Strength

Many may wonder what is exactly is strength. According to Merriam-Webster:

 

Strength

noun \ˈstreŋ(k)th, ˈstren(t)th\

: the quality or state of being physically strong
: the ability to resist being moved or broken by a force
: the quality that allows someone to deal with problems in a determined and effective way

Extra definition according to Megan:

: The ability to overcome any or all obstacles/challenges set before ones self

One of the greatest things about Christ is the amount of strength and power he places in each and everyone of us. The song Overcomer by Mandisa, sums this idea up perfectly:

You're an overcomer

Stay in the fight 'til the final round
You're not going under'
Cause God is holding you right now

Strength is not just for athletics. I love Superman and I wish I could be just like him at times, but having super strength and the ability to run faster than light are not the most important things in our life. (Although that would be great if I could!) God and my family are my two priorities. They are the reason I push myself to be better. Sometimes, its hard and we feel like there is no point. But there is! There's always a reason to reach for you dreams and achieve! There are many obstacles we have to overcome through life to get to where we want to be. But through Christ, we will always find a way.

I have had a dream since I was just a little runner and I've been working towards it for almost ten years now! Ten years!! Not until now is it finally shinning through as something that's obtainable. There are days when I'm training and I just stop and think 'Why am I even doing this? The results aren't showing. I keep pushing myself harder and harder. For what?' And that's when I remember what I'm fighting for. Sometimes you have to just give yourself little reminders of your goal. YOU CANT GIVE UP! You have to keep pushing yourself. Doing 400 repeats may seem like a little thing now, but it's so much more in the big picture! Each step you take to reaching your goal takes you just a little bit closer. You have to have the strength to push past the pain and overcome whatever obstacles that might be in front of you.

Yesterday I was supposed to go on a short easy run (about 4 miles) but ended up being a 6 mile run in the elements. I just kept thinking about things and lost track of time (and distance). I was thinking about goals and realized what would happen if I didn't obtain my goal.  It's a scary thought!! I've been working for this goal for so long, what if it fell through! What if I get injured, or worse, give up! I would be heartbroken! I don't cry much, but I would if that were to happen. Then I remembered I have God. He will give us the strength to endure anything. With Christ all things are possible. That is comforting to me, knowing that I can always count on God to be there for me!

Whatever we do, we can't give up. We have to keep pushing through the pain. There are days when I feel as though I'm not giving it my best effort. On these days I stop what I'm doing take a step back and ask God to help me. I go back to my training and I feel replenished. He shows me my goals and what I'm working towards. Everybody loses faith every once in a while, but that's when those around you come in, to show you how hard you've worked. Christ will give us the encouragement and strength we need! Nothing will ever be easy. We aren't just handed everything in life. We have to work hard to get to where we want to be. God will guide us, however we are the one's who must take the initiative to do our best. It's not always going to be fun. But it will certainly be worth it in the end! We have to find inner strength to overcome what ever may lie before us. When the goin' gets tough take a step back and look at the big picture. One day, it will be beautiful!

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

~Hebrews 12:11-13

 

~Megan

Baptism

In my religion, Lutheran, we believe that baptism is a sacrament from which we receive grace (undeserved love and acceptance from God ). More often than not, you will see infants baptized during a worship service.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the   Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”  ~Matthew 28:19, 20 

I was baptized as a baby many years ago on this day. Since I was just a little youngster, my grandma, Mimi, created a tradition to celebrate my Baptismal Birthday every year. Not every family does this but I think it's a good way to remember You are one of God's children, On this day I get to pick the dinner, Taco Pie, and we have dessert, usually ice cream or brownies. Before dinner we relight the candle used during my baptism and read the Baptism Prayer. 

The prayer reads as follow, 
"____Baptism Name_____ , On this day in ___the year___ you were washed in the waters of baptism. Because of this event you never need to doubt that you are a beautiful and precious child of God. 

"God of mercy, we give you thanks for the promise you made to ____Name_____ on this day. Renew in ____Name_____ the gift of the Holy Spirit that he/she  will trust in you and you alone through all of life. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen."

It's always a special day in our family. God's love is gracious and unconditional! I am so blessed to be a child of Christ!

My Candle!

On this day in history:
Pearl Harbor
               "...a date which will live in infamy..."
May remember all whose lives that were lost during World War II

"In the one spirit we were all baptized into one body." 1 Corinthians 12

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmas Time is Here!!! The Christmas decorations have gone up and the holiday cheer is spreading throughout the world! It is now acceptable to play Christmas music 24/7. My favorite Christmas song- Silent Night! I have eight different versions of that song alone, though my favorite version is sung on Christmas Eve at Church. All the candles are lit reflecting off the stained glass, everyone singing, families filling up every pew as everyone's focus is on Jesus. During these times you can't just see God's love, you can feel it all around you. That's my favorite part of Christmas. The weather gets colder. Warm socks. Fuzzy sweaters. Reading by the fire. Hot Chocolate to warm your the soul. Caroling. Christmas Lights. I love Christmas! Everything about it! 

The Ten Best Things about Christmas!

1. Jesus is Born!! The whole reason why we celebrate Christmas is for the birth of baby Jesus. 
2. Church - The Church is always decorated beautifully during this time and I love hearing the story of Jesus birth in Bethlehem 
3. Family and Family! Being surrounded by those who love you most
4. Christmas Lights - I keep my lights up in my room all year long because they never grow old!
5. Christmas Music - The best music in the world
6. Christms Letters- Everyone spreading season greetings. My favorite ones are the ones that have lots of pictures and a letter to describe what they've been up to.
7. Pizzelles!! If you have not had these cookies, you are missing out on life! But seriously you need to have one, so let me know if you need a batch to try.
8. Peppermint Ice Cream! My favorite kind of ice cream in the entire world and only comes out during the holidays making it that much more special.
9. Presents - The joy of giving a gift is remarkable and always brings a smile!
10. No School - No tests to worry about or homework to do, just simply basking in the Christmas season!

The Story of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. 

She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

~Luke 2:1-20

While The Merry Bells Keep Ringing, May Your Every Wish Come True! 

~Meggie