Emmanuel: God with Us!
We were reminded this past Sunday by our Pastor, Todd Craig, that in celebrating Christmas, we celebrate the fact that God is with us. That is what Emmanuel means, "God with Us." How appropriate, to be reminded in celebrating the birth of Christ, that God is indeed with us. He is with us through the celebrations of life, and He is with us through the challenges that life also tends to bring.
You know for many, us included, Christmas can be a time of mixed emotion. Sure, there is the excitement that comes with the holidays: days off from work/school, gift exchange, good food, good company, carols, and of course, football bowl games.
Yet Christmas can also be a time where tension among family members may be in the air; maybe it's the first Christmas since the passing of a loved one (or the holidays are just the constant reminder of that lost loved one); it could be that you are aware that this Christmas may be the last Christmas with a loved one; or rather than being close to one another, you are separated from your family by endless miles.
Each of us have our own set of challenges; however, it is necessary to be reminded, Emmanuel: God with Us. Some are victims of ill-health, others are in the midst of marital controversy, many find themselves giving in to some sort of addiction, and there are those who feel so alone they are overcome with depression; in each of these, we must cling onto Emmanuel: God with Us.
Especially in such economic times as these, we can struggle to know if we will hold onto our jobs, how the next bills will be paid, where our investments have gone; Emmanuel: God with Us.
Over this past year, our family has been dealt a difficult hand. However, we are assured that throughout this past year, God has been with us. When we look back, we can see how God has been with us. God has placed us in a church family where we are surrounded by those that have helped carry our burdens. Many in our community (aka Sunday school class) have also found themselves in the midst of struggling with their parents' ill health. Although you hate to see others around you going through the same pain and hurt, how amazing is our God, that He provides us with friends to experience such times with, Emmanuel: God with Us.
In this past year, we also are celebrating the blessing of expecting a child. Just as with our struggles, God has shown that He is with us, by once again surrounding us with friends that are also expecting, or have just delivered. Whether it be challenges or celebrations, Emmanuel: God with Us.
As Todd Craig closed his message this past Sunday, he encouraged each of us to come forward and light a candle. By lighting a candle we demonstrated our acknowledgment, that in this season, though aspects of our life seem impossible to deal with on our own, we can have confidence knowing, Emmanuel: God with Us. And as we stood back and observed the number of lit candles we were reassured that God's presence is found in each of us.
I hope you will take some time this week (and this entire season) to remember that we celebrate Christ's birth, not only as a miraculous moment in history that took place two thousand years back, but also as a reminder that Christ remains with us today, Emmanuel!
Celebrating His presence,
Rob and Heather
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Christmas Blessings
As many of you have heard (or read) already, our lives are quickly about to change...in a good way! Heather is pregnant. As you can imagine we are tremendously excited, and I am immensely terrified.
When Heather shared with me the exciting news, I immediately began a "to-do" list in my head of everything that needed to be done; I say immediately, but I think more accurately it was immediately after I recovered from the shock I began the "to-do" list. In fact, I still can barely talk about the baby without having my heart race rapidly and my blood pressure rise.
We are so excited! Adding to our excitement and assurance is God's timing of it all. Our baby is due June 26 (if you could only see me freaking out as I write this sentence!) And our little one will be blessed with 2 cousins within 6 weeks of age; My brother, Chris, and his wife Tanya are also expecting middle May; and cousin Patrick and Gretchen are expecting mid-May as well!
We are also hopefully excited that this baby, and the 7 months until the delivery (again wigging out!) will serve as sweet medicine for Heather's mom and dad. Sometimes when life strikes you as it has them this past year, the best medicine is having something to look forward to.
As we recognize God's blessings in our lives, we are truly blessed.
* We are blessed to have 3 sets of grandparents in waiting, each so very thrilled in what next summer holds.
* We are blessed to have so many friends that have preceded us in this journey, so we can seek their counsel and wisdom that only experience brings.
*We are blessed to have more than a handful of very close friends that will share this journey with us, as they will have, or have had, new babies within 8 months of our baby!
*We are blessed that as we spend time praying for this baby today, we are given the promise of God, that He is already preparing the way and making plans for this baby's life!
Our hope for you, this Christmas season, is that you will take time to reflect and give thanks to God for the blessings he has showered over your life.
Blessed,
Rob and Heather
As many of you have heard (or read) already, our lives are quickly about to change...in a good way! Heather is pregnant. As you can imagine we are tremendously excited, and I am immensely terrified.
When Heather shared with me the exciting news, I immediately began a "to-do" list in my head of everything that needed to be done; I say immediately, but I think more accurately it was immediately after I recovered from the shock I began the "to-do" list. In fact, I still can barely talk about the baby without having my heart race rapidly and my blood pressure rise.
We are so excited! Adding to our excitement and assurance is God's timing of it all. Our baby is due June 26 (if you could only see me freaking out as I write this sentence!) And our little one will be blessed with 2 cousins within 6 weeks of age; My brother, Chris, and his wife Tanya are also expecting middle May; and cousin Patrick and Gretchen are expecting mid-May as well!
