Sunday, December 18, 2011

A Central Market Christmas and a Flash Mob Hallelujah


A Central Market Christmas and a Flash Mob Hallelujah
Donning my scarf and gloves, I anticipate my very first outing to Lancaster’s down-town Historical Central Market.  Enjoying some freshly brewed java and conversation with a man I barely know, Christmas is surely in the air, and so are the beginnings of a lifetime together.    That was 21 years ago.    Today, just one week from Christmas, the spontaneity of our youth beckons and in an effort to get some exercise and still take in all the wonderful sights and sounds and smells of Christmas, we decide to revisit our “first date” and an early morning stroll through the beautiful downtown Historical Central Market.   This time, enjoying some freshly brewed java and conversation with a man I know well, we reminisce, round the corner and right there in the middle of all the commerce, witness a real live flash mob singing The Hallelujah Chorus.  It was as if in that moment, it WAS CHRISTMAS...for Heaven touched the earth…..heartwarming, beautiful and glorious.   No, we couldn’t have possibly imagined the lifetime of togetherness that was in store for us so long ago,  but neither could we have imagined today when we set out,  the gift that would refill our souls through a simple, yet festive stroll down memory lane…..FOR THE LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT REIGNETH, HALLELUJAH!
~Crystal~

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Going Deep----Always Starts With A Hunger

Gordon McDonald's Book, Going Deep was written in a rather slow moving, unique and fictional style.  Although his concepts and ideas of cultivating spiritual maturity and exhibiting a life-altering faith leave the reader extremely inspired, he doesn't leave the reader with tangible how-to's, that work in the real live "nitty-gritty" world.   One thing that was evident in the fictional CDP (cultivating deep people) initiative in the book, was, to go deep you have got to be hungry!   To go deep you have got to be committed!  It is one thing to take a fictional group of characters and portray hunger and commitment in order to achieve an end result/desire of Going Deep.   It is something that proves much more difficult when dealing with true humanity in the 21st century.   Until a second edition comes out that is "real life" tried and true, (I think we call it revival) , I will remain inspired  to get more hungry....to get more committed....then and only then....are we GOING DEEP!
To comply with new Federal Trade Commission regulations, please note that this book was provided compliments of Booksneeze in exchange for an unbiased review.  

Monday, December 5, 2011

Intentional Adoration--A Meaningful Tradition

Oh how I love the special traditions of Christmas.  I especially love the ones that we have come to know and love since having children of our own.  One of our all time favorites through the years has been ADORE-NAMENTS!   12 special ornaments would be placed on the tree--each representing a different name of God.   For each of the 12 days leading up to Christmas we would take turns finding them and reflecting on the names of God.   Oh it started out simple, like a hide and seek game----very brief, as would be expected with toddlers, but through the years as the kids have grown, so have the reflections and readings....into something very deep and meaningful.   12 days of Intentional Adoration gives way to 365 days of Heartfelt Adoration.   Adoration to Him whose birth we celebrate.... Adoration to Him who sits on the throne both now and forevermore. 
OH COME LET US ADORE HIM.   

Crystal