The Real Christmas Story

I was reminded by one of my Bible studies that even we Christians sentimentalize the Christmas story. The promised Messiah, Savior, and Lord didn’t arrive in some stately fashion heralded through the halls of some pristine palace. Rather his mother Mary and earthly father Joseph traveled many miles over rough terrain to find that there was no room available to them.

So it was that the King of Kings was delivered in a dirty, smelly barnyard stable, more like a cave than all these clean wooden creches that we see displayed in the yards of Christmas Nativity Scenes of today. In some ways it is appropriate that the Spotless Lamb of God would be born like other sacrificial animals in a stable. Likewise, that this tiny babe that one day would proclaim Himself to be the Bread of Life would be laid in a feeding trough.

Truly, His humble beginnings as Immanuel (God with us) demonstrated how approachable He is. The first to hear of His birth were the lower class servants who were the shepherds whose very job it was to take care of the lambs. Can you imagine how startled they must have been when the darkness of the night was pierced by the heavenly host’s great light and proclamation that they could go and see the long awaited Savior. These often forgotten about people were now the First to know; to see; to be there in person. What an honor.

Jesus Himself was from a family that was relatively poor…. born in a borrowed manger, in a foreign land, growing up in Nazareth which was known for it’s less wealthy population (Jesus was from the “other side of the train tracks” or “in the Hood” ), He traveled all over talking to any-and-everyone, helping where He was needed and always teaching by example and through Scripture and life application stories. Healing all sorts of maladies, He truly Touched the leper as noone else even dared. After all of this Jesus was falsely accused, betrayed and killed as a criminal. Even in death He was buried in a borrowed grave….. which He didn’t need but the 3 days… Glory!!!

When I was reminded of this it made it easier not to get so down about not having anything special to give to family and friends for Christmas. It’s too bad that I can’t wrap appreciation and love and willingness to do something special for people so that they’d have something to open.

Today, friend, I thank God that it is not what I can give … rather it is what God has given. Therefore, my Christmas gift to you is this:
Do you have the Greatest Gift of All? If not, can I help you recieve it?
Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Shadows Along the Way

I ponder about the depression that so oft’ besets the person with chronic pain. It is a darkness that seems consuming … inescapable … threatening to swallow us up in its blackness of uncaring loneliness.

To be in the shadows is to have all the joy sucked out of every aspect of my life. It is the fear of the unknown. The realization that I can’t stay in this place. It is drudgery, bleakness and hopelessness. Or is it???

You see… I believe that the shadow can be seen in another way. As I acknowledge the shadow for that which it truly is, I needn’t fear. For a shadow is simply a result of a light shining beyond an obstacle. It is not solid and cannot hurt me. It has no course of its own. No ill intent against me personally. It simply exists to testify that there is a great light nearby. It is the light that has the power; not the shadow.

Walking down the pathway of my life and journey through pain, I experience the shadows of depression stretching toward me from time to time. However, if I remember the insight above I can overcome the despair of the shadows and realize the hope that is there.

For, if the shadow is reaching toward me, and I face it, I know that I am heading in the Light direction. The darker that the shadow appears, the more intense is the light that forms it.
My friend, I pray that you remember these words and draw upon the encouragement that is intended to help you as we travel this path together. Experience the joy as we draw closer to the light!

YOU Can Make a Difference

As I embark on a mission with a passion I would like to personally invite you along on this journey. You can help others by simply posting your story. What happened to cause you the pain that you now suffer? What are your greatest challenges? What tools and strengths have you developed so far? Please take part in this page. As what you have learned and are experiencing helps everyone as we share and care. Blessings and comfort to you Friend.

Purpose In Pain

The purpose of this page is to act as a common support site for people who are in pain. To offer hope as we spiritually share together our experiences, our knowledge, our challenges and victories, while offering mutual support and encouragement.

There is only one specific 12-step group for People In Chronic Pain currently outside the Indianapolis area held once a week in Plainfield, IN. The severity of chronic pain and its effects on personal quality of life and the communities in which our partners in pain dwell, that we NEED to establish many more support services.

So until such a time… I believe that God has called me to do what I can with what I have.

The God of All Comfort 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (New International Version)

Right now, that means the birth of this page.

Currently there is a great need for support groups to be established for those who suffer with chronic pain disease. As people in chronic pain learn, isolation is the enemy.
Working together, we can encourage and uplift one another as we go through the various challenges that our chronic pain brings us.

Please join me in making this a process toward GROWING though pain; not just GOING through pain!

What A Day I Had!

This was just one of those days. . . I had a HUGE school project that I had planned on getting done … but my home computer has operating system problems. Then there were the financial concerns that keep the gears grinding in my problem-solving brain. After finding the hole in the fence through which the dog snuck out for a brief excursion, I finally got out of the house, although later than I wanted. I was somewhat surprised that the computer lab at the college was empty when I arrived. Then I found out why. Apparently, about half an hour before I arrived there was a big power surge that took out the internet network, the boiler wasn’t working and I think the air circulation was also temporarily down. WOW! At least those lights didn’t all go down as I logged onto the computer or else I just might have taken it personally. So I had to go back home to endure the ever-spinning circle thing as I impatiently waited for dial up page turns. There were numerous interruptions, phone calls and unexpected events that seemed to swallow up the time in chunks. It was one of those days where I felt like I’d been working forever and not getting much done. You know, the hours seemed to drag with the amount of effort I put in, yet the time flew when it came to evaluating how much more I had NOT gotten finished. I DID make good progress on my school project, but not as much as I’d planned. That was oh, so disappointing. Yet, as I write this blog before retiring for the night… er… morning, I have the verse from Jeremiah reverberating in my head . “I know the plans I have for you,” God had control all the while. It was my focusing on my own timeline that was the source of the frustration.
Now, I am going to trust that same God to protect me from beating myself up for not getting that project into my teacher before I get to sleep. Hopefully, He will reward me with a sound couple hours of sleep that will prepare me for a better tomorrow. One in which I have wisely already surrendered to His Lordship. Peace to you.

Life’s Journey – Ellen’s Blog

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105 (New International Version)

Okay, today I am going to embark on a new journey into the world of blogging. It’s not that I am any more of a deep thinker than most people, but I do have some thoughts that are worthwhile. Besides, I believe it will help cement what I am learning. At the same time, it may actually be of some benefit to someone else who might be reading.

So If you would like… please join me on the journey!