It’s that time of year again…time to pour over favorite recipe books in preparation for family feasts, dust off the address book to send out colorful cards, break out the festive decorations, and fire up…the debate concerning which retailers use the word CHRISTMAS in their advertising.     

As predictable as excessive lights on the Griswald’s lawn, every year those among the politically correct step up to sing their own “holiday” tune.  They try to tell Christians that we should forgo the Christmas theme and embrace a more “inclusive spirit” by celebrating “Winter Holidays”.  Even worse, they attempt to shame us if we don’t.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m all for inclusion…especially the inclusion of the 24,000,000+ Americans who still openly celebrate Christmas. 

Recently I was reading an article which included a list of stores considered not Christmas-friendly and those that are.  Comments following the article indicated most readers were appreciative of the efforts of this particular organization to let consumers know whether stores were “Naughty or Nice.”

But as I read on, I came across a notably dissenting quote from an anonymous individual…

“This sounds like a hate group!!  … How can you ask a company to single out other religions?  WE are a free country.  Businesses need to cater to everyone.  You cannot single out people.  You have people shopping for Hannakah [sic] around the same time of year.  Should we not like the Jews? You have Jehovah’s Witness, Kwanza, ETC…You cannot shove Christianity down people’s throats!”

Dear Anonymous, it is spelled Hanukkah {or Hanukah is also considered correct}.  Furthermore, Jehovah’s Witnesses DO NOT shop for Christmas gifts because Jehovah’s Witness DO NOT celebrate Christmas. 

In light of the above corrections it is clear this comment was not written by the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree but the familiarity of the sentiments bear addressing, nonetheless.

Have you ever noticed that when someone cannot intelligently speak to the merits of an issue, they resort to name calling.  “Hate group?”  Christmas is a holiday of Peace on Earth, celebrating the birth of Christ.  It has been so for thousands of years.  All Christians are asking for is continued recognition of Christ’s name during this season.  Indeed, for Christians to be accused of hate for standing up for the Prince of Peace is worse than inane.  

As for singling out religions, the one being singled out this time of year is Christianity. Christmas is being shoved out the door in retail print ads, radio spots and television commercials.  Merchants forbid employees to say Merry Christmas.  Store chains decline to promote the term Christmas decorations, though they happily sell them while making a hefty profit.  Any logical shopper could deduce that retailers want our money as they vigorously advertise their “holiday specials” but they expect Christians not to be offended at the elimination of the Reason for the Season.

Free country?  Absolutely.  At least for now we are still allowed to celebrate our faith in the manner in which we see fit.  We don’t ask Jews not to celebrate Hanukkah.  Nor do we advocate for the elimination of other religious holy days.  So why should we tolerate the marginalization of ours?  To celebrate Christmas is not to shove Christianity down anyone’s throat.  Rather it is an expression of a Christian’s faith, a tradition held for centuries that only in the past few decades, has come under fire. 

Christians are not demanding everyone in America celebrate Christmas.  But neither will we keep silent when those in the minority attempt to highjack our holiday.  In a truly free society, ALL people of faith maintain their liberty and the beliefs of ALL are valued whether or not they are embraced by others.  In a tolerant society no reasonable person would seek to purge a holiday embraced by 78% of a nation’s population.

On a final note, I would hasten to add that to believers in Christ, this holiday is not about massive spending or accumulating hoards of materialism.  We simply recognize the sanctity of this holiday and we are mindful…hopefully long beyond the Christmas season… of merchants who dismiss people of faith by refusing to honor our values.

Here’s the link to the Naughty or Nice list… http://action.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=2147486887

My personal testimony “BREAKING IN, BREAKING THROUGH” is featured in September/October edition of Breathe Again Magazine {page 31}  

Access  article: http://breatheagain.org/pdfs/BAMSep-Oct09.pdf

I am so grateful for friends who read and commented on my article/post from March 12 entitled “Breaking In, Breaking Through”.   Some of you responded on this site, many more in private email.  Thank you for each of your comments and words of encouragement.

