Not Only Christmas Day
Lord, this is my prayer
Not only on Christmas Day
But until I see You face to face
May I live my life this way:
Just like the baby Jesus
I ever hope to be,
Resting in Your loving arms
Trusting in Your sovereignty.
And like the growing Christ child
In wisdom daily learning,
May I ever seek to know You
With my mind and spirit yearning.
Like the Son so faithful
Let me follow in Your light,
Meek and bold, humble and strong
Not afraid to face the night.
Nor cowardly to suffer
And stand for truth alone,
Knowing that Your kingdom
Awaits my going home.
Not afraid to sacrifice
Though great may be the cost,
Mindful how You rescued me
From broken-hearted loss.
Like my risen Savior
The babe, the child, the Son,
May my life forever speak
Of who You are and all You've done.
So while this world rejoices
And celebrates Your birth,
I treasure You, the greatest gift
Unequaled in Your worth.
I long to hear the same words
That welcomed home Your Son,
"Come, good and faithful servant,"
Your Master says, "Well done."
And may heaven welcome others
Who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not only Christmas Day
-- Mary Fairchild
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Storm
It's early in the morning on Christmas Eve here in Wisconsin. I've been watching the weather on TV and the Internet and checking road conditions.
As you may know, the Midwest is in the middle of a major winter storm. Two days ago I thought our little neck of the woods would be spared, and our family would all have safe travel for Christmas. Today, I'm not so sure. We will be spared the heavy snow that will occur to the west of us but we will have sleet and freezing rain, making the roadways ice covered and slippery.
The plan is to meet at church this afternoon and then to our house for turkey dinner, gifts, and games. Will everyone make it here for Christmas- safely? Will we make it to church? So much is up in the air right now because of the weather.
We are very good at making plans for the future but God sometimes has other ideas.
A winter storm on Christmas!?!
There is a reason for it. Maybe a million reasons for it. Reasons we will probably never understand this side of heaven. We can rest assured, though, that our Sovereign God is in control. So, even though we have plans, we can go with the flow and patiently wait to see how God will allow this to play out, and how he will reveal himself to us through this situation.
We are depended on him for safe travel just as we are dependent on him for salvation. The Christmas story reminds us of how God knows exactly what we need and how to provide for us. If he can take care of our biggest need (salvation from sin) then we can rest assured he's got all the small stuff covered, too.
Lord Jesus, Thank you so much for coming to earth as my Savior and for laying down your life in payment for my sin. I pray for safe travel for my children today and tomorrow. I pray that you reveal yourself to us in amazing ways during this Christmas season. Amen
Merry Christmas everyone!
As you may know, the Midwest is in the middle of a major winter storm. Two days ago I thought our little neck of the woods would be spared, and our family would all have safe travel for Christmas. Today, I'm not so sure. We will be spared the heavy snow that will occur to the west of us but we will have sleet and freezing rain, making the roadways ice covered and slippery.
The plan is to meet at church this afternoon and then to our house for turkey dinner, gifts, and games. Will everyone make it here for Christmas- safely? Will we make it to church? So much is up in the air right now because of the weather.
We are very good at making plans for the future but God sometimes has other ideas.
A winter storm on Christmas!?!
There is a reason for it. Maybe a million reasons for it. Reasons we will probably never understand this side of heaven. We can rest assured, though, that our Sovereign God is in control. So, even though we have plans, we can go with the flow and patiently wait to see how God will allow this to play out, and how he will reveal himself to us through this situation.
We are depended on him for safe travel just as we are dependent on him for salvation. The Christmas story reminds us of how God knows exactly what we need and how to provide for us. If he can take care of our biggest need (salvation from sin) then we can rest assured he's got all the small stuff covered, too.
Lord Jesus, Thank you so much for coming to earth as my Savior and for laying down your life in payment for my sin. I pray for safe travel for my children today and tomorrow. I pray that you reveal yourself to us in amazing ways during this Christmas season. Amen
Merry Christmas everyone!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Do You Know How Radical Kevin Jennings Is? - HUMAN EVENTS
Do You Know How Radical Kevin Jennings Is? - HUMAN EVENTS
I read this article and was literally sick, I mean sick, to my stomach.
It is important to know who these guys are and what they stand for. However, sometimes what we learn is more than we wanted to know.
In discovering who Kevin Jennings is and what he has said and done in the past, I read things that turned my stomach and this is a guy who now is in charge of the 'Safe Schools' program which is really a guise to indoctrinate our kids into the gay and lesbian culture.
I don't want my kids exposed to this stuff. I definitely do not want my tax money to go to force feeding this stuff to my kids in schools. I'm concerned. I don't know if our country can really afford 3 more years of President Obama and his czars.
