Living Above the Noise

In A World That Gets Louder Every Day

You are here: Home / Archives for Devotions

This Is Definitely What Christmas Is All About, Charlie Brown!

By

 

Linus’s age-old adage rings as true now as it did 50 years ago!  We remember with much nostalgia when he recites Luke 2, then concludes with the refrain, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!”

Christmas is all about Jesus.  It’s about celebrating God’s greatest gift to us — Jesus — our salvation through nothing else but faith in God’s Son.  

Getting Sidetracked This Christmas?

It’s too easy to get sidetracked thinking it’s about decorations and gifts.  Now, we love a decorated house this time of year!  But it can get overwhelming.  And you know about those hundred gifts on your list.  “What?” you say.  “I don’t have a hundred gifts on my list!”  Umm, count again.  Include teachers, bosses, neighbors, friends, greeting cards with pictures, stocking stuffers, cookies for the neighbors….yep, you’re getting close to a hundred!  See what I mean about sidetracked?

Now don’t think I don’t understand.  I’m right here with you….like forgetting about our Jesse tree and instead, getting started on my shopping trips.  Reading the real Christmas story only because my daughters had a party for my ‘grandboys’!  ‘Tis true…but get this — when I read to those wondering eyes, when I saw the intent on their faces, I remembered again.  

This truly is the reason for the season.  It is our job, our duty, to make sure we’re not quiet about what we believe and in Whom we believe!

Won’t you join me in relishing in the tinsel and holly and glitter, but not forgetting that simple, cold manger so many years ago?  The sheer beauty of God’s gift of everlasting life, brought to us in the tiny frame of a babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Keep Christ’s Love In Christmas

A bit of encouragement and some ideas to renew your sense of purpose this season:

– Our friend owns a thrift store in town, but it’s not just any thrift shop!  This one uses the store’s proceeds to feed the hungry in our community.  Check out your local ministries to discover how you can help the needy this year.  People are cold, hungry, lonely, sick.  What can we do to be Jesus’s hands of mercy to them?

– Tiny Tim is a name most people know.  Learn how to share God’s love from his simple pronouncement to those around him.

–  Here’s a great way to bless those in need this year!  It’s so easy to pass by those in need along the road.  What if we were prepared for those meetings by having a care bag of goodies to hand the homeless?   We will never have an excuse to look the other way.  (We have a homeless woman on the edge of town.  We pass her most days and wonder how she does it with the cold weather approaching.  Reading this post again has me excited to bring her a care package this week!)

– Some people ask the question, Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?  It’s easy to see that it’s gotten out of hand with Santa, “Happy Holidays,” and compulsory gift-giving.  Some proclaim Christmas is for pagans and just a copycat of idol worship.  My post declares why it’s a good thing to celebrate.  Choose for yourselves….but as for me and my house, we will celebrate the Lord!

– Visit a Fire or Police Station and bring goodies for these first responders!  With a son-in-law who has this difficult job, we see first-hand how much we take our safety for granted.  Give the gift of appreciation this year!

There are so many ways we can remember what Christmas is all about.  Let’s share our ideas — with friends and family — and here. Leave a comment with ways your family celebrates or shares God’s love this time of year!

Happy Holy Day & Merry Christ-mas one and all!

signature

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.     Luke 2:16-20

Why I Took A Blogging Break

By

How LIttle I Really KnowTime…

Yup, it’s getting close to a year since I posted on this blog.   It’s hard to know how such a long span of time happened!  But then again, life is passing by at such a furious pace that it was almost too easy.

The word “furious” seems totally appropriate for how time passes.  It’s as if time is angry with us and that our enemy might just be stealing it from us.  Time with our spouse, time with our kids, time with our neighbors….and just who are those neighbors who moved in down the street?  You know what I mean!

So anyway, here I am, typing away again.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve typed, but not with the intention of posting, but just journaling my thoughts and lessons.  Life has had some crazy twists and turns for me and my family and the good Lord has been teaching me many lessons.  For those who’ve been following me for some time, you’ll know those lessons are why I named this blog A Mom’s Many Lessons years ago.  Life is packed full of lessons, each one seeking to bring us to the feet of our Father.  Each one attempting to draw us into a unique and amazingly peaceful existence with Him as our Master, Teacher, and Lord.  Each one pointing out our great need for a great Saviour.

So why didn’t I share with you along the way, right in the middle of those lessons?  I thought about that a lot this year and realized it’s pretty much summed up in the biblical admonition to not gossip – to not share with others until you know what the Lord might be up to – until you go to God first.  The verses below reveal where I got the strength needed to hold off writing and to seek God’s best during a difficult year.  They also remind us to seek God first and to not teach unless we are willing students ourselves!

