Believe In Destiny

Christmas With The One I LOVE

This Christmas was the most wonderful Christmas I've ever had.  We cuddled together, slept, made a special Christmas dinner, reflected on the TRUE meaning of Christmas...(you can find "why" I celebrate Christmas in a post below), and watched a Christmas movie together snuggled with the dogs.

It was simple, it was quiet, it was blessed and it was certainely something I enjoyed doing.  I think we'll be doing this again as our own traditional Christmas.  I just enjoyed the simplicity of it all, yet I also enjoyed spending time with my husbands family and my family as well (though there is usually my dads side on Christmas day which gets missed too).

I'm grateful to God that He gave us this opportunity and we hope to continue our simple, yet comfy Christmas Celebration of the Birth of our Lord and Savior.

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Christmas Eve 2008

Christmas Eve is ALWAYS one I love to remember.  I enjoy spending it with my parents and the light-heartedness of the Lounsbury side makes things so easy to enjoy.  We already know we're not perfect, but boy do we know there's love there.

I have with great joy, the opportunity to celebrate with 4 generations of women in this photo.  All with whom are close and most who call each other weekly if not bi-weekly.  It's not often you find families like this.

After we had our regular ziti dinner or sandwhich rolls with fruit and veggie trays, each one of us grabbed a cookie, sat in the "small living area" (Well, it's small with over 30ppl scrunched in) and watched the latest movie my dad put out for Christmas again this year.  Pictures with each of us throughout the years together at family functions and holidays each year.

We're a "unique" family, but we sure do love each other.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Blessed New Year!

Why "I" Celebrate Christmas - Merry Christmas Everyone!!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

"Then saith He (Jesus) unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." Matthew 22:21

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." (Luke 9:23, 24)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me (Jesus). In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.

” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:1-6

AND SO, Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. Matthew 27:27-31

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6

 ****The above scriptures first and foremost, are THE "living, breathing" Word Of God:

2 Timothy 3:14 - 17 (NLT)
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

I celebrate Christmas to Celebrate the Birth of Christ.  For without the birth of Jesus through God our Heavenly Father and the Virgin Birth He commanded, There would be NO SAVIOR to bridge the gap between Heaven and Hell for all sinners.  We'd have NO WAY other than hell itself.  Through His gruesome suffering, He served as the perfection we as humans aren't.  He suffered, died, was buried, AROSE and to this day, lives in my heart.

I am NOT perfect, I DO NOT have a perfect life, I fall prey and sometimes commit awful sin, I make mistakes on a daily basis and while I have all these things against me....the ONLY reason I get to heaven is because Christ was BORN and because Christ Died so that I ((AND ANYONE WHO BELIEVES IN JESUS' life, suffering, death, and ressurection)) will go home to see my ((OUR)) Father in Heaven.

I have a tree in my home with presents under them, I shop for "CHRISTMAS DEALS" and make homemade gifts, I eat wonderful meals, spend time with families...both Christian and NON.  I spend Christmas with family who doesn't have a santa, and one who does......but NONE of this is WHY I Celebrate Christmas.  I LOVE it, but I KNOW why I celebrate Christmas.  It's those very reasons from the Word Of God.  I haven't lost site of those things that are important, but cherish those memories with family and friends who allow me to Love God because He is a HUGE part of who I am, with hopes that maybe one day, those seeds will grow through Christ.

God is SO good and I share The birth of a SAVIOR with family and friends who will listen.  ALL OF THEM. I would not be who I am today without Christ and love that I not only choose Christmas to celebrate His birth for the Savior and LORD that He is.  But I also celebrate daily, knowing that everything He has done, Everything He accomplished, Everything He continues to be.....Is worthy of Acknowledgement, Praise and Glory.

Today, My husband and I spent time alone.  I'm grateful for the time because his schedule at work is busy. I understand how precious it is for us both to take time to reflect on the most precious gift we've been given through Christ Jesus.

I am grateful and a humble servant.....cracks and all!

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

P.S., I would again, like to extend my invitation to calmly and respectfully share your opinons.  I WILL NOT except Anonymous HURTFUL Opinions and reserve the right to delete them.  Keep in mind I have information of anyone who posts hurtful remarks through IP Addresses and WILL use them if remarks are hurtful and threatening. 