Back in late March I shared this testimony while speaking at an event for single Christian women.   The response was deeply touching.  I will be speaking on this subject again in the next few months and would appreciate your prayers.

Today I learned that this story will be published in the September issue of Breathe Again Magazine.  Their mission is to encourage women all across our nation with stirring stories about overcoming adversity and living triumphantly…motivating women not only to endure but to overcome life’s most challenging moments.  I hope you will take the opportunity to explore this publication.

Thank you again for all your support.

Recently at my local church in Colorado Springs, our pastor shared a message on money.  It was unusual in two respects. 

First, rarely does our pastor preach about money.  This particular message was in reference to how we can worship God not only in songs on Sunday mornings but with our lives, using our finances to glorify Him. 

Second, the service was out of the ordinary in that at the conclusion of the message offering plates were passed and worshipers were all encouraged to take money OUT of the plate.  We were challenged to think about how we could take a single dollar and turn it into something that would serve the Body of Christ and glorify God in the process.

But how does one go about worshipping God with “just a buck”?

My son Zechariah is 14 years old and while I don’t think of him as adopted, the reality is that I am not his ‘birth mother’.  He came to me at 5 weeks old, the product of the Utah Foster Care System.  Even though his bio mom was facing tremendous obstacles, she chose to give life to this little boy who eventually found his way into my home and more importantly, into my heart.

Zechariah found a way to turn his dollar bill into a project, a challenge to others to support mothers in difficult situations who want to choose life for their unborn babies.  You can read more about his exciting challenge at www.firstgiving.com/zechallor

Today that challenge culminated in the annual Life Network Walk for Life.  We are so very grateful for all our friends and family who supported Zechariah in this effort.  He raised  $450.00…so far. 

It’s not too late to contribute on-line at his sight…

The Bibles translated into Dari & Pashto languages had been mailed by an Evangelical Christian church to an American soldier serving in Afghanistan.  The military, concerned that the soldier in question might try to convert others to Christianity, ordered chaplains to confiscate the Bibles and destroy them.  None had been distributed.

In a Pentagon briefing yesterday, Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff articulated that it is the policy of the U.S. Military that no one on active duty will “push any specific religion”. 

Unless the “specific religion” is secular humanism?  Right Admiral?

Recently I was blessed to be speaking to a group of women at Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs about the names of Jesus.  What a GREAT time of sharing!  The women are wonderful and eagerly received the Word of God as I shared.  The main topic was Living Water but since they had been studying many different names of Jesus over the course of the past year, I wanted to show them how all the names fit together.

God gave me an idea for a simple demonstration using a cup full of rocks to help the audience visualize what happens when we fill our cup…symbolizing our heart vessel… with things other than water which represents the Living Water, Christ Jesus.  On each of the rocks I had written a single word of a problem or sin and next to it I wrote the Name of Jesus which applied to that particular issue. 

Many ladies have asked for a copy of this part of the message I shared so here you go:

“Stones take all kinds of shapes and sizes and some of them are even beautiful…like serving at church, teaching Bible study, volunteering for ministry purposes…but none are to take the place of Living Water.  Just as a glass was designed for water, You and I were designed by our Creator to receive Living Water.  Yet we fill our vessels with things that we were never designed for.

“So what happens when we come to Jesus, the Living Water with all our stones?  Jesus longs to fill us with Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit but look at the junk that’s in the way!  The stones are occupying space that belongs to Living Water. 

“What are the stones in your life occupying the place in your heart that was intended for Living Water alone?  How much are you missing out on because there’s just no room for Him?” 

