Graced Again

“The crucial significance of the cradle at Bethlehem lies in its place in the sequence of steps down that led the Son of God to the cross of Calvary, and we do not understand it till we see it in this context. The key text in the New Testament for interpreting the incarnation is not therefore, the bare statement…‘the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us’, but rather the more comprehensive statement…‘ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich’.  Here is stated, not the fact of the incarnation only, but also its meaning; the taking of manhood by the Son is set before us in a way which shows us how we should set it before ourselves and ever view it—not simply as a marvel of nature, but rather as a wonder of grace.”  J I Packer, Knowing God

More Thanksgiving Pictures

For more incredible Thanksgiving pictures visit the "professionals" blog site.  Lindsey captured the day beautifully!  http://linzphotography7.blogspot.com/

Thanksgiving Gingerbread Houses

We had a glorious time with the family on Thanksgiving.  Last year we made 1 gingerbread house and we used a kit.  The kids had such a good time that this time Steven and I made the gingerbread so more people could make houses.  And all the kids enjoyed it this year!! The above picture is Chad and Kelly's retirement cottage.  Kelly helped build the structure and Chad decorated it.  Notice those nifty bushes in the front.  Their house won best decorated and it would definitely be a great cottage to live in - one day

This is Wyatt's home and he did it all by himself! Well, he had a bit of help with the icing but otherwise he decorated it just like he wanted, he didn't want any help thank you.  It's really cute and his decorations so go with his personality.  Wyatt did a GREAT job!

This is Raney's house and it is too cute also.  Raney had a bit of help with hers because she was struggling to decorate her house because she was too busy eating all the candy!!  That girl loves her some sugar!

And the last house won Most Original.  Steven decorated it and well check it out:

This side is a duck blind with green (of course) decoys and 4 tree stumps.

And the other side is a deer blind.  So he can hunt duck or deer.  Man he would LOVE to have a cabin like that and especially some land to put it on!

Oh and one last thing, check out Chad's satellite antenna on the front of his roof.  He needed that cause we all know that some hunting show is going to film Dad in his new blind!

Thanksgiving

I am so excited about Thanksgiving!  First it's incredible to be here to enjoy it with my family. Second, as every year rolls around we realize more and more how much we have to be thankful for.  And third, we're making gingerbread houses again this year and I just can't wait!  The last time I bought a kit but this time Steven and I are going to make the gingerbread ourselves so that everyone can decorate their own.  Pictures to follow and Happy Thanksgiving to each of you as well!!

Check This Out

Hey check out Lindsey's pictures of our new Grandson Holden and also some pictures of Chad and his family.  Lindsey has an incredible gift of photography.  Thanks Linz for capturing some priceless memories!!  http://linzphotography7.blogspot.com/

Immanuel

Times flying and I am beginning to feel a bit pressured.  I have begun to sort through things, clothes will I need in Mexico since it's not just hot there all the time.What should we take with us? We are busy studying spanish with Rosetta Stone. And God has been preparing my heart to leave and follow His calling. I Praise Him that He doesn't just call but He is the One that makes it possible for me to follow!!
On a different note, dear me I struggle with finding day to day freedom in the Gospel.  I grew up with a Father who was a strict, strict perfectionist.  I am certainly not blaming things on my Dad cause I have more than enough parental failures of my own.  But I have come to realize there is somewhat of a connection here.  I am prone to self-righteousness and working, working, striving, striving and more striving trying to please God.
Paul David Tripp says: "You will only get what God has given you when you understand that you need much more than a system of answers; what you actually need is a Redeemer.  Why? Because only a Redeemer can rescue you from you! And so God didn't simply offer you legal forgiveness.  Praise Him that He did that.  But He offered you something much more profound.  He offered you Himself. He knew that your need was so great that it wouldn't be enough to simply forgive you. He literally needed to unzip you and get inside you, or you would never be what you were supposed to be and do what you were supposed to do.
And so the whole redemptive story marches toward Immanuel, the redeemer who would destroy sin's dominion in our hearts by making our hearts the place where He, in His power, wisdom, and glory, would dwell." from Whiter Than Snow
Oh and the author doesn't stop there.  He asks me to take a moment and reflect. "What does it means to live believing that Jesus lives inside of me and empowers me to do what He has called me to do where I live every day."
Still pondering but that should give rest to my soul as I surrender to Christ doing through me instead of me striving, striving, striving.  Just sharing.
"I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Gal 2:20

Unfailing Love

I wish I would live with You in view;
Eyes to Your glory
Ears for Your wisdom
Heart for Your grace.
But I live with me in view.
Eyes to my kingdom
Ears for my opinion
Heart captured by my will.
I know I was made for You,
I know that Hope
Meaning
Purpose
Identity
My agenda for every day,
Is to be found in You.
But I want my own kingdom
I love my own glory
I define my own meaning
I delight in my control.
I know You are not fooled
by my burnt offerings.
There's a war that never ends;
The battleground is my heart.
It's a moral skirmish
Between what You have ordained
And what I want.
So I don't find pleasure in Your glory,
I don't delight in Your law.
But my heart doesn't rest;
I know there's a better way.
I know You are God 
And I am not.
My sin is more than
Bad behavior
A bad choice
Wrong words.
My sin is a violation of the relationship
That I was meant to have with You.
My sin is an act
Where I replace You
With something I love more.
Every wrong thing I do
Reflects
A love of self.
Help me
To see 
To acknowledge
To weep
And say,
"Against You, You only have I sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight."
And then help me to rest
In your mercy
In your tender mercy
In your faithful love,
Even as the war goes on.
by Paul David Tripp


God didn't give me the gift of words but I am thankful for others that can pen words to the desires of my heart!  This Thanksgiving season I am thankful for a God that first loved me and for God who holds on to me in spite of my rebellion!