An Early and Extended Break

I had originally planned to take a bloggy break beginning the middle of next week through the New Year. However, it seems my break is being dictated that it start earlier. It will be starting now.

I had some things that I wanted to share with you these last few days before Christmas, but for whatever reason it appears that won't be possible.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, I will have VERY limited internet access during the next few weeks. It will allow for basics such as e-mail but not much beyond that.

During this break, I will be taking some time to refresh and refocus in regards to blogging. This has been a practice of mine with each blogging break. However, I am going into this one different than I have any previous one.

With the previous ones, I had a sense of where I would be on the other side of the break. To be honest, I have no idea what the outcome of this one will be.

I will be spending much time in prayer and thought. If you think of it, I would welcome your prayers... and thoughts, whether by comments here or by e-mail.
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Wishing you a
Very Merry Blessed Christmas
and a
Wonderful Happy New Year!

Favorite Christmas Memories

Please, please... come on in. I'm so glad you are here. Even if you do not come with your own Christmas memory to share, please come and just relax. The fire is burning, hot drinks are served, plenty of goodies for everyone, and throws are available to keep out the winter chill.

Today, warm hearts of friends gather to share a quiet moment of Christmas together here in "My Quiet Corner".

Come share with us, sit with us, remember with us.



I was about 11 years old with 3 siblings younger than me. It was the season of Christmas. We gathered together as a family. My parents shared the news. There would be no gifts this year.

It had been a hard year. A very difficult year. There was no money left for the toys of Christmas. We usually received socks, toothbrushes and other essentials for living. Those would probably be there. The rest was not possible.

I could see the disappointment in their eyes. They so badly wanted there to be more. There just wasn't. We began to talk about the meaning of Christmas... the gift of the small baby Jesus, being healthy, able to be a family, the food we would share, the games we would play...

I went to bed Christmas Eve happy from the gifts I had already been given. Parents that loved me, food on the table during a difficult time, and a pair of new socks. I had settled in my heart that Christmas would be a glorious time as it always was.

The Christmas tree was up and lit. There was snow outside. There would be smells of food inside. We would recite from memory the Christmas story together as a family. Wasn't THAT really what Christmas was all about? (That is my other favorite memory... every year, we all recite Luke 2: 1-20 together as a family, in unison. Oh wait, did I just sneak in a 2nd memory? Ooopps!! *grin*)

I fell into a quiet, peaceful sleep. Tomorrow was Christmas and I was excited to celebrate!

When we woke, I thought I was dreaming. Packages were bursting from beneath the tree. They were spilling into the living room. It couldn't be. What of the talk we had as a family? I stood in amazement and disbelief.

We kept questioning our parents for answers. They would say nothing. Each and every gift under that tree had names on them. Names of the family members who they were to, and a name as to who it was from. Each and every gift we opened that year said,

"From Jesus".

For years to come, when we would ask where the gifts came from, their answer was always the same... from Jesus.

It wasn't until this past summer when I finally learned where those gifts had come from. The giver passed from this life here on earth to go be with Jesus. It was then that my parents told me.

I learned that a single mom with 2 young girls of her own had provided gifts for each and every one of us that year. It was the best Christmas of all.

I caution you to not think it was the best Christmas because we received gifts. Quite the contrary.

To a little girl, of course the brightly wrapped packages were a delight to open when a heart expected none. However, the real memory of that Christmas came... because Jesus showed up in a very personal way.

That baby born in a manger so very long ago, came and brought to our little hearts the gift of His love, His concern, and His mercy. My young heart recognized that it truly was not about the presents under the tree, but about the gift Jesus brings to our hearts.

It was about a Jesus who looked down from heaven, saw a family who had been through a tough year, saw them rejoicing in the real meaning of Christmas, and decided to show a piece of Himself.

It was about a Jesus who took the time to show He cared... even about the silly and frivolous desires of our heart. It was about a Jesus who took the time to say, "I love you" in a way that no other Christmas gift could do.

