Wisemen & Wonder

 This Christmas season, God has placed the 3 wisemen on my heart. I have so much to say and have contemplated what parts of the story God is calling me to share. I think I start with what is sitting with me. There is SO much wonder surrounding the birth of Jesus, what the world was like at that time, and for me - the way God keeps reminding me of this story. I have literally had moments to reflect on this (at least) daily, since the beginning of Advent. 

What sits with me is how research, folklore, and stories, passed down through the generations, tell us a few important things. Most of this is not scripture, but helps us to fill in the probable gaps that we aren't told in scripture. One that has really stayed with me these last few weeks is that each wiseman was likely coming from a different location. 

From Babylon to Jerusalem it was 550-600 miles, likely taking 1-2 months of travel. From Persia to Jerusalem it was 900-1,000 miles, taking 2-3 months of travel time, and from Arabia to Jerusalem 150-200 miles, taking 1-2 weeks. Three separate wisemen from three separate regions, all a student of the stars. They had, most likely, spent the majority of their lives learning, studying, testing, and pondering the heavens. Somehow (The Holy Spirit (in my humble opinion))....these three wise and studied men, likely relied on by kings and leaders in their own countries, converged together to search for the King of the Jews. They would have also well-versed in philosophies and the scriptures of the world. 

They came bearing gifts fit for a worldly king. They had NO IDEA what to expect, except a young child. As they traveled to Jerusalem, their most logical stop would have been to meet with King Herod - Roman empire appointed "King of the Jews." IMAGINE a king that had already been "King" for over 3 decades is met by three wisemen from far-away lands. They would have arrived with caravans (protection, food, supplies, etc.) for the long journey. They arrived at the most logical place, yet did NOT find the newly born King of the Jews. What they did next has also left me in wonder. 

All of the events that lead to the birth of Jesus, the protection of the child, the divine guidance, the fulfillment of prophecy have left me in awe. It has given me a different glimpse of how The Holy Spirit works in our lives. At any given moment The Holy Spirit encouraged the same feeling, the same nudge, to make groups of people act. HE STILL DOES THAT! Also.....think of how many people witnessed this amazing journey. Can you imagine the stories of all of those that were part of the wisemen's caravan? Can you imagine the stories of those that saw this caravan ride into Jerusalem looking for a King no one there had met yet? 

What I have really rested in the last couple weeks are all the choices that were made. Remember, we have ALWAYS had freewill. In the story of Jesus's birth and early life, I am reminded that each of these key people made a choice. Those choices made all the difference. It proves that God knows our hearts. It proves that God intervenes when we need more reassurances. There were SO many opportunities for Mary & Joseph to give up. There were opportunities for the wisemen to go back to Herod. There were NUMEROUS opportunities for them to turn around OR never even set out on the journey. Meditating on the wisemen and the role and wonder of their appearance in scripture has given me this new perspective, that will never leave me. 

To think this all started when I was brainstorming my Christmas Decorations for the local Christmas Decorating Contest. I had some stiff competition this year, so I wanted to create something interactive. If you have a moment (& you are local/semi-local) I ENCOURAGE you to stop by the Buck Up Headquarters at: 115 East Thigpen, in Carmine, TX. It is a little green building (once a doctor's office.) Be sure to read the BIG sign and then all 3 of the gift signs. 

I invite you to approach the manger of Jesus. Follow the star and meditate on the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Ponder the symbolism. BE SURE TO TAKE THE APPROPRIATE GIFT, based on the fine print. :) 

This has been a WONDERFUL Christmas season for us. It has been filled with ADVENTure, new friends, old friends, family, growth, fellowship, & SO FULL of Jesus and things He's hoped for, for us. As you enjoy your people, remember the chaotic and challenging entrance of Jesus's birth AND also....the incredible blessing of them having all they needed for their journey. 

Our God is Vast

I don't know why, but with certain posts, I feel like I have to get it all "right." I overthink some, and this is one of them. One thing ALL MY READERS should know is, I'm all about the breadcrumbs. Following little holy breadcrumbs has gotten me to where I am and shown me things, that I think...I'm just supposed to know, to understand other things. I don't believe in coincidences. In fact, I got so annoyed with the notion in one of my philosophy classes in college, that I no longer even acknowledge it as reality. You don't have to agree with me, but I felt important for you guys to follow the breadcrumbs with me. 

