2011 ADVENT CANDLE

Each year at Thanksgiving for Christmas we light the Advent Candle, all four candles.  We each have verses to read and each family lights a candle. Even the little ones have verses they have memorized to share.

This year our verses were about giving thanks.

"Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples.  Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad." 1 Chronicles 16:8-10

We give thanks to the LORD that the angel Gabriel was obedient to God's instructions.

Luke 1:26-37

We give thanks to the LORD that Mary humbled herself before the LORD

Luke 1:38-42;46-50

We give thanks to the LORD that Joseph listened to the angel and took Mary as his wife.

Matthew 1:16-24

We give thanks to the LORD that Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be take fulfilling the prophecy

Micah 5:2 and Luke 2:4-7

We give thanks to the LORD for Immanuel God with us

Isaiah 9:6-7

We give thanks to the LORD that the Shepherds were not afraid and found the baby Jesus in the manger

Luke 2:8-16, 20

We give thanks that the Magi were full of wisdom and did not go back to Herod

Matthew 2:1-2, 7-12

We give thanks that God sent His son, Jesus to earth to live among us.

John 1:1-5, 14

In the hustle and bustle of the season let us not forget to always give thanks to the LORD.

THANKSGIVING FOR CHRISTMAS

If you follow my status on Facebook you are probably wondering why I am decorating for Christmas when it isn't even Thanksgiving.  You're probably thinking "does she have Thanksgiving Dinner in the midst of her Christmas decorations?"  Well sort of.

Several years ago Christmas Day became more of a source of frustration than a celebration.  With two grown children and a family forest, it seemed we were spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (and several days prior to and following) running from house to house spending a few minutes in each place saying MERRY CHRISTMAS!  We were exhausted and not enjoying the holidays, certainly not focusing on Jesus, the real reason for the season.

I read an article in the Focus on the Family Magazine written by a mom in my same situation.  She had found a solution for her family.  Thanksgiving for Christmas.  After reading the article I called a family conference and we all agreed to reserve the Friday after Thanksgiving every year for our family celebration of Christmas.  This will be our sixth year.

I take off work the week of Thanksgiving and begin decorating, wrapping (shopping is done) and cooking. We spend Thanksgiving Day with our respective in-laws, cheer for the Aggies wherever we are and eat lots of turkey. 

Everyone is at our house Friday morning for breakfast. Gifts are exchanged, family pictures taken and we light the Advent Candle. (the Sunday following will be the first Sunday of Advent).  This is a very special family time to reflect on the birth of our Savior and what the Christmas season is all about.  Each of us have a verse to read and this year our grandaughters are memorizing a verse to share. 

I serve Mexican food for lunch.  Afterwards we watch football, take naps on the couch and play games.  It's such a fun day of fellowship and relaxation.  It's my favorite day of the year!

Now you ask, what do you do on Christmas Day?  The first year was a little weird, but now we just play it be ear.  We sleep in, drop in on friends, have lunch with Jeff's family, and visit our San Antonio grand kids in the afternoon to see what Santa brought.  This year Christmas falls on Sunday so we will be in Church. It's a quiet day and we can truly reflect on Jesus birth and the Reason for the Season.

I love Thanksgiving for Christmas!

THE POWER OF GRANDMAS PRAYERS

A devotion by Fern Nichols from "The Grandmothers Bible" 

It was an intense, desperate prayer meeting as we grandmas cried out to the LORD in response to a friend's prayer request.  Her pregnant daughter was carrying a son who had a fatal defect and would not live to full term. "O LORD", we prayed, "please grant Your peace to this precious couple, peace that passes understanding. Help them to trust You. Let them know that You have a plan and that everything You do is to bring You glory."

Week after week we prayed. Later we received a letter the couple wrote to family and friends:

      At the time we found out, the pain was insurmountable. Although we knew we would get through it, we did not know how.  What we did know was that God had control of this little life.

