Christmas in Art

More later - I am cherishing my first day off from work with all the fervor I can. :-) What a wonderful day it is!! I am grateful for such a fantastic job, but am also grateful for much needed time off to rejuvenate and relax!!

I thought I'd post another example of Christmas in art from my phenomenal pastor, Dr. Jeff Warren. What is amazing is that his God-given gift as a pastor and teacher are just as astounding as his artistic ability. God has truly gifted Pastor Jeff with the ability to speak words of truth and love that result in profound growth and change. So today I'm speaking prayers of thanks for my pastor, and also thanks to God for all that He is doing. Pastor Jeff, may God bring peace & rest to your soul, full health to your precious family, and unrivaled blessings in 2009. Merry Christmas!

From the Manger to the Cross...

Today has been a day filled with projects and productivity, and I find myself unable to do more than enjoy the last few minutes of what will hopefully be a win by the Cowboys.

However, I do want to share one of my favorite recent Christmas memories with you, and that is the artistry of my pastor. I am astounded by the talent God has bestowed upon Him not just as a preacher and teacher, but as an artist. Picture a darkened sanctuary with the same music playing as you hear in the video, and a lone light shining on Pastor Jeff as he paints. It's a little different in the sanctuary when you're a step back from the painting, but nonetheless, the video here is more than powerful. It's about 8 minutes long, but well worth it - what power was found in the message he was able to convey here without having to say a word.



Merry Christmas - may the true meaning of the season fill your soul today.

Love,
Sheryl

Christmas Traditions

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time."
~Laura Ingalls Wilder

For those of you who know me well (or knew me as a kid), you know that my all-time favorite TV show was Little House on the Prairie, so this quotation caught my attention for more than one reason! However, more than its author, I value the sentiment. It has me thinking about how I can become more "childlike" this Christmas. I think that over the past few years, I have lost some of that joy of Christmas, and can't help but think that it's because I have not approached it as a child.

Along with a childlike approach to Christmas comes traditions. Perhaps there are never so many traditions associated with Christmas than as a child (or for those of you who have children, as you build those traditions with your kids). I started thinking tonight about some of my favorite memories from Christmases past, and wondering how many of those memories involved traditions that perhaps could be embraced once again.

I think about Christmases in Tucson with my Grandpa & Grandma Mobley, and how even 14 years after their deaths, I can almost feel their contentment and joy in Christ. My Grandpa always read the Christmas story to us on Christmas morning, and I can hear his quiet voice echoing the words - seldom did my Grandpa speak unless in prayer, preaching, or encouragement. When he was still preaching, we'd always go to church at some point and hear him preach. There were lots of games played around the kitchen table in Tucson - no matter who was there, we enjoyed the fellowship.

Then there's Christmas in Friona with my Grandpa and Grandma Stewart. The tone was altogether different as I was growing up, because my Grandpa was an atheist. However, he allowed us that day to say a prayer over our Christmas meal, and we always enjoyed many laughs and often a game of cards around the table. Once, when I was home from college, I remember that my Grandparents had come into Amarillo on Christmas Eve to be with us the next day. Somehow I managed to sweet talk my Grandpa into coming to the Candlelight service. Except for my sister's wedding, that was the first time I had ever seen him set foot inside the church. I was so thrilled. Now I can't help but think upon my precious Grandpa, who died last February, without thanking God for His faithfulness. God allowed my Grandpa, despite his advanced leukemia, to hang on until he finally and wholly believed in God. And then God blessed us even more with a couple more years to be able to watch my Grandpa realize the fullness of life lived with God - even if it was one crippled with illness.

Christmases in my childhood home in Amarillo were also filled with traditions, as well as traditions built as my sister and I have reached adulthood. I'll save those for another day, but at the moment I find myself wrapped up in the childhood memories in my Grandparents' homes, and so grateful to God for those traditions that are so precious to me. I can't help but reflect on them and long to return to the childlike experiences of those times, if not in age, at least in my heart.

I would love to hear from you - what were your favorite Christmas traditions as a child? Are these traditions you have continued as an adult? Have you any new traditions?

