The Dark Tale

(Gleanings from the Inner Life of Ruth Bryan)

December 31st, 1837.

The last day of the year has come again! How rapidly are the wheels of time revolving and bearing me on to a boundless eternity! Another year closing, and of what do its "gone-by" periods testify? Why! of aggravated transgression and ingratitude on my part—and most astonishing mercy and longsuffering from my covenant God!

There has also been granted more laying hold of Christ; and, when sensible of sin, more running to Him for pardon and cleansing, and, as it were, hanging upon Him in my desperate case. All this, with much more, I take to be very, very great mercy.

But, oh! the dark tale of my own sin, which has also marked this year—it is too black to be told!
Ingratitude,
murmuring,
carnality,
worldliness,
unbelief,
backsliding,
and a thousand other evils—make up a list which ought to sink me into shame and self-abasement!

Almighty Spirit, condescend to melt me into real contrition, that having received much—I may love much; and having sinned much—I may have much forgiven.

I am sure the flesh is no friend of mine, and as I have not resolution to cut off its right-hand sins, and to pluck out its right-eye sins—it is most merciful of the Lord to do it for me. And though I often cry out from pain, my heart says—Go on, Lord, deal with me as You will; only support and bring me to walk closely with You.

Happy New Year!

Tomorrow begins a new year. What a great time to reflect on God's blessings and mercies over the past year and look ahead to a new year and how we can grow to glorify Him more completely.

Anybody else want to share?

Last year was another opportunity for us to see His faithfulness as He orchestrated all the details of our move from St. Louis to Fairway--selling of a house, leading us to the right area and house to buy, safety in driving over for us and our truckload of stuff, and then giving us a church home at Providence. Six months after our move, we are AT HOME here. What great grace He's shown us.

In 2008, I want to grow in loving brothers and sisters in Christ better and being more of an encourager. I also want to be a better home manager. And needless to say, I want to grow in my comprehension of the Glorious Gospel.

Have a safe and happy celebration tonight!

Jennie

The Star

The day of the Christmas presentation finally arrived. My young daughter, Jana, was so excited about her part that I thought she was to be one of the main characters, though she had not told me what she was to do. The parents were all there and one by one the children took their places. I could see the shepherds fidgeting in the corner of the stage meant to represent the fields for the sheep. Mary and Joseph stood solemnly behind the manger.

In the back three young wise men waited impatiently. But still Jana sat quietly and confidently. Then the teacher began: "A long time ago, Mary and Joseph had a baby and they named Him Jesus," she said. "And when Jesus was born, a bright star appeared over the stable."

At that cue, Jana got up from her chair, picked up a large tin-foil star, walked behind Mary and Joseph and held the star up high for everyone to see. When the teacher told about the shepherds coming to see the baby, the three young shepherds came forward and Jana jiggled the star up and down excitedly to show them where to come. When the wise men responded to their cue, she went forward a little to meet them and to lead the way, her face as alight as the real star might have been.

The playlet ended. We had refreshments. On the way home Jana said, with great satisfaction, "I had the main part!"

"You did?" I questioned, wondering why she thought that.

"Yes," she said, "'cause I showed everybody how to find Jesus!"

From Pulpit Supply by way of Doc's Daily Chuckle. To subscribe: http://family- safe-mail. com/lists/ ?p=subscribe& id=55

~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~

This is exactly what I want to be found doing -- with all my thoughts, motives, will, strength, speech, affections, and strength -- this Christmas season, and right in to 2008. If I am the only Jesus somebody sees, what will they see? If I am the only Bible somebody reads, what will they read? Am I wearing Cross marks?

Christmas Love

(paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13)

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

(http://www.holytrinitynewrochelle.org/yourti14714.html)

Help me live this, Lord. How I need You!

The Ice Storm Cometh...

So here I sit, checking the NOAA weather website for updates regarding our ice storm warning. Along about rush hour tonight, it's supposed to start precipitating frozen stuff...and could continue until about 1am Wednesday morning. The potential for fallen power lines and trees is pretty high, which is a major concern if you live in someplace known as "The City of Trees" and you have lots of tall trees around your house and yard that could do some big-time damage to your home if they fell on it. Do we sleep in the basement tonight, just to be on the safe side? I think The Husband would say that's over-reacting; I think the doggies would say that's a GREAT idea! (Can you imagine us trying to sleep on an Aerobed, with 3 40-pound dogs trying to share it with us??)

The really good news is that yesterday we rearranged the stuff in the garage (and moved a little to the basement) and managed to park the car inside the garage--for the first time! In light of tonight and tomorrow's forecast, this is a beautiful thing (as Lynn Baird would say).

Along about now I'm really missing the fireplace we had in our house in St. Louis...

Y'all pack your longjohns and come visit!

First Snowflakes!!!

I'm sure Diane wins the prize for First Posse Sister With Snow In Her Yard, but here in Fairway we're seeing the first snowfall of the season. I love how quiet the world becomes as the beautiful white flakes fall and build up on the ground. We might have 1 to 3 inches; north of where we are (where Tim works) could have 3 to 5.

The other four of you sistas are probably wearing sunscreen today. :-)

Jen

Last Call for St. Louis

Tomorrow (Monday, Dec. 3) I leave for St. Louis for the 10th and final time. The Bible study I've been leading winds up on Tuesday, and I'll return home on Wednesday--my final Amtrak trip for the near future.

What a summer and autumn this has been. God is wise to not show us the future. :-) But in the midst of it all, I've found God to be faithful in new ways.

One more early Monday morning; one more eastbound train; two more nights of sleeping in the third-floor room at George and Barbara's; one more morning group; one more lunch at St. Louis Bread with whoever can come; one more evening group gathered around Barbara's dining room table; one more morning walk to the Metrolink station to ride to the Amtrak station; one more westbound train.

And one more Wednesday afternoon reading at Union Station Kansas City while i wait for my sweetheart to pick me up after work!

Rejoice with me, sistahs!