A Super-Hero for the Season

Listening to a news program (I won't mention 20/20s name) last night, I was not surprised to hear that super-hero movies did not fare well this year in the box office.  Who exactly decides whether the box office is the authority in determining the best visual entertainment out there anyway?!  

Then I thought about the "Green Lantern" DVD awaiting me which I had rented.  Being among the many attempting to save money where ever I can, going to the movie theater to view a movie is a rare occurrence for me.  The price of a ticket most likely ends up going into my gas tank instead.  Enjoying a movie in the comfort of my own home, with popcorn fixed exactly the way I like it, a box of candy from the super market, and a cup of hot or cold chai, with the ability to pause the movie when bathroom breaks are necessary, etc. far out-ways spending such a ridiculous amount on a ticket at the theater.  Except for when I actually go out on a date...so I have heard.

I also got to thinking about how the super-hero story tends to be redundant.  Good always wins over evil, with maybe a cliffhanger leaving the option open for a sequel.  Who needs the reminder of the power of goodness now-a-days?  Isn't it always obvious in the tediousness of the daily grind?  Being hit with one crisis, emergency, health challenge, family feud, tragedy...after another, isn't hope within grasp?  Personally, I need the reminders. 

God is good.  He always has been, is, and will be.  Even when the devastating events seem to overwhelm us.  It is so hard to understand why He allows "bad" things to happen to "good" people, right?  This question tends to hender relationships we so desparately need between ourselves and our Heavenly Father - whether we acknowlege it or not.

Thank God for forgiveness, grace and mercy!  The hope that Jesus Christ, gives is what I celebrate this Christmas season.  He is the super-hero who never fails. 

I mourn with the many who lose and have lost loved ones, especially this time of year.  My heart breaks for all those suffering.  At the same time, I pray that the hope of knowing Jesus our Savior,  The Prince of Peace, Our very own personal SUPER-HERO, resides in you who anguish.  Lean on the Everlasting Arms, which give us strength in difficult times.

Those of us who are so blessed, remember to reach out to those who we know are struggling.  I know how it feels when someone just holds my hand or gives a hug when I get caught up in sadness.  Words are not always necessary.  Love is.

Jesus came because of God's love for us - God is Love!  Celebrate that love, and let His light shine in the darkness.  Every dark corner we can reach should be lit up this season, in honor of Jesus' birth.  May the peace that surpasses all understanding dwell in you this Christmas and throughout the New Year!  Be blessed and bless another!

Oh, the sinus awareness of Autumn!!

Where is your hope?  What is "hope" anyway?  Well, in short (not to be confused with what I've been wearing the past few days), according to Webster's dictionary it is "to cherish a desire with anticipation(or expectation)."

Autumn is here. It is hard to believe. The temperature highs here have been in the 80s so far this month. And I was looking forward to pulling my sweaters out sooner rather than later. My compression stockings are on standby. The warmth is not the only unusual occurence for me. I find myself a full-time student again, and am thrilled, maybe a tad overwhelmed. Overall, it is a fantastic opportunity. I guess the overwhelming portion stems from all of the other circumstances surrounding this so called life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlL8LayF0uw

Grief. What an unpleasant creature. It sneaks up at the most inconvenient times and ways. One solace is that many of those who have gone on, that I had the pleasure of knowing, have a secure eternity because of their faith in what Jesus Christ did for us all, and God's grace. In a place where there is no more sickness, pain, fear, or strife.  These lives have caused me to take a closer look at my own.  There will always be something missing.  No matter what we do here on this planet, it will never completely satisfy our longings, desires, aspirations.  There is always something more to attain, right?  Can you imagine an existence in perfection?  I cannot.  Eternity.  Be sure of where you will spend it, because though it may not exist in a time continuum, it's a long LONG something.

On a lighter note, my laptop is falling apart. I didn't think it was possible, but 'tis true.  I have only had it for just over three years.  It has served me well. I just hope it hangs in there until I do whatever is needed to safely store my precious files elsewhere. Unless a computer miracle occurs, I think I will stick to the paper and pen method of writing. Has that Charlie Brown special come out yet?  It's a Computer Miracle, Charlie Brown!

Everyday lately, I have had "to do" lists in my head. As the sun sets, it seems as though I have not completed one single task. Do you ever have that kind of month? So here are some ideals I have to help with that sort of thing:

1. Stop planning on getting anything done.

2. Once my brain locks onto something that should get done, ignore it, and do something else.

3. Drink plenty of water.

4. When in doubt, crochet.

5. An ABSOLUTE must...read my Bible as soon as I wake up, before eating anything else.  Praise the Lord all day long.

6. Keep life as simple as possible. No need to make it more complicated than it has to be.  Living with chronic pain makes life a wild ride.  Social comradre is almost non-existant for me outside of church activities.  It becomes difficult to make plans, not knowing if my body can withstand all that I want to do.  It can be a tumultuous and depressing existence.  Futility indeed!  I have no clue how anyone who has rejected God's Son, Jesus Christ, can cope with chronic pain.  The Lord sustains me in powerful ways - Psalm 146 & 147.

7. LOVE.

7 simple things to keep my sanity. I will be adopting these tactics this month. The premise of this list is to keep in mind what is most important in life. I wonder if the word "list" is discussed anywhere in The Survivors Guide to Living, otherwise known as The Holy Bible? I know lists have more to do with law than GRACE.  That is not to say that when things do need to get done, making a list can help us stay organized and see our progress...or is it?  I think staying organized can be a part of living in Grace and staving off stress.  Also, I believe that being a list person all the time can be a bit tedious.  Take it easy every once in a while!!

Some thoughts on hope:  Romans 5:1 - 5 says, "1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.  5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (NIV)

We all have hope.  What we do with that hope is key.

Life!! Can't Live Without It!

Everything was going wrong and that feeling of imprisonment was rising up inside me, as if things were hopeless.  Tears began to sting my eyes, threatening to spill and blur my vision.  A field appeared.  A field of sunflowers in bloom inundated my vision.  It was in that exact moment in time, God sent something of beauty to remind me He is always right here with me.  Omnipresent.  I felt as though He pulled me onto His lap to hold me close.  The warmth of His arms gave me such comfort, and His love enveloped me like my favorite afghan.  I felt at peace.  The worry subsided.  He reminded me that He would supply all my needs (Psalm 23:1, Matt. 10:31, Phil. 4:19).  Peace be still!

Then memories came to the front of mind.  Memories of when God brought me through some other time of trouble, or life challenge.  His promises are true.  When worry sets in, where is our faith?  Sometimes, we need to be reminded over and over again that truly, God is God.  Even when we are rejecting Him, He is still God in our world.  And He is still right there with you and me.  When our faith is lacking, He is still faithful, loving and just.  He does not remove us from our consequences.  He is not punishing us when life gets rough.  His love never changes.

So if you are experiencing some challenges of your own, as I am, I want to encourage you.  Lean on Him.  Go to Him.  Yell for Him.  Groan, if there are no words.  He hears you.  He knows.  He just wants you to turn to Him and let Him show you what He can do.  When we can't, He can.

Lamentations 3:21 - 23 says, "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning:  great is your faithfulness."  Amen!