snow and warm hearts

This was the backdrop for my hot chocolate date this afternoon with a sweet friend. It was great to catch-up with her. The chocolate and friendship warmed my heart on this winter day. I am thankful for all three.

hope in suffering

The world is full of suffering...and the world's suffering has become even more clear to me during the last few weeks. I have been watching others deal with the pressures of suffering, as well as sorting through the emotions and pains of my own.

It was timely to receive the message "Subjected in Hope" about suffering this weekend from a guest pastor, John Piper. He used the text in Romans 8:18-25 to highlight several aspects of suffering, not just that of persecution as was on the minds of the writer but all persecution. The text demonstrates the spatial element (all creation suffers), time element (past, present, and future is mentioned), and the judicial act of God in suffering. Piper also pointed out the promises that are revealed about suffering in this text.

1. we will see all satisfying glory v. 18
2. we will be glory v. 19
3. the ultimate design of suffering is hope v.20
4. all will be free v. 21
5. suffering is not throws of death but pains of birth v.22
6. our bodies will be redeemed v.23

While these are my paraphrase of his teaching. I did much better at taking notes in nearly an outline for this sermon than in a long time. This is not by accident, as I need to refer back to these aspects and promises concerning suffering. It is easy to get paralyzed but what seems to be overwhelming in difficult times. I want to be changed by what God has revealed in my heart and through his word in these days, for these times to bring glory to Him. I must cling to the Hope.

While Piper came to deliver this message due to Matt Chandler's health condition and the suffering that has subsequently happened in our church family...I really do hold on to John Piper's point that while the Word speaks to us about this trial...it also has a personal message. I know I needed it for me and my growth in Christ at this time.

Matt begins chemo and radiation tomorrow that will last for six weeks. He is still heavy on my heart and in my prayers. Please lift the Chandlers up when you pray.

Lone Star Christmas

This year's Christmas was everything Texas for me. Last Monday, I picked Mitchell up to spend a few days with me. The main purpose was to spend time with him. He was truly so happy to be with me and here in "Dallas". I think we could have just sat on the couch all day and he would have been tickled pink. He didn't even complain one time about having to go with me to the hair salon (even when his playstation died 1/3 through the event), which would have been trying for any 10 year old boy. However, he also talked continually about how excited he was to see the ICE exhibit...the second purpose of his visit. Of course, we got there early to see the trains and other holiday decorations, as we had done in the past.
Then it was the beginning of LINES. I have been to ICE two other years and have never stood in a line....but I've also never been the week of Christmas! Oh my! We stood in a line, which led to another line, to yet another line, and finally the line for entering the tent. Then, nearly the entire exhibit was also a line because there were so many people. Wow! I became good friends with the family in line behind us. We acted as a large group that had come together taking each other's pictures and chatting through the entire thing. We even waited for each other when we got separated. Ah, the phenomenon of the crowd. Keep in mind the temperature is 70 degrees at this point in the story! I'm sure this explains why I left home without a coat!

Fast forward 48 hours...Christmas Eve, Texas Style...a little snow on Christmas makes everyone excited!! Since I had just received a new toy for my camera, I decided it was the perfect time for a family portrait...in the winter weather! My family was a bit hesitant at first even though it doesn't look like it here. I thought I was going to have to drag them out...but they came and we had many laughs! You would have thought it was a blizzard! I think this is my favorite family photo of all time! It really sums up the fun and peace that we had on this special day. My next favorite family photo comes here...
This was taken on Christmas Day immediately after opening our "tickets" to the Dallas Cowboys vs. the Philadelphia Eagles game on Sunday, January 3rd. This is a big deal to us...and very Texas! Grandaddy is so excited he can hardly stand it! I'm not sure I've seen him this excited in years! Becky was completely surprised and didn't even see it coming. Julie...she caught the spirit more than anyone. My mom even joined in too! I can hardly wait until our weekend together in a few days. I have been praying for it for a month...so I trust it will be a success!
Christmas #3 was on Saturday with my dad and PJ. We had a good afternoon of visiting with each other and exchanging gifts.