I trust everyone had a blessed Christmas. Perhaps many are still celebrating. I would love to hear about you favorite Christmas moment.
I don't think I ever posted this Open Blog Weekend and the weekend is almost over. Goodness, sorry about that, things have been a little crazy around here.
We had a wonderful and easy-going Christmas here. The kids did not wake up until after 8:00! Can you believe that? I was totally surprised by my Christmas gifts. Blaire got me a Hoops and Yo-Yo ornament. (I collect Hallmark ornaments and love Hoops and Yo-Yo.) Griffin gave me a large exercise ball. ( He listened as I was talking to the girls as work about wanting one. He listened. There is hope yet!) My sweet husband gave me numerous gift cards to favorite places, including Chick-fil-a. (with the calendar of coupons of course.) He surprised me with a watch. There is a story to tell about the watch.
I love cute stylish watches. I have a rectangle cuff watch that love but can no longer see. (Sad times.) I have been saying for awhile now that I need a large round faced watch that I see. He listened as well and here is me with my new watch. (Now mind you had not brushed hair or teeth.-Gross about the teeth-I know.)
Enough about me.Our 2009 journey ends and the 2010 begins all in this week. I will post some special instructions in the next day or two about the format of the study. When you are out running errands this week make sure you pick up a multi-subject college ruled spiral notebook. ( I am using a 5-subject.
I have already started praying for all those on the journey next year. He speaks all the time! I can't wait to see what He says next year through His ancient Word!
I have already started praying for all those on the journey next year. He speaks all the time! I can't wait to see what He says next year through His ancient Word!
10 Comments:
I figured you were having such a blessed Christmas time Wendy that you knew you'd get here sooner or later!
I suggest if anyone hasn't read Karen's previous blog to go and do so. Very informative.
Morgen
I too thought you must just be enjoying every moment of this holiday season, and posted my thoughts of the weekend on your previous post.
I also received a new watch for Christmas.
My favourite Christmas moment? Oh Wendy, there were so many. It was so special having Dad home and able to join the celebration. He gave me a beautiful little gift book entitled, "I Loved Her First", with a CD and song with the same title. It's a special message to a daughter from her Daddy. Just to see my Dad's handwritting inside the cover of the book brought tears.
My older sister gave me one of her rings - a sweet little heart shaped ruby with diamonds - because she knows of my love for P31.
My twin sister made me a prayer shawl. The little note accompanying this gift was so beautiful. Every stitch was made with love. It also has memories of this past year sewn into it. God has been so faithful to us.
I can't believe we have only four more days to go!!! I have never remained this faithful in my reading. Other years I have missed a couple of days and had to catch up, but this year I was faithful every day...didn't miss one day of writing a devotional and sharing how the Lord had spoken to me. Good Lord willing I will finish out these remaining four days.
Thanks again Wendy!!! It's been quite the journey.
Love to you all,
Joy
Continued happiness be yours as we close up an extra long and blessed holiday weekend.
Major kudos, Karen, for all your efforts researching the texts in Revelation and sharing them with us! WOW!
And thanks also to Nancy for linking us all to The Revelation Song. :) It is one of my favorites, but goes a whole level or two deeper when accompanying these texts.
I was touched anew by the line "You are my everything and I will adore you." So close on the heels of singing "oh come let us adore him" I felt such a communion in my soul.
I want to adore him in the fullest sense ~ awestruck by his beauty, goodness and love and humbled to my knees in gratitude. May my adoration, the attitude of my soul be reflected in my worship of him who is worthy of all glory and honor!
Through him I learned of this journey, and with his help I have walked every step ~ sometimes a step ahead and often a step behind, but for the most part arm in arm with all of you...and joyously so!
Looking forward to crossing the finish line this week and turning right around to begin again!
Enjoy your day of rest, friends.
Liz
AK
Oops, got a little carried away. I just read the whole book of Revelation today, b/c I just couldn't stop reading! I don't believe I've ever taken the time to read this whole book (I'm also a little scared of it). I realize this book is very mysterious and difficult to understand.. I look forward to the postings/thoughts on Revelation through the end of the year. Does anyone have a trustworthy reference or website address regarding how to interpret this book, or, are we are even capable of understanding this yet?
Krista
Wendy, we all just knew you were enjoying every minute with your family :) Will got up sick yesterday so our extended family celebrations have been postponed to later this week. He is fine today, just must have been a 12 hour stomach bug or too much excitement on Friday.