To this day I still think back on that Christmas with tears in my eyes. I ponder on the truth I learned that year. I treasure in my heart, much as Mary did, the real gift of the season. It truly is not about the gift in the wrapping.

It is about the gift of friendship and love we extend to each other. It is about the gift of family we so often take for granted. Above all, it is about the greatest gift ever given. The first Christmas gift of all... a baby, born to a virgin and laid in a manger.
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Now it's your turn.

Post your favorite Christmas memory at your site. Link that page in Mr. Linky below. If you are not sure how to use Mr. Linky... e-mail me and I would be happy to help!

If you do not have a blog, please feel free to leave your Christmas memory in the comment section.

I am so very eager to read each and every one of your memories. Let the sharing begin...



Thank you to Shawntele for offering to provide the music for today via Music Monday. Feel free to stop by her place and join in sharing the music you have been enjoying recently.

Music Monday: A Strange Way

Today in church, and then again tonight in our family devotions for Advent, my heart was challenged to ponder on the things of Christmas.

I was reminded to consider how often times God does not reveal Himself in what seems logical to my human mind. But then logic wouldn't require much faith on my part, now would it?

I took some quiet time tonight to think about the events that surrounded the birth of Christ. How illogical so much of it must have seemed. Yet now I can see... how perfect.

It has then encouraged me to consider the events happening in my own life right now that seem so illogical. If I will just let God have complete control of those situations through complete trust and faith in Him...

I'm so grateful God doesn't work in logic as I know it! How about you?



A Strange Way to Save the World
By 4 Him

Sure he must have been surprised
At where this road had taken him
'Cause never in a million lives
Would he had dreamed of Bethlehem
And standing at the manger
He saw with his own eyes
The message from the angel come to life
And Joseph said...

(CHORUS)
Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade
Why Him, with all the rulers in the world
Why here inside this stable filled with hay
Why her, she's just an ordinary girl
Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the world

To think of how it could have been
If Jesus had come as He deserved
There would have been no Bethlehem
No lowly shepherds at His birth
But Joseph knew the reason
Love had to reach so far
And as he held the Savior in his arms
He must have thought...

(CHORUS)

Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the world
...this is such a strange way to save the world...



Head over to Shawntele's to see what others are saying about music they are enjoying.

Sacred in the Ordinary: A Child's Voice

I am tempted to search for the extraordinary. I catch myself longing for the incredible. I fight the urge to notice the spectacular. In doing so, I risk missing the most extraordinary, incredible and spectacular of all... the sacred in the ordinary.

My Moment...

As I lead the worship music at church each week, I notice the congregation joining in song. Rarely do I hear any one particular voice flowing in my direction, just a blend of voices worshiping together.

Last Sunday was different. What transpired caused me to visibly smile even while continuing to sing.

I heard the voice of a child (2nd grade) who is every definition of a true boy to the core.

As I glanced down at where he stood, he was singing out with everything in his being. His attention and focus was clearly on the song being sung. His voice was unashamedly singing praises to God.

Moments later would once again find this young boy restless, fidgeting and eager to be free to run and play.

However, in that moment this little guy raised his voice in song. I can only imagine that God was grinning ear to ear as this little guy gave honor and glory to Him alone! Sacred indeed...

What ordinary moment became sacred to you this week?

Share your moment in the comments or do your own post at your own blog and link to Mr. Linky below. Guidelines for participating can be found here.



Read more about my thoughts behind the Sacred in the Ordinary.

"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day." -Alexander Woollcott

Friday's Fave Five: Friend Focus

This week I was overwhelmingly reminded of the treasure of friends in my life. Five of my favorite ways I spent with friends this week:

Friends...

1. and lunch: A friend invited me to lunch. The 2 hours we spent seemed like just minutes. Delightful!

