It's Christmas Time!

"Now let the feeble all be strong   

and make Jehovah's arms their song."

I have been learning a lot about hope in church(es). It seems like we are looking for hope everywhere, and not just during "Christmas time." Hope, like grace, is one of those words that needs to be clearly defined. I have heard it explained in one way that makes complete sense to me: Hope is trusting that God is working out his promises for us. If I were to say "God is Hope" to someone who was desperately in need of hope and did not know God, this would be useless, no? So to truly have hope, one must place one's trust, and essentially have faith that God is real and his promises are being worked out for us. We find little glimmers of hope all the time, by things seen and unseen. One thing that we can understand when it comes to hope is that we, as God's chosen people, are being used as messengers of hope to the world. God has chosen to use us as the hands and feet of the gospel, the Good News, the HOPE that we have (Hebrews 6:19-20). Think about how you have been shown hope through (1) God, (2) other people. Who has God put into your life to show hope to? How can we do this daily, with everyone we come into contact with?

I gave someone the book "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence for Christmas. I have had and loved this book for several years, it has changed and solidified my perspectives about prayer and relationship with God in several ways. As I pulled it out the other day, I realized how hope is transformed by the time we spend in the presence of God, and we also can radiate hope to others by maintaining that "practice" of the presence of God.


I certainly hope it has been a marvelous holiday season for everyone and that you can find hope, as well as be hope for those around you.

One thing I have noticed about this season is the extra craziness that happens in the church, aka my job. I have been learning a lot and growing in my understanding of God through church and other things, which is what I have been praying for, but I need to be in the Word more. I need to be more diligent about my devotional times. There, I've confessed it for the bloggerverse. This reminds me of an essay in "Stuff Christians Like" by Jon Acuff. If you haven't read it, get it for Christmas :).

But the beat goes on...

One day until Christmas Eve. Two days until Christmas. Three days until jury duty. Nine days until 2011. Eleven days until Matt comes back to Savannah. I feel like I haven't written "2010" on enough documents this year for it to have come and gone so quickly. I'm going to have to pay more attention to all of the "2010 recaps" to keep up with everything. Top story of the year, "BP Spilled A Bunch of Oil", courtesy late night television, Jimmy Fallon. This has been an incredible year for me, as well. There has been so much change, though not all easy burdens to bear, all has been for the better. I love!

Pretty things of the day:

1. Kate Middleton and Prince William. I love this girl!
2. Just Dance is a wonderful way to exercise- however after about three hours of play, I've got an acute case of tennis elbow. I realize how pathetic I sound, but living by yourself just isn't quite as much fun when everyone else is traveling home for the holidays! 
3. Mini-Christmas trees with lights and shiny decorations.

After an entire day of sleep, I'm ready to get back at it. Goodnight.