A Cross-Centered Christmas

Something you must hear before Christmas-

And I know my life needs an axle on which to turn and my Christmas needs to be cross-centered ….

If my life isn’t cross-centered, my life is off-centered, and the warping spin leaves me sick.

My life needs centrifaith force and the centrality of the cross is the force that holds together my universe and Grace is my gravity and the Cross is my cosmos.

If everything in my world’s spinning out of control, is it because I’ve lost the centrality of the cross?

A Tree needs to stand certain at the center of Christmas.




See Ann Voskamp's entire post here and her interview here.

(I don't own nor have I written anything here, just so you know!)

Merry Christmas to you all
Love,
~madi

Let God be your peace

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”


Who is God to you? Is he your protector? Your provider? This Christmas Season, have you allowed Him to be your peace?

It can be easy to view God simply as a friend to go to in times of trouble or a magic genie that grants all of your prayers. But God is so much more than that, and the blessings He wants to give to you are endless! He offers so many wonderful things—completely free of charge–including hope, joy, and peace for your heart. God wants nothing but the best for you.

Although your circumstances may be difficult, or hard to understand at times, that doesn’t mean that God isn’t there. He cares about you, loves you with a perfect love, and is waiting for you to let Him be your peace. So this Christmas, as you think about all the gifts you need to buy, and your never-ending to-do list, don’t forget to stop and remember that only God can provide you with the unwavering quiet strength that comes from His peace.

Questions:

In what ways do you find peace and comfort in God?

What difficult circumstances are you currently dealing with that you need God’s peace to help you endure?

(Taken from: Carols, a Christmas Devotional at YouVersion.com)

Hope you enjoyed!
~madi

thoughts....

Here I sit alone
Looking at this book
So oft here I sat
After God again I sook
But while looking for my Savior
I seem to find my woe
I look into my filthy heart
I'm black from head to toe
How could God love me?
Can I be free?
Did God choose such a worm from all eternity?
I could never deserve Him
Yet for me did Jesus die
He opens my foolish heart
And unblinded my blurried eyes
Look past yourself, your shame, your sin!
God is just and has always been
Yes, you were all filth and grime
But hearest not that sweeter chime?
By grace you have been saved through faith
Not of your own gain
But that gift of God, eternal life
Is that beautifully glorious strain
Be still, my heart, and know
That God is always nigh
Trust not in your futile strength,
But look to God on high!

Looking back and ahead

Looking back on Thanksgiving...

Our Thanksgiving Tree...everyday writing something I'm thankful for on a leaf and hanging it on the tree. Gathering with family and being thankful, what a blessing!

Looking ahead to Christmas...

Waiting expectantly this advent season for the coming of our Lord and Savior, the humble King, our God in flesh!

The snow is blowing around and the wind is whipping, but inside it's warm and inviting- it reminds me of life with Christ- the perils outside cannot penetrate into the warmth and comfort we have in Christ. (That was my feeble attempt of trying to make a metaphor.) So, wishing you all a Merry Christmas and all God's blessing for threw year!

Love,
madi