      God delivered Dominic, two months shy of his due date.  the moment he was born, the nurse gave him to me.  I was overcome with intense sorrow.  Then something unexplainable happened.  After a couple minutes of weeping, I opened my eyes and saw how wonderful this child was.  I saw his beautiful hands, his blue eyes and his little tongue. I had never seen anything so precious in all my life.

     We do not think of our experience as the result of our fallen world, a mistake or even a regret.  When we saw how much Dominic looked like his earthly father, we were reminded of how we are made in the image of our heavenly Father.  Nothing God creates is bad or a mistake.  Our son was and is perfect, and God's plan of this life was fulfilled.

God answered the prayers of a praying group of grandmothers - exceedingly , abundantly above and beyond what we could have even imagined!

Heavenly Father, I pray for the grandmothers who are carrying heavy burdens for their children and grandchildren.  Help them know that the power of prayer is multiplied when we pray with others in the name of Jesus.

SHE'S IN HEAVEN

Happy Birthday, Jackie!   

You would have been 60 years old today, but the Lord chose to take you home seven years ago.  I still miss you terribly.  We grew up together and we talked about growing old together.  The Lord had other plans, I’m growing old and you are celebrating in Heaven.  :)

Someday we will be celebrating again together, laughing and sharing stories, singing and dancing.  Maybe I’ll even be better at tennis and you won’t beat me every match.

I have asked the question why
But I guess the answer's for another time
So instead I'll pray with every tear
And be thankful for the time I had you here
And I wanna live my life just like you did
Make the most of my time just like you did
And I wanna make my home up in the sky
Just like you did
Oh, but until I get there
Until I get there

 Save a place for me

Save some grace for me

I'll be there real soon

Matthew West from the album  Something To Say

 http://www.vevo.com/watch/matthew-west/save-a-place-for-me/US82Y1000013

 

11.11.11

"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly." Psalm 111:1

Today I give thanks to You LORD with all my heart for all the men and women who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces of our great United States of America.  They have sacrificed so much for our freedom. I give thanks for their families who have persevered through long months of separation and many anxious moments.  I pray for the LORD'S blessing on the children of those deployed who not only miss their parent beyond measure but also worry every day for their safety.  LORD I pray you would comfort those families, give them peace in knowing that You are God and there is no other, You are God and there is none like You.  I pray for those in harms way that they would be strong and courageous, would not tremble or be dismayed, trusting that You, the creator of the universe, are with them wherever they go. I pray LORD that you would continue to bless and keep these United States in the palm of your hand. In the mighty name of Jesus, my LORD and Savior, Amen.

EL HA-KAVOD - GOD OF GLORY

I just finished a seven week Bible Study by Mary Kassian "Knowing God By Name" A Personal Encounter.  It was a wonderful study.  It introduced me to many names of God which reveal His character: 

Sovereign LORD, Holy God, Merciful and Gracious, Faithful and True, 

Excellent in Wisdom, Mighty Power, Lord Creator, Lord Healer, King of Ages, 

King Lord of Hosts, King of Kings, King of the Nations, Righteous Judge, Everlasting Light, Majestic Glory, Great and Awesome God, God Sees Me, Immanu El God With Us, 

Jealous God, Avi Father, My Redeemer, My God My Rock, 

The Lord My Shepherd, The Lord My Portion, 

God My Exceeding Joy.

We each have many names which reflect who we are.  To most I am Glenna, to some I'm Mrs. Hulme, to my children I am Mom and to my grandchildren I am Nana.  Each one of these names reflect a different part of who I am.  God has many names which reflect who He is.  We use these names to call on Him at different times in different situations.  

What name are you calling Him today?  Is He your Rock? Your Portion? Your Redeemer? Is He the Holy One, Faithful and True?  

Today, for me, He is the God of Glory, too beautiful to behold, too powerful to contain, dazzling and full of majesty.  

"We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the LORD, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the LORD who is the Spirit"  2 Corinthians3:18