From the Inside Out

It’s a busy time of year. Some people are rushing to the malls buying last minute Christmas gifts, while others are preparing to travel. It doesn’t matter whether you are packing suitcases for a flight, making sure the kids won’t be bored on that long road trip, frantically wrapping presents, getting the house ready for company, or preparing the Christmas day feast, it’s chaos!

It recently struck me that Mary and Joseph may have experienced similar chaos in their lives before the birth of Jesus. They were forced to travel to Bethlehem so they could register for the census. It couldn’t have come at a worse time. Mary was pregnant, expecting her first child. The baby was due soon. It was no time to travel. Regardless, they had to embark on a week-long journey to another town. They must have been busy stocking up for the journey, rushing to buy things they needed for the trip, and packing — all while preparing for the birth of their son. It was chaos!

Upon arriving, they learned that all of the inns were full. Imagine being nine months pregnant and seeing only “no vacancy” signs posted at your destination city! I can’t imagine how concerned Mary and Joseph must have been when they were told the only place to take shelter was in a barn. There would be no bed, no privacy, and no comfort offered to them while in a dirty stable where animals were housed. I’m sure they were hoping the baby wouldn’t come while they were there. It couldn’t have been the experience Mary had dreamed about when imagining the miraculous birth of her first son. Modern women wouldn’t dream of having a child in those harsh conditions.

However, the baby had plans of his own. He had a prophecy to fulfill, and he wouldn’t wait for them to return to Nazareth. I can’t imagine how chaotic it must have been that night as Mary struggled to give birth far away from her home, in a strange place, in the middle of a barn. It had to be a scary experience for her and her husband, much different from what we see depicted in the peaceful, serene nativity scenes today. She had to question why: why now, why here, why like this?

It doesn’t seem to make sense, but in the middle of her chaos and confusion, something beautiful was born. In that moment when Jesus took his first breath, Mary must have felt that it was worth it all. From chaos came beauty and perfection.

During this Christmas season, you may be experiencing your own chaos. It may be uncomfortable. It may not be what you expected or what you’d desired, but take heart. Don’t be anxious; dont worry. God has His own plans, and maybe, just maybe He’s getting ready to deliver beauty in the midst of your chaos.

It’s been a few years since my piano was tuned. To keep it properly maintained, it should be tuned twice a year. I play it regularly, but I really didn’t notice how bad it had become until I heard the difference tonight. My Dad came to my house and tuned it, bringing back the glowing tonal quality it had begun to lose. The sound is now richer, more true, beautiful.

As I was enjoying the music, I thought about the importance of tuning — it’s not only significant for musical instruments, but it’s also important in our own lives. As we go through life, outside influences knock against us, throwing us off pitch. We listen to the voices of the media, absorb the opinions of the world, and feel that we’re pretty much in tune with those around us.

It’s not until we commune with our heavenly Father that we realize just how wrong we are. The farther we get away from Him, the more out of tune we can become. That’s why it’s important to keep up with the proper maintenance activities — going to church, reading the Bible, and taking time to pray.

God’s word, the Bible, is like a tuning fork. It gives us the proper pitch to which we can align our lives and our priorities. Prayer and inspired preaching help ensure we are in tune with God and not the world.

So, if it’s been a while since you’ve had a “tune up,” head over to your church this Sunday or dust off your Bible and delve into some of the New Testament passages where you can read the teachings of Jesus. It’s the best way to regain the proper pitch in your life.

I saw a something on Facebook tonight that made me stop and reminisce for a few minutes. The post asked people to “Tell me what God has done for you in 2009.” Of course, I could rattle off the standard responses: amazing spouse, loving family, rewarding career, true friends, and a church that I absolutely love. These blessings are more than I deserve, and I’m truly thankful for each and every one of them.

However, those things aren’t what made me pause when I read the statement. 2009 brought many challenges into my life. Unanswered questions, frustration, unfathomable stress, and intermittent health issues plagued me like never before. At times, it seemed like I was drowning, barely able to keep my head above water, but through it all I had a confidante, someone who was always standing by just waiting to be the source of strength that I needed. Through the good and the bad, He was always there. In fact, I can honestly say I’ve never felt closer to Him in my entire life.

