A long time ago, I wrote a story called Christmas Morning for my four young kids. At that time, their ages ranged between 4 and 9. Today, they are young adults between 28 to 33! When I wrote this story, it was one of those times when the words flowed from my pen in one sitting. I loved the story then, and I still love it now.

‍

In a nutshell, Christmas Morning is about a little girl who wakes up on Christmas morning and then excitedly opens one gift after another. Each of these tangible gifts symbolize the intangible realities that we all have as Christ followers. It's a simple story with deep meaning; therefore, this book is for both the child and the parent.

‍

Periodically over the years, I would pull Christmas Morning out of my cabinet and attempt to have it published. I also sought out different artists, but in God's wisdom and timing, the answer to both the publication and illustration of it was "No...not yet." That is, until my son Davis met and married his beautiful Jesus lovin' wife Acacia, who also happens to be an artist. When I asked Acacia about potentially illustrating Christmas Morning, she drew a picture of how she envisioned the little girl in the story. When I saw her picture, I immediately knew that I had "met the little girl" that I had been waiting to meet for the past 25 years. God is good, exceedingly, abundantly good.

‍

So, Acacia was hired! She and I have been working together on this project for almost a year now. We meet every Monday morning via facetime. (She lives in North Carolina and I'm in Tennessee.) Our hopeful goal is to be completely finished and ready for the world to see it by September 1, 2025.

‍

In the meantime, my plan is to share different features that are within the book, the first one being the white line which can be found on almost every page.

‍

What does the white line mean? Simply put, the whimsical white line which swirls around the little girl as well as her presents is meant to portray the deeper and divine mystery that each gift holds. It helps make the invisible God visible, showing that he is wonderfully at work behind-the-scenes. Scripture says in 2 Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. The white line symbolizes this freedom, found in Christ alone.

‍

Ironically, I am now reading book after book to my four young grandchildren. This activity is by far my most favorite thing that I do with them, just as it was with my own kids all those years ago. One thing they (my kids back then and my grandkids now) love to do is to trace lines with their little fingers on any illustrated page of a book. Whether it's a windy road, or a train track up a hill, or a kite in the air, they each take turns following the lines with their fingers. My heart's desire and hopeful prayer is that the white lines on the pages of Christmas Morning will be traced by thousands of little fingers, and that each and every one of these children will eventually understand the line’s depth of meaning: that the Spirit of the living God is wonderfully at work all around them.

‍

Stay tuned… The next post will be about the book’s specific color scheme and why!

‍

About a month ago, after one of the torrential rainstorms that the Nashville-area has been experiencing, I woke up to a steady stream of water coming from the ceiling of our walk-in closet. Mac and I quickly took action with bowls and towels; and then, I immediately started removing all my clothes from the area. For about 2 weeks my "closet" was piled high in our bathtub.

‍

First of all, I didn't realize how much STUFF I owned! And then secondly, I decided it was purging-time. One by one, I lifted up shirts, pants, dresses, and shoes and put them in their appropriate stacks, either "give-away" or "keep." Soon afterwards, the give-away clothes were out the door, no longer in my possession.

‍

It felt GREAT to clean out my closet!

‍

Do you know that as Christ-followers, we too have this same choice of "purging the old stuff?" There are certain garments that have no business hanging on our racks. Here's one for example: the "cloak of shame." Sometimes I find myself wrapping this cape around my shoulders...again. When I make a mistake, whether it's big and embarrassing, or small and personal, I find myself bound up in negative self-talk. One morning when I was battling this self deprecating mentality, God used my very real closet clean-out experience to say kindly to me, "Chris, remember, you no longer own that garment." And IT'S TRUE! Jesus not only wore my shame on the cross, he despised it and buried it! All shame, past, present, and future is gone.

‍

What about you? Do you have unnecessary garments that need to be thrown out of your closet?

‍

A guilt jacket? A pride hat? A fear-full wrap? Faith-less shoes? If so, it's time to do some truth-filled purging.

‍

While doing so, take courage in the wardrobe that we do have the privilege of wearing because of Christ:

Strength and dignity are her clothing and she smiles at the future. Pr 31:25

You have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. Psalm 30:11

‍For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation and covered me with the robe of righteousness... Isaiah 61:10.

‍

Our wardrobe is complete in Christ! And it is beautiful.