We are also hopefully excited that this baby, and the 7 months until the delivery (again wigging out!) will serve as sweet medicine for Heather's mom and dad. Sometimes when life strikes you as it has them this past year, the best medicine is having something to look forward to.
As we recognize God's blessings in our lives, we are truly blessed.
* We are blessed to have 3 sets of grandparents in waiting, each so very thrilled in what next summer holds.
* We are blessed to have so many friends that have preceded us in this journey, so we can seek their counsel and wisdom that only experience brings.
*We are blessed to have more than a handful of very close friends that will share this journey with us, as they will have, or have had, new babies within 8 months of our baby!
*We are blessed that as we spend time praying for this baby today, we are given the promise of God, that He is already preparing the way and making plans for this baby's life!
Our hope for you, this Christmas season, is that you will take time to reflect and give thanks to God for the blessings he has showered over your life.
Blessed,
Rob and Heather
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
How I Met God at Hobby Lobby
Where have you met God? There’s no question that He appears in those expected places like a church’s sanctuary, in nature, and in hospital rooms. He also occasionally shows up in the most unexpected locations—like the checkout counter at Hobby Lobby.
Last week, as we prepared for the Thanksgiving holidays, our family was also planning a birthday celebration for our daughter Heather, who turned 27 the day after Thanksgiving. Needing some ribbon for birthday packages, I made a quick trip to Hobby Lobby on Monday afternoon.
As I was paying for the ribbon, Debby and Larry Burns were also checking out at the next register. Debby came over to give me a hug, wrapped her arms around me and shared that she continued to pray for both Jim and I. In her usual loving way (if you are blessed to know Debby, she just oozes with kindness!), she blessed me with her encouraging words.
I turned to pick up my package and the lady behind me in line tapped me on the shoulder. That’s when I met God. She said that she had overheard Debby’s concerns and prayers for us, and although she didn’t know my name, she would also be praying for me. She said she didn’t need to know my name because God knows my name and all my needs.
I barely made it to my car before the “tear dam” broke and I sobbed at this expression of God’s love. God is so good!
God also graced us with strength and energy for the holidays. Although Jim had experienced five difficult days with nausea and weakness the previous week, he fully enjoyed our family’s Thanksgiving and birthday celebrations.
This is “chemo week” for both of us; Jim received his treatment yesterday and I’m scheduled for Thursday. Thank you for your prayers that we both continue to tolerate the treatments and that the drugs are working to eradicate the cancer.
And finally, God continued to bless us beyond Hobby Lobby and Thanksgiving…
As Rob’s parents gathered with us for Heather’s birthday party, we were the ones who were surprised! Heather’s last gift was a t-shirt announcing she and Rob are expecting a baby next June! We even have our first picture of that precious gift from God—a framed ultrasound image. We are so blessed and so grateful to the many ways God shows His presence and His love.
We hope that your Thanksgiving was also full of “God Winks” and moments of His reassuring love for you. From our home to yours, from our hearts to your hearts, for blessings too many to count, we give thanks!
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34
Blessed Abundantly!
Jim and Karen,
Holly, Heather, Rob (and Baby Sher!)
Where have you met God? There’s no question that He appears in those expected places like a church’s sanctuary, in nature, and in hospital rooms. He also occasionally shows up in the most unexpected locations—like the checkout counter at Hobby Lobby.
Last week, as we prepared for the Thanksgiving holidays, our family was also planning a birthday celebration for our daughter Heather, who turned 27 the day after Thanksgiving. Needing some ribbon for birthday packages, I made a quick trip to Hobby Lobby on Monday afternoon.
As I was paying for the ribbon, Debby and Larry Burns were also checking out at the next register. Debby came over to give me a hug, wrapped her arms around me and shared that she continued to pray for both Jim and I. In her usual loving way (if you are blessed to know Debby, she just oozes with kindness!), she blessed me with her encouraging words.
I turned to pick up my package and the lady behind me in line tapped me on the shoulder. That’s when I met God. She said that she had overheard Debby’s concerns and prayers for us, and although she didn’t know my name, she would also be praying for me. She said she didn’t need to know my name because God knows my name and all my needs.
I barely made it to my car before the “tear dam” broke and I sobbed at this expression of God’s love. God is so good!
God also graced us with strength and energy for the holidays. Although Jim had experienced five difficult days with nausea and weakness the previous week, he fully enjoyed our family’s Thanksgiving and birthday celebrations.
This is “chemo week” for both of us; Jim received his treatment yesterday and I’m scheduled for Thursday. Thank you for your prayers that we both continue to tolerate the treatments and that the drugs are working to eradicate the cancer.
And finally, God continued to bless us beyond Hobby Lobby and Thanksgiving…
As Rob’s parents gathered with us for Heather’s birthday party, we were the ones who were surprised! Heather’s last gift was a t-shirt announcing she and Rob are expecting a baby next June! We even have our first picture of that precious gift from God—a framed ultrasound image. We are so blessed and so grateful to the many ways God shows His presence and His love.
We hope that your Thanksgiving was also full of “God Winks” and moments of His reassuring love for you. From our home to yours, from our hearts to your hearts, for blessings too many to count, we give thanks!
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34
Blessed Abundantly!
Jim and Karen,
Holly, Heather, Rob (and Baby Sher!)
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