2. and a party: Our ladies Christmas party at church was this week. Those friends are family to me. Anytime I get to spend with them doing anything is always a blessing!

3. and a phone: A local friend I haven't talked to in depth for quite some time called. I had no idea that it was 11:20 PM until we hung up and I looked at the clock. Late night but oh so worth it!

4. and coffee: Another friend invited me to her house one morning this week. We chatted over coffee and banana bread while the children played.

5. and music: The friends that sing on the worship team with me bless me each week. Having the opportunity to worship through music side by side with them, not just on Sundays but also as we practice each week is truly a special time.

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The time I spent with friends this week is not a usual week for me. I then wonder, why not?

Now granted, I can't take large amounts of time from my usual responsibilities to just play all week. However, this week reminded me how empty that portion of my heart had become. It has prompted me to find more time to take out of my weeks to connect with others.

I was reminded how important and necessary it is to the health of my soul. A week full of conversation with friends were favorite parts of this week by far.

I have been challenged to look for more opportunities in the midst of my busy schedule to immerse my heart in friendship. Perhaps this challenge is applicable to your own schedule as well.

What has filled your week? Did you take the time for friends? What did you do with/for a friend this week?

Thank you Susanne for the continued encouragement to be mindful of favorite parts in my weeks.

A Reminder

December has definitely arrived. I have out the Christmas decorations. I am excitedly preparing for next Monday, Dec. 14.

WHAT? You haven't heard? You have been given a Christmas Invitation. Please feel free to spread the word and bring a friend!

I am eager to read all of your wonderful memories and to usher in this Christmas season with so many warm hearts of friends here at "My Quiet Corner"

Genealogy Women Challenge: The Lesson

It is my heart’s cry and desire to be used of God. To be used mightily for His purposes and His Kingdom.

Somehow, I think I make it so much more difficult than it should be. I get so caught up in thinking I must somehow have it all together before He can use me, before He would choose to use me. Somehow I think maybe there are things of the past that He can't use, or won't use. I must somehow take care of all of that first.

So I strive. I strive for what I think He wants of me. I read books, I look at the lives of other people He appears to be using. I try to change what I think needs to be changed… and I find I miss the mark completely.

Do you see it? In each and every one of these women listed in the genealogy of Jesus, do you see their imperfections? Do you see the life stories they each get caught up in? They did not have their act together. They did not lead perfect lives.

Do you see that God allows us in on their bad choices and their bad decisions? His Word could have been given to us without giving all the "nitty gritty" details.

Take Tamar for instance, she did not trick her father in law Judah until after his wife had died. So, the Bible could have just shared that after his first wife died, he married Tamar and gave birth to the twins.

Or what about Rahab? Was it really pertinent to the story that she was a prostitute? Couldn’t she just have been an unmarried woman in Jericho that gave the spies covering and protection?

Did it matter that Ruth lived in a pagan country and probably grew up practicing pagan ways?

The story of Bathsheba could have been covered so easily. Again the Bible could have just shared that Uriah died in battle and Bathsheba became David’s wife.

Instead, we are given the details. We are allowed to see in to their very lives, their very hearts.

That is where I am encouraged.

I see the "details" of their lives and I see the "details" of mine. I am not in an impossible place. You are not in an impossible place. God wants to use us... if we are willing! That brings comfort to the sometimes troubled corners of my heart.

God chose to use them and allow them to be a part of something big...something much larger than they even could have imagined or had the privilege of knowing. They did not get the opportunity to read Matthew 1 before they died. They did not get to see how their tender hearts allowed God to change them, use them and be a part of ushering in the greatest story of all time.

Now, God did NOT condone their sins!! In fact, David and Bathsheba watched as their child suffered from an illness so great that it took the baby’s life after 7 days.

They still suffered the consequences of their choices. They were still held accountable.

But when they repented, when they had hearts tender towards the very things of God… towards God Himself, when they sought hard after God, He chose to work.

