TRIUMPH

Really? I could not get a picture of the night sky, my view around 10pm in Elmhurst, IL, Dec. 18, 2018.
My family was not weirded out when I instructed them to get outside . Especially because my daughter noticed it before me, but the sky was amazing. I can only try realllly hard to put words to a grand full display in the sky. A host of witnesses from my family. I am not going crazy.
Here it goes:
There was a huge (covering most of the sky) spritz of clouds that formed what could have looked like an angel or if you blink and look again it could have been a side view of a dove. The words that came to me is the Holy Spirit.
Next to it was a very thick band like a winding road soaring from one end of the sky to the other. It looked like an airplane trace in the sky, but what confused us is how wide the stream of white band was. It was 5x the streak that a plane would leave across the sky before it lands at O'hare. OHHHH! how I wish I had a photo! Darn!

I am always fascinated if a word, words or catch phrase will be impressed on my heart for a Christmas card message. I think about it for days wondering is the message formulating or is it just my own efforts? Or is this card going to exist this year.
Then it happened.
I saw many many birds flying between three trees in my backyard. It has fascinated me to the point that I wait in anticipation to see the varieties that will appear. It stops me from what I am doing and causes me to think about Jesus and the reason for the season. I think of
 Jesus messages of love, like “I will take your cares. I got your back. I care.” He will feed the birds how much more will He feed me. Or Luke 12:7 says, “Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Even Rob has been pausing to watch with me. I call anyone to watch that is in the house. 
It's better than TV. These joyful images stick in my mind when I get off balance with Christmas prepping. (I'm talking about pressure of perfectionism, worldly prepping, gifts, cookies, wrapping and decorations and spending too much money.)

I am listening to Mariah Carey's, Hark the Herald, song and the phrase in the lyrics "Join the Triumph of the Skies".   

Join participate. I love that it says join. In this day our electronics are inviting us to join, box clubs, meals, health clubs, exercise programs! JOIN! Join! Join! But did you join this triumph? Are you in?

Then I remember my drawing I did recently of birds in a cloud made of coffee paint. I'll post that soon on this page.

Triumph!

I can not let the word go. 
What's the triumph?
One thought, the way the circumstances in Bethlehem tried to distract many from finding the Messiah. The government, an over scheduled towns people, a town filled to capacity! (Hmmm, things never change. 2018)
Well, as we know many were distracted but many were not!
The angel appeared, the star shined brightly and those who saw knew they can rejoice with the angels, singing Glory to the newborn King. A song of:

TRIUMPH!

The sky I saw the other night was the display of Triumph. Glory to God!

2019 I believe will be the year of

TRIUMPH!

We are expecting more God stories!

TRIUMPH!

Let us rejoice that we don't have to strive, stress, over schedule ourselves.

We just trust.

TRIUMPH!

Jesus takes it all. He understands. He knows the way out.


Enter 2019 with an expectant heart. Jesus never changes. He TRIUMPHS!

Love you all for taking your time out to read this message.
From my heart 2 to your heart!
Ask Jesus to help you trust to Triumph in 2019.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Go with Jesus and TRIUMPH!

Have you joined? Maybe you have to just begin with a simple question, "Who is the baby in the manger and how can I get to know Him?

VISIT FROM GABRIELLE

I thanked the young gentlemen for His kind gesture. He said, "My name is Gabe". Not realizing yet my response was, "You are like an angel." He gave me a handshake then kindly responded, "Gabrielle" and then he walked away. I stood astounded. I thought for a moment, then laughed out loud, crying out, "Gabrielle is an angel's name." God you counteract struggles with a rescue. You used Gabrielle to help me.

In this Christmas season where we are rejoicing, "Jesus the reason for the season!" I had just told the story of the birth of baby Jesus at a gathering. There I was standing in a crowded airport experiencing Gabrielle, (in a much smaller way, not the you are going to be pregnant way!) somewhat like Mary did. His message to her, "You are to have a son and name Him Jesus for He will save the people from their sin." Jesus! The name above every name.

My way:

Gabrielle's gesture as small as it was, lifted me out of despair to hope. I was giving up on my gloomy circumstance and then He appeared. I have heard it said that Jesus is playing chess with the enemy. It is a game of my life. The enemies stirs the pot of life with a struggle, full of despair, and then Jesus makes His move. He is the winner. Believe! Trust! Shine Jesus, Shine. Out of the darkness, Jesus shed light. He wins! The enemy makes a move and boy it looks like it is finished, but it isn't. God didn't make the struggle happen, but He sure helped me get through it.

He is my refuge and strength, ever present in my troubles. He appears to be saying to us this Christmas season. I am here. I am with you. Look, see, open your heart, mind and being to the baby.

Who do you think Jesus was? The angel said the Savior of the world? There was over 100 prophesy's  fulfilled in Jesus coming to save the world.

Come and see, adore and be ready.

Something is going to happen.

Something always happens with the Jesus.

Pray at all times, help, ask for trust, belief.
Mother Teresa was asked by brilliant ethicist John Kavanaugh, "Pray that I have clarity."
She said firmly, "No, I will not do that." Kavanaugh stated, "You always seem to have clarity." "I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God", she laughed and said.

"We ourselves have know and put our trust in God's love toward ourselves" (1John 4:16).

Angelus Silesius, "If God stopped thinking of me, he would cease to exist."

I get frantic with perfectionism in this season. My stomach in knots to complete the shopping, baking and house decorating.

