Jesse Tree Tradition...Starts Tomorrow

Look for the first of the Jesse Tree posts tomorrow! Check out the November 24 post for details on this tradition.

Love and joy in Jesus,
Andrea

The Spirit of Giving Thanks

Since tomorrow is a day for giving thanks and we are entering the season of joyous giving, I wanted to share a few websites that provide easy opportunities to change lives throughout the world, if God has given you a heart for helping those primarily outside our country.


The first one, Soles for Souls is one that I recently came across. This organization collects new and gently used shoes and distributes them to those in need around the world. The effort started after a tsunami hit Southeast Asia in 2004 but really took off after Hurricane Katrina a year later - an event that hit somewhat close to home for us! Right now they're trying to get 50,000 shoes donated in 50 days. If you want to learn more, visit, http://www.50000shoes.com/. I learned of this effort, through a blog I read...here's the entry if you want to check it out: http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/2008/11/50000.html.

The other two sites that I've come across are www.worldvision.org and www.heifer.org. Both Heifer and World Vision provide opportunities to donate livestock and trees/seeds to people in need around the world as an income and food source. World Vision also has additional donation opportunities for things like clean water sources, food, clothing, training, healthcare provision among others.


Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Submitted by: Andrea

Ever Decorate a Jesse Tree? (December Activity)

A Jesse Tree? What's that, you ask? Well, it's kind of like a Christmas tree, only decorated with pictures or symbols which correspond with a Bible story from Genesis up through the stories of Jesus' birth. We came across this concept a few years ago and since it was an answer to prayer that we would find family Christmas traditions which kept the focus on Christ, we decided to try it out.

It's been a beautiful tradition and one we look forward to sharing with our children every year, so we thought this blog would be a great forum for sharing it with you. Here's a few more details so you can know what to expect to see from December 1 through December 25:

Why is it called a Jesse Tree? Here's a clue from Scripture: A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD - and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. (Isaiah 11:1-10 NIV)

How does it work? Every day we will post a Scripture passage that is to be read aloud that day. Accompany the Scripture will be a picture that symbolizes what is going on in the story. These are the pictures that we printed and framed for hanging on our Jesse tree, but you can color or make your own picture as the Spirit leads. If you have children who like to do crafts, consider getting them involved in the ornament making.

How are the Scriptures selected? In short, we're not exactly sure who originally decided what stories to read. In our research, we came across a website that we used as our model. Here's the link (which also contains a more detailed explanation of the Jesse Tree) http://www.crivoice.org/. Under the "search this site" link on the bottom of the left-hand column, type in "Jesse tree".

Since it was too confusing to use the chart based on Advent Sundays, we modified the readings so we would have one reading per day from December 1-25. If you prefer to stick to the what is probably the liturgically-correct way, click on the above link and follow the chart at the bottom of the Jesse Tree section.

How will this work? Every morning, beginning December 1 and continuing to Christmas Day, we'll post the day's Scripture reference, a picture and idea for creating your own picture and a snippet of Scripture using different Bible translations.

About the Scriptures. Since many of the Scripture passages are long, we'll include a snippet of the passage. We used http://www.biblegateway.com/ to get the different translations. If you don't have a Bible on hand, feel free to use this free resource to print out the entire Scripture passage, or use the Bible translation with which you are most familiar.

About the pictures. We used Microsoft Office Clip Art Gallery to download these photos as it is a free service when using it for personal use. If you like the idea of photographs, consider checking out that resource to find and print your own photos.

We pray the Jesse Tree tradition will capture your interest and imagination in the days leading up the day commemorating Jesus' birth. If you try it out, or have already tried it in the past, we would love to hear your comments. Please include any thoughts in the comments section of this post.

Love and joy in Jesus,
David & Andrea

Hope

Through one of the blogs I read, I came across a blog of woman who was pregnant with her fourth child. This may not sound so remarkable, except this woman (and her husband) were told their son would surely die upon his birth, if indeed he made it full term. Not only did he make it full term, he also was born miraculously healed with just a tiny signature from God that he indeed had been sick.

I don't want to say too much as it's more powerful to read about this miracle on this woman's blog. To read the post from his birthday, please click here: http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2008/10/we-have-another-brother.html. You may find yourself reading other entries to...both leading up to his birth and now in the first few weeks of his life.

As we approach the day when we celebrate the miracle of Jesus' birth, this seemed a fitting thing to share. For indeed, God does continue to perform miracles, both large and small. Sometimes we have to look a little harder for them and sometimes He overwhelms us with the working of His mighty strength.

I also pray that it offers hope to those of you who are going through difficult times, or know others who face a scary, uncertain future. Perhaps you are facing a life/death situation where the doctors say death is emminent. Perhaps you are walking through unemployment in an economy that says you're going to need a miracle to get a job. Maybe it's something else. Regardless of the situation, believe God for that miracle. Believe Him for working on your behalf. Pray without ceasing that it would be so. And pray for the strength, that if His answer is "no," that His peace which surpasses all understanding will carry you through.

If you have any thoughts you'd like to share related to this post or any prayer requests, please add share them in the comments sections for this post.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:17-23)

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB)

Your Contributions Sought

Since it is our goal to make this blog a dynamic and interactive forum, we invite your contributions. Hopefully, this will make it even more interesting instead of hearing from just one or two people. :)

If you have a contribution that fits with the theme of this blog - sharing the gifts God has bestowed upon you through the Holy Spirit - please email it to The Editor at bea813@cox.net. All contributions are reviewed and may be edited before being posted to the blog.