This is where I find myself challenged by these genealogy women.

May my heart be ever willing, obedient, surrendered, open, and honest with itself towards the things of God. May I be willing to change the things He directs. May I be willing to obey in what He calls, regardless of what or where it is.

May I be so driven to Him that all else falls behind me. May I not strive and attempt in my own power and working to be “prepared and ready” for God to use me. May I surrender… as I am… and choose to let God decide what prepared and ready looks like.

May I also be willing to trust God so completely that I don’t look for the ways He is using me. May I learn to believe that I may never see in my earthly lifetime what part He is allowing me to play. May I be content with that.

May my heart’s desire and drive be so focused on HIM and becoming more like HIM… that all else doesn’t matter. May I be so confident that my requirement is to pursue Him, to seek Him, to run hard after Him… that really, whether He is using me or not, how He is using me or not, isn’t even the issue.

I want the issue to be… am I allowing HIM to change me and to mold me? Am I allowing HIM to call me to various ministries, not seeking things out that I think are a good idea? Am I willing to open my heart eyes to see areas that need to change? Am I willing and obedient in changing those things regardless of the discomfort? Am I driven, hard and desperate… to HIM?

Dear genealogy women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba,

I'll bet never in your wildest dreams did you know your life story would be used by God Himself to reach out in the year of 2009, touch this simple woman's heart, encourage her, comfort her, and bond her to yourselves.

Even if someone told you, in the midst of all the tragedy, heartache, fear, confusion, and chaos of your heart that you found yourselves in, that God would use that to comfort those same areas in my heart... I'll bet it would have seemed unreal.

I'll bet you never imagined that God would allow your lives, your imperfections, your humanness, and most importantly your tender " God driven" hearts to challenge this one woman's heart to also be "God driven" beyond what seems even possible.

Thanks genealogy women... thanks for the challenge!!

Genealogy Women Challenge: The Women

Have you ever looked closely at the genealogy of Jesus? Have you noticed the names of the women in that long list? There are only a few, but they are there.

While reading this, I stopped to ponder the lives of each of these women. After meditating and thinking on their “reputation” I was amazed, comforted, encouraged, and challenged.

As we approach Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ on this earth, I want to share with you my thoughts regarding these women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus.

I hope you'll gather with me the next couple of days over a cup of coffee to consider the encouragement and challenge that they have brought to my own heart even today.

Tamar: mother of Perez and Zerah; Her story begins in Genesis 38.

She was given as the wife to a man named Er. He was a wicked man in the sight of the Lord and so the Lord put him to death. That left it to Onan (Er’s brother) to fulfill the law and marry Tamar to have children for his deceased brother.

He also did wickedly in the sight of the Lord and so the Lord put him to death. There was a younger brother Shelah. Good old dad (Judah: one of Joseph‘s brothers) told Tamar that when Shelah grew up he would be a husband to her.

Time went by. It did not appear it was going to come to pass. So what did Tamar do?

She disguised herself as a prostitute and seduced her father in law while he was on a journey. She became pregnant by him… with twins. Thus, the names Perez and Zerah.

Rahab: mother of Boaz; Her story is found in Joshua 2.

Rahab did not only disguise herself as a prostitute to attempt to obtain what she felt was rightfully hers as Tamar did, she was a prostitute. It was her livelihood, her job, her way of life.

She lived in Jericho. She hid the Israelite spies. She believed.

Listen to what she says to the spies in verse 11: “For the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below." From the stories and accounts she was hearing in the city from the others of what this God was doing, she was apparently a believer.

Because of her protection of the spies and her request, her life and the lives of her family were spared. She ended up marrying an Israelite named Salmon because that is who is listed as the father of Boaz.

God put a prostitute into the lineage of Jesus?!?! Ah, but did you see her blind faith and change of heart?

Ruth: She has an entire book of the Bible devoted to her.

