My friend and interior decorator Madelaine Singleton and I just got back from Mississippi and Florida where we presented the Christmas Wreath of Hope to a few local groups. Through Scripture, I told the purposeful meaning behind each decorative element that Madelaine used in her wreath demonstration. It was a pleasure to share this symbolic message. As we journeyed along together, we jokingly called ourselves the “Tell and Show” show.

My talk was packed with God’s word, and Madelaine’s teaching was detailed, but below are the 5 basic wreath instructions along with their truths. After reading, who knows, you might be inspired to hang a Wreath of Hope on your own front door!

1. Start with a GRAPEVINE WREATH. These barren branches represents our life without Christ. Jesus says, I am the vine you are the branches…apart from Me, you can do nothing. John 15:5

2. Add RED RIBBON. This ribbon represents the blood of Christ that He shed on our behalf, His life for ours. When John saw Jesus coming toward him, he cried out, Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

3. Insert GREENERY (from your yard or from Michael’s). The green branches represent the new life that Christ brings. He cares for us, and He grows us. Jesus said, I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

4. Add RED BERRIES. These colorful berries represent the fruit that Christ followers bear from knowing and walking with Him each day. Jesus says, He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit. John 15:5

5. Add TWINKLING LIGHTS. These small lights represent the hope of Christ that lives inside of us through His Spirit. Scripture says, Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

The Wreath of Hope is now complete! However, let me mention that the circular shape even has meaning. The life we are living now is only half of the story; it is our “wilderness wandering” that Jesus graciously enters into to be with us. But the story is not over. Someday we will be WITH HIM, forever. Rest in this familiar promise, For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

This Christmas, make a wreath with your friends or with your children and share its meaning. We now have really good reason to decorate!

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My sister Peggy Lively and I just completed our 16th marathon in our 16th state. We have high hopes of completing one in all 50 states. We are often asked, "Why in the world are y'all doing this crazy thing?". Honestly, we just fell into it. Maybe I shouldn't use the word "fall" when talking about marathons. But truly, we've sorta gone into this adventure blindly (hmmm, another poor word for safely accomplishing 26.2 miles). Before my first marathon, I had never run in ANY race. Well, I do remember the three-legged race on field day in elementary school, and that wasn't very pretty, at all. Peggy and I can't explain it; something came over the both of us at the same time and within only minutes, we both decided to "just do it". And so, the 50 marathons in 50 states began.

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With this being number "sweet sixteen", I took a moment to think about the marathons to date, and these are the things we have gained in this journey:

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‍Togetherness. Our marathon weekends, believe it or not, are therapeutic for the both of us. We cover a lot of ground even sitting in our hotel room as we listen to each other's triumphs and trials of life. We laugh a lot, and we cry too. Also, throughout the weekend and the race, we pray for the particular state we are in. We pray for ministries, schools, communities, government, marriages, and families. The 26.2 miles cover not only the roads within the cities we walk, but our words reach heaven's throne with fervent faith. These extra long treks have helped me understand the meaning of "persevering in prayer" (from Eph. 6:18), and it helps me stay the course when I get back home.

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‍Outreach. "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24). Both Peggy and I have come to realize that the marathon weekends are about much more than the 5 1/2 hour-ish trek on marathon day. It's about the people we meet (airplane passengers, hotel managers, marathon participants) and the friends and family we visit (old neighbors, nieces and nephews, ministry partners). I will not be able to express in a small paragraph the giant things God has done in and through our travels. Our hopeful goal each time we go to these cities is to spread the love of Christ and encourage others in their own personal journey. Just like a marathon, life is not a feel-good-all-the-time-experience, and if Peggy and I can help encourage someone even a little bit, we call it a successful weekend. In our different travels, we've met complete strangers and they are now dear friends. We've reconnected with people from years past. As a result, the blessings of these relationships have been immense. I'm excited for what's in store.‍

Adventure. I must add here that our dear mother sends Peggy and me off with some spending money each and every trip. Bless her for making these trips doable. She supports "our mission", which is real simple: live full, love well, and pray much.  With that being said, who knew we would go to a World Series game in St.Louis, or see the Grand Canyon in AZ, or peer out into the Atlantic ocean in Maine, or go to the Dairy Queen in North Dakota? That's pretty awesome for this introvert who loves her comfy chair in the confines of her own four walls! I'm thankful for each of these trips and eager for more. God knew I needed to GET UP and GO FORWARD...to His people and to His world. I'm thankful for the privilege.