I read this article and was literally sick, I mean sick, to my stomach.
It is important to know who these guys are and what they stand for. However, sometimes what we learn is more than we wanted to know.
In discovering who Kevin Jennings is and what he has said and done in the past, I read things that turned my stomach and this is a guy who now is in charge of the 'Safe Schools' program which is really a guise to indoctrinate our kids into the gay and lesbian culture.
I don't want my kids exposed to this stuff. I definitely do not want my tax money to go to force feeding this stuff to my kids in schools. I'm concerned. I don't know if our country can really afford 3 more years of President Obama and his czars.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Where Are the Christians in America?
305,529,237 people in the United States according to USNews.com
75% of US population considers themselves Christian or 229,146,927 Christian people in America
301,518 people have signed the Manhattan Declaration as of 12/18/09.
What are the other 228,845,409 Christians waiting for?
That's .001 percent of the Christian US population that has so far taken a stand for biblical principles in the area of human life, marriage, and religious freedom.
Is that really all there are in America that believe in God's way?
75% of US population considers themselves Christian or 229,146,927 Christian people in America
301,518 people have signed the Manhattan Declaration as of 12/18/09.
What are the other 228,845,409 Christians waiting for?
That's .001 percent of the Christian US population that has so far taken a stand for biblical principles in the area of human life, marriage, and religious freedom.
Is that really all there are in America that believe in God's way?
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Finally, Graduation!
My husband's 2-1/2 year journey pursuing his Master's in Business Administration came to an end this past weekend with his Graduation ceremony.
We are very proud of his accomplishments and know that he will use the gifts and opportunities God has given him in service to humanity. We just don't know what that means yet or where it will take us. However, it is a relief to have the grueling schedule behind us and exciting to start a new chapter in our lives. We look forward to where we go from here and what our future will look like. For now, we will take some time to enjoy the holidays with the family and regroup and refocus. After some much needed rest, we'll dream the next dream, and see where God will lead us.
Some more pictures of the day. Me and the graduate - with two of our five daughters who where able to make the ceremony - and me and the girls at the mall prior to the ceremony.
We had a great day going out for lunch with his parents and one of his brothers, popping over the mall for a few minutes, walking the streets of the 'big' city (the girls really liked that), and viewing a really neat graduation ceremony.
He graduated from a Catholic college so we prayed, sang America The Beautiful, and the speakers talked about how their education should be used to serve mankind. I really gained an appreciation for the role the Church has played in higher education over the centuries. These institutions were created by Christians with a Christian philosophy and ethical ideologies and it really is a shame to see so many taken over by the world with its skewed philosophies and ideals.
Anyway, we are very thankful for the ways the Lord has blessed us!
We are very proud of his accomplishments and know that he will use the gifts and opportunities God has given him in service to humanity. We just don't know what that means yet or where it will take us. However, it is a relief to have the grueling schedule behind us and exciting to start a new chapter in our lives. We look forward to where we go from here and what our future will look like. For now, we will take some time to enjoy the holidays with the family and regroup and refocus. After some much needed rest, we'll dream the next dream, and see where God will lead us.
Some more pictures of the day. Me and the graduate - with two of our five daughters who where able to make the ceremony - and me and the girls at the mall prior to the ceremony.
We had a great day going out for lunch with his parents and one of his brothers, popping over the mall for a few minutes, walking the streets of the 'big' city (the girls really liked that), and viewing a really neat graduation ceremony.
He graduated from a Catholic college so we prayed, sang America The Beautiful, and the speakers talked about how their education should be used to serve mankind. I really gained an appreciation for the role the Church has played in higher education over the centuries. These institutions were created by Christians with a Christian philosophy and ethical ideologies and it really is a shame to see so many taken over by the world with its skewed philosophies and ideals.
Anyway, we are very thankful for the ways the Lord has blessed us!
Friday, December 11, 2009
God Glorify Yourself Through Your People Again!
Daniel 9:17-19
"Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."
When Daniel prayed for God to restore Jerusalem he didn't pray for it because it was his desire or because it would be better for him. Sure, a restored Jerusalem would end the captivity of God's people and allow them to move home. This would most certainly be of great benefit to the people, making their life easier, more familiar, and granting them once again status among nations. It would mean they no longer lived under a curse but once again would be blessed by God. I wouldn't blame Daniel for wanting this to happen for what it would mean for the people.
However, Daniel's prayer, as recorded in Daniel chapter 9, shows his plea is for God's glory to once again be displayed. With words like 'for your sake' and 'your city and your people' he portrays a humble spirit before the Lord. Restoring the city and the people would bring glory and attention to the God of those people. Daniel is aware that the city belongs to God, the people belong to God, and the events that happen are all to bring glory to Himself.