Scripture Alert!  I’m giving lots of scripture references in this post.  Don’t ignore them!  Soak them up and you’ll know why I included them.  They will be health to your bones and nourishment to your soul.  And who knows, you never know when you might need the yourselves – isn’t that the beauty of Scripture anyway!
  • If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. Proverbs 18:13
  • I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
  • A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. Eccl. 3:7
  • Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Col. 4:6
  • Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. Prov. 13:3
  • Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Prov. 21:23
  • Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! …. James 3:1-12
  • Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Psalm 141:3
  • The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. Psalm 37:30

Who Are You Listening To Anyway?

When we share things before we’ve really dealt with them biblically, the lessons can be usurped and corrupted by another master, not one we should listen to.  Those lessons, our story, might be left unfinished due to using human reasoning rather than letting God’s wisdom and counsel do its perfect work.

As I’ve sat at the Father’s feet this last year (not perfectly, mind you – often I sought human methods – I’m not perfect and don’t want you to imagine for one minute that I am!) I could see my great need for time, counsel, listening to His still small voice, and letting those lessons sink in.  I’ve had so much to learn and I’m feeling more and more ready to share the lessons.  To help others who just might benefit from my hard-won lessons.  And they aren’t over yet!  Oh, no.

Reality check – our lessons continue until the day we die.  Each experience teaches us how vain, prideful, and just plain human we really are!  And they teach us how much we truly need God.  As you read the Old Testament, you will see a recurring theme.  God repeats dozens of time this phrase, “so they will know that I am God.”  That’s it!  It’s really quite simple.  It’s all about and all for God!

Simply trust.

Simply obey.

Simply rest.

It’s all about God and not us!  And there, my friend, you will find freedom.

Blessing as you walk the paths God has for you and learn to rest in Him.

signature

  • And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. … 1 Cor. 2:1-16
  • James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. … James 1:1-17
  • Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Psalm 51:6
  • Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.1 Tim. 4:16
  • Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray. Prov. 10:17
  • This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. … 1 Cor. 4:1-21
  • For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
  • He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, … Psalm 91: 1-16

Living Above the Noise – New Look, New Focus

By

Blog Header -

I took a break from blogging this past six months.  I needed to regroup and discover my focus.  When I started blogging four years ago, I was still full swing into parenting and just getting my feet wet with grandparenting.  This got me thinking.  My old blog name and focus, A Mom’s Many Lessons, was feeling a bit boxed in.  My life wasn’t just about the lessons learned from being a mom, but from all the avenues my life has taken.

I quickly discovered that planning a new blog layout is not for the faint of heart!  I’ve put a lot of thought into my purpose for blogging and even into the details for my header design.  I wanted my new design to reflect where God has me in life.  I still have plenty of “lessons” to share about, but my heart is soaring like this bird in the header.  I feel like weight has lifted off my heart and God has allowed me to see what life looks like without the noise and chatter of so many things around me.

So here I am, starting a new blog, with a new focus.

My new name was in the tagline of my old blog – “A Mom’s Many Lessons…in living above the noise and for the glory of God.”  My focus for life is to seek to live above all the noise around us, that which vies for our attention and distracts us from our main goal, the one goal of glorifying God in and through all of life.  This made it easy to choose my new name!

What’s this noise I speak of?  Oh, there are too many to put into words, but here are a few:  

  • Expectations – of myself and others, often unrealistic. 
  • Perfectionism – seeking the “best” and what I think will make God and others happy.
  • Roles – being a “good” wife, a “good” mom, a “better” friend, etc., but by whose standards?
  • Church – trying to be and do what other Christians expect; pressure that comes from not believing in all that goes on in modern churches…
  • The World – balancing between being in the world but not of it.

My goal in life is be like David and Solomon, to have a heart of understanding and discernment, and to use my life to serve and follow God.  I blog to encourage you to do the same.  To live above the chatter beckoning us to veer from our main focus, to sidetrack us from following God’s best for us and our family.  So please join me as I share ideas and lessons in my quest to stay focused.

If you  follow me via email, my new blog will transfer over to your email.  If you haven’t subscribed, please do, so you won’t miss a post!  You can also follow me on Facebook and Pinterest.

Blessings as we share in this journey called life!

signature

Solomon’s Prayer – “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David, my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You…so give Your servant an understanding heart…to discern between good and evil.”  1 Kings 3:6-9

How Busy Is Too Busy?

By

Before I get back to blogging (I have way too many posts in my “All Posts” file) I should fill you in on why I’ve been so silent and what’s been going on in my house these days.  Not that my life is so very interesting, but I think it helps to know a person a little bit before you read their stuff.