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I finish these memorable moments with an encouraging word for your very own marathon of life. Hear the Forerunner say:

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‍Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Recently, I read two passages of Scripture that had the same idea in it, yet their meaning was completely opposite.

The first phrase is found in I Samuel 16:49 which speaks of David killing the giant Goliath:
And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.

The second phrase that caught my attention was when I flipped to the passage found in Ezekiel 1:26-28 which gives details of the prophet’s personal encounter with the glory of God:

…there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance…and there was brightness around him. Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain…such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

How interesting…same posture of both the giant and the prophet, yet one face planted due to pride and the other due to humbled awe.

I guess the hard question I have to ask myself is this: which one of these men am I like in every day life? Do I call my own shots, make my own judgments, and plow forward with my own head-strong plans like Goliath intended to do? Or do I sit long enough with the Lord to meditate on His majesty, that is marvelously transposed with His mercy, to where the only thing I can do is, like Ezekiel, fall on my face in response to His glory and grace?

As we know, things did not end well with the prideful giant. Enough said. But with the humble prophet, bowing low was just the beginning:

And he said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet and I will speak to you.” And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet…” (Ezekiel 2:1)

May you and I be more like Ezekiel today. Let’s bow before our Creator and wait to hear His voice. And then, when we do hear him, let’s be ready to stand on our feet and do exactly what He says, filled with His power, doing all for His glory.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:10

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I wanted to let you know that Soul Sisters, a women's devotional group that I co-lead, now has a website. Our heart's desire is to encourage women in God's word each day, as well as to pray for one another. If you're looking for a daily lift in His word (M-F), check outwww.SoulSistersMinistry.com. Here is a sample devotional:Free to RestRead: Matthew 11: 25-30; Philippians 1:6“If we are not free to rest, we will either burn out or the work will be about our agenda, not God’s. In a society of to-dos and goals and ambitions, the Father asks us to rest assured. He wants us to stop trying so hard to matter.” (Rebecca Lyons)

In our Scripture today, Jesus says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." I'm wondering if every one of us reading this devotion right now is weary and heavy laden in some way. We, as women, have so many demands: homes, husbands, kids, grandkids, elderly parents, jobs, ministries, and so much more. Does this full work schedule give us an "out" for resting in the Lord? I think Jesus is saying the exact opposite. He says to those who are burdened with work (and in His day, those burdened with following all the rules of the Law), "Come to Me." This invitation of "Come" is the precursor to the Lord's command of "Go". Will we answer His plea to simply be with Him? IF we do, His promise is rest for our souls. I believe our souls crave this rest (relationship with Christ) more than anything else in this world. Jesus also says, "Learn from Me." How did Jesus live? He, being fully God and yet also fully man, had to prioritize His 24 hour day/night. Priority number one: He went away often to be with His Father. Only after hearing His Father's guiding words, did He go and do. When we come to Him, He refills us for His appointed work. Just like the obvious stop we have to make at the gas station for our cars, we must stop and rest from our going and doing in order to be empowered with His wisdom and strength. Otherwise, as Rebecca Lyons stated above, "we will either burn out or our work will be about our agenda, not God's."

First and foremost, God has called you to a relationship with Himself. Within this relationship, He has mapped out His work for you. Rest today in the confidence that He will complete good things in and through you in His time and way. Our worth is safe and secure in the author and finisher of all good things, Jesus Christ. So, sister, we get to rest in Him!