Through the struggles of 2009, I somehow managed to develop a deeper, more intimate, more passionate relationship with God. It’s difficult to articulate. One of the only ways I can explain it is to say that I feel like I’m starving for Him. Maybe the feeling was initially born out of the desire to find the guidance I desperately needed during a stressful time in my life, but even afterwards it remains. The more I’m around Him, the more I want Him. His love overwhelms me. I can’t get enough, and I wish everyone could experience what I feel. It’s truly amazing. Some might even say life-changing.

I’d be lying if I said I was thankful for the challenges in my life. I’m not. I wish my job was easy. I wish I didn’t have ulcerative colitis. I wish I had answers to all of the questions floating around in my mind. I wish I knew God’s ultimate plan. Yes, I know that these challenges force me to grow, teach me to rely on Him instead of myself, and ultimately make me stronger. Even so, I don’t like them.

If I had to experience these challenges to get to this point in my relationship with God, then it was worth it. I know I still have a long way to go. He’s working on me, challenging me to change my priorities, which I’m finding is easy to say you’re going to do, but terribly difficult to actually do it. He’s also challenging me to do something more significant. I’m not exactly sure what it is yet, but I’m following Him in faith and anxiously awaiting His guidance as I look ahead to 2010.

It’s a horrendously long answer to what should have been a simple question. However, God changed me this year. He disrupted my life in a beautiful way, and I just couldn’t explain that in a 10-15 word comment on Facebook.

How about you? Think beyond the obvious, ask yourself what God has really done for you in 2009, and then take a few minutes to give Him thanks. It’s the best gift He could get during this Christmas season.

We lost two icons today — one was a music legend and the other a famous actress. Farrah Fawcett lost her three-year battle with anal cancer this morning.  She was 62. Her best-selling poster and “Charlie’s Angels” stardom made her one of the most famous faces in the world. Although her death was not surprising (her health had declined in recent months), it was sad to see another life snuffed out by cancer.

Today’s shocking news was the sudden death of Michael Jackson, the “king of pop.” At only 50 years old, he collapsed at his residence, suffering cardiac arrest. He died soon after at UCLA Medical Center. The exact cause of death is not yet known, but new sources are reporting that an autopsy will be conducted on Friday.

These deaths, along with the recent passing of Ed McMahon, serve as a not-so-subtle reminder that life is fragile, fleeting, and altogether precious. Every moment should be savored.

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James 4:14 KJV

Times like these should force us stop and think about our priorities. There’s more to life than work, responsibilities, and duty — so much more! Take time to smell the flowers and gaze at the stars. Hug your family members and tell them you love them. You may not get another chance.

Life doesn’t come with guarantees. It’s a time limited offer — here today and gone tomorrow. Don’t miss out on its joys while you are still here. Try to make a difference, and be sure to develop a relationship with the first person you will meet when you pass to the other side. A friendship with Jesus not only makes this life amazing, but it continues onward through eternity. Don’t put it off. You never know what the next day may hold.

For all the members of Abundant Life Church (ALC), this Sunday was a day of rejoicing. It was a day that will be etched in my brain for a long time. I’m not sure why, but there always seems to be a sense of excitement when you experience something new. I remember when Gary and I moved into our new home in Allen. We had watched eagerly while it was being built. We couldn’t wait to move. I still remember how awesome it felt when I stepped inside for the first time and realized that it was finally our new home.

It’s strange, but I had similar feelings today when I stepped inside the new home of Abundant Life Church. Watching your vision become reality is an incredible experience. It hasn’t been easy at times, but it has been worth it. Through the ups and the downs, He’s been there every step of the way. I’m amazed at what He’s doing in my life — and in the lives of my friends and family at ALC.

You could feel the excitement today when you walked through the doors. Here’s a glimpse of our new worship center before the crowd arrived.

Gary and I got there at 8:45 am for choir/band practice.

It was all new, but somehow oddly familiar — same people, same songs, same amazing God, new location.

We kicked off at 10 am with a scripture reading and prayer led by our pastor, and then launched into the first choir song, “Shout” (btw, thanks to my friend A.J. for letting me steal a few of his AMAZING pictures from today).

Closer view of the worship team and choir rocking it out…I’m one of the specks in the choir on the right.

Our pastor, Jeff Hennigan delivered a powerful, inspiring message today!

The place was packed full! No wonder we need two services on Sundays!

View from the platform

The celebration in the foyer after church was over

Bird’s eye view.

There’s still a lot of work to be done to the building, but today was almost perfect. Our church family showed up, and most importantly, God did too! It’s a new beginning, a great opportunity. I’m so excited, and I can’t wait ’til next Sunday.