The types of items we are looking for our...reflections on how God speaks to you, moments where you've glimpsed Him, prayer requests, photographs, recipes, thoughts on current events/social issues and how they relate to faith (though it is not our intention to turn this blog into a forum of debate), poetry and anything else you feel impressed to share.

Even if you are not a member of St. Peter's church, we invite your participation.

May the love of Christ shine through you,

The Editor

Celebrating Jesus' Birth - Reflection and Outing Idea

During Advent, we're supposed to pretend we don't know that Jesus' birth is going to happen as God's plan for our salvation. We're supposed to wait in expectation not knowing exactly what we're waiting for to occur. Our family tried doing this last year and switching our focus to celebrating between Christmas and Epiphany. On reflection, it felt kind of weird, especially since most people were in post-celebration mode by that time and trying to keep that "Christmas spirit" going was like trying to perform PCR (post-Christmas resuscitation). Plus those 12 days went by way too fast.

So, at least for me, I'm back to my pre-"traditional Advent" thinking of anticipating Christmas as most of us do when we are expecting the arrival of a new life into this world. It helps that I've been through this a few times myself! :)

I think about what Mary might have been thinking as she awaited Jesus. I wonder what God must have been feeling. In human, time-bound terms, He'd been waiting an eternity for this. Mary just had to wait nine months. He must have been so excited to reveal this great surprise. Why do I think so? Because of the great company of heavenly host that appeared to the shepherds and were praising God. Keep something this good bottled up for so long and it's hard not to declare it mightily to the world!

I've also reflected on the practical things we do in expecting a baby... preparing the room, telling those we know and love of the good news, selecting a name, getting our affairs in order before the world as we know it changes. And, as much as this has to do with external matters, I'm also beginning to see it's as much about preparing our hearts that really gets us ready for Jesus. Whether it's anticipating the celebration of His birth or awaiting His return to earth.

This year, I'm going to try a new/old approach...decking my halls the day after Thanksgiving (vs on Christmas) and decking myself, my soul with gladness; looking for ways to tell the good news of Jesus birth (and part two of His story...the Resurrection) to those who may now know it; examining my heart with God's help to see where I need to "get my affairs in order" and prepare Him room to do a great work in me. As far as selecting a name, well, God has already done that for us. Immanuel, God with us.

How do you view Advent and Christmas? What traditions have you tried that fizzled? What ones have become dear to you? Please share your thoughts in the comments section to this post.

Here are a couple upcoming/current events to check out in the Cleveland area which celebrate this joyous season:

• Stan Hywet Hall in Akron is currently showcasing a display of more than 40 nativity scenes in its Manor house. The display will be available through December 28. Visit between December 12 -30 and they'll have decked their halls. Go to http://www.stanhywet.org/ for more information and details on hours, cost, directions.
• Frostville Museum in the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks: during the last two weekends in November tour this living museum. It's all decked out for the holidays and you can buy raffle tickets and baked goods to help support the museum. Please visit http://www.olmstedhistoricalsociety.org/ for more information.

Submitted by: Andrea

Thanksgiving

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word, "thanksgiving." I am chagrined to admit, that "turkey" pops right up. And not just the word, but a visual image of a finely roasted bird, with stuffing, gravy and all the trimmings.

Why the chagrin? Because I learned from children's book we borrowed from the library that the Pilgrims whom we traditionally associate with celebrating the first Thanksgiving (as we imagine it), actually referred to thanksgiving as a day they set apart to thank God for their blessings. What a concept!

Not that I don't think God appreciates a turkey cooked to perfection...after all, He created the concept. He even included a fellowship offering as an acceptable sacrifice to Him among the ancient Isrealites, and of this type of offering, ceremonially clean Isrealites were expected to partake. However, I have an inkling that keeping our minds more on Him and less on our stomachs is more in keeping with His idea of thanksgiving.

I'm not sure how this concept of thanksgiving with change my outlook on that day. I think it needs to marinate in my mind a little more. But I am curious as to your reactions. Is this a new concept for you? If not, how have you kept Thanksgiving Day sacred to the Lord? If it is new, do you think it will change how you approach "Turkey Day?" Please post your thoughts in the comments section to this post.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 110:4 NIV)

Community Meal Dessert Recipe

Every second Tuesday of the month, our church participates in the city-wide Community Meal program. We feed somewhere around 100 people each month, providing nourshiment for the body and soul, not only for those who are our guests, but for the volunteers as well.

Last month (October), we not only served the meal, but provided guests with a bag of apples picked from a local orchard. In keeping with the apple theme and perhaps as something to try for your family this Thanksgiving, here is a recipe for the Apple Cake we've served at the Meal:

Apple Cake
1 1/2 C. sugar
1 C. oil
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 C. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 C. walnuts, chopped
2 C. apples, peeled and diced

Beat together sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Stir together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stir in nuts and apples. Bake in a 9x13 greased pan at 350 for 35-40 minutes.


Simple and tasty! If you've tried it, consider sharing your thoughts in the comments section for this post on this culinary delight and any interesting twists you might have added to personalize the recipe.