“As I pull out stones, let them be a reminder of who Christ has taught us this year He is…”

A stone of confusion…Jesus told us that He is our Guidepost.  We don’t have to be confused, because He will guide us into all truth.   {Isaiah 58:11; Psalm 119:4-9; Jeremiah 31:21}

A stone called fear…We can get rid of that one in the name of Jesus because He is our PRINCE OF PEACE.  We have nothing to fear.  We walk in peace.  {Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; 26:3; Isaiah 32:17-18; Luke 1:67, 76-79; John 14:27, 16:33}

What about the stone called worry?  Jesus is our Provider, according to His riches in glory.  He knows what we need.  He provides.  {Phil 4:19; Genesis 22: 1-8; Matthew 14:19-20}

A favorite among Christian women, the stone of preoccupation with busyness.  We can loose that one in Jesus name…Jesus is our Good Shepherd who guards our going out and coming in, in Whom we can find rest.  {Psalm 23; Isaiah 40:11; John 10:2-3, 10:7-10}

This hideous stone of sinful appetites?  Jesus is our Bread of Life.  He satisfies our hunger and as we feast more & more on Him, we are filled, no room for other appetites.  {John 6:48-51, 53-58; John 6:35; Psalm 103}

The stone of unforgiveness?  He is our Bright, Morning Star that chases away the shadows of woundedness, the Light of the World that allows us to release the darkness of those who have hurt us. {Rev 22:16; Numbers 24:17; II Peter 1:16-19; Psalm 139: 11-12; Isaiah 29:18-19; Luke 1:78-79}

The stone of distrust of others?  Jesus is our Friend, we can trust Him.  {John 15:13; Proverbs 17:17; John 21:4-7; Proverbs 18:24}

The stone of loneliness?  Jesus is our ever present Husband.  {Isaiah 54:5-7; Rev. 19:6-9; Hosea 2:19-20}

The stone of striving?  Jesus is our Victor!  {I Cor. 15:57, I John 4:4; Luke 10:18-20; Matthew 28:18; II Cor. 10: 4-5}

Unhealthy habits?  Jesus is our Deliver.  {Luke 1:68-69; Job 5:19; I Co. 10:13; II Titus 4:18; II Peter 2; 9; Acts 5:18-19, 12:7}

The stone of anger?  Jesus is our Comforter/Helper.  {II Cor. 1:3,6; Psalm 77:2; Psalm 54:4}

Abandonment?  He is Emmanuel, God with us!  {Matthew 1:22-23; Matthew 28:20; Psalm 139:7-10}

The stone of selfishness?  Jesus is our Alpha & Omega…when we realize that it’s ALL about him, from beginning to end, there’s no place for selfishness.  {Isaiah 44:6, 48:12; Rev 1:7-8, 22:13}

Critical spirit, nagging, complaining?  Jesus is our Encourager, our JOY!  {Romans 14:17; John 15:9-16; Psalm 16:11, 43:4; Isaiah 61:7; Galatians 5:22}

And the stones of shame & guilt? Jesus is our High Priest, {Hebrews 4:14-16, 9:11-14; I Peter 2:9-10; Romans 8:31-34} and the Lamb of God who forgives our sin.  {John 1:29; Isaiah 53:7; I Peter 1:18-21; Rev 5:6, 9-10}

Slowly the stones were removed from the cup until eventually the cup was empty and ready to be filled to overflowing with Water.

“In the name of Jesus we can loose the heavy stones that weigh us down and occupy our vessels. When Jesus our Living Water comes to fill us as His vessels, we have a constant well springing up in us to give us a heart of worship in spirit and truth.  And in the name of Jesus we have heart vessels that overflow with Living Water, spilling over into the lives of those who count on us…husbands, children, family, friends, co-workers, even strangers at the grocery store…who need us to share this hope in us, the fountain of Living Water. 

There is no name that is stronger, no other name that can free us, no other name but the name of Jesus.  AMEN.

What if you knew that this world’s clock had only 5 more years ticking on it before the alarm sounds?  Would you still be so wrapped up about your failing retirement fund?   Would the demands of the office give way to purposeful energy invested in spouse and children?  Would you exchange the pettiness and resentment you feel toward someone for forgiveness?  Would you be inclined to develop your own “Bucket List” of activities and adventures to conquer?   Would you make a passionate effort to get your everyday life off the “Groundhog Day” track and do something radically different?  Would you be more purposeful in counting your blessings?  Would you reevaluate your relationship to your Creator and try to “make peace with God?” 

