God With Us

God is with us.
God was with us. 
God will be with us.

That was the main message of Craig's simple (but awesome) Christmas sermon, and God timed it right for me to hear that last night!  He used the verse from Romans 8 about nothing being able to separate us from God's love, and said, "That includes our doubts, our fears, etc."  And that hit me - that even when I am doubting God's goodness and freaking out and forgetting to turn to Him or struggling to trust Him, that doesn't change a thing.  I feel more separated from Him at those times, but His love is still just as strong, and He is still there.  God is with me right now... I do not have to face life alone, and He will comfort me when it gets hard.  God was with me in the past in a thousand different ways that are easy for me to see looking back.  And God will be with me through all the ups and downs of the coming year and the rest of my life!!  As Craig said toward the end of his sermon, "God is with you.  The real question is:  Are you with Him??"

I really feel like that guy who said, "I believe; help me with my unbelief" here!  Because a loud YES should be the answer to that question!  But this song sometimes seems more fitting... "It's like I only love God when the sun shines my way.  It's like I'm mean to divinity when I can't see sweet, sweet rays!"  (-Nelly Furtado)

Anyway... this series is called "Carols," and Craig is focusing on a different Christmas song each week.  This week he chose my favorite, O Come, O Come Emmanuel.  Awesomeness (and my Song of the Week)!!  I haven't heard this woman before, but I was really happy they chose her for this video.  And how great are these lyrics!?

"O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny.
From depths of Hell, Thy people save.
And give them victory o'er the grave!
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

...and bind in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace!"



Quick Thankful Thursday post:

Today, I'm thankful...

1.  That as of this week, it is finally beginning to feel like Christmas to me!
2.  For Jennie inviting me to the Marvellite Christmas Run!  Pic = her after running 5 miles in the rain in her tacky Christmas sweater (for the contest). :)

3.  That it is so easy to strike up a conversation and make new friends while walk/jogging!  I love that, and it was good to be reminded!!
4.  For Malori Riah!!  And for getting to watch Big Business and Charlie Brown Christmas with her this past weekend! 
5.  For my friendship with Jeff (JEM) and Chet Lee... and for the cute hot chocolate mug they got me from Anthropologie!! =)

6.  For my Panera dinner with Laura Tuesday night... genuine, deep conversation... and cute gingerbread cookies. :)
7.  For the candlelight service tonight, for getting to see several LG friends again, and for the reminder from God that He is still with me!!

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 
~Romans 8:38,39