With my "cloak of shame" no longer hanging on the rack (and other clothing like it), I can say again,

"It feels GREAT to clean out my closet!"

‍

I have a "Mimi basket." This gray laundry basket is packed full of toys, baby dolls, and books, and every Wednesday it makes the roadtrip with me to my grandkids' house for the day. Last week, I "refreshed" my basket by putting two shiny new cars in it, one red and one green. All four grandkids were thrilled at the sight of these new items. However, within minutes, the 5, 4, and 3 year old figured out that only the green car's hood could open. Therefore THIS car was THE car that ALL THREE wanted ALL DAY LONG. Forget about anything else in the basket, much less, any other toy that existed in their own house. I had to set the timer for sharing time, over and over. Needless to say, this "basket refreshment" backfired on Mimi!

‍

Now, I'm not picking on my grandkids for acting their age. Actually, it made me think of our human nature in general, and how we as adults tend to act their age--and I'm putting myself at the top of the list! How quickly the next shiny new thing can lure me in. Wave a fun trip in front of me, and I'm already in the airplane buckled up! Offer me a dessert, any dessert, and you'll have a best friend!

‍

Truly, these things themselves are not the problem...it's only when they become our source of fulfillment, that we get into trouble. Because, these things can't fulfill our deepest longing; they actually do the opposite. Psalm 16:4 says, The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply. For example, too musch dessert leads to me feeling rotten followed by a sleepless night. The best idols can do is give us a temporary buzz.

‍

So often we forgo the fulfilling, and settle for the fleeting. (Would you believe, the following Wednesday, the green car in my basket was not even touched? The new shine was gone.)

‍

Here's a thought: What if we craved God and the things of God in this same excitement and fervor? He asks us to seek him as a treasure (Proverbs 2:4). He says his mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). God offers us so much more than anything on this earth can ever give us. We just have to believe it. He cannot fill our heart when its already full of something else.

‍

So when the next shiny new thing is waved in front of you, here's a promise to hold as your very own instead:

‍

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

‍

Enjoy life and its gifts, but remember they are as fleeting as a little green car in a grandmother's laundry basket.

‍

Choose fulfillment; it lasts forever.

‍

‍

‍

Yesterday, Easter Sunday, I felt a gently pulling and heart's desire to go out to our land where our grandson is buried. On this day in particular, I wanted to declare Truth over where we laid him. I just needed to do it. I'll count it as part of my personal journey of grief...

‍

It's amazing how I can be both sorrowful and joyful at the same time. I am finding out that in Christ, these diametrically opposed emotions are intertwined with his love; together like a braid, I am surrounded by both his healing and his hope. I'm learning to walk in it...to allow God in...to hold me...and to guide me.

‍

So I followed the small nudging and went out to our land. Standing there with a broken heart, I let the tears fall for our little Brave, who lived 36 weeks in his momma's womb. I grieved one more time a life we will not get to see unfold. However, as I let the tears roll out and down, I also raised my hands in triumph concerning our Savior, declaring the greatest seven words in all of history, "He is not here, but has risen." (Luke 24:6) Because of this truth, I too know, Brave "is not here!" By God's grace and mercy through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Brave Lives!

I believe with all my heart the words of Jesus when he said, "I am the resurrection and the life." (John 11: 25) So in the field we call the Hollow, next to a small grave, I declared out loud this victory in full faith to myself, to the Enemy, and most especially to my God, Author of every heartbeat and Giver of Life Eternal.

‍

I stood there, with my empty arms outstretched. Weeping and rejoicing.

‍

And my intimate God, who is always so timely, allowed his wind to pick up and blow a powerful gust, making the "trees of the field clap their hands," as if he himself were applauding and saying to me personally, "Well done and Amen."

‍

I wish I could say I went home and all that remained of my emotions was joy, but that's not the way of grief. I cried a lot this Easter. Sorrow persists.

‍

But I can also say this from even a deeper place: in Christ, joy ultimately wins.

‍

This morning, still wrestling, I sat with the Lord and he kindly brought me again to the Easter story. The women were standing in bewilderment outside the tomb. After the angels declared that Jesus was not there, they said this to the women, "Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words. Luke 24: 7-8

‍

And they remembered his words.

‍

What words of Jesus do I need to remember today?

