Merry Christmas!

God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
I Timothy 3:16

Christmas is not a Ceremony!

What if I told you that Christmas was not a ceremony? It seems like every year there are two types of people. Those who go all out on Christmas, buying exactly everything everyone wants, using every decoration they own, and performing every tradition. Then there are those who don't celebrate at all. But what if we met in the middle. Christmas should be celebrated, but it's not all about the traditions, decorations and presents. These are the very things that can make Christmas stressful. These things are the very example of the people who were living during the first Christmas. The Jews were trying to follow every rule to the letter. If they messed up, over and over, they just stopped trying. Their problem wasn't God's laws, but the extra rules that people had tagged on to them. Some of God's laws were very simple. He said do no work on the Sabbath, but instead to rest. But that wasn't good enough for the Jews of Roman Israel. Instead of enjoying a day off it became a day of tedious non-work. They decided to make very specific rules about what you were allowed and not allowed to do on the Sabbath. Thus the Jews became servants of the Sabbath rather than enjoying the day. What they had to be reminded of was that they were not made for the Sabbath, the Sabbath was made for them.
That's something we need to be reminded about when Christmas comes around. Christmas wasn't invented for the traditions, decorations, or presents. These are just the things that make Christmas a little more fun. Christmas is simply a day set aside to allow us to worship God for coming to live with us, to thank Him for not forsaking us in our sins.
The traditions can be fun, but they can become an obligation. Think about why you have those traditions. Remembering their purpose may help you enjoy them better, or you may realize they weren't as important as you thought, and you can let them go. If they become stressful to keep or perform, then perhaps it's time to give that tradition a rest. You can pick them up next year, or start a new tradition, or decide not to do any ceremonies. You weren't made for the traditions.
Decorations are beautiful, and tell everyone who sees them that you are ready to celebrate. They may hold memories, or perhaps their own traditions. But if you lose them, it's okay, because you could have had the most decked out house in the world, but it wouldn't matter if your heart wasn't in the right place. If you truly celebrate Christmas for the right reason, you will be joyful in spite of your loss. You may not be able to afford them. Make your own. Making your own decorations gives you a sense of pride. Then they hold their own special memories that store bought decor may not share. But Christmas was not made for Decorations.
While everyone loves presents, time and money are not always in your favor. Perhaps you can't afford that necklace, watch, or newest toy. These are only things that can wear out and break, or become forgotten. Perhaps you didn't have time to make presents because you were working so much to earn money. Even after all your long hours you still have no money to buy presents. Things are perishable, but the gift of new life through Jesus is eternal, and that's what Christmas is about.
Christmas is not about ceremony. Christmas is about celebrating the fact that God is with us. Even if you are at the bottom of everything and have no one to spend Christmas with, take comfort in knowing that God is with you. Celebrate with Him. Sing to Him. Praise Him. Thank Him for his gift of love, because that is all that matters, every day of the year.
You weren't made for Christmas. You were made to be loved by God.

With love, Elizabeth.
Merry Christmas! I pray that you feel the love of Jesus this Christmas. He has His arms around you, hug Him back.

Sunday Bible Verse

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.
Isaiah 2:2

Sunday Bible Verse

As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
Ecclesiastes 11:5

Sunday Bible Verse

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, ..."
I John 4:18a

Sunday Bible Verse

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All things were created through Him and for Him.
And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. Colossians 1:15-18

Sunday Bible Verse (with side note)

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

1 Timothy 2:1‭-‬6 (NLT)

Side note: We must pray for all people, that God help them, that they are saved by Jesus, and give thanks for them. That is from the poorest infant to the richest king. All people can only be saved through Jesus Christ, who wants everyone, even the worst person alive, to be saved. For by Jesus, for Jesus, and through Jesus all things were made. And without Jesus nothing would exist.

Sunday Bible Verse

Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.
1 Timothy 1:18‭-‬19

Sunday Bible Verse

As  for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
Psalms 18:30

Sunday Bible Verse

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Psalms 69:30

Sunday Bible Verse

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
Psalms 139:13‭-‬14

Sunday Bible Verse

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Romans 8:26

Sunday Bible Verse

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
Jeremiah 31:3

Sunday Bible Verse

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

Sunday Bible Verse

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.

I Timothy 3:16

Trusting God's Plan

Let me talk to you about God's grand plan. Quick disclaimer! I am not here to tell you your future or mine. And I am not pretending, nor do I believe that I know God's mind or thoughts. But I know what the Bible says, and what God has shown me through my own life experiences. That being said I want to start my story a little over 3 years ago.