Dear Lord,Forgive me for trying to go and do Your work without You fueling me with your Spirit. I tend to take on things in and of my own flesh that You never meant for me to do in the first place. I try to fix things and control things and produce things. Remind me that YOU are the ultimate Fixer, the flawless Controller, and the marvelous Producer; let me rest in YOU. When my thoughts are racing in the morning concerning my agenda, may the first words I hear be, "Come to Me". Help me to respond to this loving invitation with an expectant heart. Speak to me, O God. Tell me what You want me TO DO, and what You want me NOT TO DO. I pray I will crave Your rest above all else. May I fuel up with Your word and Spirit BEFORE I go out into the chaos of the day. Yes Lord, in this personal relationship with You, I ask for Your strength, Your peace, and Your joy to equip me in Your appointed work. In Your Name. Amen.

Many years ago, I bought some daylily bulbs from a friend of a dear friend. I picked a special place in my backyard near a stone wall to plant them; and then, I waited. The first bloom was a huge celebratory moment for me (I do NOT have a green thumb in the least, so anything that grows in my yard is a minor miracle). Now, every summer I look forward to the re-birthing of these radiant flowers.

What’s crazy to me is that this flower’s bloom only lasts one day, hence the name day-lily. It’s as if this particular plant embraces this fact however, and puts a hundred percent of its beauty into the time it has been allotted. These brick red, butter yellow, and melon orange blossoms splay themselves open unashamedly, shouting “Beautiful!” and “Majestic!” and “Glory!” in the designated place that they have been planted. Scripture uses the blossoming flower as an anology to teach us:

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.”  I Peter 1:23-25

So, when studying the temporal flower alongside the above scripture, a wise, yet convicting question can be, What am I doing with my days? Am I shouting “Beautiful”, and “Majestic”, and “Glory” in my designated place?

Be challenged by the Creator of both the fleeting flower and your seeking soul. Take in His word, the imperishable seed, and choose to hear it, and heed it. And then, without fail, you will not only be living in this world radiantly but also at some point, leaving this world triumphantly, having impacted it for eternity. And this my friend, is a major miracle.

Teach us to number our days, that we may enter the heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

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I recently had some recurring thoughts that made me look for a post I wrote many years ago...Every now and then, I think about the now...and then.

The other morning the thought about the present-day and the unseen-future came to mind when I stepped outside with puppy-Juliet for her "morning duty." Most of our outings together at this wee-morning hour still possess the remnant of night-time, with the black sky and the twinkling stars. However, for about three mornings in a row, our scenery was different; instead of a clear nightlysky, Juliet and I were greeted with a dense white fog. When standing on my front porch, I couldn't see our driveway, our black fence, the surrounding trees, the cows in the field. Nothing was in view.

I think sometimes our present day, the now, is a lot like living in this kind of fog. There are so many unknowns, whether it's about our health, our finances, our direction, or our relationships. The seemingly impassable uncertainties can create a worrisome unsettling in our hearts... so many questions, so many emotions.

But as I was walking with little pup down our driveway in the midst of this penetrable thickness, I heard a whispering in my soul, "Chris, this is what it means to walk by faith not be sight" (II Cor. 5:7). The Lord's sweet reminder to my questioning heart, was that I am walking with the One who holds all the answers. And I am called to put my faith in Him, not in myself or my surroundings. Remember, He is called the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow (James 1:17).

And let us also remember this truth on our walk: in the midst of all this faith-fog "now" there is the promise of crystal-clear "then"! You may never understand the goings-on of this life, but if all you do is hold onto the hope of heaven while walking through the befuddlements of earth, then God has been glorified in and through you. Someday He will set all things right, and we will then understand.

As I walked back up the driveway, God set my mind on another Word of His:

For we know in part, and we prophecy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away... For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I have also been fully known. (I Cor. 13:9-10,12)

In light of this truth, let us each walk by faith today, remembering that God Himself is in-step with you. I pray your heart will hear Him whispering words of hope, for your "now"... and your "then."