‍

This verse immediately came to mind because we claimed it 6 months ago, to this very day, when we lost our Brave:

‍Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24

‍

Yes, I want to remember Jesus' words. I will cling to his promises. I will believe that Brave's death will speak Life...bearing much fruit for the kingdom of God. This is my ultimate heart's desire.

‍

Today I will remember his words, and I will let joy win.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

Mac and I just celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary! We can now finish each others sentences.

Actually, a lot of times I'm pretty certain I know what Mac is going to say before he opens his mouth.

‍

One thing I know for sure about him and me is this: we will never not be a work-in-progress. (The double-negative is for emphasis purposes.)

We're companions, but not without occasional small (or sometimes large) miscommunication issues.

We've had happy times for sure, but not without hiccups too.

These things are the reality of a relationship.

Another thing I know for sure is this: our marriage is worth fighting for.

In honor of longevity, I thought I'd share how Mac and I fight to keep this thing going.

‍

Fighting for your marriage includes:

1. Fight for your marriage by celebrating it. Wave the "us" flag on a consistent basis! It's great to have individual things going on. Mac has his interests, and I have mine; but we've learned to also carve out together time. It's easier now that we are in our empty nest years, but at the same time, it's amazing what these years have brought to our calendar. We are also in the "sandwich years" of elderly parents and young grandchildren. So we have to fight for "us time" even still. Whether it's a date or a night away or a big trip across the ocean, don't let the marriage flag fall.

‍

2. Fight for your marriage with prayer. Invite the power of God into your relationship. Pray for each other and with each other. One of the greatest gifts Mac and I have given "us" is praying together. When praying out loud, I hear Mac's heart and he hears mine. And most importantly, God hears our heart together. And he never fails to help, encourage, and direct us. Prayer is a divine cord that binds us together. We just have to stay the course in doing it.

‍

3. Fight for your marriage in a common mission. Ask the Lord to give y'all a place in which you can serve together. This doesn't have to be overly complicated. Where is your common ground? Mac and I have gravitated to opening our home up in various ways. Whether it's our adult kids who bring friends in, or our neighbors, or family members, this is something we do together. Mac gets out the vacuum, and I pray over the room and bathroom as I get it ready for the next guest.

‍

However long you have been together--5 years, 15 years, 35 years, or beyond, make it your ambition to keep fighting for your marriage.

This kind of fighting is a win for the both of you.

‍

Fight the good fight... 1 Timothy 6:12

‍

For more tips on marriage, check out my book: https://www.amazon.com/25-Years-Lessons-Letters-Seasoned/dp/0692072748

‍

‍

I sketched this simple picture with these words in my journal the other day...

‍

Walk with God move mountains.

‍

As you can see this is two short sentences combined...And that's exactly what God is teaching me.

GOD is the one who moves mountains.

And when I walk with him, he has the opportunity to move mountains through me.

Think of Moses and the Red Sea, or David and Goliath.

Who wouldn't want to be used in these mighty ways?

‍

But, let's flip this question to God's perspective. He asks each of us this question:

Who of you wants to walk with me?

‍

There is a certain man in scripture who said, "I do!"

‍

His name is Enoch. He has always intrigued me.

All we know about him is found in Genesis 5:24:

Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

‍

What did Enoch do in his lifetime? He walked with God.

Did he also do something as great parting a sea or slaying a giant?

We don't know.

But what we do know is what is most important: he walked with God.

Enoch's walk with God became his "mountain-moving-mantra."

‍

In our relationship, God is just as much concerned about the quiet waters and the green pastures

with us as he is about "moving mountains" through us. In fact, one begets the other.

‍

When we choose to walk with God at a slow pace, he restores us our soul.

He gives us his Spirit in full measure. He gives us his peace.

He gives us his power in our inner being!

‍

Let's be OK with lingering long with him in the hills and the valleys.

Let's not rush to get to the finished product, the high adventure, or the ultimate goal.

Let's refocus our gaze on our Savior who walks by our side with mercy and grace.

Let's relax.

‍

Life is in the moment, no matter how mundane or small it may seem, especially if you

are cherishing who you're with and saying a prayer over them at the same time.

Now that's power, both for both the present and the future.

‍

Let's be like Moses, and like David.

But let's also be like Enoch.

‍

Walk with God move mountains.