My Grandpa Purnell used to always say this prayer before every meal. Although he has been with Jesus for almost 12 years, I can still hear him saying it...
Heavenly Father,
We are so grateful for every blessing in life, we don't give You enough thanks.
Forgive us, for we've failed You so many times.
Be with our church as a whole, if it be Your will.
Be with our prayer list and be with the sick, You know the needs.
Be with the unconcerned...Be with this whole wicked world.
Bless the food we eat for the nourishment of our bodies.
For it's in Your gracious and heavenly name I ask - Amen.
I think his prayer is also the best way to conclude the roller coaster that has been 2011.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
May the Lord bless you and keep you in 2012!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry CHRISTmas!
Experiencing Christmas Together
Christmas Day Family and Friends Devotional from Chase Oaks Church
Christmas is a day that engages the senses. There are wonderful sights to be seen, like a glowing Christmas tree or brightly colored packages. There are delightful aromas to be smelled, like the scent of pine or the smell of wonderful food, such as, in our family's Christmas morning tradition, freshly baked cinnamon birthday cake for Jesus! There are inspiring sounds to hear and great carols to be sung. But what about on the day Jesus was actually born? Can you picture what that day looked, smelled and sounded like? There is no doubt it would have engaged the senses! Take a moment to read and experience the Christmas story together.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
On Jesus' birthday, there wasn't a Christmas tree or festive decorations. They were near animals, so there were smells to be sure, but they probably didn't remind you of cinnamon! However, none of that mattered because a baby named Jesus was there. The Savior of the world...God with us! And through Him we can have the greatest experience of all: peace with God! This Christmas day, take some time to remember together how God became a baby to save us.
One last thought from A Holy Experience:
"He was poor, that he might make us rich.
He was born of a virgin that we might be born of God.
He took our flesh, that he might give us His Spirit.
He lay in the manger, that we may lie in paradise.
He came down from Heaven, that he might bring us to Heaven…
That the Ancient of Days should be born.
That he who thunders in the Heavens should cry in the cradle…
That he who rules the stars should suck the breast;
That a virgin should conceive;
That Christ should be made of a woman, and of that woman which himself made,
that the branch should bear the vine,
That the mother should be younger than the child she bare,
and the child in the womb bigger than the mother;
That the human nature should not be God, yet one with God
Christ taking flesh is a mystery we shall never fully understand till we come to Heaven
If our hearts be not rocks, this love of Christ should affect us.
Behold love that passeth knowledge!”
~Thomas Watson
It is our prayer that this be the merriest of CHRISTmases for you and your family!
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Jason, Shayna, and Sara
Christmas Day Family and Friends Devotional from Chase Oaks Church
Christmas is a day that engages the senses. There are wonderful sights to be seen, like a glowing Christmas tree or brightly colored packages. There are delightful aromas to be smelled, like the scent of pine or the smell of wonderful food, such as, in our family's Christmas morning tradition, freshly baked cinnamon birthday cake for Jesus! There are inspiring sounds to hear and great carols to be sung. But what about on the day Jesus was actually born? Can you picture what that day looked, smelled and sounded like? There is no doubt it would have engaged the senses! Take a moment to read and experience the Christmas story together.
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
On Jesus' birthday, there wasn't a Christmas tree or festive decorations. They were near animals, so there were smells to be sure, but they probably didn't remind you of cinnamon! However, none of that mattered because a baby named Jesus was there. The Savior of the world...God with us! And through Him we can have the greatest experience of all: peace with God! This Christmas day, take some time to remember together how God became a baby to save us.
One last thought from A Holy Experience:
"He was poor, that he might make us rich.
He was born of a virgin that we might be born of God.
He took our flesh, that he might give us His Spirit.
He lay in the manger, that we may lie in paradise.
He came down from Heaven, that he might bring us to Heaven…
That the Ancient of Days should be born.
That he who thunders in the Heavens should cry in the cradle…
That he who rules the stars should suck the breast;
That a virgin should conceive;
That Christ should be made of a woman, and of that woman which himself made,
that the branch should bear the vine,
That the mother should be younger than the child she bare,
and the child in the womb bigger than the mother;
That the human nature should not be God, yet one with God
Christ taking flesh is a mystery we shall never fully understand till we come to Heaven
If our hearts be not rocks, this love of Christ should affect us.
Behold love that passeth knowledge!”
~Thomas Watson
It is our prayer that this be the merriest of CHRISTmases for you and your family!
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Jason, Shayna, and Sara
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
A Thankful Heart
As we end the month of THANKSgiving, I wanted to share this excerpt from our Pastor Emeritus Gene Getz's new Life Essentials Study Bible.