This is going to seem like a rabbit hole, and in all honesty, it may be to some. However, it is a topic The Holy Spirit led me to explore, so here it is. :)

I have 3 kiddos and my middle son had a science project. His celestial/heavenly body was Callisto, which is Jupiter's oldest moon & second largest. I geek out on projects. I get excited when they do them at home. They don't because I make them dig in SO much deeper than they would on their own. Moving on....

This is FOR SURE the second project my kids have done on Jupiter OR something related to it. I really think it is the 3rd. Well....for me, these are breadcrumbs. He looked up and provided all the requested details and made the model and all the stuff. I'm still left pondering it. Why another Jupiter project? Why do I get so excited about them? What is it that I need to know about Jupiter or Callisto? What is The Holy Spirit trying to show me, to deepen my understanding? 

Here are the nuts & bolts of my take aways, but there is SO much more. Every now and again a thought or question will surface to the top of my brain and I'll research it. 

For starters: Callisto is not only Jupiter's oldest moon, but it is thought to be the oldest celestial body in our solar system. Scientists have it being as old as the solar system itself - approximately 4.5 BILLION years old. The main gasses present on the planet are: Carbon Dioxide, Oxygen, & Hydrogen and is thought to be the BEST place for a celestial space station. 

Next, there are two impact craters. Their names are "Valhalla" and "Asgard," named after Norse mythology. Here is where some would say, I went down a silly rabbit hole, but I really do know better. 

I watched the HBO series "Vikings," with my husband. So when I saw one was named "Valhalla," I locked in. This is not thought to be the actual "Valhalla" and it was named much later, but I started drawing some insight. I don't want this to be a spoiler, SO IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED VIKINGS AND YOU WANT TO - DON'T READ THIS PART. In the series there are a couple of key people that are going to help me draw my point. The main character: Ragnar Lothbrok, who is ultimately the leader and inspiration for so much that happens in this series. Then there is Floki, who is a devout follower of the Norse gods, close (maybe closest) friend to Ragnar. Lastly, there is Athelstan who is a monk captured by Ragnar in one of his first raids. If I remember correctly, he was the only surviving monk. Some nudge in Ragnar, urged him to keep him alive - even though many wanted him dead. There where times when Floki became jealous of Athelstan. 

This whole whirlwind of life happening pointed me to a few key take-aways for me with that series. 

#1 - There were times when it didn't feel "right" to be watching it.

#2 - Similar to how it was starting to feel as I was researching the planets and history, etc.

#3 - I believe that all 3 of these men came to know Jesus. Some may have different opinions, but I believe this, knowing that is television & not real, yet representing the possibilities of life of the times, within these groups of people. 

#4 - Ragnar was all over the place, went back and forth, but I believe his friendship with Athelstan is what brought him to Jesus. He could not make total sense, but he felt the reverence. 

#5 - Athelstan wrestled. He was a devout monk, then was the equivalent to a slave when Ragnar captured him, became a warrior and was surrounded my Norse traditions, yet maintained his faith and garnered the respect of others. He died looking like a viking, but was killed by Floki, as he was praying to God. Floki killed him out of jealousy and concern for Ragnar being misled. 

#6 - Floki lost himself. He and Ragnar's relationship was never the same. His life spiraled after Athelstan's death. He wrestled with his beliefs, things he did not understand. It was like a collision of worlds: blurry, unclear, maddening. Floki took a group of people to unconquered land in a very harsh environment. He was the leader and at some point he retreated to the hills/mountains. He found a cave and inside it was a cross. He seemed  to have either a manic moment OR a spiritual encounter/revelation and then the cave collapsed on him. - Later, he find out he actually survived, but was a changed man. In his ferventness for the Norse gods, he reminds me of Saul before he was Paul, but when coming face to face with something new and bigger than what he knew, he retreated into a very quiet and private life. He was still sought out for his wisdom and experience, similar to prophets, but changed. 

