God’s Word Helps Us Discern Our Culture December 31, 2007

Today we finish up hearing two more testimonies of how reading through God’s Word in 2007 affected several ladies.  We hope their words will encourage you to make plans to read God’s Word consistently in 2008.  On behalf of the Metro Mom’s blog team – Have a happy and safe New Year Celebration – Debi 

"What a
wonderful journey it has been!  I was so encouraged yesterday by a message
by Al Mohler I listened to while I was exercising.  It was from New
Attitude and it’s called "Discern Your Culture".  And as
he talked about God’s Word being the revelation God has given us of
Himself and how we should discern our culture through the lens of Scripture, I
was filled with thanksgiving that God would have me and keep me on this journey
through the Bible in a year!  It’s amazing how much more I
understand when I read a whole book at once or several books over the course of
a few weeks.  I’m loving the view on Route 66 (hopefully a different view than
when I began)!"

"This is the first time that I’ve tried reading consistently through the
Bible and really enjoyed it and wanted to keep going – THAT is God’s
grace, and I’m excited to see how the rest of the year pans out and what
God reveals to me as I continue to read His Word!"

God’s Word Demonstrates Redemption Throughout History December 28, 2007

More Route 66 posts along the road…

"It has been such an amazing
journey.  I have learned so much, but over and over I am amazed at how
similar I am to the Israelites and how wonderful it is that God chose to send
his Son to save me from their fate.  I do not know how this fits into
theology or doctrine, but it seems to me that there isn’t an old and new
covenant, but only one continuing story.  As I read through Jeremiah,
Jesus’ redemption is already spelled out. Due to his sacrifice my prayers
never fall on deaf ears as they do in Lamentations.   Thank you
God for your wonderful provision!"

______________________

"For me, the journey has had its up and downs.  There
have been times I’ve gotten behind in my reading and have had to double up for
days.  There have been times I’ve regretted how
keeping up with the reading has affected other aspects of my devotional
life.  I’m unable to journal as much and can’t spend the leisurely time in
worship I’m accustomed to. I have even pridefully thought, “Hmmm…my devotions
have really been affected by all this reading of the Bible.  I think I
liked my ‘old’ devotions better.”  But what a RICH and rewarding time
this has been!  The word of God truly is living and active!  Whatever
sacrifices I’ve had to make have been well worth the incredible joy and
privilege of making God’s Word the priority it should be.  I’m
experiencing the fruit of the affects of His Word on my heart.  God is
proving Himself faithful to help me see sin in my life; rejoice in His
faithfulness through the generations; and marvel at the demonstration of His
love, power, faithfulness, mercy and glory throughout history."

God’s Word Brings Peace December 27, 2007

This is our first testimony from an older mom at Metro about the effects reading God’s Word consistently this year has had on her:

"I am amazed at how peaceful I am these days even with the franticness
of the holidays and other circumstances swirling around me, I am also
hormonal to boot! It is obvious to me that all this time in the Word has made an
impact on my spirit, and I am blessed beyond measure. Now, when I thank
Him for His Word, I really mean it!"

A Time For Looking Back… December 26, 2007

This year has been a banner year for many of our Metro Moms; this is the year the Lord led us to read through the Bible.  Last January we were inspired to create an e-mail support group called Route 66 because God’s Word is comprised of 66 books.  Has it been easy?  Yes, and no!  There have been portions of Scripture that were like a well-watered garden, familiar and beautiful.  But there were portions that were difficult to push through, either for lack of understanding or because of the sheer repetition of so and so begat so and so… you know what I mean.   

But I learned much through even those portions — God made it a point to include someone’s name for me to read about thousands of years later.  What if that were my name listed in Holy Scripture?  My pride would certainly cling to that and enjoy reading it over and over.  I’d probably have the entire chapter memorized!  Thoughts like these expose my pride and help me realize how much I read because of how it effects me!  Ugh!  He graciously brings repentance once again! 