Ten years ago, in anticipation of the year 2000, the cover of Time magazine carried a photo of a barefoot man with long hair wearing a flowing white gown and a sandwich board sign bearing the message  “The END Of The WORLD!?!”.  As the world prepared for certain annihilation at the stroke of midnight Y2K, people all over the globe took inventory of their lives and made adjustments to their priorities. 

In our melancholy and/or panic we considered that life is short.  We searched for purpose and meaning.  One of the most popular books of the decade…The Purpose Driven Life…flew off store shelves as we sought to make sense of our existence.

Now, here we are again ten years later and none the wiser.  Rats returned to the maze, wondering who moved our cheese…

The Bible makes it very clear that life is a vapor.  Man is but a blink of an eye in an infinite cosmos.  If you could truly begin to comprehend this fact, what, if anything, would you change?

For me, I have been taking a hard look at what it means to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength…” Mark 12: 29.  Mine is an on-going quest to relinquish those things in my life that so easily become idols, to instead focus on Christ as my everything.  To LOVE Him with ALL that is in me. 

Such a quest cannot be confused with religiosity and a lengthy list of “thou shalt nots”.  Instead it requires a daily surrender of all that is in me in exchange for ALL that He is.  Being the selfish creature that I am, surrender does not come easy.  Still, I am learning that it is the only road worth traveling.  Whether the world comes to an end tomorrow or not at all in my lifetime, I long to be a spiritual being consumed with livin 4 Jesus.

Some folks shot me strange looks as I was coming out of Home Depot a few days ago. 

I was carrying a 5’ wooden cross.  I also got some nods of partial understanding…it was, after all, Good Friday.  Members of my family in Christ didn’t need to know the reason for the cross I was carrying.  They simply did the math and reckoned it had something to do with Easter celebration.  I lugged the cross through the parking lot feeling the splinters of the oak beam dig into my shoulder.  For a moment I paused to consider the weight of the Cross Christ bore on the Via Dolorosa. 

It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I love special occasions.  My domestic flair peaks with the approach of a holiday.  Determined not to permit decorating and cooking for 20+ people to overshadow the meaning of our Lord’s death and resurrection, I had gone to Home Depot with a mission in mind.  The cross would be placed out side my front door with 9” spikes partially nailed at opposite ends of the crossbeam.  A sign posted above the cross draped with a crimson sash read “It wasn’t the nails that held Him there.  It was His love for You.” Guests would be invited to hit one of the spikes with a hammer as a visual and auditory reminder, “Christ took the nails for me”.   

Predictably the guests began to arrive and each person was surprised to be greeted with a hug and a hammer.  Still all understood the powerful imagery and were sobered at the invitation to hit the spike.  The sound of the hammer driving the nail was powerful and sent chills down my spine each time I heard it.  It was the sound of Love’s sacrifice.

What must it have been like that day at Calvary?  Christ did not simply hear the spikes, He felt them.  Every blow.  In His wrists.  Through His ankles.  These were not little nails but large spikes ruthlessly driven deep into His flesh.  Did He grimace?  Did He cry aloud?  Did He weep?  Whatever His response to this torture, we know 2000 years later the nails were not what held Jesus to the Cross.  As a mob at His feet mocked Him to save Himself, Jesus could have called legions of angels to His rescue.  But love made a choice that day, a choice to hang there.  Love chose to endure the agony.  Love chose to die for the sin of mankind.  Love chose to pay a price man could never afford, to give a gift man would never deserve. 

