Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Peace, Peace

Monday night, I went to see the River City Men's Chorus in concert. As usual they were incredible. A particular song that was amazing was called "Peace, Peace". It was beautiful. I cannot even describe the amazement that was in that place. A captain in the US Air Force sang the solo. The solo was sang in German. I've never heard a more beautiful way to sing "Silent Night," which also happens to be my favorite Christmas carol. I was going to type out all the lyrics to "Peace, Peace" but I can't find the words. So, here is "Silent Night":
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Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in Heavenly peace
Sleep in Heavenly peace.
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Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from Heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior is born
Christ, the Savior is born
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Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming Grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!
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The combination of the music and the words in this song makes me want to fall in love. I'm not sure why. The thought that someOne was born and with that birth there is so much commotion. "Shephers quake" "Glories stream from Heaven" That someOne is greatly Majestic and Indescribable. That is just incredible to me. That the whole earth stopped when our Savior was born.
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"Silent Night" is my favorite Christmas carol, what's yours?
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-katie

Sunday, December 6, 2009

American Dream

Jonathan preached this morning and as usual it was amazing. He takes the scripture apart and makes it easier to understand. Today's lesson was on Mary's song located in Luke 1:46-55.
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Everyone wants the American Dream. They want life as they imagine it. How can life be as they imagine it? We can't fathom what our lives will be. So what is important in our lives? People think that growing in stature with friends and the community and in education is vital to living and coping in the world today. But, is that really important? Are all these things vital to surviving in this world? To an extent, I think yes. There is a part of me that says "no" also. Jonathan talked about our importance to God. We have a heavenly responsibility to live our life for God and to honor Him with all that we do. I fail at that daily. It's not hard to make someone happy, right? But to please the indescribable Creator of the universe...wow. What a thought.
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"And Mary said:
'My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me-
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed might deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud
in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers.'"
Luke 1:46-55
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Despite what Mary was asked to do, she obeyed. Why was it so simple for her, a teenaged girl of low stature, to obey God's command through Gabriel so easily? She didn't question God. She didn't made excuses. She didn't freak out. She just accepted it. She accepted that this was her life's plan. She was at peace with what her life was about to be. How many of us can say that we are good with our life right now? We have loved ones who are dying of diseases and ones who are already gone. We have friends who are suffering from loss and heartache. We are going through financial hard times. We are suffering from loss and heartache. Why is it so hard to just accept that this is our life and that we are living with these different life issues?
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Another question he asked was 'what is our song?'. How does our song portray our life? I would hope that my life's song would give people a peace. The song would be able loving life and living it for God in the midst of hard times. God is always with us and never leaves. I wish that everyone would know that.
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Sorry that this post was random and pretty scattered. Just something on my mind.
-katie

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Waiting

"So the LORD must wait for you to come to Him
so He can show you His love and compassion.
For the LORD is a faithful God.
Blessed are those who wait for His help."
Isaiah 30:18
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I saw this verse on a friend's status and, wow, does it speak volumes!! And it does speak so loudly, especially right now. God has put an opportunity in front of us, just as I mentioned in my last post. Well, that news that I could've revealed will not be revealed just yet. Some plans fell through, so we have to reschedule and I get to keep you in suspense for a while longer.
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Waiting is so hard for me. I've never been good at it. Ever. Why would I want to wait for something when I could just as easily have it right then?? Well, would I have the same appreciation for it if I had gotten it in the first place? Probably not, which is most likely why I didn't get it in the beginning. But, in all seriousness, I thank God for what I have struggled for. I know that I have gotten it in His timing or it would not have worked out. My appreciation for material and personal things are way higher than I have been in the past.
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But then again, waiting has it's perks. Your trust builds, especially in God. I think I'm finally in a place where I can give it to Him and let Him handle it and completely trust Him with it. He knows me best and knows how my life is going to work out. Can you imagine if you knew how everyone's lives were going to turn out--what was going to happen in their lives--could control it? It's an indescribable thought. I can't even fathom the power.
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God is so good! I just pray that He continues to bless me and my family and friends! I cannot wait to see what He does!!
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katie