She is a woman whose husband died as well as her brother in law and father in law. She was living in her home country at the time of the loss. Her mother in law decided to return home to her country. She encouraged and gave permission to her daughter in law’s to stay on at “home” with their families.

Ruth, like Rahab, obviously had a heart tender towards the things of the Living God.

In Ruth 1:16 we read Ruth’s response to her mother in law as she is urging them to return to their homes. “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God”.

She longed for the things of the true God. If you’ve never read the story of Ruth, you really should as it is an amazing story of how Ruth met her mate, Boaz… whose mother was the formerly known prostitute Rahab.

Bathsheba

WHAT? David had more than one wife! Surely any of them should have been included in the line of Jesus… but Bathsheba? Do you know the scandalous account that surrounds this name? II Samuel 11 records exactly what occurred.

In Matthew 1... the genealogy itself, we are even reminded of this account. It is brought to our attention once again. Matthew 1: 6: “David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife.”

Uriah was a soldier in the army of King David. While Uriah was off to war (where David probably should have been… with his men) David noticed Bathsheba bathing and called for her. Well, you can only imagine where this led to. Adultery and a pregnancy.

Now David knew he had to cover his actions. So he sent a message to have Uriah put on the front lines… to be killed… then he could marry Bathsheba. Unbelievable actions from a “man after God’s own heart”.

We later find the account of Nathan the prophet confronting David and David’s repentant change of heart. The first child, the child conceived in adultery, died at the age of 7 days old.

But next came Solomon… included in the line of Jesus. A man conceived from this type of family history allowed to precede the very line and name of Jesus?

The last woman we see listed in the line of Jesus is Mary, the mother of Jesus …



There they are, the women listed in the genealogy of Jesus as recorded in the book of Matthew chapter 1.

Stay tuned as I prepare to share with you the comfort, encouragement and challenge that these women have brought to my own heart.

Music Monday: I Need a Silent Night

I heard this song and found myself challenged and encouraged to keep my priorities in check and my perspective clear.

Intentionally placing quiet and silence in the midst of my busyness and potential craziness during this season. May you be challenged and encouraged to do the same.

Slowing, taking a deep breath, pausing and quieting...



I Need a Silent Night
By Amy Grant

I've made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me till I push and shove

Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?

Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With peace on earth, good will toward men?

There were shepherd's out in the field
Keeping watch over their flock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were so afraid

And the angels said, "Fear not for behold
I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace"

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
To end this crazy day with a silent night




Head over to Shawntele's to see what others are saying about music they are enjoying.

Sacred in the Ordinary: Choosing Togetherness

I am tempted to search for the extraordinary. I catch myself longing for the incredible. I fight the urge to notice the spectacular. In doing so, I risk missing the most extraordinary, incredible and spectacular of all... the sacred in the ordinary.

My Moment...

This week my children selected and played a game together, happily, due to their own choosing. I often fail to recognize the treasured moments such as these when my children truly enjoy the presence of each other.

I took the moment to intentionally enjoy their togetherness and tucked it deep into my heart. Moments such as these are truly ones to be stop and take notice of!

What ordinary moment became sacred to you this week?

Share your moment in the comments or do your own post at your own blog and link to Mr. Linky below. Guidelines for participating can be found here.



Read more about my thoughts behind the Sacred in the Ordinary.

"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day." -Alexander Woollcott

Friday's Fave Five:

It's Friday. That means it's time for five of my favorite things from this week hosted by Susanne. Again, a twist on my list. I was not feeling well the majority of this week. This list is five of my favorite things with that in mind.

1. My Garage: This week as I drove my son to school, I was consistently seeing streaks of frost on windows that had been scraped to see through. Having my garage means I don't have to add scraping windows to my morning routine. A favorite in general but especially when I was struggling to just be in the car.

2. Day 9: Today is day 9 of my burning throat, pounding head, deep cough, achy body crud. Finally, the day I am actually starting to feel like this might come to an end!