Expression with stillness and not always answers.

"Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Today, in my insomniac mode, I have found the Lord in SO MANY places.  Not just looking back at my last post, but reminding myself to pray for MY OWN heart when it comes to those we find, Christian and Non-Christian, who are sometimes hard to love.  Those who for a freak moment are honest in what THEY see, that while may not ALL be true, have some kind of substance we can learn from and apply to our lives.

Why is it that many of us "Expressive" people, find it SO HARD to just STOP!  And Listen to what God is telling us?  I know I certainely have such a hard time because I Love Christ and I am passionate about Him.  But sometimes we just need to STOP!  And Listen to those who are talking to us and instead of lashing out or getting the last word, just listen to what they have to say and pray on it. 

PRAY on an answer, PRAY for patience, PRAY for guidance from the Lord and most importantly LISTEN to His guidance and if we are Christians, maybe sit back and not have the answers ALL the time. 

God is SO good.  I have found SO MANY scriptures to burry my head in.  My husband and I even had a great time in the early morning hours just discussing the words spoken which we sometimes take differently from the origional Greek interpretation.

Again I will say, I am a cracked, imperfect vessel. Why God chooses to use me sometimes is confusing to me.  In fact, I have told a handful of dear friends, I sometimes feel like Those like Moses and Elijah in the Bible, who told God they didn't feel worthy of the call.    I keep thinking, If I'd only listened to the person more, or if I held my tongue, Or even if I prayed BEFORE I quickly lashed out with answers, maybe more people would be more likely to listen and actually HEAR what I have to say.

I know my husband compliments me well.  He is a very contemplative, peaceful man.  Even though he's quiet, He has alot to say.  It's wonderful to see people who are so opposite.  Many times they KNOW not to express themselves by their emotions because emotions lie to us.  Quick, sudden, retalition that comes from emotions and not from God.  I enjoy when my husband and I talk and he helps me to see another side to a story.  Sometimes he is able to help me communicate better with others.

Yeah, God is good!  I see Him in the cold morning sunshine, the beautiful colors all around me, the way my husband looks at me, the fun times we have, the closeness we have in HIM.  The intimacy we have with each other and with God. Yes, Be still, I think I will be still.

Non-Essential Beliefs And Being Open to The Ministry Of Christmas...

I have come across a blog tonight that has encouraged me to share my thoughts today. The topic is on Christmas Tree's and Pagan beliefs. I know this is more "Christian" thought and for those of you who aren't, bare with me, for those of you who ARE, bare with me too please.

Some know my faith-walk story and others don't. Some know my life, some think they do, and others may or may not. My husband calls this "circular reasoning". While I"m not all that educated in Christian theology or read the same in-depths books about the creation of God as my husband, I am still open to many things of Christ that maybe he isn't in tune with.

My hearts desire is to minister to the lost. Those like me who've grown up knowing OF CHRIST, but not really knowing His presence. Some who've suffered tremendous losses, some struggling to make ends meet, others, who are just fighting day to day to stay alive because of one addiction or another.

Either way, they are struggling and KNOW there's more to life than whats here and maybe in other circumstances either haven't found someone to teach them who Christ is and HOW it is that God IS who He says He is in language that's not for Biblical Scholars who've been Christian all their lives, Or those who've pushed Him so far away in their pain, that they have yet to see Him.

For over 8 years I've dealt with both Non-Christians and Christians alike. I've lost most of my Non-Christian friends because I've become someone that's not as fun. No more mass drinking and driving, dancing uncontrollably on bar tops for attention, or laughing my tears away so nobody would notice. With my Christian aquaintances throughout the years, I spent most of my time trying to fit the mold of Proverbs 31 woman always seeming to come short or have been told because I attend one church I'm going to hell, or that another church is too legalistic.

It took a lot to finally set me off. Not necessarily in a bad way geared to affend everyone in my presence. But to speak with maybe hopes that someone, somewhere will listen and maybe be impacted in a "good" way.

I think we as Christians spend so much time “separating ourselves” that we forget that the very reason we are here is to share the Gospel and one of the Biggest commandments in the Bible, which is LOVE. Love God, Love your neighbor as you love yourself.