I remember:
My once nine year old daughter tugging at my apron, "Mom, Christmas is about Jesus." Out of the mouth of babes. Wisdom!

But on my own I keep racing around frantic. It takes reading His words. "Elaine (liberty for me to put my name in the scripture), There is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows" (Luke 12:6-7)

Then it happens! Hundreds of birds right out my window today. My attention is finally caught by my savior, "I got your back. You are valuable. Come to me." Grace upon grace arises a strength within me. I may not get it all done today, but I will certainly have peace, a peace I can't put words to.

Listen go out expecting. Expecting....I'm standing next to a older gentlemen buying a card...I hear him reading them out loud...I look up...I realize...he is looking for the Christmas message...I find just the right card..."For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11) or Repeat the sounding joy...(inside of card) Wishing you blessings at Christmas and joy in the greatest gift *Jesus*! Perspective. We are friends in Jesus. We resound this joy of our soul together and then part with MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Soul activated!

I look up. My mind renewed, I do not have to have this, this and that done. It is now...in the full knowledge of Jesus...a freshness in my soul...I will walk out of here tasting, seeing the feet and hands of Jesus. I talk about Him, I put the membrance of Him first and foremost in my head. When temptation arises...I ask...I confess...I want...to be walking in peace.

I did...I am...with Him.

Walk today expecting peace, you do not have to have it all figured out. Pray.

SOMETHING IS REALLY HAPPENING-HEAVEN KNOWS

Allow your body to flow with the Holy Spirit.
Ever day is an opportunity to
Say less
Love more
Pray more
an opportunity facing
Hardships
Loneliness
Sickness
Decisions
Tiredness.
All make tolerance and love harder
Take heart God's got this.

Time out

Expectations
Fear of missing out
Consumerism
I want or need?
Gut full of anger.
Heat rises to our faces.
Anger.
Anger for the reactions that rises out of my heart.
What is wrong with me? How can I let this world disrupt my flow?

Sometimes it feels hopeless.
Sometimes we ask, have we made the connection between Jesus and myself? The Grace.
Hopelessness sets in.

Lord - Holy Spirit- Father God-help me.

Remembrance:

Jesus makes the darkness tremble!

Make it tremble in our homes!

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing (I shall not want; I have all that I need).

Silence the words that lie.
Silence them.
Tell them to be quiet.

Thank you Jesus.

Something is always happening!
Something is always happening!
Something is always happening!

the name above all names.
Jesus
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of peace.

You won't miss out. You are where you are suppose to be.
Some days it's doing laundry, cleaning toilets, changing poopy diapers, going grocery shopping....mundane...NO! IT is what it is! In the moment thank...
my Jesus...my grace...within me is no mistake...SOMETHING IS REALLY HAPPENING.

It doesn't make sense
unthinkable
only heaven knows.
No conditions.

TRUST WINS

I turned and found four year old Anisa completely hidden underneath a straw basket. "Where is Anisa, where can she be?", I called out playfully! Four other little ones joined in where is Anisa?

Frolicking around we pretended as if we could not see her, until she popped out and screamed out, "Here I am!" It became a game of hide and seek, the whole nursery delighted in the fun!

Back up a bit.

Driving in that morning I was asking myself how I was going to get through the two hours of nursery time. 

Back up before that.

I was praying, I need to see your presence. Help me. I want to trust you more.

Then it happened.

Get this.

It was snack time. The kids sat around as I paged through the toddler devotion, it was November 29.

I verify that date. 

I start to read to the children, "Kaitlyn's cat found a good hiding place. Do you think anyone will find her?" I pause. MMMM. Didn't we just have a great time playing hide n seek, I asked the kids. Wait. look at this picture, it looks so similar to the basket Anisa hid in!. Wait! Wait! Being a little amazed, let me repeat we just played a hiding game in a basket. Are you getting this. Do you remember I came in this morning with two things on my mind.

One, I want to see you Jesus. I want more of you. I want to trust you.

Two, I want to get through the two hours and I had no agenda planned.

Let's continue reading this TODDLER/NOW MY ADULT DEVOTION...the Bible says that God is like a hiding place. He will protect us from trouble so that troubles cannot even find us. I ask the kids...what are your troubles...preciously they respond...someone taking their toy...getting in trouble from Mom and Dad...not getting what they want....etc.

The Bible verse: You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. Ps. 32:7 NLT

At this point you are probably crying out to me, "Elaine, get to the point!" or Are you getting the point.
I will spell it out...
God answered so many said and unsaid things.
One...Elaine I exist...
two...Elaine I want to be there for you, help you...
three...here is your agenda for today, teach the kids about me...to trust...to realize Jesus is protection...
four...come to me...Trust me...If a problem has a solution why worry about it?...If no solution comes at the moment why worry about it?...-Jesus-TRUST me!

Trust wins, therefore...
"Trust in the Lord with your whole heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV."

Also,
"This is what the Scriptures mean when they say, no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what GOD has prepared for those who love Him 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV."


What does this mean for you. As you prepare for you next thing. We pray, we feel responsible for the results of things going on, we want to be in control of results, we get worried, anxious, worked up about things.

When we love Jesus, walk with Him, TRUST, we learn, we grow closer, we realize He can help, He is better at being in control than I am, He is God, thank God I am not.
Let's trust our days ahead to Jesus.
TRUST WINS!

LET'S PRAY:
Dear God, you're like a hiding place, for you protect me and keep me safe. Thank you for protecting and guiding my next steps. Amen.