Waiting Forwardly: A Day to Anticipate - Max Lucado

I was doing devos this morning, and I realized that it would be the last of the decade.
The following is a COPY of what I read, however, I thought it was a good reminder for us all to wait in expectation of the Lord's coming, especially since new years always brings reflections of the past year and resolutions for the new year!

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"Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel's comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him"
(Luke 2:25 TKB, emphasis mine).

Let's take a look at Simeon, the man who knew how to wait for the arrival of Christ. The way he waited for the first coming is a model for how we should wait for the Second Coming.

"The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen him—God's anointed King" (v. 26 TLB).

You've got to wonder what a message like that would do to a person. What does it do to you if you know you will someday see God? We know what it did to Simeon.

He was "constantly expecting the Messiah" (v. 25 TLB).

He was "living in expectation of the salvation of Israel" (v. 25 PHILLIPS).

He "watched and waited for the restoration of Israel" (v. 25 NEB).

Simeon is a man on tiptoe, wide-eyed and watching for the one who will come to save Israel. Studying each passing face. Staring into the eyes of strangers. He's looking for someone. He was waitingforwardly. Patiently vigilant. Calmly expectant. Eyes open. Arms extended. Searching the crowd for the right face, and hoping the face appears today.

Such was the lifestyle of Simeon, and such can be ours. Haven't we, like Simeon, been told of the coming Christ? Aren't we, like Simeon, heirs of a promise? Are we not prompted by the same Spirit? Are we not longing to see the same face?

First, we must wait. Paul says "we are hoping for something we do not have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently" (Rom. 8:25). Simeon is our model. He was not so consumed with the "not yet" that he ignored the "right now." Luke says Simeon was a "good man and godly" (2:25). Peter urges us to follow suit. Hope of the future is not a license for irresponsibility in the present. Let us wait forwardly, but let us wait.

But for most of us, waiting is not our problem. Or, maybe I should state, waiting is our problem. We are so good at waiting that we don't wait forwardly. We forget to look. We are so patient that we become complacent. We are too content. We seldom search the skies. We rarely run to the temple. We seldom, if ever, allow the Holy Spirit to interrupt our plans and lead us to worship so that we might see Jesus.

It is to those of us who are strong in waiting and weak in watching that our Lord was speaking when he said, "No one knows when that day or time will be, not the angels in heaven, not even the Son. Only the Father knows. . . . So always be ready, because you don't know the day your Lord will come. . . . The Son of Man will come at a time you don't expect him" (Matt. 24:36, 42, 44).

Simeon reminds us to "wait forwardly." Patiently vigilant. But not so patient that we lose our vigilance. Nor so vigilant that we lose our patience.

In the end, the prayer of Simeon was answered. "Simeon took the baby in his arms and thanked God; 'Now, Lord, you can let me, your servant, die in peace, as you said'" (Luke 2:28-29).

One look into the face of Jesus, and Simeon knew it was time to go home. And one look into the face of our Savior, and we will know the same.

From
When Christ Comes: The Beginning of the Very Best
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1999) Max Lucado

Third Day - Blessed Assurance

yay for skating..
boo for bruises.

ahh! 5 day to go ):

so much to do,
so little time!

someone help me!

I don't understand why people in the food industry lie about the products used in their dishes. You'd think they would know a thing or two about food and different peoples reactions to it and their liability and responsibility towards the people in which they serve.. But no..

In my experience most people are quite persistent with denying the fact that there is a certain ingredient in the food until you say that you are allergic to it or threaten them with the consequence of possibly killing someone..
Can someone legitimately explain the reasoning and logic behind this?
It just frustrates me . And I just want to know if I am just not seeing all the sides to it..

with all this festive eating..
i'm glad my christmas present to myself is a NEW gym membership...

now to decide which one...
*tough call*

#1

I'm sure all of you who know me well were probably expecting this song BUT, coming in at #1 this christmas is

David Phelps - O Holy Night

Some of you may recognize him from the Gaither Gospel Series or quartet, and I think the first time I heard this was in grade 10 vocal class or something along those lines. Regardless of that, I think if you take a moment to listen to this rendition of the song and compare it with something like Josh Groban's O Holy Night (which I enjoy as well) , you can truly appreciate the fact that the singers are not just singing the words to make another christmas hit, but really WORSHIPPING and PROCLAIMING the celebration of the glorious day that God came down to earth to reconcile and atone us for our sins.

and that's what Christmas is about.

so take a minute to listen, and reflect on what and why we celebrate Christmas (:




Merry Christmas Everyone (:

Top 5 Christmas Favs (:

5. N'Sync - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays
- because of ALL the memories associated with this song (:


4. John Lennon - Happy Christmas (War is Over)
- because we should always be praying for world peace, despite the phrase sounding so cliche


3. Band Aid - Do they know it's Christmas
- I think this is my favourite celebrity mash (:


2. Andrew Allen - Christmas Song
because its just cute (:


and you'll just have to stay tuned for #1 (:
but i'm sure most of you can guess ...

With my to-do list in hand,
I can FEEL that today is going to be a productive day (:

blue

nothing like some good fresh snowy air (:

scheduled posts

DID you know that you could schedule your posts to post in the FUTURE?!

like this one!

If my timing is correct, I SHOULD be on the slopes as this blog post makes it way into the public eye!