One of my favorite things this Christmas is hearing Will say over and over that this is the best Christmas ever. He has been so excited! For me, my heart has been so full of hope and faith this year as the year comes to an end and I reflect on the way God has worked in my life and family this year. From long awaited answers to our health challenges for Will and I and the growth and way God is working in John's life. I know it is just a matter of time before that veil is going to be completely removed and God's glory and light of the gospel of Christ will be revealed to him. I am also thankful for the growth I have had with you sisters and the community that God has created Wendy out of your obedience to lead us through this study. I am excited to read in the next few days what we are going to be doing. The word notebook makes me smile and gets me excited, yes ladies, I am um, well a geek, lol. Notebooks, different colored pens, Bible study, a community of sisters to share and study with, it does not get much better :)
I look forward to the conversations this week about Revelations. I marked in my Bible what you guys have already talked about when Christ says that about erasing the name. I remember a few years ago I had a conversation with 3 other girls about losing salvation. I was a very baby Christian at the time and I did not have any idea. The reference specifically was about one of one of the girl's husbands that accepted Christ as a child but now has nothing to do with Him and does not believe at all anymore. Is he still saved? Makes me wonder if he really was to begin with...I can't imagine when you really have accepted Christ into your life and heart how you can have the ability to deny Him if His Spirit is in you. It is that Spirit that enables you to profess He is Lord. Any thoughts?
I think I have two friends that are going to join us starting end of the week as we begin again. What a great week! An end and a beginning.
Love,
Brandee, TN
Brandee - I have always felt the same way as you...that a person really couldn't have accepted Jesus in their heart if they don't have Him now.
But when I read the words "erased" that tells me the name was in the book already.....then was erased. This has me going, "hhmmmm". Keeping my heart guarded and Jesus close.
Morgen
Karen, my son moved to Korea in April to teach English. He will be leaving there the first week of February. We too Skyped Christmas morning. We were on the internet for over 2 hrs. I am very thankful for Skype and the internet. It has made the past 8 months much more tolerable.
Thanks again Wendy for your commitment to this group. I am excited about beginning a new year. My sister, my youngest daughter and a friend from work will also be reading through the Bible this coming year. I'm excited for them as well.
Elizabeth AR
I meant to tell you guys that John got me The Word of Promise Audio Bible for Christmas. I have not listened to it yet but I can't wait! I want to start on Friday and follow along with our reading. From what I have heard just on the radio I think it is going to be fabulous!
Hi ladies,
Merry Christmas to you all!
My favourtie Christmas moments...seeing my little son play baby Jesus in our Church mass and being raised up on the altar to bless the whole congregation.
The Lord's abundance under our tree, bringing Christmas joy to family and friends.
My husband's smile as I found unexpected gifts for me under the tree.
Grandma's face as we brought Elliot to her place to celebrate Christmas day with her.
Elliot in his little Christmas outfit!
Thank you Lord for an awesome first Christmas with my precious little son Elliot!
xoxo Jodie
A late Merry Christmas to you, sisters, and brothers (that are hiding) and an early Happy New Year. This HAS been a fabulous year of growing in the Lord!
Some of you have mentioned Rev. 3:5 where Jesus says that He will not erase their names from the Lamb's Book of Life. Warren Weirsbe's commentary says "The statement about the names being blotted out is NOT a warning to believers. It would appear that God's "Book of Life" contains the names of ALL the living, the wicked as well as the righteous. (Psalms 69:28.) Revelation 13:8, 17 suggest that the names of the saved are written in the book from the foundation of the world--that is, before they had done anything good or bad. By God's grace they have been chosen in Christ before the beginning of time. ( Eph. 1:4. Matt. 25:34)
"If the names of believers are written from the foundation of the world, and God knows all things, why would He enter the names of somebody who would one day fall and have to be removed from the Book....As unbelievers die, their names are removed from the Book; at the final judgment, the Book contains ONLY the names of the believers. (Rev. 20"12-15)It then becomes the Lamb's Book of Life, Rev. 21:27 because only those who are saved by the Lord Jesus Christ have their names in it. The other names have been blotted out."
I guess I, along with everyone else thought my name was put in the Book of Life WHEN I accepted Christ, but it's the other way around. It has been there since before time began, and won't be removed, because I HAVE accepted Christ.
Does that make any sense? It is reassuring to me, to know that it can never be removed.
By the way, from what I hear preachers say, the only sin that can't be forgiven by Christ, is UNBELIEF. Unbelief keeps us from believing that Christ died and rose again for us. If we can't believe Him, how can we accept Him?
I do believe that this last week of 09 is going to be interesting. Can't wait to hear what everyone says about the rest of Revelation.
Am also anxious to see what God and Wendy have in store for us in 2010. Already have my notebook paper ready.
It's bedtime...almost 11 PM, so I will sign off.
Jan TN
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