Right In Front of My Eyes

I've had the same nativity set for years. The ceramic pieces were made by a friend of mine who died several years ago. Each year I remember her as I put them out, and at the end of the season, I carefully pack the pieces away. However, after even the most careful packing for so many years....Baby Jesus was beginning to look pretty dinged up. The paint was chipped and it seemed a little disrespectful to put on display. I knew my friend wouldn't want me to continue to use it. So....I began the search for another set. But...I was also faced with the dilemma of what do you do with Baby Jesus? I didn't want to donate a damaged piece, but to throw it away seemed wrong! :  ) And so it sat on the counter, while I wondered, "What do I do with Jesus?"

My search was disappointing. Either I didn't like the expressions on the characters, they didn't look realistic, they were too expensive, or something else deterred me on each one. I then began to open up the cute set of little kids spelling out the word, "peace," a new decoration that I'd purchased this year. When the last piece was placed on the table and I stepped back to take a look, I was surprised to see that not only did they spell PEACE, but they were dressed in nativity scene apparel...they were, in fact, a NATIVITY SCENE. The nativity had been right there in my home all along, and I had missed it.

I was struck by two truths during those couple of days. 1) We are all faced with the question, "What do I do with Jesus?" Our answer and that of others has eternal significance. And 2) Sometimes Jesus is right in front of our eyes and we miss Him because we aren't looking. Open my eyes, Lord, to see you and to help others see you, and to make the right choices of what to do with Jesus. The ball is in our court.

Give Thanks!

Psalm 100:4–5 (NIV)

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. ⁵ For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Give Thanks! 

Lessons learned from Princesses and Friends

A few days ago, I participated in our church's Trunk or Treat event. Watching the line of kids and adults go by, I was aware that not one single person looked the same. Everyone had their own identity, even if they were wearing the same costume. They were all unique.

We, too, by God's creation, are all unique. No one refused to come to the event because not everyone was dressed like them. Not a single participant stayed away because we were giving out other candy besides the one they liked best. And best of all....we all had fun. "Dogs" admired the superheroes, the princesses filled up their bag with all different kinds of candy, and the farmer smiled at them all.

Everyone had different roles for that event. We couldn't all be passing out treats, someone had to be in costume and ready to receive. It didn't happen without some work. It would've been a terrible time if everyone had been sullen and unappreciative. There were appropriate times for each ingredient, and it couldn't all happen at once. No one was out to see who had the best costume, who was passing out the best candy, or who delivered it in the best way. There was (and continues to be) appreciation shown to those who gave, those who came, those who prayed, and those who were there that night. I believe the event was a wonderful example of community and life as God would have us live.

At one time, I was that child in costume, and at one time, I was that parent lugging the coats and snapping pictures. That's not my role now, though. But it doesn't mean the role I have now can't be enjoyable and a part of the whole. Through life, through the church, through our jobs.....our roles change. But God doesn't.....and He still has ABUNDANT life for us....if we'll let Him give it, according to what He knows is best. And by the way....don't be afraid to try a piece of candy you've never tried before....you might just like it! : )

Go Outside!

My mom was always trying to get me to go outside. Her reasoning was persuasive: sitting in front of the television all day was bad for my eyes; think of all the fresh air and sunshine; all my friends were outside, so why wasn't I outside. The list could go on and on, so eventually, I went outside. I think that maybe she just wanted a few minutes of peace and quiet in the house, but even if that was true, outside was better. There were adventures, discoveries, and more that I would have missed curled up on the couch. Outside was better.


Often we can find ourselves becoming very comfortable inside the church. Truthfully, it is a great place to be! We find hope, comfort and encouragement there. It is important, however, to understand the purpose of the hope, comfort and encouragement. We don't come to church to stay inside; we come to church to be equipped to go outside. Jesus' Great Commission to his disciples was to "Go."


Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV84)

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.


Come to church to get equipped, then go outside. It's really exciting what God is doing out there!

It's Always Today

I love Hebrews 3:13a. It says, "But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is called "Today." It makes me smile, because when you think about it, we are being exhorted to encourage one another everyday....since it is actually always today. Tomorrow never comes, because once the clock turns to midnight and one milli-second (or whatever is a smaller unit than that), it isn't tomorrow....it's today. It's another one of those 'keep on keepin' on' passages. Barnabas is one of my favorite Biblical characters...we are told his name means Encourager.


I can remember telling my kids, 'tomorrow, we'll...' do such and such. So then when that day came, they asked, 'is this tomorrow?' That was a hard one to answer...."Well, it's actually today"..."But you said we'd do this tomorrow, and now we're doing it--so isn't this tomorrow?" Try to explain to a four-year old that yesterday today was tomorrow, but now it's today, and tomorrow is tomorrow.... It laughingly makes my brain spin even now!

But this instruction isn't confusing....as a matter of fact, it's very straightforward -

Encourage one another TODAY!

Night Out

Everybody likes a night out. Whether its dinner at your favorite restaurant, or just spending time with family and friends, a night out can be a wonderful break from the routine of the everyday. NHBC is set to begin a new opportunity called National Heights Night Out. Each month, we will choose a restaurant and invite the NHBC family to join together in a time of fellowship and outreach. This month, we will meet at Panera's on Kansas Expressway Monday, September 29th. If you bring a NHBC flyer between 4-8 PM (available at www.nationalheights.org/nightout.html) Panera's will make a donation to our partner school, Fremont Elementary. The evening will also include an informal worship service in the party room at Panera's at 6:30 PM. Invite a friend and join us for a great time of outreach and fellowship in our community.

Just a Little Thing

Three to four inches wide and just an inch long. Just a little bitty thing--but oh, the havoc it can cause. My husband had a gallbladder attack in the middle of the night last week, and that 'little bitty thing' caused him enormous pain. And to top it off, what was REALLY the cause was a stone lodged in the gallbladder's neck - so, even smaller still!


It's amazing what trouble small things can cause....a hangnail, a splinter, even a paper cut. Similarly, it's amazing what trouble small things can cause in relationships. A careless word, a thoughtless look, an ill-timed laugh. How carefully we need to be watchful over small things throughout the day.


It's also amazing what GOOD can come from small things. A kind word, a hand squeeze, a quick word of prayer, or even a short note. May we be faithful to the small things that are good....and watchful over those small 'stones' that can be hurtful to the cause of Christ.