Crossroads...Reflections from 2008

It's ridiculous how quickly 2008 has flown by. It's almost epic in a way as I reflect on all that God has brought me through. I've experienced some of the most difficult times I have ever faced...only to come out loving and understanding our God to be faithful all the more. This year was undoubtedly a year for major growing and stretching. A year that has been undeniably, one of deep preparation for God's call on my life. Can I just say that on the one hand, I'm pumped that he would deem me worthy of his call to ministry yet on the other hand, sometimes I wonder what in the world God was thinking in calling me at all! REALLY?!! It has been a long and hard road getting to this point...there were legitimately times where I was metaphorically kicking and screaming, but in the end, through all I've been through, the Lord has left me vulnerable, open and submitted to him in full trust. He broke me! LOL!

I praise God that he's blessed me with great friends who are reading this and who have been by my side through the years. I love you guys so much. More than words can express I am grateful for your encouragement and your love for me. You've each played a significant role in my life so thank you. I'm just realizing that perhaps I'm neglecting the fact that many of you who are reading this don't even know me outside the context of FUSION or have only known me for a short time...for you, I also praise God! You've added a richness to my walk, my faith and my life. You are the community in which God called me into service to him, so...thank you for letting me serve you and thank you for making it such a deep joy for me.

As I think about the number of people I've met with for coffee this year, I'm overwhelmed by God's sovereignty and his providence in allowing for our life experiences to coincide or collide into amalgamations of wildly beautiful testimonies of God's love. He never leaves us to our own devices, if you seek him, he will meet you right where you are. Sometimes he does that through others. So as I think about the numerous conversations with people who were in pain, fighting temptation, grieved, heart broken, fighting for joy even though contrary to where they were in their faith, confused or at a crossroads moment in life, God was there. He was, is and always will be present for "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful" Hebrews 10:23.

Crossroads...For me that has come to mean one thing only as it pertains to the array of the decisions and choices we face as perceived from our Faith in Jesus Christ. Either we go by way of the road that Trusts and Obeys God or go by the way that Opposes Him. Those are your choices. Remember, if you choose to follow down the path after God, there are no guarantees that it won't at times feel as though you are meandering off the path, just remember "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5&6. "Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart" Psalms 119: 1&2. May this truth ring true for you...may it bring you comfort in times of uncertainty and may you always find rest in the one who never slumbers, who never grows weary.

Happy New Years Friends! I cannot wait to see what 2009 holds for each of us. May God richly and abundantly bless you and keep you now and forever!

With All My Heart,
MEL

Merry Christmas

FAIREST LORD JESUS (HYMN)

Fairest Lord Jesus,
Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul's glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine,
Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast.

All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be Thine.

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Good Morning Friends! From the Bottom of my heart, I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas! May the Love of Christ shine upon you this day as we celebrate his birth. I confess I fight ever fiber in me not to take for granted the story of Christmas. Holiday rituals, family traditions, gifts, hustle bustle, traffic, lines at stores...all seem to demand priority over the profundity of the story of the Great HE, Light of the World. So today I decided to do an extended study of the birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew and Luke. Over the past couple of weeks through sermons and Christmas worship services, I've been pointed to the fact that Jesus came to us in the most vulnerable, helpless and humble of states. Of all ways to make known His power, He came to us in the form of a baby, born to man. I see such a kindness in knowing that our Maker sent His only begotten Son to thoroughly and completely imbibe the human experience. Emmanuel...God with us indeed. May this day stir in you a heart of thanksgiving and celebration of God's Good and Perfect Plan for man through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Incidentally, I am not saying you should forgo the wonderful and beautiful landscape of Christmas that can be seen in the gathering of families and friends. Eat well, stay warm and safe, laugh a lot, pray contemplatively this day and above all love generously!

Love and Peace in Him,
MEL

Prayer for 12.23.08

Dear Friends,
Will you pray this prayer with me today? ~ Mel

Gracious and Loving God, Thank you for granting us a new day; A day to enjoy the beauty of your creation through the changing seasons, a day to render our lives unto you. Show us how you might want to use us as vessels for your Great and Mighty Works today. Make us sensitive to your leading and give us courage to face the challenges of our day with grace, love and peace. Help us to find rest and comfort in you and to turn our backs to the fleeting comforts of this world. Forgive us of our selfish ways, forgive us for our futile attempts at gaining control of our lives, when you are Sovereign and ultimately in control. May we be a people who desire to follow after your heart. May the words of our mouth, the deeds of our hands reflect the love of Christ now and forever.

AMEN

Sante's Hermit Cookie Recipe

Hey Hey! I know I am long overdue for a post...life is very busy with Grad School Aps. at the moment so show some love and thanks ahead of time for any slack you can throw my way! :) In the meantime...here's a cookie recipe for anyone who loves Morning Glory Muffins. A lot of the same flavor profiles. Make em for your family this Christmas. They'll go over famously! ENJOY!

MEL
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Sante's Hermit Cookie Recipe

I use whole wheat pastry flour here, but you can substitute unbleached all-purpose flour if that's what you have on hand.

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (or unbleached all-purpose)
2 teaspoons aluminum-free baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine grain salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup natural cane sugar, sift out any chunks
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup currants
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup milk
1 cup organic powdered sugar, sifted
4 - 5 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon (good quality) vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Racks in the top and bottom third.
Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, cloves cinnamon, and allspice into a medium bowl - set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer (or by hand), cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg and vanilla. Blend well, scraping down the side of the bowl a few times along the way. Add the currants and walnuts. Add the dry ingredients in three batches, alternating with the milk. Chill (covered) for one hour.
Drop the cookie dough (one level tablespoon at a time) onto un-greased cookie sheets, leaving an inch or so between cookies. Dampen your fingers with a bit of water and gently flatten the dough. Bake for 12 -15 minutes or until the bottoms of the cookies are deeply golden. Cool on a wire rack.
While the cookies are cooling, make the icing. Whisk the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla together in a small bowl - use immediately. Frost each cookie with an off-set spatula (or pastry bag) - but not until they are completely cool.
Makes about three dozen hermits.