Matthew 1:23 – “Behold a virgin shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us.”
Jesus coming to earth as a baby, was the visible knowledge to mankind of what God had established since the beginning – that God has always been with us. He’s dwelt in His house above the circle of the earth, just above us.. God in His gracious mercy sent His Son, as a visible, human baby, to declare in all its fullness that “GOD IS WITH YOU!” The WORD became flesh, and dwelt among us!
The message wasn’t quite new… God has always been here… with us.. just above the circle of the earth. Just above us… and God in His mercy declared that He would send His very WORD visibly, so that all men could see and know and hear the very WORD of God in visible form. WHAT a gift! To think that Jesus was the Father’s way of shouting “GOD IS WITH YOU!”
No wonder the feelings we get at Christmas.. the peace we feel, the excitement our heart’s receive, the wonder at the story… again. The culture tries to distract us by telling us it’s the lights, it’s the sparkles, it’s the snow, it’s the new things we get to fill our homes with.. In all reality, those things are beautiful BECAUSE God came.. the snow sparkles because the One who oversees the treasury of snow became visible to all men.. Job 37:6 became flesh, the One who says to the snow “Be thou on the earth.” The One who gives every good and perfect gift (James 1:17) Became flesh.. the One who declared “Let there be light” ! (Genesis 1:3) and who IS the Light, came and walked on the earth.
No wonder such “Tidings of Comfort and Joy” that come at Christmas… the fulfillment of the WORD of God… God with us… came in the visible form. And thus, we should be comforted with the knowledge that God declared in His biggest, loudest voice, in the way of a simple, lowly manger, that I AM WITH YOU! What is more comforting and joyous than that?
BEHOLD! I BRING TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY! Glory to God in the Highest! In the highest of heavens – glory to the One Who sits above the circle of the earth in His Holy temple, in His holy city! And on earth, peace, goodwill towards men! What a declaration from the Holy, heavenly city – that rung forth this message on that beautiful night… the entire city singing and ringing with the message that God was bringing His peace and goodwill to the earth in the form of His beautiful Son!
So this year.. I want to know that the comfort, joy, and peace excitement I know through the Christmas season doesn’t come from the sparkles, the lights, the snow.. but that it comes from the One who came…. and caused these things to be upon the earth. He is the One behind the comfort and joy!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
My Favorites!
Hello everyone!
(Joy writing ☺)
So being in Kansas City for a couple months now, I’m starting to get the hang of things! I’ve come up with some of my favorite things about being here!
1.) I’m with my husband! Now THIS is awesome! We have SO much fun! Sometimes we just get to laughing about the silliest things, until our stomach’s hurt! One time Aaron was hugging me and smelled my hair and said “mmm! Chocolate chip cookies! Your hair smells like chocolate chip cookies!” ……. There wasn’t a chocolate chip cookie in sight… ??? But if you know my husband, you know that he LOVES chocolate chip cookies! At any rate, I guess my hair smells like chocolate chip cookies (or maybe he has had a little too many?... I vote for the latter ☺) Many laughs all around, for sure!
2.) IHOP – KC and the prayer room – the prayer room is only about 3 minutes away! ☺ This is awesome. I can hop into my car, drive 3 mintues, and walk into a place that is going ALL the time with worship and prayer! Isn’t that AWESOME!??
3.) There are some AWESOME people here! People who reeeeally love Jesus, and who take time to speak into your life.. and ask about how you are. These are quality people, and I’m so privileged to be around them so regularly.
4.) Sheridan’s!! In case you don’t know, Sheridan’s is a frozen custard place.. and let me tell you.. it is GOOD! My wonderful husband introduced me to this, and he may have since regretted it, because every time we are near one, I get that longing look in my eyes for some chocolatey goodness. However, he is pretty down with ice cream too, so I think he is OK with all of this.. ☺
5.) Crown Center… Town & Center.. The Plaza…. These places either boast great shopping, (Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Jessica McClintock, the Apple Store, etc, etc, etc..) great food, or free outdoor movies on Friday nights… need I say more?? So much fun!
6.) Everything is usually within about 10 minutes away… this is VERY nice.. especially coming from a place were there was at least a 30 minute drive to EVERYWHERE!
7.) Beautiful parks and fountains! We really have a lot of beautiful fountains here! On random street corners, in the middle of a roadway… in front of cool buildings. They are really pretty to look at! We also have beautiful parks with gardens and duck ponds.. and you guessed it.. more fountains!
8.) The bugs!!!! (JUST KIDDING) They are huge here! Occasionally you will actually find a pretty one though.. like the HUGE moth with beautiful wings Aaron and I found the other day!
9.) The train runs RIGHT to here!! (that’s a hint for all those who are far away from us… its really easy to jump on a train! We will even pick you up! ☺)
10.) Professional Baseball games for $10! This is cool! And it is not because KC is particularly generous…. But because our baseball team officially stinks.. But it makes for a real fun and cheap time at a MLB game!
