Maturing in a Godly Manner with Gratitude and Grace - Let's put this past year to bed and look at what is ahead.

In the new year, continue all the practices that were helpful and fulfilling;
Especially those that mirrored what seemed to be what God was willing.
             
Put aside the habits that caused us to worry and strive.
Keep the ones that kept our Spirits alive.
Be grateful for this new beginning.
We are the ones who will be winning.

While spreading God’s peace and love to all those we know.
Our faces will take on a heavenly glow.
And people will be prone to notice and say:
“They must be truly walking in God’s Way.”

That is the way to start the year.
And with God’s help, there is no need to fear.
In His hands, our future is secure.
So, it can truly be a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Psalm 1:6 – “For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

Psalm 27:11 – “Teach me Your Way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.”

Psalm 139:23, 24 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart, Try me and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God. And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

John 14:16 – “Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the 

Father except through me.”

Let us resolve that this coming year, it will be God’s Way not our way.

Thank you for reading this,

Great Granny Witt

Jesus, Perfect Love

Guest Post: Jen Gorton, Dorothy's grandaughter

The theme of this final week of Advent is love. I admit that I found it much easier to write about hope, peace, and joy. Writing about love seems a bit dangerous. What if I write about the wrong kind of love as it relates to Jesus? Agape or philia? Oh my!
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The Lord brought to mind Romans 5:8:
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But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.*
The angel visits, the unplanned pregnancies of Mary and Elizabeth, the inconvenient traveling, the government involvement of a census - all of these were tools to bring history to the point of true, unconditional, ever-reaching love - God manifested in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16).
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The hope, the peace, and the joy we have talked about over the last month all hinge on this one word: love. Without that love, there would be no Christmas. As you enter this final week of Advent, I encourage you to find a time to sit and read about the different types of Biblical love, knowing that Jesus fulfilled them all when He came into our sin filled world to give us life abundantly.
*Prayer:
Father God, thank You for manifesting Yourself in the flesh to be an example of true love. There is no great love than a Man laying down His life for another, especially one so undeserving as I. Because of Your great love I can have eternal life, forever in Your presence. Amen.
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Challenge:
Find a time to meditate on these passages: 1 Corinthians 13, Ephesians 2:4,5,Ephesians 5:2, John 15. Check out BibleGateway to find more Scriptures to encourage you in love.

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Advent - Week Four:

Theme: Angels (Love)

Sun. Is. 7:10-14, Mon. Luke 1:26-35, Tue. Is. 9:2-7, Wed. Mt. 1:18-25, Thu. Luke 2:1-20, Fri. Mt. 2:1-2, Sat. Luke 2:21-35 Advent concludes on Christmas Eve with the lighting of a fifth white candle that represents the purity of Jesus.
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Update:
Thank you for praying for our van. It was a $90 fuel pump fuse and the pump is still working. They did tell us that it could go at anytime, as a blown fuse was usually a warning. We are now walking in faith with much uttering of prayers and petitions each time we drive the vehicle!
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Jen 2009

Jesus, Our Joy

Guest Post: Jen Gorton, Dorothy's grandaughter

This year, the Lord has faithfully been giving me the opportunity to walk out each of the Advent points, making the season so much more meaningful. The first week, I was reminded to place all of my hope in Jesus regardless of how I felt. Last week I was welcomed to accept the peace of Christ even while paying the bills. This week I get to choose to celebrate the joy of Jesus while the family van sits in the shop with a possible bad fuel pump.
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I am not the first woman to have a choice to make in the area of joy. When Gabriel approached Mary and announced the grand plan to use her to bring the Savior of all mankind into the world, Mary had to make a choice. She was initially troubled by Gabriel’s odd greeting. (Luke 1:28) She then questioned the logistics of the whole thing. Mary obviously understood what it took to conceive a baby and was well aware that she did not at all meet the requirements. Once again, Gabriel (who was quickly proving himself the most astute, sensitive male to walk the planet other than Jesus) reassured her. (Luke 1:35) He not only explained things thoroughly, he also let her know she was not alone in the “Surprise! You’re having an impossible pregnancy,” department. (Luke 1:36)
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Mary could have completely wigged out; she chose the high road instead, answering, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38 
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In the face of possible rejection by her family, betrothed, and community, Mary chose to react with joy. She looked at the potentially overwhelming and embarrassing situation with the eyes of one who knew her God intimately. Her knowledge of Him is evident in her famous Magnificat. (Luke 1:46-55) She told of the Lord’s love for her – He watched and regarded her before choosing her as His Son’s mother. She knew He had her very best interest at heart. She declared that He was mighty and full of the strength she needed to walk out His plan. That knowledge enabled Mary to have the joy she did when faced with such an amazing life altering situation.
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I am pretty sure that if a young teenage virgin can choose the joy of the Lord for an unplanned pregnancy in a culture that stoned women in those situations, then I am capable of choosing joy when our vehicle breaks down right before Christmas. Just typing that sentence makes me feel small and peevish for even considering anything other than a joyful reaction.
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What situations are you facing that give an opportunity to choose joy or discontentment? Choose the joy that comes from a close relationship with the Savior of the world. His joy makes all things possible to bear.
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Prayer:
Father, I am happy to know that my joy does not need to be dependant on my circumstances. It is dependent on You, the Giver of true joy. Thank You for sending Jesus, the Joy of man’s desire. Amen.
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Challenge:
Read Luke 1:5-25 and compare Zechariah’s reaction to similar impossible news to Mary’s response. As situations arise in your life that require a choice of joy or aggravation or fear, think back to these Biblical persons and use their examples as a guide. On a personal note, would you please pray for the Lord’s provision to repair our van if He chooses not to ‘heal’ it?
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Advent – Week Three:Theme: Shepherds (Joy)
Scriptures: Sun. Luke 1:5-13, Mon. Luke 1:14-17, Tue. Luke 1:18-25, Wed. Luke 1:39-45, Thu. Luke 1:46-56, Fri. Luke 1:57-66, Sat. Luke 1:67-80
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Jen 2009

