Don’t Miss the WGR Christmas Celebration.
A time for carols, friends, great food, and a sassy lesson telling you why “you better not pout” this Christmas.
The event is free but Please rsvp. Friends, spouses, and loved ones welcome.
Blog
Childlike Wonder
Have you ever thought about Jesus as a child? Have you ever thought about what it means to grow up as a child of God?
I find that in my heart, and sometimes in conversation with others that we almost dismiss Jesus’ days as a child. Perhaps we think they were easier because He was the Son of God. But just as Andrew Peterson points out in “Labor of Love”, “It was not a silent night, there was blood on the ground…” This is a great mystery of how God could be contained in the smallness of our earthen vessel. I am pondering today about the beauty of childlike wonder.
Did Jesus stop and stare at the wonders of nature that He had spoken into existence? Did He get excited, scared, bored, disappointed even? When He Himself is the answer to all of these?
I am beginning to realize the oxymoron is purposeful: Child of God. Jesus came to show us how to do life as Children of God. “…to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—” John 1:12 Crazy notion isn’t it? We are children of God.
Through one babe “born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God, (John 1:13) we have been brought into the arms of the everlasting Father. Ponder this in your heart. When Jesus told Nicodemus that he must become like a little child, He knew what He was talking about.
Jesus knew full well what it meant to be “like a little child.” To giggle, to be giddy, to trust, to believe. To wonder. To receive the glory of God.
Want a Christmas prayer today? Put your name, and your loved ones’ names in this sentence. “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
Does Christmas Interrupt Your Routine?
I am sure you read that headline and responded, “Uhm, yes! It is a constant presence hanging over my head!”
But I mean something a little different. Part of the the fun of Christmas is that it interrupts the status quo. Its coming is to be watched and anticipated. Think of the angels watching as all the world was about to be turned on its head. It requires action and preparation. Think of the wise men who had to travel far to be part of this life-changing event. Christmas shifts our priorities. Think of Joseph trying to find a place for his laboring wife. Christmas changes things. It changes us.
It has been fun to watch Charis piece this reality together. She has gleefully watched the house be transformed with lights and glitterings. She has giggled over packages under the tree. And the star on the proverbial tree was her question yesterday. Every Saturday at our house is cleaning day, and Saturday is Christmas. So with great concern and seriousness she asked, “Do we have to clean the house on Saturday since it is Christmas?”
“No, this Saturday is different, ” we laughed.
Christmas does interrupt our lives, just like Jesus interrupts our existence. We can’t do Christmas and stay the same. We can’t do Jesus and stay the same either.
So allow yourself the freedom to get swept up into the glory of the season. Sure, there is madness and mayhem. But there is also the wind of God that drives the whole world to one quiet little stable, to pause in awe and wonder.
Jesus, interrupt our lives today and always.
Bringing the Family Together
This time of year stirs up a lot of emotions. Good and bad. You know why? Because we have good and bad relationships, that’s why. Family gatherings for some are like the home and hearth story of the Waltons but others feel more like being caught in the Gaza strip after curfew.
Somewhere , somehow we have to adjust to new definitions of family, kindred spirits and blood relations. For example, in my family my girls have a lot of “aunts.” I didn’t realize what was happening until Charis started trying to piece my family tree together.
“So is she your sister, ’cause we call her Aunt Nan?”
“Yes, she is my sister in Jesus.”
“So is Aunt Lou Ann your sister in Jesus?”
“Well yes, because she is a believer too, but Aunt Lou Ann is also my real sister. Well, Aunt Nan is my real sister too. Aunt Lou Ann is my blood sister. Oh (sigh) well, Aunt Nan is my “Blood” sister.” I tried to explain.
“Mama, you got Aunt Nan and Aunt Lou Ann, and the girl group and Miss Betsy and Miss Kate…Mama, you sure have a lot of sisters.”
You know, I do! That’s just how God’s Family is. It doesn’t always make a lot of sense. We don’t always look alike. But the Family grows and expands in and through the seasons. And the Family doesn’t end, because one day we will all have one big Family party. Only at this party there will be no one left out, or isolated, or rejected. No one will be “not speaking” to each other. Being separated by offenses and wounds will be impossible because we will have such joy in the One who called us all into His Family.
Let me give you the most beautiful picture of this. My friends the Morrells just came home with their third child from the Phillippines. All of them are children of promise. All of them are children of designation, specifically chosen to be part of this family. Thre
e grueling trips after years and years of prayer and preparation, and the anguish of the waiting.
Look at the picture. Look at their faces. Related completely, but not. Ordained together but not from the world’s perspective. Look at the future they have now been afforded and the very real risks these children have been rescued from.
All because God stirred a man and a woman who wanted to adopt to find each other and build a marriage and a home. All because God heard the prayers of the saints, an altogether “other” family has been born. All because God’s blood is stronger than any other bond, we rejoice in what He has done. God has a way of creating beautiful families. Rejoice this year in the “kinfolk” He has given to you.
You know what Mark said as he was traveling home with Abby in his arms? “I miss my boys. I can’t wait to get my family all together.” I wonder, I just wonder, if God doesn’t say the same thing…
“I can’t wait to get My Family all together.”
Hidden But Present Majesty
It was one of those breath-taking moments when you are doing life and suddenly you see a bigger picture. I was driving down the highway and there are lots of hills on this route. Two of these hills rise up high enough that you can look out over the valley, and depending on the weather, you can see the Smoky Mountains. I drive this route at least once a day.
