Rich Life

This past week-end I went down to Sanibel Island and Naples, FL. Even though I was still in Florida, it seemed like a totally different place. It's on the Gulf of Mexico side so the beach on Sanibel Island was different with soft, white sand and covered in seashells. Naples is a pretty city, full of the homes of the rich and famous and a cool shopping district. What did I learn from all this? God has created a beautiful world for me to enjoy. I was able to walk on the beach, picking up seashells for a craft project, talking to my family, and seeing dolphins swimming in the water. Even though I don't live in a mansion here on earth, I have one waiting for me in heaven. In the meantime, I can be content that God is here taking care of all my needs. This makes me richer than I can describe and imagine.

"Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy." John 16:24

Life without fear

This week I've been contemplating 2 Timothy 1:7 which says: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." How often I forget to not be fearful! This world is full of things to be fearful of, but God is here. Thank goodness God is here to remind me of this. He's reminded me all day. This morning I was driving to work and praying. (I have a 25 mile drive to work which is perfect for praying.) I was telling God about some issues I've been thinking about, and He very quickly impressed with the fact that He knew all about it and had it under control without my help. I was filled with a feeling of peace. I arrived at work to find 2 Timothy 1:7 on my desk calendar. A few minutes ago a coworker shared a story with me about how God led her to some verses in the Bible when she had a need for encouragement. So now the teacher in me is trying to figure out how to bring all this around to the point and the lesson on how to not be fearful. What comes to mind is another verse - "Be still and know that I am God."