I felt this calling, of sorts, in my unplanned quiet time with God. I had been trying to figure out how to be silent before God while also trying to figure out what to do with my life. I had been out of high school almost a year and I still didn’t know what to do. So there I was, not prepared for a revelation, but I just kind of had a random daydream of sorts. It didn't feel like a normal, personally made up dream either. I felt like God was telling me something about what He wanted from me in my life. Thoughts, random thoughts, some I had never had before, popped into my head.

One of these thoughts was about going into children’s ministry. I prayed about it and talked to my parents about it. I really felt like that would be my life long career that I had been searching for. My family wanted me to go to college and get a career. But I didn’t want to waste my time in school changing majors till I found what I liked. So, I just floated about, trying to figure out a career before pursuing it. When I had this random idea I thought I could get a degree in children's ministry. My parents thought it was a good idea to talk to my university pastor at church. So I did.

He told me that I needed to be praying about it. I told him I had. He said that there really wasn’t a degree for something like that, “especially since you really won’t be teaching kids Hebrew” and such. Then he said to research what it takes to go into such a ministry and get experience in the field, to get a feel for it, to see if it was something I really wanted to do. He told me to volunteer for different children's events at church like Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

After taking his advice I realized I didn’t need a degree for children's ministry, and that it wouldn't work as a life sustaining career. However, I did discover that I loved it! Even though it was back to the drawing board on finding my career, I discovered that I liked doing this. I loved the children and helping them know just a little bit more about Jesus.

At the time, though, I didn’t understand what the deal was. Did I misunderstand God? Was it just my own thoughts? Why am I working with kids a few times a year, as a worker, right now? This wasn’t exactly what I thought God had told me to do. I thought for sure it was something like learning how to oversee a children’s ministry, and in the next five years, or so, be in charge of a ministry. And what about the other things God showed me that day?

It’s been a little over 3 years, now. Since that time I have volunteered at 4 VBS events, 1 Parents' Day Out, and worked a semester in a Mothers of Preschoolers group. After last week's VBS I realized I am following God's calling for my life right now. It wasn't a call to go to college to go into children’s ministry. It was a call to minister to children now! And I realized that it is a good feeling to follow God’s plans. Just as I have been learning with college and God’s timing. Unfortunately, these are not things I learned quickly or easily. This is just me learning this now after years of struggle. But, I want to encourage you to keep strong in your faith in God. Don’t give up on Him because He will never give up on you!

I still have many questions, and that initself will never end. But I trust God. That’s enough.

If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus I encourage you to talk with someone who does. It will be the best decision you could ever make.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9

Elizabeth :)
Jesus Loves you! <3

Sunday Bible Verse

So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
Luke 10:27

Sunday Bible Verse

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23‭-‬24

Sunday Bible Verse

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
I Peter 5:6‭-‬7

Happy Declaration of Independence Day!

It’s July 3rd! Tomorrow is July 4th! Independence Day in America. But is July 4^th really the day the United States of America became free from British rule? That’s what I’m going to talk about today. ;)

Let me take you to before the Battles of Lexington and Concord. You know about how tempers flared between the colonists and the English. Did you know that many attempts were made by the colonies to reconcile with the mother land? Parliament, and ultimately the king, would not heed the complaints and concerns if the colonists. Even after the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” in April of 1775, the Second Continental Congress attempted once more to make peace with the king.

Over a year later, after reconciliation failed, the colonies decided it was time to separate from England and become their own nation. This is when the Declaration of Independence was drafted, Thomas Jefferson being the greatest contributor. There are a great many stories surrounding this document, but those are for another time. On July 2^nd the Second Continental Congress unanimously (save for one abstention) voted in favor of the document. John Adams thought it was time to celebrate. But congress was not happy with everything in the document. For the next two days congress edited the document. Cutting and adding and re-wording. Then, on July 4^th the Declaration of independence was officially adopted. The signatures were not made on the document until it was re-written on fresh parchment in a clear hand. A majority of the 56 signatures were written as late as August of the same year.

July 4^th is known as Independence Day because the colonies officially declared they wanted to, and were going to, separate from England. However, the war continued. King George III wouldn’t consent so easily. It wasn’t until September 28, 1781 that George Washington won the siege of Yorktown with the British army surrendering. But even then, the war continued in less major battles fought throughout the colonies, mainly in the frontier of the time. The Treaty of Paris, which was a document declaring the war over, and the U.S.A a sovereign country was drafted in November of 1782, signed September 3, 1783, and went in effect May 12, 1784. Right there are two other dates you could consider our Independence Day.

But I guess it’s just easier to stick with July 4^th. After all, the day has been celebrated since 1777! The Declaration of Independence gave the Continental Army a boost in morale, letting them know just what they were fighting for. If you have never read the full document for yourself, you should! It has been published over and over again on the internet for you to read. When you do read it, you get a better understanding about the original heart of the American people. The war was about more than just taxes!

