Re-focus

Work has been super stressful this week. Last Thursday I started transitioning into a new position at the bank, but, of course, it could not be  a smooth transition. I accepted the offer for the new position on November 5^th, but because my current department is so busy I only got to start part time Dec. 2^nd. It has been uber stressful trying to keep up with my work load in the mortgage department and then trying to learn a whole new banking world in my new department on the deposit side.

I was hoping it was only going to last through the end of December. But, I found out yesterday that I would have to continue with this pace through the end of January. I felt hopeless. I went home, laid on my bed, cried and prayed. I was begging for the Lord to help me find an out, to help ease the burden somehow. My husband came home, comforted me and told me some jokes. Eased the burden. Thank goodness for him.

But for the rest of the evening it was just eating at me. I so wished that I found a job outside of the bank so I would not be in this situation.

Finally, I decided it was time to go to bed. I grabbed my iPod touch and went to read yesterday’s Rediscovering the Christmas season daily. It was from Matthew 25:31-40:

The Sheep and the Goats

31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

This passage is a huge reminder that it is not all about me. I have it pretty dang good and I need to remember that. The stress with pass, things will get better….for me, but not for everyone. I need to stop being so inwardly focused and focus on those around me too, those who need some help.

Let’s all change this Christmas season to a giving season. Completely forget about receiving for the next three weeks and I bet we will completely change our lives. If we seek out those we can help, give gifts to lose who need it, not only will their lives greatly benefit, but I am sure we will feel truly blessed!

RSC Day 4 and 5

I had to catch up blogging a bit, so here are both day 4 and 5!

Day four's reading was Mark 9:33-37. My favorite verse in this reading was verse 35: "He sat down and summoned the Twelve. “So you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all.”

Exposure: Read Jesus' remarks to His disciples about being a servant. In the next 24 hours, live this out by serving someone. Especially think of a way you welcome a little child in Jesus' name.

Exploration: Why do you think Jesus took a child into His arms for this remark? What does it say about Jesus' ministry that a little child was already nearby?
Expression: Who do you think was blessed more? You the server or the people being served?
Experience: Take an inventory of how you spend most of your days. Is your life characterized more by beingserved or serving? Is it any different during Christmas time?

My Exploration: I think that Jesus really showed that living by His Words was really living out each word. Jesus was constantly a servant, constantly helping people and loved those he was with, including the children.
My Expression: I feel more blessed when someone does something nice for me. It is so humbling and make me want to be a servant for someone else as well, because I know that they will be fully blessed by the nice things I do, and hopefully the chain will continue.
My Experience: The only person I serve on a normal basis are the girls at work with extra help and my husband with dinners and extra treats or special things. I don't do enough for people I don't know and know need more help than those who are closest to me. I really need to strive to get involved more in the community.

Day five's reading is Matthew 4:12-17, Isaiah 9:1-3 and Matthew 5:14-16. My favorite verse in this reading is verse 17: "This Isaiah-prophesied sermon came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.”

Lights

Exposure: Read these passages about Jesus being the light. Research the beginnings of the tradition of Christmas lights. Drive around town with a group of friends or family and look at the different expressions of lights.
Exploration: How is Jesus the light of world? Think about the scientific facts you know about light. In what ways is light the perfect illustration God created from the beginning to illuminate who Jesus is?
Expression: Why do you think Jesus refers to His followers as the light of the world? What would that mean for your life to be a light in your relationships and situations?
Experience: How has your life been a light to those around you? Make a point to be light during this season.

My Exploration: Jesus brought like by being hope, salvation. Darkness is so depressing and feels like a black hole, but like hope and joy of salvation is a radiant life.
My Expression: Now that Jesus does not physically walk the earth we have to constantly be the light for him. We need to be open and public about our faith and share the message of salvation with those around us. I think that I have had to make some decisions in my life that has shown my beliefs to others. I also am not afraid to tell people that I am praying for them or hope that God will show them guidance.
My Experience: I am not sure if I shine bright enough, I am definitely going to start being more open about my faith.

RCS Day 3

Day 3's reading was Luke 2:1-20. My favorite verse from this section was Luke 20:The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!

Terrified

Exposure: Read the account of the shepherds who became witnesses to Jesus' arrival.
Exploration: Wonderful and terrifying at the same time! What do you think was going through the shepherd's minds when the angels appeared?
Expression: How would you have felt if you were given this news? Discuss with a friend or journal about your reflections of this miraculous scene.
Experience: Have you had an experience where God interrupted your life with an important message? How was that a combination of terrifying and wonderful? Take time to pray—not to say anything to God, just to
listen.

My Exploration: I think I would be in disbelief if an angel visited me. Although, I am highly curious, so I am sure that I would have follow the angel's leading!
My Expression: I am not sure what the world was like back then, but news of a savior, big changes, hope, would be amazing in our day and age. I would be so full of expectation and joy when I received news that there was something to belief in, instead of the bad news we typically hear.
My Experience: I was looking out side the bank for a  new job for a while. I receive a daily devotion in my email and was reading it one morning. I was so sure that I was called somewhere new, somewhere to start all over, to have a better attitude and not get sucked into the negativity. I was standing in the hallways near work when I read this devotion. It was about how God may be calling us right where we are now and instead of looking outside of our current situation and trying to make huge changes, we need to stay where we are and realize that may be the place we are called. I was just given a new position within the bank and I am excited to see what God has planned for me. I know he has called me to stay at the bank, now I am just going to give it 110% and listen to His guidance.