Tying this into more thought.....the planets were named after Greek mythology. Zeus is also referred to as Jupiter and the 4 moons found by Galileo (a faithful astronomer that was fascinated by God's creation), were later named after Zeus's "lovers." So where did this lead me? Directly to one of the stances I take when atheists argue that there is no God and Jesus isn't real. Stories and accounts and living testimony has been passed down for thousands of years - unchanging. Which is true. I would say that, the mythology of the Norse and Greek were unchanged for thousands of years.....UNTIL THEY WERE. 

Here are some scriptures I want to draw your attention to: 

Fun Fact: Callisto, the moon from my son's project, is also known as "The Bear," referenced in the above Bible verse, which is based on Greek mythology. 

I think many times, as Christians, we get a little tied up in not being "too curious," so as to not find ourselves worshipping these huge celestial bodies. In all this research....and a few more breadcrumbs, I want to share that astronomy is the study of planets, creation, and totally a way to meditate on God, His creation, and a way for us to get to know Him better. It is the study of what ACTUALLY exists. Astrology is what we know as our zodiac signs and how they are thought to influence our personalities, as well as other celestial patterns and how they might or, are thought to influence human behavior.

We have free will. And we have someone with a unique purpose for us, that created all of the heavens for His purpose. His purpose is for our good. 

The point that I am trying to make is that creation is SO VAST and instead of getting tied up, so tightly, on the "right" way to worship OR condemning those who don't think like us.....maybe we try and understand why. Maybe.......we follow a breadcrumb that helps us grow closer to Our Maker AND understand others, better.  

Words & Deeds

 There is power in your words and even more power in your actions. In almost every situation, every decision that has to be made you have the power...yes YOU have the power to either encourage, enhance, motivate and show kindness OR partner with the enemy and seek to steal, kill, & destroy (John 10:10). It really is that simple. If that decision is grounded in the love of the Father, it will be LIFE-GIVING. 

Review your day.... Think about decisions you made: conversations you had, speaking without considering how the other person may receive it, posting something, not communicating an important update.... What were they grounded in?: love, hope, faith, or fear, anger, self-seeking desire, money... Think about it folks. 

Drill all the way down on it. Did you make the decision you did because you have done all you know to do and this decision is what you believe is best for all involved OR did you make the decision you made out of disagreement and judgement and not uncover the complete truth of the situation? Did you act on emotions invoked by half-truths or facts and whole-truths? Be brave enough to be honest with yourself and KNOW that God loves you no matter what. 

People that I love dearly and others I respect, have done and said and posted things lately and I'm not so sure they understand the POWER of their words and/or actions. Stop telling people what they should do, how they should do it, using people, manipulating people and situations and think that you have the authority to do it! GOD gives each and every one of us free-will and we should do the same for each other. 

You are either dividing or bringing together. You are either encouraging out of love, out of fear, or out of selfish motives. Love the people you want to love on and leave everyone else alone. 

When you operate in a place of fear, anger, money, self-seeking desires.....you are partnering with the enemy. You are allowing the enemy to use you. 

Have you guys seen what's going on in the world???? Nobody's got time for that. There is plenty of hate and fear in the world right now. Buck Up & GET. IT. TOGETHER. 

For real....we all have many, many choices every single day. Choose who you want to work with (Jesus or Satan). Your decisions show your heart. The wonderful, wonderful, BEAUTIFUL gift God has given us in Jesus, not only gives us power, but also gives us the blessed gift of FORGIVENESS! Did you make a decision rooted in sin? Guess what......turn your heart to Jesus, repent, & it is TOTALLY FORGIVEN! WIPED CLEAN!!! If you get bucked off....BUCK UP BABY & RIDE WITH JESUS! He will get you back in the saddle over and over and over again.....as many times as you need to build  YOUR trust in Him. 

My Melissa

So, we lost one of the sweetest souls I may have ever known. When I go, I can only pray that I made people feel the way she has made me, and I know MANY, others feel.

Melissa Wickel was a gem. Everything about her was good. I will miss her dearly, as our entire community will.