God’s Word is so much greater than the small part I can comprehend.  It is not only made up of 66 books, but of people and places that God’s Holy Spirit influenced for the purpose of His Story.  Join us for the remainder of the year as we share with you testimonies of how God’s Word affected some ordinary women in 2007.  Maybe what they share will help you as you purpose to read God’s Word in 2008.

Posted by Debi

Christmas Day is Here! December 25, 2007

Luke 2:8-20 In
that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch
over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing
you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will
be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and
lying in a manger.”
   

And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,
praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on
earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them
and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now
to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord
has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and
Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they
made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard
it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all
these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had
been told them.

On behalf of the Metro Blog Team, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas! 

Posted by Debi

1 Day To Christmas… December 24, 2007

… Ask good questions.

You know it’s good to ask your kids deep questions. You can tell a lot from their answers.  When I ask them "What is your favorite thing about Christmas?" or "Why do we celebrate Christmas?" it can be a very good indicator of where most of their ideas of the Christmas season are coming. 

It’s not just about tradition for me these days.  Yes, I love our advent calendar and pulling out our Little People Nativity set.  But I have a bigger challenge on my hands; the large task of laying a foundation and readying the soil of my children’s hearts for the Holy Spirit to work. 

We are celebrating The Savior’s birth.  The Savior that I pray they will one day know and love and serve.  Yes, it’s better to give then receive, and yes, getting our tree from the same place every year is very special.  What is most precious to me is watching them learn and begin to understand that Jesus, who paid for their sins and rose from the dead at Easter, came as a baby in Bethlehem in a manger.

AMAZING!!!

Posted by Taraleigh

2 Days To Christmas… December 23, 2007

…The Christmas I remember most.

I was 16 and my brother was 10.  Mom and Dad had been through a very challenging year.  Finances were tight and Mom was worried about Christmas.  Money had never allowed for many gifts, so Mom learned how to stretch her limited resources to make Christmas special.  (And, of course, there was that special Christmas when Santa brought me a new bike!)  So she was thrilled when Dad told her he would receive a $300 bonus from work!  That was a lot of money — especially in 1970.

Then Dad attended a holiday missions presentation at our little church. 

You would have to have known Dad.  He regularly brought home stray animals and often gave whatever small amount of money in his pockets to the lady taking Salvation Army donations in front of the grocery store.  So when Pastor Day talked about the needs of a missionary family serving sacrificially oversees, Dad gave generously. 

In fact, he gave all $300 of the Christmas bonus.  Without talking to Mom.

I didn’t hear their exchange when Dad got home.  Mom was a very generous and tenderhearted woman, always ready to give to anyone in need.  But this was her children’s Christmas Dad gave away.  At 16, I was old enough to know Mom wasn’t happy with his decision. 

That Christmas there wasn’t much under the tree.  I later learned she skimped on groceries and washed clothes by hand in the bath tub instead of using the coin-operated washers at our apartment development to save Christmas money.  But I remember the off white pant suit with the pretty gold pin and the cool brown boots she had noticed me admiring weeks before. Mostly, I remember the year Daddy gave away his Christmas bonus to people who needed it much more than we did.

Were your finances tight this year?  Were you unable to get the things for your children you’d love to surprise them with?  Has God providentially hindered you from making Christmas as "special" as you’d like due to situations out of your control?

This Christmas may be the one your children remember most.

Posted by Sheree

3 Days To Christmas December 22, 2007

…How God used Santa for GOOD in my life!

I grew up with Santa Claus.  He was probably my favorite person for the early years of my life.  I received gifts from him on Christmas morning and I thought he was the cutest person in the world.

It was Christmas Eve 1961 and my brother and I were in bed for the night.  I couldn’t sleep…neither could he.  Suddenly he ran into my room whispering, "Sheree…get up…Santa is here!!"  I was scared to death.  If Santa was here I certainly wasn’t going to go and actually look at him!  What if he saw me?  What if he punished me for spying on him by taking my presents?  But Randy grabbed me by the arm and insisted we tip toe down the steps.  I remember feeling like my heart would beat out of my chest.

