Converge!!!!

This is where I was last night!!!

It was fabulous!!!!

I went with 4 other lovely ladies

Me, Susan, Amanda, Becky and Mary

(Cindy we missed you)

from church.

We sang some beautiful Christmas and worship songs,

we heard some wonderful songs from Travis and CeCe!

And then we heard a WORD!!!!

Beth spoke on Luke 1:5-25

Prepare for an Advent in you Life

A fresh visitation from God

A personal advent

A fresh work from the Lord!

She gave us 4 ways to prepare for an Advent:

She said that God rarely just shows up!

He usually gives us signs that He is on His way!

So...

#1 - Be Lookin' for Him!

#2 - Bring our disappointment to the altar.

#3 - Believe to the bone that He heard you!

#4 - Blessed are you when what comes naturally

for others, comes supernaturally to you!

Talking about Zechariah and Elizabeth!

How the were faithful people but had profound disappointment.

What they were missing came so easily to other people.

She talked about Zechariah going into the holy place and praying

for the nation of Israel, but possibly for his wife as well.

And that you are not picked on when God doesn't answer you 

like some others get answered, but that you are PICKED OUT!!!

That sometimes your answer will come with a God show!

I'm sure it would make more sense if you had been there,

but it was amazing!

It was so good!

It was so needed!

We were there on purpose!

Thank You, Jesus!!!

Conclusion to Psalms of Ascent

The study is over!  

I am sad!

I usually am when a Bible study is over,

it's like saying good-bye to a good friend.

But all good things must come to an end.

And so we conclude with 

Psalm 134

It's a benediction to those who had traveled

so far, the pilgrims who came to Jerusalem 

3 different times through the year.

This song is a song of blessing

blessing the Lord

and being blessed by the Lord.

Only 3 little verses 

but so powerful.

So worship, bless, acknowledge your God!

And receive blessings from Him that outnumber your blessing.

I'm going to include Beth's blessing to us, because it was so good!!!

"My beloved sister in Christ...

May God keep your heart set on pilgrimage.

May He keep your eyes upon the destination and never let you forget that your Goal is a person, Jesus Christ, and He is waiting for you - in person - at your finish line.

May you always remember what a great cloud of witnesses cheers you on in your journey to Mount Zion and bids you to "Be brave!"  The race is not long, Beloved, so run hard!

May your eyes be open to snares your enemy sets in you r path and, should you tumble in the ditch, may your troubled heart be disallowed to condemn you.  Jump in the air, twirl around, and buck like a bronco with repentance before your God until not a single speck of mud is left on your feet.  Let God wash them in the water of His Word and plant them back on your path.

When we feel heavy-laden in our journeys, may we check first to see if it's the burden of a swollen ego or the load of taking on a role that only belongs to God.

May we lay down what has no place in our packs and run with the wind.

When life is excruciating, may you find the strength in Christ to crawl on your hands and knees, sowing the Word of God and watering it with your tears.

May you never forget that you are inconceivable loved and that God will prove infinitely faithful.  And your way to the great feast in the heavenly Jerusalem, may you glance often to your right and to your left and offer a fellow pilgrim a helping hand.

May the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion."

My Psalm 133

Psalm 133

How good and pleasant and wonderful 

it is when believers live in

unity together

It is a precious annointing.

It is a blessing that falls like dew.

And in that unity, the Lord gives 

His blessing,

life forever!

What If???

My Favorite Time of Year!!!

It is that time of year again that I just love!

THANKSGIVING!!!!

The older I get, I believe the more I love it!

Thinking back throughout my life, 

I can honestly say that this has always been 

my favorite holiday!

Trying to understand why and pondering on this 

has brought several ideas to mind....

* 1 of the only times I see my Iowa family during the year

* it has been a consistent happening in my ever changing life

(really, I can count on both hands the # of times I haven't been in Iowa for Thanksgiving!)

*  it is a time of happiness, no stress, no drama... happiness

* I love my Iowa family for so many different reasons

to name a few...

no drama

unconditional love

even though we only see each other once a year,

feels like we see each other daily

laughter! like crying & peeing your pants laughter!!!

playing card games

I just love the Furnes!!!

We leave tomorrow and I can hardly stand it!

I'm so ready!!!!

We will miss a few aunts and uncles this year, 

but there will still be a huge clan of Furnes gathered 

on Thursday!

I LOVE THANKSGIVING!!!

I hope everyone (the 2 who read this blog)

has a fabulous, memory making Thanksgiving too!

My Psalm 132:11-18

Psalm 132:11-18

Father GOD, Thank You so much for

hearing

listening

responding 

when we call on You.

Thank You for Your promise of a 

SAVIOR

ONE 

that came long ago 

to save

me.

Father, help me to live like You want me to.

Teach me to be more like You.

Show me the things that need to change.

And keep me focused on You.

Father,

Thank You for Your blessings;

make me ever aware of them!

Thank You for never leaving me,

even when I have disobeyed.

Thank You for

ALL

of Your promises to Your children.

Thank You for salvation.

Thank You for sending Jesus, the anointed One.

Father GOD, I will sing and shout for joy

forever because of what 

YOU 

have done

-amen

My Psalm 132:1-10

Psalm 132:1-10

God, remember me and all the hardships 

I have gone through.

Remember, that I have said, no matter

what, I am going to praise Your name.

I'm not going to turn against You!

I'm not going to leave Your side!

I'm not going to follow the other path!

I'm going to forever worship You, LORD!!

I remember when You have held me,

comforted me, lifted my head.

I will come to You altar, 

Your footstool,

here on Earth and worship You!

Lord, come and meet me there!

Show up!

Show me Your strength, power and love!

May I be clothed in Your righteousness and

I will shout with joy and dance for You!

Because I AM YOURS!!!

Honor me, LORD, and don't reject me, LORD.