Christmas has always been, without a doubt, my absolute favorite time of the year. The older I get and the more memories I accumulate just add to the wonder I feel and the excitement that begins building inside of me just about the time they feel the need to drowned us in ugly witch and mummy costumes. CHRISTmas is truly a season WORTH celebrating!!! I have always enjoyed the colors, the smells, the decorations, the songs, the sweets, and all of the fun traditional celebration aspects of Christmas. But the more I study God's word and the more I experience life here on this undoubtedly fallen world, I am in awe of it all. It overwhelms me to imagine an immaculately flawless creation, knowing that God created mankind to have a relationship with Him. Where HE came daily to walk with and spend time with them. Quality time is my love language so this really speaks to me. This relationship was intended. To know that, while experiencing this relationship mankind chose to jeopardize that relationship for something less that Him. In essence they said, 'You forgot or chose not to bless us with something, therefore we will bless ourselves.' It broke His heart, but He chose to restore His creation through an unthinkable process! This promise of redemption started all the way back in the garden, and all of Scripture points to it! How can I not be awestruck at the remembrance of this promise kept!! How can I make it about ANYTHING less!!!!! That wonderful night hope became reality!!! THE PROMISE was kept. I LOVE CHRISTmas. This is why I do try to transform my home during this season. I want my kids to have no doubt about my favorite season. Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you have a very meaningful season.
P.S. it is not letting me add pictures so I will put some on facebook.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
REMEMBER
Through out Scripture you can see a common thread of God challenging His own to REMEMBER. In the Old Testament He is constantly repeating this challenge to Israel: Remember where you were, remember how I chose you, remember how I heard you, remember where I brought you from, remember how I brought you out, remember what I promised you, remember how faithful I was, remember my commandments, remember…remember…REMEMBER. He even dedicated 17 books in the Old Testament to prophesy (Isaiah through Malachi) 15 of which focus mostly on reminding Israel and the world of who God is, what He has done, how they have FORGOTTEN and what the consequences of their short memory will be! The Pharisees would know these prophesies in and out, their problem in the New Testament, was their failure to remember AND apply what they knew to be true!
We must be careful to REMEMBER who we are, what God has done for us, generally and specifically and we must ACT on our knowledge. Those of us who are believers must remember we were completely lost, helpless sinners, dead in out sin, enemies of the Living and Holy Creator of the universe (Rom3:23; 5:6-8.) God provided us redemption (Rom 6:23). He sent His only Son Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:16,) who came in complete humility and obedience (Phil. 2:5-8; Heb 5:7-8,) while we were still sinners (Rom 5:9-11,) He dwelt among us (Jn. 1:14) and He lived a sinless life (Heb 4:15; I Jn. 3:5,) He died a sinner’s death (and He defeated death once and for all! (II Cor. 5:17-19) He then asked the Father to send us His Holy Spirit who teaches us all things and BRINGS TO OUR REMEMBRANCE and those things which He has done and which He has taught us (Jn. 14:26.) PRAISE GOD!
I never cease to be amazed at how quickly the Israelites forgot their 400 years of slavery and at every bump in the road, on their way to God’s long awaited promise for them, after such a miraculous delivery, they always seemed to want to return to their previous life of captivity. how could the possibly forget the things that the had SEEN!!
Today marks one year form the most physically miraculous experience of my life thus far. He saved my life physically (He saved me 24 years ago spiritually) and showed off his power and sovereignty in a very big way. I am eternally grateful for every extra day He has allowed me to be here and be a tool for Him. I am shocked though how much the clarity with which I remembered last years events has faded. I still remember, but every day it has had to become more of a conscious choice to wake up in the morning and REMEMBER that each day is a miracle, a gift. I am committed to remembering, but there have been a few days where my joy has not been what is should have. I WILL REMEMBER and I WILL TELL OF HIS MARVELOUS WORKS. I am VERY grateful for this written blog, a road map of my journey, to remind me of the details my feeble mind forgets. Thank You God, for what you did, last year, before that and since then. I love You and acknowledge that I only am who I am because of You.
October 26th, 2008 Sarah is born
December 11th, 2008 44 days since I
had held Sarah.
March 13th, 2009 My 30th Birthday
October 26th, 2009 Sarah's 1st Birthday
We must be careful to REMEMBER who we are, what God has done for us, generally and specifically and we must ACT on our knowledge. Those of us who are believers must remember we were completely lost, helpless sinners, dead in out sin, enemies of the Living and Holy Creator of the universe (Rom3:23; 5:6-8.) God provided us redemption (Rom 6:23). He sent His only Son Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:16,) who came in complete humility and obedience (Phil. 2:5-8; Heb 5:7-8,) while we were still sinners (Rom 5:9-11,) He dwelt among us (Jn. 1:14) and He lived a sinless life (Heb 4:15; I Jn. 3:5,) He died a sinner’s death (and He defeated death once and for all! (II Cor. 5:17-19) He then asked the Father to send us His Holy Spirit who teaches us all things and BRINGS TO OUR REMEMBRANCE and those things which He has done and which He has taught us (Jn. 14:26.) PRAISE GOD!
I never cease to be amazed at how quickly the Israelites forgot their 400 years of slavery and at every bump in the road, on their way to God’s long awaited promise for them, after such a miraculous delivery, they always seemed to want to return to their previous life of captivity. how could the possibly forget the things that the had SEEN!!