I’ve been pretty saddened at the body of Christ lately. We spend way too much time criticizing and judging that we forget that Christ opened his hands and heart to such broken people as a Prostitute, a woman who cheated on her husband, a leper, the sick and the sinners. Drew a line in the sand and said, ” He who sin not, cast the first stone”. Then told the woman who cheated, to “Go and sin no more”.

God said in Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Which brings me to the bit about the prodigal son…Luke 15:4-7

“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!”

“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

If we as Christians continue to separate ourselves from reaching out in the name of Christ and become petty with “non-essentials” those who are suffering will never understand WHY we love Christ and WHY we celebrate a birth of a Savior who reached out to those, so that they may reach heaven through Christ and actually understand His wrongful and bloody death.

I recall his mercy of a thief on the cross who denied Him all his life, yet in finding for himself the compassion and suffering of his Savior, found eternity with Him because Christ said it was so.

My own story is that of great mercy and grace, and if not for someone who continued to obey God and love me through my sinfulness enough to introduce me to Christ and actually TEACH me instead of run away from me, I would not be here today.

Those of you who’ve known Christ all your lives, may not understand what it’s like to seek and never find because your being judged as sinful people and not those who are in the same “Christian fellowship” as we may have today. 

My story is pretty interesting and while I won't get into EVERYTHING, I will say I ran away from a lot of things I dealt with, and decided to drink my life away dancing on bars in my twenties. To the average Christian standards, I’d never be forgiven and would have been overlooked as trash and a heathen. But I was merely sick, weary and begging for God to help me. I said the Lords name in vein over a test in biology during a college class, a friend in a Christian club heard me and asked me boldly, ” Oh, do YOU know the Lord too”? knowing full well I didn’t.

She kept trying to get me into this local college club called Brothers and Sisters In Christ to learn more about Him as I kept calling her a freak. One day, she saw I had coffee in my hand. She asked me out for coffee, brought the club to the coffee house and that was when someone shared a Bible with me I could actually comprehend. 

That year, I went back to England…knew I was with my boyfriend for the wrong reasons. The clock struck midnight as I walked outside, asked God for help and if someday he could throw that Godly man that this girl Robyn kept talking about, I’d really appreciate it…….I ended back home the next day,Not many knew I had planned to merry this man and NEVER come back, but Robyn did. She said while she saw me leaving for a small time, she knew I'd be back! She was right! A lot of issues leading up to this moment, but I accepted Christ the end of January into my life….and that person I looked on with a Bible that day at the coffee shop? He gave me the best gift I’d ever received….A BIBLE I could actually read in wording I could actually comprehend.

A year later, the person I met at the Brothers and Sisters In Christ Club at college who was introduced by my friend Robyn, who DARED to love me to spite my faults, whom obeyed Gods calling for her,introduced me to the man I married a year later. He’s been my husband for almost 8 years in February. 

If you already know Christ, move out of the box! If you don’t want to celebrate Christmas because of your own convictions with a Christmas tree and all the trimmings, then that's fine. But PLEASE, please, get to know the person in line at the grocery store in front of you who could be suffering, introduce yourself to the person who said the Lords name in vein in class, and reach out to someone you think wouldn’t deserve it because they don’t live like you or me. NONE of us deserve the mercy and grace Christ offers. NOBODY in the world needs to be separated from the outreach of Christ.

Celebrate the birth of Christ by remembering who He died for (NOT the righteous, but the sinners who are broken and anxious to learn more if only people would share) and those lives he reached and the way He died so selflessly and in such a violent way. He reached out to A Criminal, A prostitute, An Infidel, Lepar, The Sick, and those who were in need of spiritual Dr.’ing given mercy by Christ.

Don’t let Non-essentials get in the way of a great opportunity to share the birth of Christ with people who many only celebrate one day a year. Your letting an AWESOME opportunity go by condemning the lost to hell if you haven’t even listened to Gods calling whom created you so that you would share His Love as it is in the Gospel. Who do you know would seek Christ as loving by being overlooked and unteachable heathens because they haven't turned to Christ? 