Busy Feet

My “stuff,” my lessons learned, are nothing new under this bright sun of ours, as Solomon said so many years ago.  But the God who created me has given me a gift of words, a bit of wisdom and intuition that I am going to use for all His glory for as long as I am able.

 

Busy, Busy – ALL the Time!   (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing)

So here’s the deal – my entire life, I heard my mother say, “When life slows down, I’ll…..”  Have you ever said that?  “When life slows down….”  I’ve been saying it a lot lately.  And I’m finally asking myself if that is really ever going to happen.  Maybe it will when my body is unable to coordinate the making of a meal, or the driving a car to see my grandkids, or when my mind is gone like my Mom’s is now.  But before that day?  Will life ever really slow down?   Or should it?

We need to pray for God to show us just how busy He wants us to be.  I hope to be busy, like Mary, about the things that matter most to Him:  family, friends, lost souls, community.  Drawing them to the only One who can heal their hurts, give them wisdom, and comfort their weary souls.  And how we go about that, my friend will look different for each one of us.  And we’ll each mess up often.  Choosing the temporal or the fun instead of the hard.  But for the goal…

Take a moment and listen to my favorite hymn these days.  It reflects this sentiment perfectly!  (If you’re getting this via email, you’ll have to hop on over to my blog to view it.  It’s worth it!)

 

Choices We Must Make To Know How Busy To Be

  • We live in a lost, dying, and corrupt world.  This fact alone should keep us very busy!  So busy that our days will be spent caring – and talking – and visiting – and teaching – and loving – loving – loving.
  • We might will have to limit some things like entertainment or leisure – at least be sure that they’re not taking us away from time with others or time with God. (Yes, I’m feeling an elbow in my rib.)
  • Creating space to rest is of utmost importance, especially when we are called to service.  We need time to think, to ponder the ways of God and our incredible need for Him.  Space to rest and listen to His still small voice, to hear the needs of others, to think about what’s best to do tomorrow.

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.  1 Corinthians 16:13-14

ski trip

My Crazy-Busy Life

My life has been filled, absolutely filled to the brim, with loving and blessing and caring and serving this last year.  To the point that some goals my husband and I have had, or thought were important, have been put on the back burner.  I share about them in these posts:  Life Changes – Are You Ready To Step Out of the Boat? and Learning To Be Salt and Light

Here’s a sampling of my last nine months:

  • 3 grandbabies born in the last six months (helped at two births and follow up care for mom and/or children)
  • Traveled back and forth two states away, to help another daughter’s family move closer to us!  (yay, at least one is closer now!)
  • Moved another daughter to Colorado (miss her lots!)
  • Helped clean and pack the truck when our daughter’s family moved away – :o(
  • Took a very fun, family ski trip and visited our daughter in CO – (much needed!)
  • Learned of our 32 yo daughter’s possible brain tumor (now diagnosed as AVM, which is treatable; ever so grateful that she was on the good side of the 50% chance of death or paralysis from this event!)
  • Discussed and counseled a daughter during a “pre-courtship”
  • Daily helping the five children still in our home, finish schoolwork and learn or better their skills, and discover their talents for future work (woodworking, jewelry making, fine sewing, craft shows, food trailer sales/events, etc.)
  • Planted our garden plus put 60 lbs. of fresh fish (from bow-fishing in our backyard river) into our freezer.  Thanks, guys!
  • Gained three (soon to be five four) Alpacas that my daughter wants to raise for wool and breeding
  • Dealt with 2 pet deaths in the last few weeks.  We had to put down our sweet, 3 yo family dog, plus my daughter’s momma alpaca (the vets have no clue as to what happened, but we gave her a fighting chance via syringe feeding for over a week).  Now we bottle feed her baby every three hours.  We’re tired!
  • Plus all the holidays and birthdays that were packed into those months, complete with guests and food and gift giving

I’m sure I’ve forgotten many other events or trips not covered here, but you get the picture!  I get the picture!  Yikes, life is certainly busy.  But which one would I not do?  Which person would I say, “No, you’re not important enough to take the time for?”  I am finally learning (getting into my thick skull) it’s just not going to slow down.  

~ Life, well lived, will be busy. ~

The Take Away:   We are born to serve – and to die in that service.

This isn’t a depressing reality, but a life-giving one.  One that breathes Christ to those around us.  Christ, the ultimate One who died to give us life.  And I’m finding that I can actually smile in the dying!

Won’t you join with me in relishing the busyness along this path of life!

signature

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”    Matthew 16:24-26

When you desire to bring order to your life….

Living Well, Spending Less Affiliate

* I will receive, at no additional charge to you, compensation for any sale you make via this link for LWSL planners.  Thanks!