by Sharon O | Dec 3, 2014 | Uncategorized
The second person of the Christmas story is the wife of Zechariah.
Her name is Elizabeth.
Her story begins in Luke 1:6
[Both of them were righteous before God, living blameless
according to all commandments and regulations of the Lord.
vs7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.
vs 24 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, vs 25 this is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.]
Those who have studied the Christmas story know how old Elizabeth was and how it was medically impossible for her to be with child.
It was also a great ‘shame’ to be without a child in those days.
I would imagine she was post menopause in age and definitely not young enough
to be even thinking of having a new little baby.
You can imagine her joy when she found out she was chosen to have a child
not just a child but a very important ‘chosen’ baby boy.
Have you ever waited for something for so long that after a while
your longing and dreaming becomes a thin wish… and then sorrow
takes the place of the fulfillment of your dream?
Yeah, I would imagine that is what they felt within their empty broken hearts.
Wishing and hoping and waiting for a baby and like every other couple who have difficulty conceiving a child the disappointment becomes the normal feeling month after month.
Then all of a sudden she realizes with Zechariah the dream is real.
She understood the miracle of the moment and that God was blessing them in a miraculous way.
God had chosen their child for a special reason and purpose.
Their son, the one they would conceive and the angel said
his name would be called John and he would play an important part
in the Messiah’s story.
Johns name means “the Lord has been kind.”
What an important part of the story and also a great reminder for us.
Don’t get discouraged in the waiting process.
Someday, when you are least expecting it, your ‘dream just might happen’ and it will be better than anything you could imagine.
by Sharon O | Dec 3, 2014 | Uncategorized
The first person of the Christmas story arrives in the book of Luke
found in the New Testament.
In chapter one verse eleven we find an angel having a conversation with someone.
[Then there appeared to him, an angel of the Lord,
standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
When Zechariah saw him he was terrified,
and fear over whelmed him.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid Zechariah,
for your prayer has been heard.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will call him John.
You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord”.
Zechariah questioned this for both he and his wife were old.
In verse nineteen it says:
“The angel replied, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God,
and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news.”]
This gives me great peace as it confirms to me on many levels
what I have already known and have believed.
God hears our prayers and cares for us.
The angel called him by name so God knows us personally.
Those around us are known as the angel also knew Elizabeth.
The baby was not yet born but already had value and worth.
The name of the baby was chosen and had meaning.
On this second day of December reflect with me, this passage
and the power of the foretelling and beginning of many miracles
surrounding the Christmas story.
by Sharon O | Dec 1, 2014 | Uncategorized
Our tree is not up yet but this is what it normally looks like.
Things are happening at a slower pace this year.
That is just fine with me. I intend on making it more intentional.
Studying the story. Listening to the music.
Taking time for hot cups of tea and writing out cards.
Shopping has been done now a few days which allows for the season
to be focused on what it should be… a time of reflection.
I so enjoy this quiet especially with gentle music and soft lights.
Can’t do too many candles anymore because of allergies and new kittens who might not understand the dangers of a flame.
I can decorate simply and enjoy the peace this ‘holiday’ calls for.
I am reflecting on the Christmas story and all that it holds for us.
Reflect with me… on this first day of December.
Luke 2:1-20 the story of the beginning.
And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child
laying in a manger…vs 16
by Sharon O | Nov 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
From our house to yours…
(have no idea who took this picture, it just fits the day perfectly)
by Sharon O | Nov 25, 2014 | Uncategorized
As we are heading into a time of Thanksgiving I pray
we center into the meaning of not just the day of having turkey,
potatoes and cranberries and don’t forget the pie.
But the whole meaning of giving thanks.
I wrote about this before and I will continue to write about it.
Our pastor Milo was sharing on Sunday some thoughts on the Lord’ prayer.
It was after the disciples asked him the one question out of all the ones they could have come up with after traveling with him and watching him do so many signs and wonders and relationship training.
They asked a simple request of him.
They didn’t ask him to teach them to heal the sick or calm the waves.
They asked him the most profound question or request.
“Lord teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1
Now either they saw and experienced HIS prayers and
wanted theirs to be like his or they wanted something deeper.
Can you even imagine listening to Jesus pray to the Father
with such power and effective force and also such gentleness?
It’s a humbleness of heart and a knowing of his rightful place.
Jesus often withdrew from others to empower himself and rest.
He got alone to recharge. Luke 5:16, Matthew 14:2
He also prayed specifically not using all kinds of words
to clutter his prayers, he was direct and relational.
He knew who he was praying to. Matthew 6: 5,7
He was real with the Father in his praying and he also listened.
He also was very clear when he prayed. Matthew 6:9
The Lord’s prayer or the disciples prayer is not a ritual
but an an example for us to follow.
Beginning with adoration our father in heaven
hallowed (holy) is your name.
Then he moves to intervention your kingdom come.
Submission is next your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Provision is next give us this day our daily…
courage, strength, rest, hope, peace, truth, boldness,
whatever we need daily it might not just be bread.
Confession is next and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
Direction is next lead us not into temptation
(remove us don’t let us near the edge of it).
Salvation is next deliver us from the evil one
Declaration is next for yours is the kingdom, the power,
and the glory for ever and ever. Amen and Amen.
Beginning with a declaration and ending with one.
So to review as our Pastor said:
Get alone, cut through the many unnecessary words,
be specific in your need. Be real.
Adoration, intervention, submission, provision, confession,
direction, salvation, and then declaration again.
Lord at this time of thanksgiving.
Teach us to pray not as a ritual thing we do before a meal
but from a heart condition that wants to seek and learn
what it is to walk with you and be aligned to what you want for us.
by Sharon O | Nov 23, 2014 | Uncategorized
Five minute Friday word prompt.
Notice.
dictionary.com says it is an announcement or something pending.
“as in a days notice.”
It is observation, perception, attention, information or warning.
It is to be aware of something.
I am moved to the thought of when my husband and I are out ‘shopping’ or walking around together I tend to ‘notice’ more things then he does.
I will say to him, “did you see that person over in the corner?”
and he will have no clue as to what I am talking about.
We are made differently.
I notice facial expressions or voice inflections.
I watch body languages.
He notices other things.
That is not wrong it is just the way we are made and why we are different than each other.
I will see a child and ‘notice’ the smile or the fear or the tiredness.
It is ingrained in us as women I think to notice things differently.
That is not bad it is just the way we are made.
On this season of Thanksgiving and heading in to the holidays.
I pray we ‘learn’ to notice something different, perhaps differently than our normal way of looking at life.
When we talk to someone, notice not just their words but what they are not saying within those words.
When we spend time with them, notice the body language
or the lack of it.
Children always show you how they really feel
if one pays attention and notices.
It is called listening from a place of ‘how do I learn’ rather than
‘what can I share’.
I see the definition a bit different then what the dictionary says.
I see it as Jesus did, when he saw Zacchaeus up in the tree.
(Luke 19:1-10)
Or the women at the well needing more
than just a drink of water. (John 4:28)
Or the leper pleading for healing. (Matthew 8:2)
Others walked by but Jesus observed and noticed those around him.
May we be like that more and more.
To see with eyes that are searching and the willingness to be bold.
Jesus said, “Zacchaeus come down from the tree
for I am coming to your house today.”
He noticed, and observed, and then gave information.
Lord help us to open our eyes and truly notice ‘those’ around us.
It is in the noticing where relationship can begin.