How many do you know would reach out to a Loving Savior knowing that they didn’t have to be perfect, rich, or righteous, but who could come as they are and receive forgiveness and deliverance.

As I end this LONG comment, I am doing so NOT in anger dear friends. We all LOVE Christ and we ALL want to honor Him. Many of you already KNOW who I am. I don’t often speak out on this type of post because I DO understand the anger some have. But I come in love and peace and with a good, kind heart. 

Not to act out AT you…but to beg for your patience and outreach within your own communities, outside your homes and your comfort zones, to those who are like I was. 

Please, PLEASE remember that sometimes as a body, we preach to the choir. There are so many lives who need to be touched. We DON’T save, God does…..but we certainely leave seeds….My friend Robyn didn’t give up on me with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or even the 5th try. She took my hand….loved me for who she knew God wanted me to be and He used her during a time I may have ended up in tragic circumstances.

I am here. I LOVE Christ. and I will NEVER stop sharing Christ with the world. As often as I am made fun of as a Bible Thumper, Or the times when I have lost ALL my Non-Christian friends because I’m not the same FUN girl who hid under alcohol and laughter. As many times as I don’t fit in with the Proverbs 31 women….I am STILL a child of God, I STILL seek to honor Him, I STILL with this broken and un-deserving vessel wish to be used any way He see’s fit.

I’ll never be perfect, I’ll never fit that full mold that many say they are, in Proverbs 31. I can seek it as a guide, but the Bible teaches older women to TEACH the younger women how they must go……I want God to continue to use others in my life, I want God to continue to mold ME and use ME in the lives of others. Whether or not I have a tree is certainly NOT going to do all that. HE is. Christ serves as the perfection that I am not. He allows me to be used. He loves unconditionally and I needed that as many today.


******If your here and you DON'T know Christ, We ALL sin and fall short. It doesn't matter how good our deeds are. I can bake cookies and give them until I'm red in the face, but if I don't have Christ in my heart. If I don't believe He was born of a virgin, suffered tremendously on the cross, died and fulfilled Gods promise to bridge the gap for ALL sinners...not just Becky the sinner, but all who fall short, all who make mistakes EVEN when their BIG, then I cannot reach heaven. For Christ says in Gods word. "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 16:6. Meaning we have to confess with our mouths that we love him, we believe in Him and we're sorry for our sins. Ask for Jesus into our hearts and hopefully continue to walk with him daily. 

You don't have to be perfect, you don't have to be dressed a certain way or act like you have it all together. Jesus DOES love you. It took me awhile to believe that, I would say it to everyone else, but believed He loved everyone but me. Until I understood His suffering. It was then I KNEW. 

If you have any questions about the Gift Jesus offers to ALL of us, please feel free to ask me through PM in privacy without judgement. 

I understand that both Christians and Non-Christians alike may be slightly irritated and my post may be considered like Preachy Penny. Please know that I share with great love in my heart to those who DON'T know Christ, but wish to those who DO know Him, to be used and deeply united with my sisters and brothers in Christ rooted forever in HIS love given to us by the selflessness of our Savior.

May your ears hear this and may you accept it with the love that was intended. May you be abundantely blessed. May you continued to be used by God for ALL outreach.

I am a vessel. Broken, but forgiven, unworthy but given mercy. May Christ use me in the lives that accept me., but may HE be the only one that Saves.

Merry Christmas!

P.S., I would like to extend my invitation to calmly and respectfully share your opinons.  I WILL NOT except Anonymous HURTFUL Opinions and reserve the right to delete them.  Keep in mind I have information of anyone who posts hurtful remarks through IP Addresses and WILL use them if remarks are hurtful and threatening. 

White-Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies

INGREDIANTS

1/2 C. Marachino Cherries drained and chopped

2 1/2 C. All purpose flour

1/2 C. Sugar

1 C. cold butter

12 ounces of GOOD white chocolate with cocoa butter, finely chopped

1/2 tsp. almond extract

2 drops of red food coloring (more to make them really red, OR  just use the natural juices from the cherries in place of the coloring.

2 tsp. of shortening

Red Glitter and candy canes processed in the food processor

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat Oven to 325 degree's  and spread cherries on a paper towel to drain well.