He was there!  I couldn’t believe my eyes.  And he had brought the two-wheeler I had asked for!  It was the most exciting moment of my life.  But then he turned his head and I noticed how much he looked like my Uncle Ray!  Same round face.  Same big nose.  Same big belly and large hands. What in the world was happening?  Was my Uncle Ray Santa Claus?!?!?

That night fleeting thoughts I had refused to let sink in were confirmed.  Santa Claus wasn’t real.  That’s why he looked a little different every time I saw him.  I remember feeling a little sick to my stomach that night.  I remember having thoughts in the years following that I wouldn’t let my children believe this lie.  Besides, JESUS was the reason for Christmas. I no longer loved Santa.  In fact, I didn’t like him at all.

Perhaps this girlhood crisis made me want my children to know the One who is real and who no one can impersonate and who will never disappoint.  My parents did a wonderful job teaching me about the true meaning of Christmas.  Yet Benny and I decided to let our children know from their youngest ages that Santa was cute — but not real.  We have no pictures of our children sitting in his lap.  And when then 5-year-old Josh told the children next door that he wasn’t real (even after we had told he and Jaime that this was our secret and to please not tell it to other children!) we were very apologetic when their mom expressed her great disappointment in our son. 

But, frankly, even though we were genuinely sorry for his disclosure a part of our proud, self-righteous hearts were kinda glad our son had taken a stand for the real meaning of Christmas.

Your friends and family may celebrate differently than you do.  Maybe your holiday traditions are more "spiritual" than others or you feel their purchases are excessive and rooted in worldliness.  Or perhaps you feel superior to others because your holiday traditions are much more "unselfish" and other-oriented.  Please don’t repeat our mistake by allowing self-righteousness to invade your heart. Perhaps their traditions and spending are completely fine with the only One who truly knows the hearts of men.

God used Santa to expose my self-righteousness, and He has been faithful to continue to use other situations over the years to continue to do so. (Like the more recent Christmas when I had the proud thought that someone I knew sure was spending a lot of money on extravagent gifts for their children…as if it was any of my business!) Is there anything He is using in your life this year to expose sinful attitudes toward those who celebrate differently than you?  If so, the conviction of this sin may be a priceless gift to you — and to me — this Christmas.

Posted by Sheree

4 Days To Christmas… December 21, 2007

…CHARACTER BREAKFAST ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

A tradition we started the year of Caleb’s first Christmas was to go out to Disney for a Character Breakfast!  (Something my family had done a couple different times when I was a child.)  We started out just going with my in-laws, but over the years, different family members have joined us.  It is so much fun to have a big breakfast, get to see all the Disney Characters and just be together!  We have made so many memories at those meals! 

After breakfast, we always jump onto the monorail and ride around to the other resorts to look at all the fun decorations!  They have massive Christmas trees, a life-sized gingerbread house, candy sculptures, etc.  We often pick up last minute stocking stuffers in the stores as well!  (Can’t beat Mickey lollipops!)

Our family looks forward to this fun tradition every year!

Posted by Stephanie

5 Days to Christmas… December 20, 2007

…Traditions passed on to a new generation

One of my favorite childhood memories is getting up on Christmas morning and hearing Daddy read the "Christmas Story" from Luke 2. He and Mom wanted Christmas morning to begin with the reminder of what we were celebrating. Even though my little hands wanted to tear into the gifts as a girl, over the years I came to treasure hearing Daddy’s voice…"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus…."

I can almost hear it now, even though he’s been with the Lord for over 30 years.

When our children started coming Benny heartily agreed to take this tradition into a new generation.  The first time I heard him start reading Luke 2 my eyes filled with tears; It had been 5 years since Daddy died.  And now it was my son’s Daddy reading him the "Christmas Story."  Every year since then the story has been read.  In their early years the story was read in the Virginia home we purchased from Mom after Daddy died…and now at home in Orlando. 

Three of my children have little ones of their own.  Will they carry on the tradition to yet another generation?  Sometimes I picture little people I will never know hearing my grandchildren and great grandchildren reading them the Christmas Story.

Thanks to Daddy.

Posted by Sheree