COOL BEANS!

I had a lovely day today.

Sleep in until 9:30am - day begins...
10:00 am - Shopping for snow gear. Helmet and wool socks purchased.
11:00 am - Cheesecakes & Fruit tarts for the road
11:30 am- Donations and hanging out at Scott Mission!
1:00 pm - High Tea at the WA Hotel
4:00 pm - Off to work for cards & gifts exchange
5:00 pm - trek home
6:00 pm - soup and sandwiches with mom and dad (:
7:00 pm - shower
8:00 pm - blog about relaxing day (:


... now time to trek up to blue for some good snow time (:

the to-do list's never end..

so I am officially done my exams for this term, but i feel like there is so much to do before the end of the year.
and it's true.
we can keep writing to do lists for the rest of our lives, and we will still not be finished our work here on earth until the day we die.

now that's food for thought.
maybe the next time you think you are too busy to spend time with God, or go out with friends you haven't seen in a while because "you are too busy", it might be a good idea to think of what will make a bigger difference 10 years down the road.. (not to say that you should drop all your responsibilities and frolic in field all day.. but y'know)

(:

deny.
pray.
love.

Shane and Shane - Embracing Accusations

Take a listen to this song.
If you pay special attention to the song, you'll find the the first few lines quite interesting.
Basically telling how even the Devil can't help but proclaim the gospel even when he curses us and leads us astray. I think this paints a beautiful contrast of our human doubts in relation to God's love and mercy (: For it is only when we realize the weight of our sin that we see the guilt of our actions so that we can truly embrace the joy of the salvation that our God has provided for us.



listen to shane speak about the song HERE!

Galatians 3:10-11
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”

"God’s mark of approval, whenever you obey Him, is peace. He sends an immeasurable, deep peace; not a natural peace, “as the world gives,” but the peace of Jesus."
- Oswald chambers

Caleb Nicholas Tsoi (:

happy one week (:

rethink. relive. remember.

This morning I was at the mall to purchase my last minute gift for my $5 gift exchange that we are doing for my small group. I was greeted by the warm welcome of several mall walking seniors and people sitting in the dimly lit food court before all the lights turned on and stores opened. As much as I don't like the busyness of malls during the Christmas season, being there today reminded me of the great sense of community and the relationships built that occurs in the mall setting. Perhaps these overly decorated buildings that market the latest "worthless" products that provide a temporary satisfaction had more to offer than the shallow facade displayed.

Despite the fact that I personally do not enjoy gift giving on these holidays that have become hallmark, I do believe in the community and reminder of the thought, care, and love that is shared in giving purposeful gifts.

Sometimes the simplest gestures can demonstrate Gods love in the biggest way.

"Love is the overflowing result of one person in true fellowship with another."
- Oswald Chambers

AMAZING RACE!

For anyone that knows me well, they probably know that i ABSOLUTELY LOVE the Amazing Race.
In fact, I have always DREAMED of being on the show.

Anyway, history was made this season when the FIRST ALL FEMALE team of all 17 seasons won the race!

This is Nat and Kat..

(someone said Kat, the asian one, looked and reminded him of me.. but he was caucasian, so that doesn't count.. haha *waves*@ G.E!)

Seriously, this doctor duo was so inspiring in watching their positive attitudes and support for each other on their race across 30 cities over four continents kept me tuned. Not only were they professionals in not having to sabotage or be rude to anyone, but their calm, cool, and collective competitiveness (haha.. alliteration), in my opinion, is what ultimately got them to their much deserved Win (:


hurrah!

My goal was to blog everyday this month, and although I have been posting everyday, I really have not had the opportunity to sit and think about anything. Whoever it was that said school kills creativity is right. After long days or lecture, reading and studying, all your brain wants to do is rest - & taking part in mindless activities like watching tv or spending time on social networking sites.

Anyway, on that note, instead of spending the rest of my night ranting about the world and all it's problems. I'm going to bed before 12 (:
So happy!

Can I just say that I am thoroughly disappointed in Starbucks Share deals? What about all the non coffee drinkers?
I can't believe there wasn't even ONE day for cheaper hand crafted drinks!
Boo!

In using all means, seek God alone. In and through every outward thing, look only to the power of His Spirit, and the merits of His Son. Beware you do not get stuck in the work itself; if you do, it is all lost labor. Nothing short of God can satisfy your soul. Therefore, fix on Him in all, through all, and above all...Remember also to use all means as means-as ordained, not for their own sake...
- J. Wesley

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can
- J. Wesley

Be the change you want to see in the world.
- Gandhi

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (TNIV)

Rejoice always,
pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Amen.

this is home & i am blessed every sunday to be able to worship in this sanctuary..

It's THAT time of the year again... ):



credits to MM: Thanks for the reminder (:
i feel like i should take rev. tam's wise words into consideration for NEXT term! (: haha.. *sigh*

SO.. the ending is cut off..
BUT it is still worth a listen (:


this is shane and shanes take on o holy night.. one of my christmas favs (:

s2

i STILL wonder to this day why they put white crayons in the box..
the only true use for them is to draw stars on a black sheet of construction paper, but even then the white crayon can simply be replaced by the yellow crayon..




clearly i have been procrastinating with natalie dee (:

School sucks the joy out of learning.. ):