Have a fantastic Declaration of Independence Day!

Elizabeth :)

Jesus Loves you! <3

Sunday Bible Verse

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Ephesians 4:29

Sunday Bible Verse

The Lord  is  my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.
Psalms 28:7

Sunday Bible Verse

Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.
Proverbs 17:6

Sunday Bible Verse

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
Psalms 121:1-2

Sunday Bible Verse

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you... Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
I Timothy 4:12‭-‬15

Sunday Bible Verse

A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Happy Summer!

Happy Summer, everyone!
How have the last five months treated you? I'll tell you my story in a bit, but first I wanted you to know that this Summer I would like to catch up on all the different things God has been doing in my life this last semester (you can tell I'm back in school, LOL!). I haven't had the time to write a full post on here in a while, and I'll tell you why.
I think you will remember my post "God's Enduring Presence" from last October. If not, here's the link to that post: https://ecpen.blogspot.com/2017/10/gods-enduring-presence.html
Anyway, I started school in January. I really didn't know what to expect. The temperature on the first day of school was between 23-ish to 32 degrees. COLD! I was homeschooled, and didn't have a desire to got to college. But there I was, bundled head to toe in three layers, with a lunch bag and purse. I was so nervous, and a little excited. But then I found out there are these things called "Syllabi." Yikes! All four classes had to go over them, and I was there from 8am-5:30pm, with an hour break at noon. Thankfully a teacher was bored and decided to show us the first steps in coding a website.
I believed I had gone through the worst of it, and I was ready for real school. And. I. Loved. It! I am a Design Communications/Graphic Arts Major. I basically get to create stuff all day. I worked with Illustrator, Photoshop, and website making. But something I realized after my first week, I was not ready for this four years ago.
Here's some back-story. As previously mentioned I was homeschooled (all my life). I had more than one reason for being homeschooled, but that's another story. Anyway, I developed a love for stories, history, and fashion. I took a career class in highschool so I could figure out what I wanted to do with my life. My research led me to believe I didn't need college. Fashion design and creative writing didn't require fancy degrees. Becoming a historian required a masters. But, I didn't know what a historian did, and I sure didn't want to spend all that time in school. I had looked over graphic design but it really didn't suit me at the time. I didn't need college, I was good. I was even writing a book, and had stories to keep me going till I was at least 35.
But my parents and grandparents alike wanted me to get a degree in something, anything. I graduated in 2014. I got my first job in 2015 as a dining room keeper at a grocery store. I was told I could move up, but it never worked out. So I left in 2017 for fast food. That was a mistake. My mom finally convinced me that I could work food service all my life and make enough to pay for my own food, or I could go to college and get a good job. After lots of prayer I was set for school.
Now, to explain what I learned about God's timing. As I said before I learned pretty fast that, while some of my procrastination was on me, God had been preparing me for school for the past four years. On my first day of school all the kids were hard-core cussing. I hadn't ever heard such dirty mouths. I had been guarded from worldly things at home, but by this point I knew enough not to be shocked every five minutes. Then there was the listening, understanding, and retaining information. I had a ton of home-work all the time, and barely had time for anything else. I knew what my physical limits were by this point, too. Finally, God had grown me closer to Him. I know Him better now than I did before. I pray more and read the Bible more. I have matured in a way that I was ready for the craziness of college without being in tears everyday. I began sharing this story and praising God. His timing was perfect, and still is.
This doesn't mean my entire school school experience was perfect. I just had a lot to be grateful for. I had a full meltdown at least once, along with a lot of other things I had to get through (my family did, too). There are still quite a few kinks that need fixing, but I know God's got it.
So today I just want to say, have faith in God. Trust Him. Don't try to do it alone.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:8-11

Elizabeth :)
Jesus Loves You! <3

Sunday Bible Verse

A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1

Sunday Bible Verse

He has made the earth by His power; He has established the world by His wisdom, and stretched out the heaven by His understanding. When He utters His voice— There  is a multitude of waters in the heavens: “He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightnings for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries.”
Jeremiah 51:15‭-‬16

Sunday Bible Verse

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:16

Sunday Bible Verse

Why do you seek the living among the dead?
Luke 24:5b

Sunday Bible Verse

Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
Psalms 119:11

Sunday Bible Verse

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12

Sunday Bible Verse

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

Sunday Bible Verse

But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
Psalms 1:2‭-‬3

Sunday Bible Verse

I wait for the Lord , my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.
Psalm 130:5

Sunday Bible Verse

I will sing of mercy and justice; to You, O Lord, I will sing praises.
Psalms 101:1

Sunday Bible Verse

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
John 1:12

Sunday Bible Verse

Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
Proverbs 16:3

Sunday Bible Verse

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:20