As I sat down to reflect on why the grief & shock overtook me when I found out she passed, like it did; all that came to mind was how she really made me feel like somebody. There was this quiet encouragement she gave me.

I recall one of my very first auction adventures : "The Wandering Auctioneer." I had this idea to go from field to field & tent to tent at the Round Top Warrenton Antiques Show as a grassroots PR campaign for Buck Up Auctions. I thought how cool would it be to pull a wagon & a speaker & auction off items to the public that was donated by participating vendors & the money would go to a charity of the donors choice. It would allow people to experience the FUN of an auction, draw attention to the vendor, & raise money for an organization that needed it.

That was the original idea, which transformed into something different where, at both Zapp Hall & Chelsea's Meadow, we raised money for 2 different women battling breast cancer. Almost all the vendors on each field participated.

The original idea could've been a 2 man show + the vendor & the bidders. The new idea required well...a lot more people. I had not planned for that, but I agreed to take a stab at it anyways.

So there I sat making plans & trying to pull things together in less than 7 days time. I was blessed & still am, to have encouragers in my life. At that time, I really had a handful that I thought MIGHT have the ability & the DESIRE to really help me with this...for free. I called Melissa & I remember feeling like I was #1 inconveniencing her & #2 was asking her to do something that was really going to be work, on (likely) her day off. I know I went through the WHOLE spiel with her, thinking I had talked her right into a "No" & she said YES! I was SO grateful, because I had bit off more than I could chew alone & needed the help.

Melissa SO encouraged me when I first got started, as an auctioneer. She was still encouraging me a year ago. She would send me things & ideas that I never saw myself doing & she knew it would get my wheels turning.

She passed my name on to someone in her Bluebonnet family that was organizing a benefit for Mrs. Judy Mikeska, who was also battling cancer. The friends & fellowship & faith & community that filled that room is something I hope I never ever forget. Melissa was all of that. She was a friend to EVERYONE that crossed her path. She would fellowship & bring people together. She was the one keeping her classmates together & having a presence at local fundraising events, She had faith...man, she had faith....faith in people, faith in God, faith in goodness & kindness, faith in the grand design. Lastly, but not least, she was an essential part in every community she was a part of: work, alma mater, family, friends, church, & organizations she believed in.

Yeah...I'm really going to miss her. I believe that God blesses us with the people in our lives for a reason. We each could have been born or landed somewhere totally different than where we are. I am a better person for knowing her & I know she meant A LOT to A LOT of people.

I just felt like sharing My Melissa. What Melissa meant to me in my life & share my thankfulness for her life & the impressions she has left me with.

My Melissa is kind & good & full of faith. She is special & blessed & a blessing. She is a friend & a role model & dependable. She sees good in people. She sees more in people than they see in themselves. She is an encourager in just the right ways. She is someone, that thru her passing, has made me DESIRE to slow down & appreciate people & spend time with them...to take the time, to make the time, for people.

Bible verses that make me think of Melissa:

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2

(This next one came to mind several times, as I've been typing this blog. In my flesh it would not be one I'd include, but it belongs here.)

"But he gives us more grace. Therefore it says: 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you...." James 4:6-8

Fly high my friend & Buck Up Baby & Ride With Jesus! I can only imagine the work he has for you in Heaven!   

Rejoice! Lessons from my 2015 focus word...

A friend of mine introduced me, at the end of 2014, to having a focus word for the year. 2014 was the year that I really began to delve into scripture. By God's grace He took care of me, navigated me through the Bible to where I....well I could enjoy it....grasp it. It was a year of big change also & I was kind of trying to bring my JOY back, but at the same time knew that sometimes JOY would not be present. Reading through scripture the word REJOICE stuck out to me. What also stuck out to me, is that a lot of times the word REJOICE would show up in reference to struggle or hardship. Here are some examples:

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." 1 Peter 1:6 (This book talks a lot about persecution & suffering & that we should expect  it in our earthly walk.)

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12 (This chapter in Romans starts talking about how mature Christians should try to live. To me it is dying to our fleshy self & carrying our cross where God is calling us, while on earth.)

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2-3 (I am drawn to this book in the Bible. James encourages us to put our faith into action.)