Jesus, Our Peace

Guest Post: Jen Gorton, Dorothy's grandaughter

Tonight we did the bills. As always, I started to get a little freaked out and panicky over those needs and desires that we had to subtract from our checkbook. What if the Lord did not meet every need? What if He wanted to teach us to deny ourselves fun stuff like the zoo and fried chicken? He would understand if we held that tithe check an extra week, wouldn’t He? After all, we did make it out first. Does it really matter if we actually put it in the plate right away? What if we need it!!! Can you hear the pitch of my voice going higher and higher?
*That, my friends, is the sound of a lack of peace that comes from a lack of trust in Almighty God.

*One of the purposes of Jesus’ life was to bring us peace; Isaiah 9:6 refers to Him as the Prince of Peace. The Old Testament prophecies that foretold of His coming referred over and over again to the gift of peace He would bring to the world. Jesus was coming to spread good news of the peace that only He could bring between God the Father and the people of the earth. (Isaiah 52:7) And Jesus did not just bring peace; He is peace according to Micah 5:5.
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I am reminded of a beautiful thing Jesus said in John 14:27 as He was preparing His disciples for a potentially unnerving time – His physical departure from their midst.
*Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
*What comforting words. Not only does this promise apply to me, but I am shamelessly thrilled to know that the original fathers of the Christian faith were also easily stressed out and needed reminders of the attributes and goodness of the One they worshipped.
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As for the bills: ever faithful, the Lord graciously provided for every need that we had, even throwing in a little extra to cover some simple desires that were not necessary for our daily life. Like the zoo and fried chicken.
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Prayer:
Thank You, Jesus, for Your gift of peace to me. Please help me to remember that it is there! When I begin to rely on my own logic and reasoning, giving in to fear, draw me back to rest in You. Amen.
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Challenge:
During this second week of Advent, I encourage you to be watchful of areas that you easily fall into peace-less-ness. When those times arise, whether in your parenting or even your trips to the grocery store, stop and remind yourself that Jesus came to bring peace and that He actually IS peace.
*Advent – Week Two:Theme: Bethlehem (Peace)
Scriptures: Sun. Is. 11:1-10, Mon. Zech. 6:12-13, Tue. Mic. 5:2-4, Wed. Mal. 3:1-6, Thu. John 1:1-8, Fri. John 1:9-18, Sat. Mark 1:1-3 (You can limit your readings to one day if you that works better for your family.)
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Jen 2009

Jesus, Our Hope

Guest Post: Jen Gorton, Dorothy's grandaughter

The Muppet Christmas Carol is a huge part of our family’s Christmas preparation each year. Instead of beautiful carols in the background while we trim the tree, we hear Rizzo yelling, “Light the lamp! Not the rat! Light the lamp! Not the rat!” For some that might not bring warm and fuzzy feelings, but for us it does.
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Another part of our Christmas tradition is celebrating Advent. Each year the children delight in arguing over who gets to light the candle of the week, while my husband and I strive to keep the main focus on the Light of the World. Some years we go all out and other years is it a simple weekly event. This year, I truly feel that it will be much more meaningful, at least for me personally.
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I began preparing my heart for Advent in November. During that time I studied all the characters of the beautiful story, as well as the Old Testament prophecies. As I read through them, I was blessed to be reminded again and again of the fulfillment of each foretelling. Here are just three of those pre Messiah messages that we are all familiar with:
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He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:13-14) Fulfilled: Luke 1:26-28He would be of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10) Fulfilled: Luke 3:33He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) Fulfilled: Luke 2:4-7*There are many, many more that cover not only Jesus’ birth, but his ministry, torture, death, and resurrection. I encourage you to look them up along with their corresponding New Testament fulfillments. The thing that is so exciting to me, especially as I focus on those prophecies during Advent’s first week, is the hope that those ancient words give me as a believer in Christ Jesus. Each and every word about the Messiah’s life proved true. That gives me great assurance that all the prophecies regarding His second coming and my eternal life with Him in Heaven are 100% trustworthy as well.
*As you enter this new Christmas season, take the time to enjoy the beautiful decorations and fun traditions, but take even more time to relish the beautiful, eternal Hope that is Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
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Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your Son, Jesus, our Hope Thank You that although we do not know the exact day of His miraculous birth we can still set aside a time each year to rejoice in the gift that He is to all mankind. Amen
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Challenge:
Celebrate Advent with your family in some form. Learn more about it here. Our family is using an iron looking decorator tree with five tea light holders for our Advent ‘wreath’. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and fit the tradition to your family. A great book to use over the Christmas season is The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Whelchel.
*Advent – Week One:
Theme: Prophecy (Hope)
Scriptures: Sun. Is. 40:1-5, Mon. Is. 52:7-10, Tue. Is. 40:9-11, Wed. Gen. 3:8-15, Thu. Gen. 15:1-6, Fri. Deut. 18:15-19, Sat. Ps. 89:1-4 (You can limit your readings to one day if you that works better for your family.)