RCS (Rediscovering the Christmas Season) Day 2

The reading today from the Rediscovering the Christmas Season reading plan was the first chapter of Matthew.

The Announcement
Exposure: Read the opening chapter of the New Testament—the account of Joseph, the earthly father God chose for His Son.
Exploration: Consider how the weight of generations of expectations affected Joseph's ability to step into such an awesome role. What do you think was going through Joseph's mind when the angel showed up and told them about Jesus?
Expression: How would you have felt if you were Joseph? Discuss with a friend or journal about what this announcement meant to Joseph and to all of us.
Experience: Have you had an experience where God asked you to do something that seemed ridiculous? Make a plan this Christmas season to do something ridiculous that you know God wants you to do.

My Exploration: I have read this chapter many times, but this time I really realized how much work and planning God put into the birth of Jesus. Fourteen generations and then fourteen more generations and then fourteen more generations....wow. That is a lot of people and a lot of families and creations. Jesus definitely came from an amazing family lineage.
I can't imagine how Joseph must have felt with the angel coming to him. CRAZY! I don't know what I would do if that were me!
My Expression: I think it would have almost seemed as a relief for the angel to come to Joseph. I am sure that he loved Mary and leaving her would have been hard on him. The angel solidified that he did not have to leave her, but I am sure the new adventure that he was about to embark on was terrifying.
My Experience: I am not sure if I have been asked to do anything ridiculous. Or, if I have I haven't listened very well. I hope and will pray that God will take me out of my comfort zone this Christmas season and start me on a terrifying adventure.

If you join this reading plan on You Version follow me and we can help keep each other accountable! My You Version name is missiet!

Rediscovering the Christmas season reading plan

Yesterday I started a new reading plan through You Version (I have the handy little app on my ipod touch, but you can use the online version as well. The plan started December 1^st (so it is not too late to join in) and goes through Christmas Day.

Here is an overview of what the reading means and what we are to learn during this study.

A Preface to This Adventure
What Is Advent? Advent comes from the Latin word adventus meaning arrival or coming. The Hebrews looked forward to the coming of a Savior or Messiah—the First Advent. Now, we are waiting expectantly for His return to sweep His bride off of our feet—the Second Advent. The Church has been waiting for Him to come back from the moment He left the first time.
Why Should I Participate in Advent? So, what does Advent have to do with celebrating the arrival of Jesus? Traditionally, Advent counts down the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Practically, Advent reminds us to look forward to His return every day. This season is about resetting Jesus Christ at the center of our lives. After all, when He comes to take us home forever, we want to be ready. Expect to be inspired, challenged, refocused, broken, motivated, unified, encouraged, and most of all, expectant.
How Do I Use This Reading Plan? Each day provides daily reflection questions and often a suggested activity to help you center that day on Jesus. You can go in order or you can skip around and pick a day that you feel would be the most beneficial. You can go through the plan as an individual, but think of ways to do them in groups or as a family. Some activities will be things that you may already do during the Christmas season, but will suggest a Christ-centered way to think about it. Other activities will be things that you have never done before, so be open-minded and willing to try something new. Each day will include Exposure, Exploration, Expression, and Experience. You may find that you want to read the Additional Content each day before the scripture to guide what you’re looking for.
Exposure: Read the account of two people who waited every day in the Temple for Jesus' arrival. To add a traditional element, look up information about Advent wreaths and set up something like it in your home to use during this time. Yours can be as simple as four candles arranged in a circle.
Exploration: Discuss or journal about these two people who were blessed by seeing God's Savior with their own eyes. How can your life reflect this kind of anticipation?
Expression: Think about how you anticipate Christmas. How much of this feeling of excitement is centered on the arrival of Christ?
Experience: Before you dive into this 25-day journey, spend some time in prayer. Ask God to open your eyes so your vision of Jesus becomes clearer than it has ever been. Ask God to make you more aware of what it means to live your life with the expectation of the Advent of Jesus. Even on a personal level, when Jesus comes, life truly is an ADVENTure. Let's experience it fully this Christmas season!

Here is the first day’s reading! Please join me and some of my family on this Christmas journey. I am excited to learn more about Advent and truly create a masterful ADVENTure of living and waiting in anticipation for the second coming

Luke 2:21 And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, 28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Now lettest thou thy servant depart, Lord, According to thy word, in peace; 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; 32 A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him; 34 and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against; 35 yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

My Exposure: We have a wreath for the first time at home, so now I am looking at it as an advent wreath rather than a Christmas wreath. My Exploration: It is sometimes so hard to imagine that the rapture is really coming, and possibly in my lifetime. I am trying to focus on the fact that my days are numbered and I have to take great joys with the days that I have and know that I have an amazing thing coming when the rapture happens or when I pass away. I can’t imagine seeing Jesus for the first time. It would be so awe inspiring. Knowing that my faith and beliefs were right, that we were going to receive the joy I have believed in for such a long time. It would be awesome. My Expression: I love love love Christmas. I can’t wait to decorate. I am learning to shift my focus daily to “decorating” my life for Christ.