If America could be compared to Jerusalem, we can see a nation that belongs to God and once was known to the whole world as a Christian nation serving the One True God, but now has lost her luster and status among the nations. Just as the sins of Jerusalem brought judgement and punishment, so has America's sins. Just as the people forgot their God, so has America. Just as Daniel recognized the times in which he lived, we, too, recognize we are living under judgement.
I know many people who are afraid of where America is headed and what the future will look life for our children. I know many who recognize that we have gone astray from our Christian roots and heritage. I know many who pray for things to be restored to their former glory. I am one of those who long for how things use to be.
The words in Daniel's prayer hit me hard this morning when I realized I have been praying for these things in my own desire, for my own comfort, for my own gain. I have not had Daniel's perspective that all of this is God's. It's his nation, his people, his story.
His nation and people USE to bring him a glory that reached to the ends of the entire earth when they understood their place under God, relied on him for everything, ruled according to his Word, and displayed a love of God through love for his creation and for all his people in the world. His nation and his people USE to point to him as the King of Kings, as the Creator of all, as the Redeemer, as the Sustainer and Giver of Life, as the Ruler over all.
How grieved God must be at how we have hidden his light in the world. How we have distorted and misrepresented who he is as the rest of the world has watched. Today we are a Christian nation who kills it's own, is greedy and proud, and are found seeking our own glory. It has become all about us and not about him at all. There is no glory to God in the highest coming from our nation.
Daniel desired God to restore Jerusalem and God's people to bring glory back to God. His heart was not seeking anything for himself but rather for the God he so faithfully served. Daniel knew their sins caused the judgement but he also knew God loved his people, was a merciful God, and that God wanted to restore them to their former glory because doing so would bring Glory to Himself.
When we pray for healing and restoration for America or for the Christian Church is it for our comfort and for our glory or is it to once again bring glory to God?
Do we desire for God's people to rise up to make a name for ourselves or so God might glorify Himself through us?
What is the condition of our heart in the matter? Arrogance or Humility? Self-seeking or God-seeking? Taker or Servant?
When we seek God's will, God's glory, God's purpose we align ourselves with his plan for the situation. When our heart and motives are right and pure, THEN God will display his glory through us once again, and by default we will be a blessed people again. We are His people and he desires for us to live for him and when we do he is glorified and we are blessed.
Lord, change my heart to align with yours. Let mine no longer seek for my own gain but for yours. Let me humbly serve and seek to honor you and trust that you will work out everything according to your perfect plan. Amen
"Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."
When Daniel prayed for God to restore Jerusalem he didn't pray for it because it was his desire or because it would be better for him. Sure, a restored Jerusalem would end the captivity of God's people and allow them to move home. This would most certainly be of great benefit to the people, making their life easier, more familiar, and granting them once again status among nations. It would mean they no longer lived under a curse but once again would be blessed by God. I wouldn't blame Daniel for wanting this to happen for what it would mean for the people.
However, Daniel's prayer, as recorded in Daniel chapter 9, shows his plea is for God's glory to once again be displayed. With words like 'for your sake' and 'your city and your people' he portrays a humble spirit before the Lord. Restoring the city and the people would bring glory and attention to the God of those people. Daniel is aware that the city belongs to God, the people belong to God, and the events that happen are all to bring glory to Himself.
If America could be compared to Jerusalem, we can see a nation that belongs to God and once was known to the whole world as a Christian nation serving the One True God, but now has lost her luster and status among the nations. Just as the sins of Jerusalem brought judgement and punishment, so has America's sins. Just as the people forgot their God, so has America. Just as Daniel recognized the times in which he lived, we, too, recognize we are living under judgement.
I know many people who are afraid of where America is headed and what the future will look life for our children. I know many who recognize that we have gone astray from our Christian roots and heritage. I know many who pray for things to be restored to their former glory. I am one of those who long for how things use to be.
The words in Daniel's prayer hit me hard this morning when I realized I have been praying for these things in my own desire, for my own comfort, for my own gain. I have not had Daniel's perspective that all of this is God's. It's his nation, his people, his story.
His nation and people USE to bring him a glory that reached to the ends of the entire earth when they understood their place under God, relied on him for everything, ruled according to his Word, and displayed a love of God through love for his creation and for all his people in the world. His nation and his people USE to point to him as the King of Kings, as the Creator of all, as the Redeemer, as the Sustainer and Giver of Life, as the Ruler over all.
