Dreading Another Birthday? Not When Jesus Counts the Candles!

Today is my birthday! On this day in 1956, my parents, Peck and Helen Warren, ages 43 and 56, welcomed a baby girl into their life. My father’s only living child, it was pretty wonderful for him.  He loved to tell the story: “I was peering at you through the hospital nursery window and a nurse stopped by.” She asked him about his ‘grandbaby’. To which he replied, “She’s pretty grand, but I’m her Papa!” Both my parents insisted that having me at such late ages kept them young! Having raised my own brood of kiddos, I’m not so sure about that, but having older parents gave me real insight into the value of people, regardless of their age.

No one ever says “Hey, can’t wait till I’m 50+!” But arrive at this age I have. It’s hard to believe that I got here so quickly! If us baby boomers think about it, we could be really sad. Most of our years are behind us, by all standards of life expectancy. Health could start deteriorating at any moment. Lots of thoughts cross the minds of middle agers.

I choose to be grateful to God for another day in His marvelous plan of grace! I choose to live as a Kingdom participant knowing that God has a plan for my life! Knowing that my days are numbered gives me real peace, because I can learn to make my days count so that each one can be lived for something beyond myself. I have blessings coming out and going in. I am in Christ, so I am favored and honored to be His servant.

Oh beloved, the Truth is this: You are so precious to God! God has a very special plan for your life and it starts and ends with Him. He knew you before you were even a “glimmer” in your parents’ eyes. He knew you when you needed to come to Him for grace and forgiveness. He knew you when you walked through valleys and climbed harsh mountains. He was with you when you were young and full of energy. He has been with you each day as you faced sickness, dangers, toils and snares.  He will be with you when the end of your life on this earth appears. And for you who have put your trust in His Holy Name, He will welcome you into the rest of your eternal life in heaven! In the meantime, your life is in His hands and your faith walk is not only for you to survive, but to share and be an offering of love and encouragement to all who need a touch from the Master’s Hand.

Run to Him this morning and thank Him for every spiritual blessing that is your birth right. If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then ask Him into your heart this day! Even if you’re getting older, He can take all your days and make them more than wonderful for His Kingdom and glory and for your best. It’s never too late to start living the Real Life! And if you do ask Him to come into your heart, please let me know. I’d love to wish you Happy Birthday!

God loves you and He’s for you and that’s worth living in the light of His Word!

Colossians 3:3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

I Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Psalm 65:11 You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.

It's Time for the Party! Jesus is the Reason!

It’s Christmas Eve. There’s still time you know. It’s not over yet. In just 48 hours it will all be over. Christmas will be a thing of the past. But for now, in the hush of early morning, there’s time.

When our kids were young and had birthday parties we didn’t have a single party without them. They were, after all, the reason for the celebration.  A sweet confection with their name on it, candles aglow, and even gifts were made ready.  But without the presence of the birthday boy or girl it wouldn’t be much of a birthday party.   Without Christ there can’t be a Christmas. He is the reason for the Season! You just can’t have Christmas without Christ! Try as the world would like to snuff out the star, dismantle the stable, rearrange the cross, not find the tomb empty, He is there! He is here! He is the Christ, the Son of the living God! He is the Savior of the world!  He is the reason we have this special day!

Oh beloved, God wants to speak to your heart today. He wants you to know that you are special! That you are worth it! That you are His alone and you are beloved! Maybe your day started out without thinking about Him, but He’s been thinking about you for eternity!  He knows your hurts, He knows your hopes.  He knows your dreams and your hearts’ desires.  He knows today could be looking pretty empty, but with Him….with Him at the center of your celebration all things will turn out right.  

He promises to be the Light for your dark places. He will cover you with the oil of joy for the spirit of heaviness. His loving care is the reason for the Season. His blessings abound for those who celebrate Him now while there’s time.  He promises to turn your mourning into dancing. He walks with you through the valleys of life. He calls you a conqueror! He says your victorious! He says “Behold, I make all things new!” 

He whispers to your heart while it’s still early, I love you! I loved you before you were born, I love you now, I will love you always. And because I love you, together we will not only get through this holiday, we’ll make it Holy! Because I love you I will be with you all the days of your life! Because you are worth it and that’s all that really matters.

Hebrews 12:2  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  NAS

Mark 10:27  Looking at them, Jesus said, “ With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” NAS

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near.

Romans 8:32 Since He did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?

Colossians 2:9-10  For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.  So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Psalm 36:5-7 Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.  Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths.  You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.