From my heart to yours, may you find that childlike joy and awe this Christmas season.
~Sheryl

"There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy." ~ Ralph H. Blum

Just a short post today ... I love this quote and the meaning within it. I have such admiration for those who possess this kind of calmness and quiet joy. I long for that kind of consistent calmness and joy. To get there, I have to practice gratitude daily and no matter the circumstances. But what faith and contentment must be the result.

My prayer for you as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches is that you will feel that calmness and joy amidst the flurry of family and meals - or within the quiet of a solitary holiday. I pray that it will be, for all of us, the foundation of a journey into a life lived in gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Blessings to you and those you love,
Sheryl

Endings

"Beginnings are usually scary and endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts. You have to remember this when you find yourself at the beginning." (Sandra Bullock - not sure what movie)

Today, I am thankful for endings. Strange, I know, but I am. Grudgingly grateful, yet still grateful. I got up this morning in a real mood - and after about ten minutes of putting up with myself, I had to make a decision. I could either continue to feel sorry for myself over this particular situation that did not turn out as I would have wanted (nothing tragic or even life-altering, so do not worry), or I could look for the blessings in it and move on. Obviously human nature would have had me choosing the first because it's far easier to have a pity party, but in the end, reason won out, and now here I sit, looking for the blessings.

Forgive me for not sharing more detail but in reality, the details don't matter here (it's nothing you would guess nor predict, but enough to matter to me if no one else). Endings come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, and in all forms. They can be tied to people, places, careers, or any variety of thing. Some endings are life-altering, and some are just ripples along the path. Some endings come with a loss and others come with sighs of relief. Sometimes endings can even be questionable - can something have an ending if it never had a real beginning?

I think where I am headed here is that without endings, you never get to experience new beginnings (and then new "middles"). If you refuse to embrace the endings in life, you're seated in the discomfort and awkwardness of an ending waiting to happen - and all the while, new life and growth awaits you just around the bend.

Therefore, my focus today will be anticipation of what beginnings lie ahead, whether it be next week, next month, or next year. I'd much rather spend my day in that frame of mind than lamenting what is out of my control. So today, God, I am am grateful to You for the endings.

Friends Along the Way

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Before you ask, yes, that is a real Emerson quote. :-) When I ran across this quote today, it instantly sparked a reaction. I was already feeling a deep sense of thankfulness for friends today, due mostly to hours spent looking several old photo albums. I relived so many precious memories in those pictures and was already missing those friends. I scanned the least embarrassing photos of interest and put them out on Facebook, and the comments began. It was so fun to share in those memories with my friends, and then to wonder together what has become of all those other friends we've lost touch with over time. I am so blessed by my friends.

I was already feeling that, but then when I read the quote, it immediately made me think about not just the fact that I am thankful for my friends, but WHY I am thankful for them. And one of the biggest things would have to be just the freedom to be real - even when being real involves looking a little foolish. Who else but friends and family will accept us for who we truly are, and love us even still?

So to all my friends, may you feel blessed today for the beauty that you bring into my life. For friendships that have drifted away, for those that have lasted, and for those that are new, I am immeasurably grateful.

A fresh start...

I've tried the whole blog thing before - in fact, I still have another one, but I don't feel like I really thought "why" before I started it. Why did I start it, and what was my goal? I don't think I knew the answer to either question and thus, the blog floundered from the start. Add in the death of my grandpa, a particularly tough spring at work, and a phase of discontent, and I just couldn't get past the feeling that I didn't have anything to write about that anyone would care to read.

Months have passed and though I'm still not sure anyone will truly want to read my thoughts, I am a little more focused in my vision and am ready for a fresh start....

The title says it all, really. There are so many blessings upon the path of life, and how often do I stop to truly consider them? I've been very convicted over the past couple of weeks that I need to work on being honestly grateful in my life. I'm not talking about remembering to say "thank you" or anything like that. I try to live a positive life, but sometimes in the stress and activity of every day, it is too easy to overlook the blessings - simple or profound. How often do we stop in the flurry of life to express gratitude?

Therefore, my direction here is to take the time to reflect on the countless blessings that God has brought into my life and perhaps, in doing so, bring similar blessings from your own life to your mind as well.

I'm sure that I'll fall down on the job from time to time ... so here's my blanket apology and request for your forgiveness when I do. Until then, thanks for joining me on the journey...