But on this particular day I was out earlier than usual and the sun was rising, burning off the fog and smoke of the morning. When I reached the peak in the road, the rays stretched across the sky and you could see the full mountain range. Even Mount Le Conte was clearly visible.
It was a wonder to see this burning ball of light exploding its glory rays and revealing this majestic line of mountains robed in a purple hues.
I took my foot of the gas just to absorb the moment. My spirit was soaring at the visual representation of God.
Those mountains are always there. Whether I see them every day or not, they are still there. Still majestic, still beautiful, still awe-inspiring. Just like God the Father.
And the sun rises every day. Whether I see it or not, it brings light to the world, and when it is lifted up, it reveals the mountains. Just like when Jesus is lifted up He reveals the Father.
We need more awe moments. We need to see that the Father is ever present, strong and relentless. And to see that Jesus rises new in our hearts every morning with one purpose, to glorify and reveal the Father.
When God Gets His Way
It is so fun to see God continue to surprise and wow and provide. He is quite the show-off you know. What I love is His tender call to step out, to feel His nudges. He is relentless in His invitations to trust.
And then His reassurances, provision and promises come to life. The book “Dine with Me” was only a whisper at the beginning of the year. The “Real. Love. Life.” Worship cd was only a point of reluctant whining in January.
And now reviewing how God has persuaded and cajoled and inspired and honestly, how God has Done the work is awe-inspiring.
What have I learned? That it is childish folly to resist Him. And it is childlike abandon that brings the peace that passes understanding. When I looked down the road at the beginning of the year, I could only say, “You want to do what? And how???”
And now looking back, I can only say, “You did what? And how???”
It is the way of God. Unpredicatable in His methods, Unchanging in His love. Unstoppable in His plans.
This Christmas season look at Jesus with new eyes. God’s unpredictable method to show His unchanging love in His unstoppable plan to be with you.
‘Tis the Season to Celebrate
Did you miss us? Jana has been in the thick of recording her new worship CD, Real. Love. Life., and is working hard on her next treat for you: her book by the same name! We’re planning to release both at the Unhindered Encounter on February 12th.
You’re going to love the CD. I got a sneak peak at some of the songs since I was part of the WGR choir that sang in the background. Each song is excellent, but “Prayer for Zimbabwe” really hit home for me. Jana took one of the songs that the Zim kids sang to us on our mission trip and put words around our heart’s cry for them – our brothers and sisters.
As I listened and sang, I was struck by the way my heart soared in worship – both when they sang it in Shona (I can’t understand a word!) and when we sang it in English. It was like our hearts were joined in one voice to our One Father. Truly thrilling. You’ll get to hear it both ways, too…
Please keep Jana and the team in your prayers, as we keep you in ours. There’s a lot coming up:
- Real. Love. Life. Book and a CD to be finished and released by February 12th.
- WGR Christmas Celebration this Tuesday! Join us live at Fellowship Church or via Livestream, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
- True Intimacy Marriage Retreat, January 14 – 16. Yippee! The registration deadline has been extended to December 15th. Sign up here.
- Unhindered Encounter 2.0, February 12th. Early registration ends December 15th, so sign up here to get the best price!
Your voice is heard in Heaven and your prayers keep us going.
Blessings,
Laura Jones for the WGR team
P.S. Need a stocking stuffer? Jana’s new yearly devotional, Dine with Me, Real Food for the Hungry Spirit, is available for shipping December 14th.
How’s Your Heart?
Dallas Willard gives the instruction to do the “next right thing” when you are attempting to live out the God life. And I see that reflected in this verse. Don’t make your life about trying to hold your face just right to please God. Don’t work on outer form. Work on inner assessment. Is your heart toward God? Do what He says. He cares more about your sincere heart that any amount of money you could give or service you could perform. Let the Lord weigh your heart. It might be the most freeing thing you could do. No fear, just honesty between you and your Maker.
“All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” Proverbs 21: 2-3
Like this? It’s an excerpt from Jana’s new devotional, Dine with Me, Real Food for the Hungry Spirit. Order your copy here.
No Reindeer Games
Are you hoping there’s more to Christmas than gifts galore, frenzied schedules and the empty exhaution that follows? Do you find yourself trying to unearth Jesus from under the Christmas cards, shopping lists, and wrapping paper? Do you just really not have time to care?
Why not try something new this Christmas? Come join the Women Getting Real Christmas Celebration. It promises great food without the reindeer games. Caroling regardless of vocal ability. And a sassy look at why Jesus beats Santa at paper, rocks, and scissors. This event is open to everyone – guys and girls. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors. It’s free and everyone is welcome. Just RSVP here so we know how much food to make.
Blessings!
What a Difference a Year Makes
One couple, believe it or not, was divorced when they came. Another couple was moving toward divorce. In fact the only reason the wife stayed was because there were two beds in their room.
Where are they now, a year later? The divorced couple is remarried! Not perfect but willing to try marriage God’s way. The other couple has had radical life changes as they begin to see how God changes everything. Again, they are not perfect, but they are still together and willing to try life with God as the center.
Other couples came to get refreshed, or reconnected, or catch their breaths.
What are we talking about? The Marriage Retreat of 2010. And with the deposit deadline approaching for the Marriage Retreat of 2011, I want to challenge you to get off the fence. Trust God for the money. Take the time to invest in your marriage.
Your marriage affects EVERY area of your life. Don’t think for a moment that this time isn’t well spent, the money isn’t well invested.
Deadline to register is THIS Friday. It’s only $50 to reserve your suite. Renew your hearts with God and with each other.