No matter what you’ve been through, Jesus is still alive. He is seated at the right hand of The Father and interceding for you and I that our faith will not fail. Have faith to believe that He is coming back again! His mercies are new every morning…and His love never fails. He is doing great things in the earth—and we can expect revival and refreshing. 

I was recently listening to someone share how Christmas was ruined for them because their father walked out at Christmas several years ago, and the painful memories left him shattered…even to the point of not caring about Christmas this year. He didn’t care about a Christmas tree or decorations… when it used to be his favorite time of year. 

People who work in the medical field will be spending Christmas in hospitals, in emergency rooms, and in urgent care facilities. Firemen will be on duty, police officers, highway patrol, and the list goes onward. Moms will be in the kitchen preparing, some will be in hospitals, some will be traveling abroad. Some people find themselves as a widow, fatherless, or alone in nursing facilities with adult children not coming to visit. No matter where you will be this Christmas—Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore…and you can choose joy. 

Jesus is the reason to celebrate life, love, family, friends, and seasons. I remember a movie I watched last year where the news of a family’s son being killed in war was delivered on Christmas eve. The family had a daughter who was very much alive. The parents were so focused on the past that they refused to celebrate Christmas with their daughter until one day she broke down in tears and told them they celebrated Christmas while her brother was alive—but everything stopped when he died—like she didn’t exist to them.

Pure joy is not our natural response when we face trials and the weakness they reveal. Struggles come to all—from the announcement of overwhelming news, betrayal, cancer, death, divorce, emotional abuse, financial stress, loss of a job, or an unexpected tragedy. Family disasters to family upheaval, but bad news can be faced with the Blessed Hope—His name is Jesus.

I don’t know what you’ve been through, the tears you’ve shed, or the pain you are walking through currently. What I do know is that everybody is walking through something. When you decorate your home and tree, if you drop an ornament and it shatters on the floor—it’s okay. It’s only temporary. 

We live in a fallen world—but even while hurting and grieving—we have a reason to be joyful. 

The Bible says, “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. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). 

Whatever we give to Jesus—He can make whole again. He is the expert in taking lives that are shattered and making them whole again. Pain—aligns us in need of God. (excerpt from God’s Priceless Treasure…published 2011). 

Take time to enjoy family and friends this season and celebrate life. Jesus is coming back again…and until He does, we are called to worship Him—being fully alive and sharing the love of Christ to all. Choose joy this Christmas season. You are blessed by God!

His love and mine,

Deborah 

Books by Deborah Starczewski:

 GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed and Know Your Purpose)….how to move from drama to destiny, from a mess to a message, from trials to triumph…and how to cross over into the promises of God through standing on His Word. 

A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)…the full account of God raising my husband from early death, healing him through two open heart surgeries…and the Holy Spirit’s guidance—will keep you turning the pages—and give you faith to believe for anything.

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)

ALL AVAILABLE ON AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, ETC. 

SHIFT HAPPENS….(stories of trial and triumph)… click on Dr. Deborah Starczewski (Available on Amazon)

Don’t you think most people enjoy the beauty of lights on the trees and the beautiful decorations? While most like the holiday festivities and decorations, there are some lights people don’t like. For example, some people hate “red lights,” which by the way, can slow you down for an appointment—and at the same time, save your life from a wreck. Even though they are the colors of Christmas–they have a different meaning when the lights are changing colors. Some people really get bothered by stoplights–and actually will tell you they hate them. They force us to come to a complete stop—that is, if we obey the laws of the land. 

Have you ever been driving along behind someone who rolls through a stop sign—and they didn’t do that “rocking motion” technique the driver’s education person taught you? For some reason, I remember that specifically. It can save lives. 

Many people are disturbed at seeing lights turn from green to red—because they don’t like to stop. Being still forces all of us to stop, observe, and listen intently.  I have learned that the time we spend with Jesus is never wasted. It is not lost time…. Making the choice to stop and be still—to listen to God and refocus and reflect, actually gives us leverage in life. 

“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Stillness is a revelation in your own heart of who is actually in control. Stillness is making the choice to listen for and seek God’s direction in daily life. 

