McKenna and Kari at Chocolada-Chocolate Smiles!
Eva and Sue at Chocolada
The 'Chocolada ladies'
Another Picture of the 'Chocolada Ladies'
The 'Chocolada ladies'
Another Picture of the 'Chocolada Ladies'And It came To Pass In Those Days, There Went Out A Decree From Caesar Augustus That All The World Should Be Taxed....and Joseph, Also, Went Up From Galilee..... Luke Ch. 2
I have known and loved this story from my earliest childhood memories. I can't even remember when it happened, but I read this story from the book of Luke, so many times, that somewhere along the way, I learned it by heart. When I am around someone who opens the book of Luke to chapter 2, I immediately begin to recite it from verse 1 through verse 14.
When I was about 12 years old, I remember being Mary in our church's Christmas program. As we all sang Silent Night, when the program was over, I recall feeling ecstatic at the visions formed in my mind, of the Baby Lord Jesus, The Stars shining serenely over Bethlehem, and the beautiful little lambs in the stable. I could 'see' the shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night, the Angel of the Lord, surrounding the night sky, the shepherds, and the sheep, with a light so wonderful and bright, as it glittered on the snow covered ground-sparkling like a zillion tiny diamonds. I could hear their sweet melodious voices ringing out all over the land; "Fear Not, For BEHOLD! I bring You Good Tidings of Great Joy, Which Shall Be To All People! For Unto You a Savior Is Born...and This Shall Be a Sign Unto You: Ye Shall Find The Babe Wrapped In Swaddling Clothes, and Lying In a Manger!"
I Could 'see' the heavenly multitude praising God and Saying: "Glory To God In The Highest, Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men!"
In my young child's mind, this was all very simple and clear. There was nothing to fear or doubt. How we all should become like little children and 'see' the Glory of God!
Day before yesterday, Allan and I were talking about a message that Pastor Jim (Johnson) had preached one time, about the un-seen battles going on around us. We compared it to the great dynamics (un-seen) that go on inside of our bodies. Although we can't see these things, we know they exist. We know our heart is pumping our blood, we know that our cells are processing our food and oxygen and waste, we know that we are storing knowledge in our brain, however, we can see none of it.
It made us think about these un-seen battles for our walk with God, for our faith, our witness, our very souls (for those who are lost), battles that we know nothing about are being fought all around us.
We know that Satan is alive and well, and that he is going about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). We must be vigilant, yet we also must be like little children, having a pure and un-shakeable faith in our Lord Jesus.
As we come upon this holiday season, I think of many things from my childhood. There is just something about Christmas to me, that even the modern day commercialism can't take away!
It's the becoming a child again, the belief and knowledge that HE IS our Savior! He did come to save and redeem the world! My faith in God has been my salvation all my life. He knew me when He formed me in the womb, He watched over me and protected me, and loved me while I was yet a sinner, He kept me while I was rebellious, He never stopped pursuing me, even when I refused to listen to Him! He is faithful and will complete what He began in me! He is still working, daily in me, to make me more like Him, and that is my desire; Oh, to be more like Him!!!
I still have so much little girl in me, and I really never want to lose it. I want to be a child...HIS child. I want to obey and walk with my loving Father.
I am including in this very unusual blog, some pictures of an evening some of the girls here (with our organization), for our evening out...just being fun-loving, silly, and child-like.
We walked to town, to the square we call the Rynek, here in Krakow. We sang along the way, we talked with a "British" accent, we took different names for ourselves, we had a lot of fun, just being 'children' yes, me, too! (I'm actually the instigator!)
We went to a place called "chocolada" (chocolate in Polish), and we had the most delectable chocolate drinks,,,decadent in richness, and we laughed, joked with the waiter, took silly pictures, shopped, and just had fun, altogether.
I looked up at the night sky, very dark and mysterious, no stars seen, pitch black-was the sky, but I saw the twinkling Christmas tree lights, the bustling shoppers, the wares being sold in the little shops, the smell of foods being grilled for the shoppers to buy as they hurried about, I looked around me at this busy city, so far from my home and family and I silently thanked my God for His coming to save us. I thanked Him for the beauty of His universe, for His creation, for all the wonderful blessings he has bestowed upon us, I thanked Him for my church, my family, my friends, I thanked Him for loving us all so much, and I thanked Him that He gave us the most precious gift of all- the gift of His salvation, His grace, His mercy and love, He gave HIMSELF for us, that we might live, by our own choice...to serve Him-as King Solomon says: I have considered the matter and have concluded that we have one purpose: To serve God, to know Him and to make Him known (paraphrased by myself)....Ecclesiastes 12:13
This season, as I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, I have a wish, that we all make Him known to even one person that does not know Him...that we proclaim Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men-For Unto YOU, a Savior Is Born Which is Christ The LORD!
May The God of Peace Be With You All!
In Christ Alone Our Hope Is Found!
Sue
The Fishermens Line
Krakow, Poland