Luke 1:26-38 doesn't use the word REJOICE in it, but I believe that is what Mary did. This passage is about the angel coming to Mary to tell her that she is going to give birth to Jesus. I encourage you to go read it & then put yourself in her shoes. I think "confusion" would be putting it mildly. She had questions & the answers she got, probably didn't make sense to her either. She sat in faith & hope, for what the angel was telling her.

SIDEBAR....JUST FOR A MOMENT: Several of my friends have shared their struGGLE of 2015 & how they are ready for a new year & new opportunity. When I was first reading those messages I thought.... I LOVED 2015. Lots of pretty cool things happened. And then I remembered...there were some REALLY tough things too. Maybe some of the toughest I've faced in at least 10 years....from a....well...just some of the toughest.

So to recap what the year 2015 taught me about the meaning of REJOICE.... (Life & the divine guidance of The Holy Trinity through scripture has shown me this.)

Sometimes it's about small victories. Sometimes it is about hardships that are just the beginning of a journey to a blessing that no one else could give you but God. Sometimes it is being so pissed off at the enemy that all you can do is REJOICE because you KNOW God will win. Yes...even in the midst of death & disease & perversion & terrorists & extremists...God will win. The fact that all God wants us to do is trust Him, love Him, love His people, submit to His will (which is better than ANYTHING we could dream up), & keep seeking Him....keep seeking peace - is reason to REJOICE!

There are people that face situations that make me cringe....make me sad...make me angry....disgust me... How can they rejoice?

Someone...somewhere on this earth has been touched by each and every person God created. We all have purpose. From the point of conception we are affecting someone & we keep affecting people the longer we are here....and more people. Others need what we have. We may not know who they are, what it is, & at times we may not even understand the affect someone has on us & vice versa, but The Holy Spirit is moving & working among us. God does not waste anything....not a thing.

REJOICE is a verb & after a year of meditating on it, I believe, it is a verb powered by our hope & faith. We have to choose to rejoice & we are able to rejoice in any situation & in any circumstance.

Buck Up Baby & Ride With Jesus! It is not easy, but if you choose to, He will GIVE you MANY, MANY more reasons & fuel for REJOICING!

My focus word for 2016 is RELATIONSHIPS. I want to focus on developing the relationships God has blessed me with. My focus Bible verses will be: "I give you a new commandment: love one another; you must love one another just as I have loved you. It is by your love for one another, that everyone will recognize you as my disciples." - John 13:34-35

Keep Pushing Towards Your Dream....Even If You Don't Know What it LOOKS Like.

A couple months ago I was sitting at this AWESOME gathering. It was a meeting of the minds of lots of business-minded women, who were sharing their LOVE for Jesus Christ. One of the speakers said: "Keep pushing towards your dream." I thought to myself....."I'm not sure what that looks like anymore." That thought kind of struck me & I've been meditating/wrestling/just letting it sit up there somewhere...marinating.

I thought to myself...."My word Heather! You kind of need to know what that looks like, to know how to proceed!" I shared this thought with a friend & she said: "Think about what you did when you first went into business for yourself and you didn't know what it was going to look like."

I had that DUH! moment...although it wasn't quite the same.

Here is what I wanted when I stepped out in faith & decided to pursue the DREAM of working for myself & helping others, with the gifts God has blessed me with, while providing for my family & having a better quality of life..............I KNOW IT SOUNDS LIKE I WAS ASKING FOR A LOT! However....God has given me all of that.

Scripture tells us: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and the one who knocks, the door will be opened" Matthew 7:7-8

"Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

So when I took myself back to that time...when I felt like I was drifting in the sea...on a ship...by myself....& I had to make decisions & friendships & partnerships & purchases that I weren't sure where RIGHT....

I just kept going...asking...seeking...knocking.

And all of a sudden....my dream took shape. Not anything like I envisioned.... More. MUCH more. In fact things were added to my dream that I didn't even know existed.

So...as I find myself on this ship....that now has new crew members & allies & gadgets & tools....I'm going to do those things all over again...ask...seek...knock. I find myself not even trying to envision it...just living it...because what will happen is more than I have the capacity to see.