I’m loving it here ☺
I know pictures have been requested…. We will hopefully be taking some soon, and I shall post ☺
Love to all!
Joy (Aaron loves you all too ☺)
(Joy writing ☺)
So being in Kansas City for a couple months now, I’m starting to get the hang of things! I’ve come up with some of my favorite things about being here!
1.) I’m with my husband! Now THIS is awesome! We have SO much fun! Sometimes we just get to laughing about the silliest things, until our stomach’s hurt! One time Aaron was hugging me and smelled my hair and said “mmm! Chocolate chip cookies! Your hair smells like chocolate chip cookies!” ……. There wasn’t a chocolate chip cookie in sight… ??? But if you know my husband, you know that he LOVES chocolate chip cookies! At any rate, I guess my hair smells like chocolate chip cookies (or maybe he has had a little too many?... I vote for the latter ☺) Many laughs all around, for sure!
2.) IHOP – KC and the prayer room – the prayer room is only about 3 minutes away! ☺ This is awesome. I can hop into my car, drive 3 mintues, and walk into a place that is going ALL the time with worship and prayer! Isn’t that AWESOME!??
3.) There are some AWESOME people here! People who reeeeally love Jesus, and who take time to speak into your life.. and ask about how you are. These are quality people, and I’m so privileged to be around them so regularly.
4.) Sheridan’s!! In case you don’t know, Sheridan’s is a frozen custard place.. and let me tell you.. it is GOOD! My wonderful husband introduced me to this, and he may have since regretted it, because every time we are near one, I get that longing look in my eyes for some chocolatey goodness. However, he is pretty down with ice cream too, so I think he is OK with all of this.. ☺
5.) Crown Center… Town & Center.. The Plaza…. These places either boast great shopping, (Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Jessica McClintock, the Apple Store, etc, etc, etc..) great food, or free outdoor movies on Friday nights… need I say more?? So much fun!
6.) Everything is usually within about 10 minutes away… this is VERY nice.. especially coming from a place were there was at least a 30 minute drive to EVERYWHERE!
7.) Beautiful parks and fountains! We really have a lot of beautiful fountains here! On random street corners, in the middle of a roadway… in front of cool buildings. They are really pretty to look at! We also have beautiful parks with gardens and duck ponds.. and you guessed it.. more fountains!
8.) The bugs!!!! (JUST KIDDING) They are huge here! Occasionally you will actually find a pretty one though.. like the HUGE moth with beautiful wings Aaron and I found the other day!
9.) The train runs RIGHT to here!! (that’s a hint for all those who are far away from us… its really easy to jump on a train! We will even pick you up! ☺)
10.) Professional Baseball games for $10! This is cool! And it is not because KC is particularly generous…. But because our baseball team officially stinks.. But it makes for a real fun and cheap time at a MLB game!
I’m loving it here ☺
I know pictures have been requested…. We will hopefully be taking some soon, and I shall post ☺
Love to all!
Joy (Aaron loves you all too ☺)
Monday, July 12, 2010
When the Desire Comes..
(Joy writing :-) )
Here we are! On our first blog documenting the life of Newlyweds!
I was thinking of the fulfillment of desires.. the tree of life that it is when the desire comes. It’s a beautiful thing. Aaron and I are beginning the beautiful journey of marriage, and right now it’s such a celebration of the fulfillment of so many things in our lives – yet at the same time, a beginning of the new ones. It’s not the ending of desires yet to be fulfilled. But it’s the beginning of our journey of knowing the God who gives fulfillment to those who seek Him.
Aaron and I dated 3 ½ years, long distance. And so this marriage is a fulfillment of that desire to be together. The ache of being apart was so strong at times. Pressing into that time was not on my top 10 things to do at the time! I just wanted the distance to be over.. But the pressing in made the desire fulfilled that much sweeter! We continually marvel in the knowledge that we are here together, not to be separated!
The place where we are (International House of Prayer) Is also the answer to many thoughts and prayers invested.. Aaron has been here for about 4 years. I had only been here to visit several times. I fell in love with the prayer room and what the Lord was doing at IHOP. For years I’ve had a desire to be before the Lord, to sit before Him, because I wanted to be like Mary of Bethany.. I wanted to please Him and bring Him pleasure. I wanted to be with Him so that I would bring joy to His heart. For the longest time, I felt this such a simple desire and calling.. “Where in the world does this fit in the grand scheme of things,” I thought.
I found out about this place where sitting before, and being with the Lord was the whole purpose for the place. So much more than a room, but geographically that is all it is. A prayer room where adoration, worship, and intercession goes up all day, everyday.. 24/7. My heart came alive at the thought that this place actually existed. My heart responded to the call that this calling was valid and was real. And I could do it anywhere in the world, but this prayer room was made distinctly for this purpose.. how amazing! I wanted to come. I wanted to be in that place.