How grieved God must be at how we have hidden his light in the world. How we have distorted and misrepresented who he is as the rest of the world has watched. Today we are a Christian nation who kills it's own, is greedy and proud, and are found seeking our own glory. It has become all about us and not about him at all. There is no glory to God in the highest coming from our nation.
Daniel desired God to restore Jerusalem and God's people to bring glory back to God. His heart was not seeking anything for himself but rather for the God he so faithfully served. Daniel knew their sins caused the judgement but he also knew God loved his people, was a merciful God, and that God wanted to restore them to their former glory because doing so would bring Glory to Himself.
When we pray for healing and restoration for America or for the Christian Church is it for our comfort and for our glory or is it to once again bring glory to God?
Do we desire for God's people to rise up to make a name for ourselves or so God might glorify Himself through us?
What is the condition of our heart in the matter? Arrogance or Humility? Self-seeking or God-seeking? Taker or Servant?
When we seek God's will, God's glory, God's purpose we align ourselves with his plan for the situation. When our heart and motives are right and pure, THEN God will display his glory through us once again, and by default we will be a blessed people again. We are His people and he desires for us to live for him and when we do he is glorified and we are blessed.
Lord, change my heart to align with yours. Let mine no longer seek for my own gain but for yours. Let me humbly serve and seek to honor you and trust that you will work out everything according to your perfect plan. Amen
Understood and Yet. . .
Take note of what comes after the two times the word 'yet' is used in Daniel 9:13-14.
13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet
we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.
14 The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does;
yet
we have not obeyed him.
Christians who are praying for revival and restoration in the Church today, hopefully, are also seeking God's favor by turning away from our sins, giving attention to God's truth, and practicing obedience to God's commands and laws.
Daniel pleads with God for the restoration of Jerusalem through prayer and fasting and confesses the sins of the nation. He used words like...
1. Done Wrong
2. Been Wicked
3. Rebelled
4. Have turned away from your commands and laws
5. Not listened to your servants the prophets
6. Been Unfaithful to God
7. Sinned against God
8. Not Obeyed
Do we recognize all the ways we have been wicked and turned away from God's way? Are we making a concerted effort to do good in God's eyes and seek his truth on a regular basis? Are we humbling ourselves to the way of God or do we continue to pursue our own selfish desires?
Sometimes we understand the times we live in as being God's judgement but neglect to understand how to properly seek the mercy of God in bringing restoration. In Daniel, God's people understood the desolation of Jerusalem was a judgement of God and YET they continued as they were.
Are Christians today doing the same?
13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet
we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.
14 The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does;
yet
we have not obeyed him.
Christians who are praying for revival and restoration in the Church today, hopefully, are also seeking God's favor by turning away from our sins, giving attention to God's truth, and practicing obedience to God's commands and laws.
Daniel pleads with God for the restoration of Jerusalem through prayer and fasting and confesses the sins of the nation. He used words like...
1. Done Wrong
2. Been Wicked
3. Rebelled
4. Have turned away from your commands and laws
5. Not listened to your servants the prophets
6. Been Unfaithful to God
7. Sinned against God
8. Not Obeyed
Do we recognize all the ways we have been wicked and turned away from God's way? Are we making a concerted effort to do good in God's eyes and seek his truth on a regular basis? Are we humbling ourselves to the way of God or do we continue to pursue our own selfish desires?
Sometimes we understand the times we live in as being God's judgement but neglect to understand how to properly seek the mercy of God in bringing restoration. In Daniel, God's people understood the desolation of Jerusalem was a judgement of God and YET they continued as they were.
Are Christians today doing the same?
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Blizzard Allison
Winter seemed to start everywhere else but here. Texas, Arizona, and other places that don't normally get snow all had snow before us. Well, it has finally arrived here and all I can say is WOW! The snow is very, very wet and heavy. Perfect snowman snow and snow blower snow. Snow blower snow is important to us because my husband works for a snow blower manufacturer. We pray for snow in our home so business is good and thus our family is taken care of. Here's some pictures of what the week looked like in Wisconsin.
This was Sunday at the tree farm where we went to cut down our Christmas tree. No snow on the ground at all.
Ali making a snow angel on Tuesday BEFORE the big storm. We had a light dusting of snow on Monday.
This was Tuesday night around 9 PM as the storm really began to pick up intensity.
This morning's view across the street.
A view toward the back of our house this morning.
This was Sunday at the tree farm where we went to cut down our Christmas tree. No snow on the ground at all.
Ali making a snow angel on Tuesday BEFORE the big storm. We had a light dusting of snow on Monday.
This was Tuesday night around 9 PM as the storm really began to pick up intensity.
This morning's view across the street.
A view toward the back of our house this morning.
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