When we truly know in our hearts that God is truly God—and that He cares about the most intimate details in our lives, we can rest in knowing that God’s purposes and plans never fail. He knows best how to bring life to what appears dead. He know best how to bring purpose out of what seems to be a plan gone south. 

Instead of running ahead, driving through stoplights, and becoming frustrated with having to “stop,” I encourage you to come to a place where you enjoy the stillness in your heart where you can truly hear the sweet voice of our Father God. It is God’s Holy Spirit who empowers, equips, and who gives us wisdom to do life. 

Greater things come when we learn to be still and listen to God’s direction first, before running through stoplights, warning signs, or totally missing God’s instruction in the first place. If you feel like you are abandoned in some area, go back to God and ask Him to remind you of the last instruction He gave you.

I don’t know about you, but I need God every second of my life. Learn to be still and release your cares and concerns to the Lord—so He can overshadow you with His love and a new strategy for doing life. 

Instead of seeing stoplights as delays—view them differently. Gain God’s perspective by learning to be still in your heart….

HIS love and mine,

Deborah 

BOOKS BY DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI:

GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed and Know Your Purpose) …How to move from drama to destiny

A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat) … the full account of how God raised my husband from early death….that will keep you turning the pages and give you faith to believe God for anything.

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)  … a must read!

SHIFT HAPPENS (co-author in the anthology) 

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. 

Trees are trimmed, stockings are hung, and decorations have been strategically placed throughout homes and in the marketplace. It’s the busiest time of the year: more activity, more pressures, more expenses, more red lights, more travel,….and the Church announces Peace on Earth. Next, the days get shorter—and nights longer and dark….and the Church proclaims it the Season of Light.

Really…another year has almost come and gone. It’s that time of year again….the Christmas season. What a whirlwind adventure—living with balance as a believer in Jesus Christ. He is the same God of miracles, signs, and wonders—and He is coming back again!

The Bible says, “Surely I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20). Come is the root meaning of the word Advent. We celebrate an event that happened 2,000 years plus ago…and the Church calls our attention to the future—His return. 

While we are in the final four weeks of preparation for Christmas day, some might say it is a strange and contradictory season. It’s a time of sadness for many who have lost loved ones or those who are overcoming illness, or at the end of this life as we know it. It’s a time of excitement for little ones, and older ones too. It’s a time of eager expectation with “tidings of joy” (Luke 2:10). 

Joy is often presented as “true” contentment based on faith—not on our circumstances. 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV).

The word “paradox” means “a statement that is seemingly contradictory, yet true.” 

Is it really movement and stillness that brings us closer to God? Effort or repose? What is truth? 

Truth is the whole counsel of God—and could be said to be the tension between paradoxes. Truth is found in the beautifully decorated dining room table that is perfect for all to see—and the same table that is not so pretty after all the guests have finished dining, then had dessert and coffee. It is the same table where family and friends will gather together and either celebrate life, love, and loss—or argue, attack, and accuse. Truth is found when we turn to Jesus. It is truth that Jesus was fully man and fully God. He came as a baby, born of a virgin—and He is coming back again as Lord of lords and King of kings. 

May we reflect on the reason for not just the Christmas season—but for life. His name is Jesus. May we see the meaning of Christmas in the tensions of this holiday season—in the hustle and bustle, with all the noise—to the silent night. From the red and green lights on the trees to the “red lights” that force you to stop in traffic. From the noisy dining room tables to the kitchen and dirty dishes. From the excited kids unwrapping presents to the Holy Presence of God that we get to experience all year long because of relationship and redemption. 

Instead of trying to pick and choose what appeals to you, don’t miss what God is doing all around you—in every situation and in every heart. This Christmas season, learn to listen and speak from your heart. There is always something you don’t know in every situation. 

May the LORD come into every part of your Christmas preparation and move you into divine purpose. 

You are blessed by God…….Deborah Starczewski

BOOKS BY DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI:

GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed and Know Your Purpose)…move from drama to destiny–in your personal life, marriage, and family.

A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)…. the full account of divine intervention that will keep you turning the pages. Learn how to be led by the Holy Spirit of God.

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?) … a must read

SHIFT HAPPENS (Co-author)

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.