Sometimes you won't always know what your dream LOOKS like. Sometimes you'll just remember what you hope for & when what you hope for starts happening...you'll be able to identify what it FEELS like....& just keep going.

Get your heart right. Then Buck UP Baby & Ride with Jesus! Keep going in TRUST & FAITH.

Day 27: "Defeating Temptation"

Welcome back!! Today we move on to Day 27 in Pastor Rick Warren's book: The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For?

Today we talk about defeating temptation. We are TEMPTED...sometimes it feels like...EVERY minute of EVERY day. Tempted by something...negative thoughts, the thoughts of others, perceptions, things we love, pleasure, worry, time frames, deadlines, confusion.... I know now that it is ALL about the choices we make...the perseverance we have, the clarity of mind, the knowledge of scripture, being surrounded by those that SUPPORT you, SUPPORTING others on their journey, PRAYING...

Sometimes I get SO muddied up it is ridiculous! This book says: "Spiritually, your mind is your most vulnerable organ." It also says: "The battle for sin is won or lost in your mind." Pastor Warren ain't joshin'! Sometimes I think the SOLUTION for EVERYTHING is so stinkin' simple, but we can't handle simple anymore. I think of all the issues or problems or concerns or mess-ups that I've experienced & if I'd have just STOPPED & THOUGHT before acting or initiating or saying or doing....I'd have FIXED my own problem....simply with CLARITY of my own KNOWLEDGE. One thing that I can get caught up with is listening to what OTHER people think I should be doing. It is a process, but just the simple fact that I am AWARE of it, has helped me to GROW out of it. Don't get me wrong...I still struGglE with it....because I know that I don't know everything & I know I need HELP...but GOD has ENTRUSTED me with the skills & knowledge that I have to make MY OWN decisions, but still use the advice, success, and experience of others to help me form them.

Where is your attention? I have EVOLVED in just the short time of reading this book for the first time & now re-reading and sharing with you all. I've evolved because of what I've learned, my experiences & where my attention is. Pastor Warren says: "Whatever gets your attention will get you."

I think of my ANXIETY levels now...compared to what they used to be. What amazes me, as I look back, is I know where my attention is. My attention is protecting, providing, developing, & strengthening what GOD has BLESSED me with. That includes my gifts, my talent, my marriage, my children, my work ethic, my friendships, my TRUST in God and everything he has blessed me with & REVEALED to me....  If you had asked me that when I read this book the first time...my answer PROBABLY would have been FIGURING OUT A WAY to provide for my family and to succeed. The difference in the two answers is what I probably would have said the first time around is self-serving & me goin' it on my own. Where my attention is now gives it ALL to GOD...the success, the way those gifts prosper, the way my talent develops, the way my marriage and friendships strengthen, the way my sweet baby girl talks about Jesus, the way I'm able to share God's message to others, the way I allow others to help me by their experiences...even the failures go to Him...because I know I'm learning a lesson that will allow me to be BLESSED once I get through it.

I URGE everyone of you reading & whoever you will share this with to start learning God's word. However it works best for you. The book encourages a Bible Verse a week. I PRAY that you all become aware that OUR MIND can work for us or against us, BUT it is OUR CHOICE. I URGE you to find a friend that you can talk to about Jesus things....about questions you have...about the flaws you possess....about your experiences and what you think they might mean...AND I URGE you to ACCEPT the FACT that you are MUCH less powerful on your own....MUCH less. ACCEPT the FACT that you NEED God....all the time.

On the first page of this chapter it says: "It may surprise you that nowhere in the Bible are we told to 'resist temptation.' We are told to 'resist the devil.'" Buck Up Baby & Ride With Jesus! Don't let the devil use your own thoughts against you.... I know it's easier said than done. Being aware of it is the BEGINNING of DEFEATING it.

"Point to Ponder: There is always a way out."

Daily Bible Verse: "God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it."
 -1 Corinthians 10:13B (NLT)

Daily Question: "Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?"

From my journal the first time of reading (Now you know ladies ;):

Embracing JOY & kindness - Kaysie Noska
Patience & Self-Control - Christina Pace