3. American Sign Language: We have been teaching and using ASL with our little guy. It alleviates a lot of whining and crying when he wants something. This week it worked even more to my advantage having a sore throat and losing my voice. I would sign to him and he knew what I was saying!

4. Electric Blanket: Oh so nice to crawl under at the end of each day, not only because the nights are getting oh so cold... bbrrrr... but being sick it felt like one huge heating pad for my achy body.... aaahhhh...

5. Prepared Blog Posts:It doesn't happen often, but my posts this week were ready ahead of time. If that hadn't been the case, I'm afraid there wouldn't have been much to offer here this week. I'm curious, do you ever prepare blog posts ahead of time? Or are they type and publish in the moment?

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So, that has been my week. I've been mostly in resting and recovery mode. Being ill has been a good reminder of how much I take my health for granted. Really, I have nothing to complain about!

Susanne said in her FFF post today, "Hopefully you've had a good week. If not sometimes the best exercise there is is to look for the little things that were favorites."

I couldn't agree more and that's exactly what I've done this week! Thanks Susanne for keeping the challenge before us!

Lack of energy has kept me in survival mode doing the bare essentials of living. I haven't been able to keep up with much else this week, including stopping by your place.

So tell me, what has filled your week?

You're Invited: A Christmas Invitation

I do believe the Christmas season is upon us. New Christmas lights are appearing everyday. Decorations are coming out of storage and going up. Christmas music is now playing on the radio. Christmas is in the air.

As I listen to the music, look at the lights, and bring out my own Christmas decorations... memories of Christmas past come flooding over me. There are so many sights, sounds, smells, and scenes that trigger such things.

As I began to think of my own favorite Christmas memories, I thought, how very fun it would be to hear yours as well.

So, spread the word. Everyone is invited. On Monday, December 14 let's slow down, take a moment and meet here in "My Quiet Corner".

Post your favorite Christmas memory. I will put up "Mr. Linky" so we can all be sure to "hear" and share each others memories. If you do not have a blog, come here that day and share your memory in the comments section.

Be ready to pull up a chair and grab a warm throw. There will be a fire burning, warm drinks ready, snacks to munch on, Christmas music in the background, and warm hearts of friends sharing a quiet moment of Christmas together in "My Quiet Corner".

Explaining Santa

Mommy… who is Santa Clause? Where is the North Pole? Does Santa really come down a chimney?

Mommy… is Santa real?

If you are a parent, or an adult for that matter, you have probably encountered similar questions especially during this jolly season.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to explain this when I had children. I was familiar with a family who had shared with their children their firm belief in God. They also chose to believe in Santa.

As the children grew they were told that Santa wasn’t real. The children then struggled with their concept of God and whether He was real or just another unseen imaginary concept.

I knew that this would not be the experience for every family or every child. However, I also knew that I wanted a very clear concept of both for my family.

We have come to an explanation that allows our family to celebrate both Santa and God with a clear understanding and belief of both.

We talk about who St. Nicholas really was. He was a man who really lived. He had the heart of giving. When we give gifts, we are celebrating that spirit of giving.

This discussion has allowed us to not ban Santa from Christmas... but to also not have our focus on him. His spirit of giving is just a part... a very small part.

Of course they see the Santa movies and we talk about who some people believe he is. We don't ban Santa; we just try to keep it in perspective. None of the gifts they have received have ever been from Santa. Very few of my decorations are Santa related.

I don't think they've suffered one bit with not ever "believing in Santa". In fact, I think we get to enjoy him even more as we talk about the reality of him and the spirit of giving that we should each take on.

We just remember that Santa and all the fun that surrounds him (North Pole, elves, chimneys and flying reindeer) are a great and fun way to be reminded that we celebrate the spirit of giving.

The giving spirit that reminds us of the greatest gift ever given… Jesus Christ God’s Son.

What a beautiful season we are in!

How do you explain Santa?