In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar.  Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.  Stir the drained cherries and 4 ounces 2/3C. of the chopped white chocolate..  Stir in almond extract and if desired, food coloring.  Knead mixture until it forms a smooth ball.

Shape the dough into 3/4 inch balls and drop them in a bowl with sugar to coat.  Place balls 2 inches apart on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.  Using the bottom of a drink glass, flatten the the cookies.

Bake in a preheated oven for 10-12min. or until the centers are set.  Cool for several minutes and transfer to a cookie wrack.

In a small saucepan, combine remining 8 ounces of white chocolate and the shortening.  Cook and stir over low heat until melted.  Dip half of each cookie into the white chocolate and dip in a mixture of red sugar crystals and candy cane pieces.  Let cookies dry on a parchment paper lining.  Makes about 60 cookies depending on the size.

To store, layer cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container, cover.  Store at room temperature with like-cookies to keep the chocolate from engulfing the aroma of other products.

Origional recipe from Better Homes and Gardens 

Christmas Cookies 2008 - A Life-Lesson I'll NEVER Forget!

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. He appointed them to be saved in keeping with his purpose. ~Romans 8:28

My dear husband came in from walking the dogs last week with a message from one of our neighbors.  He said, "they wanted to know if you were making cookies this year oh, and while I'm at it, the hospital staff were wondering the same thing".

I hadn't planned on it this year.  My plan was to simplify, to relax, and to just NOT be tempted by the sweets.  God had something else planned though.

My mother came on Sunday and spent most of the day helping me with different recipes, trying a couple of her own recipes, and putting up with slight complaints of her daughter and son-in-law, because she landed at our doorstep at early a.m. hours that seem like sin to a couple who's main provider workers long hours in the late evening-early morning hours.

Mom left that day and it seemed sad to let her go.  I enjoyed the time spent with her as I used to during this season she'd prep for family gatherings by forcing me to make cookies with her.

My husband and I continued working together over the following two days to keep the cookies rolling, glazed, and baked.  3days later and several mental melt-downs, we found ourselves with loads and loads of trays and boxes full of 6 different cookies.

Today the small boxes went out to our neighbors.  We had to set a limit as we would NEVER be able to feed them all.  My husband delivered them with a kind heart and a loving spirit.  That elderly couple who started the frenzy with the question this year confided in Doug that they don't bake and like last year, looked forward to our cookies this year.  With a big smile, He delivered not only to an elderly couple, but an Indian couple who are hindu, an Asian woman who doesn't celebrate the birth of Christ and several others who were weary and lacking the spirit that so many have lost during a time when jobs are scarce and the future looks dim.

That time spent with mom for the day?  It was cherished time that was well spent.  She MUST have gotten up around 6am in order to drive here to our home just to bake cookies.  If it weren't for that time, I don't think my eyes would have ever been opened to the blessing she really is.  She too, gives of her heart.  In little ways often gone un-noticed to those around her and sometimes without appreciation for the kind deeds she has done for many.

My eyes were open to how much I have taken for granted and how precious each day is with her, my dad and those around me....both extended family and my loving dear friends.

This year, we'll have delivered "Thank You Cookies" to the Fire Department, The Mail Carrier, The Police Department and several others whom will remain anonymous but shall forever remain in our hearts. For THEY are the ones who have blessed us, not the other way around.

While I'm not sharing EVERYTHING in detail or in abundance as they happened, I am content in knowing that my Heavenly Father knows what happens in "hiding"  as my heart is filled with scripture that tells me to give in secret.

I didn't want to make cookies this year.....But God delivered the best Christmas gift this year and it came without receiving material posessions.   Obeying Gods call to get outta the box and off our couch in order to bless others Not just for Christmas, but EVERYDAY fulfilled and fed our spiritual needs in which I am called according to HIS purpose.

Now who would have thought cookies could do all that?

The Christmas Guest

The next time you wonder where God is in your life? Look around, you may have missed Him along the way.

Advent Day 17

December 17
Jesus is Wisdom: Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus in old Bibles) 24:2; Wisdom 8:1
Symbols: oil lamp, open book

Advent Day 16

December 16
John the Baptist: Mark 1:1-8
Symbols: shell with water, river