He endured the suffering that should have been ours. Isaiah 53:4

Praise be to God that Calvary was not the end.  As I celebrated Easter Sunday with friends and family today, we gave thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross and we rejoiced in His Resurrection.  Because He lives we have hope for this journey.  Beyond that, Christ’s victory over the final enemy…death…offers us the promise of eternal life with Him in heaven.

“God raised Him up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” Acts 2:24

Recently I attended a conference at the beautiful Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs where Anne Graham Lotz was the featured speaker.  The daughter of Billy Graham, Anne is a very gifted Bible teacher and an engaging speaker.  Women came from all over the world to hear her share as part of the Pursuing More of Jesus Conference.  Undoubtedly, we all went home with some very interesting things to think about. 

Much of what Mrs. Lotz shared resonated with me.  But one thing she said while she was here is still puzzling me.  So I decided to share it with you and get your input.

Anne Graham Lotz believes that when her father dies, his passing will usher in the final days on this earth.  She based her statement on the Bible’s criteria that the Gospel will be preached to all the world before the end comes.  Anne clearly articulated her thoughts that when Billy Graham passes because he is known world-wide as the most famous Christian Evangelist of our age, the ensuing headlines and news stories will cover the globe.  The Gospel will, in fact be preached as part of the story of Mr. Graham’s life & testimony.  The Bible prophecy will be satisfied and the end will come.

It’s an interesting theory and one that if true, would mean that the end is near…Billy Graham is currently 90 years old.

So what do YOU think?

Author’s Note:  This is a lengthy, uncommon post topic for me.  But it is a true story.  I have been asked to write my story for possible publication in a woman’s magazine.  This is my “rough draft” and I would treasure feedback from anyone who has a comment.  Thank You, dear friends. ~di

Living alone had never been an issue for me.  I was never one of those single women fearful to walk through a dark house by myself.  Was it because I was young and foolish, thinking as many 20-somethings that I was invincible?  Was it the false sense of security those few months of karate lessons had given me?  Or maybe it was the cool piece of steel in the form of a .38 snub nose kept loaded under a pillow next to me every night.  Perhaps, it was a combination of all these. More likely at the heart of it was a naiveté  assuring me, “I am a child of God.  No harm can befall me.”

I had no idea someone had been watching me for several weeks.  Oblivious to my stalker audience, I went about my business immune to the threat that awaited me.  The August night I heard noises outside my open window, I was startled but not genuinely frightened.  Anyone who could read the “Neighborhood Watch” sign in my front yard had to know not to mess with me, right?  Pistol in hand, I moved from room to room.  I must have looked ridiculous peering out a few windows, checking the landscape for evidence of intruders.  Unbeknownst to me, the spy was crawling in my kitchen window.  I returned my pistol to its rightful position under the pillow and disappeared into the bathroom to remove my contacts before heading back to bed.  As I emerged from the bathroom, I came face to face with a man I had never seen before and the consequences of his life of pent up rage.

On the night before my 3^rd spiritual birthday, I became a rape statistic.  I’ve since learned that one in four women will become the victim of sexual assault in her lifetime.  I’ve also learned a few other things…things such as what it’s like to experience the agony of living in a fallen world, what the Bible says about tribulation in this world… “in this world you WILL have tribulation, but I have overcome the world” {John 6:33}and I learned how God expects us to respond to those who wound us deeply.

Even as a fairly new Christian, I recognized the importance of memorizing Scripture.  Some friends and I had challenged one another to memorize all of Romans Chapter 8.  That summer night after my miraculous escape from my offender I asked everyone I encountered, “Do you know my Jesus?  Do you know that He says ‘all things work together for good to those who love Him’?”  I’m sure I was in shock but I still recall the strange looks I received from ambulance driver to police officer to emergency room physician to the pastor on call at my mega church as I recited Romans 8:28 over & over to anyone who would listen.  I had no idea the impact those words would render in my own life as a result of that traumatic encounter.  I only knew that I was alive after having my own gun wrestled away from me and held to my head.  Unquestionably, God had a purpose in sparing my life.  Surely, he would work this nightmare for my good.

