In the Shadow of His Wings

Psalm 91:1 says, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." It goes on in verse 4 to say, "..He shall cover the with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust...".
   Wow, what a thought! Can you imagine what it would be like, to be covered by the grace of God, to find rest under the "shadow of his wings"? How safe, peaceful, and protected one must feel in that secret place.
   This past week or so I've been sick, a touch of the flu and currently a sinus infection (yuck!). I have felt pretty miserable, and although I was taking herbal stuff and medicine, I wasn't really "doing" anything about it - as in, praying. I hadn't asked God for His healing or help. I remember one of our devotions last year was reading Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest. In one of the daily devos it said that if we do not ask God, He can't do anything about it. For instance, if I'm congested and miserable and even on meds, God is the Great Physician - but if I do not ask for His help, He will not give it. He knows exactly what we need - but we still have to ask for it.
   So last night, as I had my face stuck over a boiling water with essential oil in it, I began to just talk to God. I closed my eyes, breathed in the steamy goodness, and just let my thoughts wonder towards the Creator. I prayed for healing, for relief of this sinus infection. I prayed for my family, my friends, those I know who are struggling, others who are sick. And you know what? In that steamy mist, I found peace.
     I came to that secret place; I was in the shadow of His wings - and my heart found rest. There is no other feeling in the world that can come even close to it! It is indescribable, and I'm sure we each experience it a little differently. Even afterwards as I lay on the couch amidst the quiet, I could still feel that peace: and could not stop smiling.
     Where have you found his utmost peace? When have you experienced being "under His feathers", in the shadow of His wings?
Love to all,
   Simply Jen

My 365 Challenge

This year I decided to set goals - of who I want to become, the person God wants me to be. One of my goals is to try something new or different EVERY DAY! No matter how "insignificant", small, or crazy and huge it might be!!
For starters:
* I brought in the New Year by roller blading all night at the Rainbow Roller Rink :)
* Monday the 2nd - my first day of Childwatch, what an experience!
* Tuesday the 3rd - I straightened my hair and wore it that way ALL DAY.
* Wednesday the 4th - I tried my dear friend's mom Ms. Silesia's "Green Drink" and learned some basic free running moves from my homie Matt!
*Today - I bathed...a CAT! And received a hot pink dress for homeschool prom in May from my darlin' friend Ms. Carolyn, can't wait to wear it!!

I challenge you to do something AMAZING and AWESOME with your new year, no matter how it began or where you are now. God is waiting on you to decide to LIVE, yet the choice is yours. What will you choose?
 Live Out Loud,
    Simply Jen

The Commercialization of Christmas

     Candycanes, presents, a decorated tree,

 Santa Claus, reindeer, a wish for you and me.

 

It seems like we have all forgotten what Christmas is really about. But then again, what IS Christmas about? It's not about having the prettiest tree, or the most expensive gifts. It's not about baking a feast, decorating the house, or inviting the dreaded in-laws over. 

What then? WHY do we celebrate Christmas?

Recently I have discovered that Jesus wasn't born on December 25th--most likely, it was in mid-September. If that is so, then why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th? What is the point?!

Well, even though it's not Jesus Christ's real birthday, I think we still need to celebrate Christmas: with the right point of view and understanding.

See, it started to all make sense when a friend of mine had his birthday, but celebrated it a few weeks later. It's almost the same with Christmas-Jesus may have been born in September, but we just celebrate his coming on December 25th. It's a day we, as  humans, have set aside to worship God, to thank Him for sending Jesus in the form of a man that we may all receive Salvation. A day to rejoice because God fulfilled the prophecies of the Bible, a day to remember that God's Word is forever true. 

Then why all the commercialization? 

Over time, with different traditions and cultures, Christmas was celebrated in many different ways, for many different reasons. Over the years, it has gotten waayyyy out of control--almost to the point that we celebrate it all for the gifts, and forget what our Savior did for us. Now, I'm by no means saying it's bad to give presents, eat goodies, and fellowship with friends and family!! There are several Christmas traditions that can tie back to Christ, making it a Christ-centered Christmas. 

For example, giving gifts. God GAVE us His Son, in the form of a child, because he loved us. In this day and age, we give gifts to those we love and care about, spreading God's love and joy. We read the Christmas story in the Bible, to remind us all of what Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and Wisemen all had to go through and to be reminded of how we have been blessed. We have warm houses, vehicles to drive, good hygiene and clean clothes, none of which our Savior had coming into the world. There are so many others, but I will leave you, my dear reader, the joy of discovering for yourself.

May we all remember the true meaning of Christmas, the real reason for celebration--lest we lose ourselves to the world and its commercialized fantasies. 

May you have a Blessed CHRISTmas, and may your heart be filled with His peace and joy!

With love to all,

 SimplyJen