Today marks one year form the most physically miraculous experience of my life thus far. He saved my life physically (He saved me 24 years ago spiritually) and showed off his power and sovereignty in a very big way. I am eternally grateful for every extra day He has allowed me to be here and be a tool for Him. I am shocked though how much the clarity with which I remembered last years events has faded. I still remember, but every day it has had to become more of a conscious choice to wake up in the morning and REMEMBER that each day is a miracle, a gift. I am committed to remembering, but there have been a few days where my joy has not been what is should have. I WILL REMEMBER and I WILL TELL OF HIS MARVELOUS WORKS. I am VERY grateful for this written blog, a road map of my journey, to remind me of the details my feeble mind forgets. Thank You God, for what you did, last year, before that and since then. I love You and acknowledge that I only am who I am because of You.
October 26th, 2008 Sarah is born
December 11th, 2008 44 days since I
had held Sarah.
March 13th, 2009 My 30th Birthday
October 26th, 2009 Sarah's 1st Birthday
“Lord, make me to know my end
And what is the extent of my days;
Let me know how transient I am.
“Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths,
And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight;
Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah.
“Surely every man walks about as a phantom;
Surely they make an uproar for nothing;
He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.
And what is the extent of my days;
Let me know how transient I am.
“Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths,
And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight;
Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah.
“Surely every man walks about as a phantom;
Surely they make an uproar for nothing;
He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.
Ps 39:4-6
I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the Lord.
How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust,
And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count.
Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired;
My ears You have opened;
Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.
Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do Your will, O my God;
Your Law is within my heart.”
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the Lord.
How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust,
And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count.
Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired;
My ears You have opened;
Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.
Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do Your will, O my God;
Your Law is within my heart.”
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“The Lord be magnified!”
Let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“The Lord be magnified!”
Ps 40: 1-8, 16
My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
For my hope is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
Ps 62:5-8
Friday, September 11, 2009
Jesus Freak Club
About two weeks ago I found Hannah working hard on something. I asked her what she was doing, and she proceeded to show me a paper that was titled
'Jesus Freak Club'
Time:9:50-10:05 Friday morning.
Place: Shelter house stage.
President: Hannah Panter
...and then there was a list of students.
So I of course asked her what this was. She said she was starting a club and that they would be singing songs, listening to stories and playing VBS games. I asked her why only some of her classmates were listed, and she said that she knew not everyone would be interested. But after I pointed out that they might not know that she was leaving them out she decided to invite everyone in both third grade classes. The next day she made out hand made invitations for the kids. One for the boys and one for the girls. She did a great job. She showed her invitations to Luke and he was so impressed. But she forgot to take them to school. That afternoon Luke told her she could make some invitations on the computer if she wanted to. She loved the idea. I helped her put it on the computer under her strict supervision, copies were made and off to school. She asked her teacher if she could pass out invitations and permission was granted. She forgot to pass them out to the other class yesterday, so she passed them out at the beginning of recess this morning. All the kids got into it...not quite 'getting' it, but willing to check it out. At the end of recess some of the kids showed their invitations to their teacher and she asked who had handed them out. Hannah raised her hand. The teacher took up all the invitations and sent Hannah to see the principal. She was told she could not start a club that was not school sponsored because it might be divisive. We understood the argument. They are not restricting her from doing anything during recess she just can't call it a club and hand out invitations to it. She was very hurt and embarrassed, but we explained to her that she was not in trouble and that she could still do her activities. We are so proud of her and pray that this hiccup does not discourage her but that she will continue to be a shining light in a group of kids who need Jesus.
'Jesus Freak Club'
Time:9:50-10:05 Friday morning.
Place: Shelter house stage.
President: Hannah Panter
...and then there was a list of students.
So I of course asked her what this was. She said she was starting a club and that they would be singing songs, listening to stories and playing VBS games. I asked her why only some of her classmates were listed, and she said that she knew not everyone would be interested. But after I pointed out that they might not know that she was leaving them out she decided to invite everyone in both third grade classes. The next day she made out hand made invitations for the kids. One for the boys and one for the girls. She did a great job. She showed her invitations to Luke and he was so impressed. But she forgot to take them to school. That afternoon Luke told her she could make some invitations on the computer if she wanted to. She loved the idea. I helped her put it on the computer under her strict supervision, copies were made and off to school. She asked her teacher if she could pass out invitations and permission was granted. She forgot to pass them out to the other class yesterday, so she passed them out at the beginning of recess this morning. All the kids got into it...not quite 'getting' it, but willing to check it out. At the end of recess some of the kids showed their invitations to their teacher and she asked who had handed them out. Hannah raised her hand. The teacher took up all the invitations and sent Hannah to see the principal. She was told she could not start a club that was not school sponsored because it might be divisive. We understood the argument. They are not restricting her from doing anything during recess she just can't call it a club and hand out invitations to it. She was very hurt and embarrassed, but we explained to her that she was not in trouble and that she could still do her activities. We are so proud of her and pray that this hiccup does not discourage her but that she will continue to be a shining light in a group of kids who need Jesus.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Growing Up
Sarah is consistently taking four or five steps together at a time. I fully expect her to have this walking thing down in a week or so. For some reason, walking seems to be a milestone that takes babies into the toddler stage. God has made it abundantly clear that our family is complete (unless He really surprises us in the future) and therefore, for the first time in nine years I am beginning to realise that this beautiful, wonderful, irreplaceable, difficult time in our lives is on its way out. We are entering a new stage in out family, one where our children's personalities are really beginning to flourish and each one is falling into their own little niche in our family. THIS is what the Luke Panter family is going to be and look like. This is so amazing to me. To see my children becoming individuals. I am so grateful that God has blessed us with each one of them. I did not know it until now, but we are only now complete. Sarah was such a surprise, and it took me so long to get used to the idea of having five, but BOY would we have been lacking without her. She is such an amazing joy!!! She brings a smile to each one of us every time we see her. It is with a little bit of sadness that I consent that my children are growing. And it is with humble awe and expectation that I await the next chapter, and the one after that. What a wonderful book life is turning out to be. Thank You, my Loving Father, for EVERYTHING.
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