In the weeks following that horrible incident, I lost sight of the promise of Romans 8:28.  Days upon days, months of Godly counseling passed before the prayers of loving family and friends prevailed and I received the peace of that promise. Ultimately, I realized that Abba Daddy God was faithful.   I regained the courage, albeit slowly, to face the world again.  Painfully, I submitted the reality of my experience into His loving hands as I acknowledged that my suffering, though not God’s choice for my life was part of God’s plan.  In the process, He began to work it for my good, just as He had promised.  As surely as the criminal had broken into my home, God was breaking through the bitterness of my stubborn heart.

It didn’t happen overnight but eventually I was able to forgive my attacker.  I realized that unforgiveness against another is like ingesting poison and expecting the other person to die.  I knew I had to surrender my assailant to the God who said, “vengeance is mine” though truthfully, I wasn’t gentle in asking God to deal with him on my behalf.  It took much struggling for me to recognize before my salvation through Christ I was as much a condemned sinner as this man was.  Only then, in light of Christ’s mercy for me could I ask the Holy Spirit to convict this criminal of his sin and rescue his soul.

Several years passed.  One summer afternoon I found myself standing in a State Penitentiary Chapel before a crowd of felons, a rough group of sex offenders, child abusers, robbers and murderers.  I was there to share the truth of the Word of God, that ALL had sinned and come short of the glory of God and ALL of us were in need of redemption.  Sharing John 3:16, I spoke of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross to redeem us and of the forgiveness belonging to “whosoever believes in Him”.

My testimony concluded in a blur, but I recall leading the crowd in a prayer of repentance.  Then, one by one, men in prison jumpsuits filed past me and were allowed to speak briefly to me.  Not all the comments were kind and I was grateful for guards posted on each side of me.  But that day I saw in the eyes of a few a repentant desire to know this Jesus who could forgive the unspeakable sins which led them to this place.

It was the grace of God holding me there as each prisoner passed by.  And it was the Spirit of God who whispered to my soul that summer afternoon… “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

“Samuel took a large stone and set it up as a monument between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah and called the name of it Ebenezer—‘the stone of help’—for he said, ‘Up to this point the Lord has helped us!’ ” —1 Samuel 7:12 NEB

The Israelites, through the prayers of Samuel and by the power of Almighty God, had just experienced a great victory against the Philistines.  Samuel took a stone and raised it as a reminder to all who saw it that God is mighty to save and greatly to be praised.  What’s interesting to me is the precursor to the victory in battle was that the children of Israel had repented of their worship of other gods and had returned to worship alone the One True God with their whole heart and mind.  {I Samuel 7:2-4}

God desires our worship.  But He’s not interested in double mindedness.  He wants ALL our worship with all that is within us.  Even now He calls you & I to turn from our idols and to worship Him alone.  The same God who delivered the Hebrew children from emerging blood thirsty Philistines is able to rescue us…IF only we will turn from idols and commit our whole heart and mind to worshipping Him.

When is the last time you examined the other gods in your path that keep you from giving Him your all?  What idols stand between you and a heart of pure worship?  Is it material possessions?  Your vocation?  That next promotion?  Your 401K or other dwindling assets?  A relationship?  Or the longing for a relationship?  Your children?  Obsession over your image or your physical appearance?  Anything that we esteem more than our relationship with Christ quickly becomes an idol. 

In my time alone with Him today on the beach I asked the Lord again to show me the idols in my life that have taken His rightful place on the Throne of my heart.  In repenting & surrendering of my lesser gods, I was free to worship the Lord with a pure and holy passion.  In gratitude I raised my Ebenezer.   

I wasn’t trying to “outdo” Samuel with numerous “Ebenezers”.  I simply had much to be grateful for and hence, got a bit carried away.  But my ensuing art gallery on the beach afforded me several opportunities to tell others of the goodness of the Lord.  I was able to testify to numerous people today…“GOD ROCKS” !