Aaron was in this place, and for 4 years he studied at Forerunner School of Ministry, and was in this prayer room daily. His longing was that I would be here with him. To join him. He also knew my heart’s desire to be here. We felt the Lord leading us to be here after we were married – in essence my husband Aaron wanted to give me this gift – of having access to the prayer room to let my calling grow.
And so now, 4 years later, this desire is fulfilled! Indeed it is just beginning. We’re learning how to work around schedules, work, life, and date nights! (woo hoo!) But we know that the Lord has brought us here for a purpose – and that He Himself has brought us to the beginning of the fruition of our desires coming to fullness. With every desire, He adds more to our heart, so that we keep adoring Him for what He puts there in our hearts. So this is by n o means the end to our desires. It’s a glorious beginning into what He has to continually give and grow in us. We are just trying to be the faithful servants who listen to what He has to say, and where He has us go. We know that if we listen, He will indeed speak. And we will follow wherever He goes.
Who knows where that will lead us?!?! We have no idea! But we do know that He will sustain us through each thing He leads us to. And that is what we know, because He’s never failed to do it.
Much love from the newlyweds!
-Aaron and Joy
P.S. We have about half the June bug population in and around our apartment!! Just kidding, but it sure seems like I am sucking them up in the vacuum quite often! ☺
Here we are! On our first blog documenting the life of Newlyweds!
I was thinking of the fulfillment of desires.. the tree of life that it is when the desire comes. It’s a beautiful thing. Aaron and I are beginning the beautiful journey of marriage, and right now it’s such a celebration of the fulfillment of so many things in our lives – yet at the same time, a beginning of the new ones. It’s not the ending of desires yet to be fulfilled. But it’s the beginning of our journey of knowing the God who gives fulfillment to those who seek Him.
Aaron and I dated 3 ½ years, long distance. And so this marriage is a fulfillment of that desire to be together. The ache of being apart was so strong at times. Pressing into that time was not on my top 10 things to do at the time! I just wanted the distance to be over.. But the pressing in made the desire fulfilled that much sweeter! We continually marvel in the knowledge that we are here together, not to be separated!
The place where we are (International House of Prayer) Is also the answer to many thoughts and prayers invested.. Aaron has been here for about 4 years. I had only been here to visit several times. I fell in love with the prayer room and what the Lord was doing at IHOP. For years I’ve had a desire to be before the Lord, to sit before Him, because I wanted to be like Mary of Bethany.. I wanted to please Him and bring Him pleasure. I wanted to be with Him so that I would bring joy to His heart. For the longest time, I felt this such a simple desire and calling.. “Where in the world does this fit in the grand scheme of things,” I thought.
I found out about this place where sitting before, and being with the Lord was the whole purpose for the place. So much more than a room, but geographically that is all it is. A prayer room where adoration, worship, and intercession goes up all day, everyday.. 24/7. My heart came alive at the thought that this place actually existed. My heart responded to the call that this calling was valid and was real. And I could do it anywhere in the world, but this prayer room was made distinctly for this purpose.. how amazing! I wanted to come. I wanted to be in that place.
Aaron was in this place, and for 4 years he studied at Forerunner School of Ministry, and was in this prayer room daily. His longing was that I would be here with him. To join him. He also knew my heart’s desire to be here. We felt the Lord leading us to be here after we were married – in essence my husband Aaron wanted to give me this gift – of having access to the prayer room to let my calling grow.
And so now, 4 years later, this desire is fulfilled! Indeed it is just beginning. We’re learning how to work around schedules, work, life, and date nights! (woo hoo!) But we know that the Lord has brought us here for a purpose – and that He Himself has brought us to the beginning of the fruition of our desires coming to fullness. With every desire, He adds more to our heart, so that we keep adoring Him for what He puts there in our hearts. So this is by n o means the end to our desires. It’s a glorious beginning into what He has to continually give and grow in us. We are just trying to be the faithful servants who listen to what He has to say, and where He has us go. We know that if we listen, He will indeed speak. And we will follow wherever He goes.
Who knows where that will lead us?!?! We have no idea! But we do know that He will sustain us through each thing He leads us to. And that is what we know, because He’s never failed to do it.
Much love from the newlyweds!
-Aaron and Joy
P.S. We have about half the June bug population in and around our apartment!! Just kidding, but it sure seems like I am sucking them up in the vacuum quite often! ☺
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday, June 29, 2009
I Heart Faces contest!
I'm entering this photo for the "I Heart Faces" Weekly contest - "Wedding Bells" !
A little girl playing with the bubbles at a wedding - interrupted by me snapping this photo!
Click here to go to the i heart faces blogFriday, April 11, 2008
Aaron's Spring Break
Aaron came home in March for spring break and we had a wonderful time. We took photos and it was so good to capture him on (digital) film!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)