Advent Day 9

When I think of Advent, I think of a big wooden door -- like maybe one found on a cathedral, or a monastery, or maybe just an old ancient inn. I imagine Jesus on the other side of it ... knocking.My heart beats faster. I imagine a key turning the lock ... I hear the lock release ... then I see the knob beginning to turn, and I know that it is the hand of my Lord turning it from the other side. I realize I'm about to come face to face with Him. Can you feel the excitement of it? Can you sense the anticipation? That's what Advent season is all about!

Karen, thanks for sharing those scriptures on angels with us in your comment. Many years ago I studied up on angels, including reading Billy Graham's book on the topic. It was then I decided to avoid buying things with the cute little cherub type angels - I like the warriors.

Luke 2:10-12 (NLT)
...but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Isaiah 40:10-11 (NLT)
Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

Advent Day 8

When I think of Advent, I think of a big wooden door -- like maybe one found on a cathedral, or a monastery, or maybe just an old ancient inn. I imagine Jesus on the other side of it ... knocking.My heart beats faster. I imagine a key turning the lock ... I hear the lock release ... then I see the knob beginning to turn, and I know that it is the hand of my Lord turning it from the other side. I realize I'm about to come face to face with Him. Can you feel the excitement of it? Can you sense the anticipation? That's what Advent season is all about!

Luke 2:8-10 (NLT)

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

Isaiah 40:3-5 (NLT)

Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!”

Colorado Dreaming

I had a terrific trip to Colorado. Thank you so much for praying.

The women came with open hearts to the event. We talked about "what smart women can learn from wise men." (Ginny, where did you get your wise men advent calendar? I'd love to have one of those!) From the stage I saw that many were touched ... many have been hurting or struggling... and I hope that many were changed.

It did me so much good to spend the weekend amidst the snow-covered mountains with some really great like-minded women. This time I stayed with a member of the church who lives atop Beaver Creek Mountain. The altitude got to me just a little bit - but not nearly as much as the views! Can you believe this warm-weather, beach-town girl is ready to move to Beaver Creek, CO?! I think I'd better make my way down to the water today and get reoriented.

I so appreciated 5SKIS praying that I wouldn't lose my debit card this time... I didn't lost it. :) However, I did lose my MP3 player on one of the flights home. And I think that's worse because I can't call my bank and have them send me another one with all my favorite songs loaded on it. Wondering how I'm going to make it through my work-out today without some music. Next time I'm going to have to list everything I'm packing and ask you gals to pray over it all!

I think the reason I lost the music player was because I was distracted. I believe I had a divine appointment on that flight. I wound up sitting next to a pilot, who knows Jesus (but not really) and is in the middle of a divorce with a wife who has been unfaithful. They have 5 kids. She is into Buddhism. He is fighting for custody of those kids. Please pray for this pilot. God is drawing him, pray that he will respond and follow. He gave me his address and agreed to let me send him a Bible. That's worth losing an MP3 player, don't cha' think?

I'll get back to posting the advent readings today. Meanwhile, here are a couple more pictures from Colorado. The first is a view down the mountain.

The second is the chateau with the restaurant we ate at on Saturday evening. One of the gals I'd met at the church is an interior designer and had recently remodeled the restaurant - she did a great job.

The last pic is a skier - not me, I'm much more the water skiing type. But the ski lift literally ran right behind the home I stayed at. I could see it from the window in my beautiful guest suite. You can bet I have lots to journal about in my gratitude journal - is anyone else keeping one of those?

Advent Day 5

When I think of Advent, I think of a big wooden door -- like maybe one found on a cathedral, or a monastery, or maybe just an old ancient inn. I imagine Jesus on the other side of it ... knocking.My heart beats faster. I imagine a key turning the lock ... I hear the lock release ... then I see the knob beginning to turn, and I know that it is the hand of my Lord turning it from the other side. I realize I'm about to come face to face with Him. Can you feel the excitement of it? Can you sense the anticipation? That's what Advent season is all about!

Hi Friends. I'm in the Charlotte airport waiting for my connection to Denver. I don't know if I'll have Internet again before Sunday - if I do, I'll post day 6&7, otherwise I'll post it Sunday evening. Hope you have a great weekend!

Luke 2:4-5 (NLT)

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.