Psalm 138
1 I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing Your praise before the heavenly beings. 2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your constant love and truth. You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else. 3 On the day I called, You answered me; You increased strength within me. 4 All the kings on earth will give You thanks, Lord, when they hear what You have promised. 5 They will sing of the Lord’s ways, for the Lord’s glory is great.
8 The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.
A Principle to Live By – Always Giving Thanks - #141
Psalm 138
1 I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing Your praise before the heavenly beings. 2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your constant love and truth. You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else. 3 On the day I called, You answered me; You increased strength within me. 4 All the kings on earth will give You thanks, Lord, when they hear what You have promised. 5 They will sing of the Lord’s ways, for the Lord’s glory is great.
8 The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.
A Principle to Live By – Always Giving Thanks - #141
When we worship God we should thank Him for His faithful promises.
Psalm 138 begins with a series of eight Davidic psalms of praise and worship. In this psalm, David may have been reflecting on God’s promise that his “throne (would) be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). Prophetically, David understood – in part at least – that “every knee will bow” before Jesus Christ including “all the kings on earth” (Philippians 2:10-11, Psalm 138:4). In this psalm, David thanked God for His promises and affirmed God’s purpose for his life (verse 8). The Scriptures are filled with God’s promises, but none is more reassuring than the words, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). We can claim this promise now and forever. We must never fail to thank and praise God for our eternal inheritance.
Reflection and Response
In what creative ways can we use Paul’s reassuring words in Romans 8:31-39 to worship and thank God for His promises?
May you be filled with a thankful heart as we enter into His season by keeping Christ in CHRISTmas!
May you be filled with a thankful heart as we enter into His season by keeping Christ in CHRISTmas!
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna
Shayna
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Let the Memories Begin
June 7-14 we took Sara on her first plane ride and trip to Walt Disney World to celebrate our 10th Anniversary! While staying at the Wilderness Lodge, our time was filled with visits to Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom...
Wilderness Lodge
Our first night, Mickey had planned a Grand Welcome for Sara complete with a sash on our door, a box filled with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Chip & Dale, Mickey's Gloves, Hidden Mickey's Book, Mickey's Walt Disney World Photo Album, Mickey and Friends Popcorn Tins with Mickey's Rice Krispie Treats that spelled out W-E-L-C-O-M-E, autographed framed picture welcoming Sara from her Disney Pals, Walt Disney World Official Autograph Book signed, "Welcome Sara! Your Pal, Mickey Mouse", a red blanket embroidered with her name and Mickey's logo, a Tink silhouette that changed colors magically, a celebration banner on our patio door, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse balloon, and message from Mickey on our room phone!
We had a woods view from our patio where we could see Wishes Fireworks every night at exactly 10pm...We could even hear the music on our last night there...Sara was convinced that Mickey did that just for her, too!
We enjoyed the boats to Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness, buses for Magical Express and to Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios, pool, playground on the beach, Fire Rock Geyser, and Electrical Water Pageant on Bay Lake. Sara loved the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness, too! I don't guess we'll be staying at a midprice or value resort again anytime soon...I think it's safe to say we have found our Disney World Home Away From Home!
Animal Kingdom
To be honest, this is our least favorite park as a family...I guess because we have two local zoos that we frequent and it always seems to be so much hotter there! We enjoyed It's Tough to be a Bug!, lunch at Flame Tree BBQ, and Finding Nemo - The Musical.
Since we visited the other parks multiple days, here are lists of all the fun we had...
Epcot
Spaceship Earth
Club Cool
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush
Living With the Land
Garden Grill
Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Cabelleros in Mexico
Maelstrom and Princess Storybook Dining in Norway
Rose and Crown Pub in United Kingdom
Hollywood Studios
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
Muppet Vision 3-D
Toy Story Pizza Planet Arcade
Disney Junior - Live on Stage!
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Beauty and the Beast - Live On Stage
The Great Movie Ride
50's Primetime Cafe
Magic Kingdom
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade
Wishes Fireworks Show
Electrical Parade
Walt Disney World Monorail and Railroad
Harmony Barber Shop
Jungle Cruise
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Pirates of the Caribbean
Country Bear Jamboree
Tom Sawyer Island
Haunted Mansion
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
It's a Small World
Mad Tea Party
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Peter Pan's Flight
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Carousel of Progress
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Cinderella's Royal Table
Crystal Palace
We had a magical time and look forward to going back Summer 2013 to see the Fantasyland Expansion!
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Jason, Shayna, and Sara
Thursday, June 2, 2011
10 Years
 |
| 10 years ago today we reached a decision with the Lord to unite our lives as one with Him... What a blessing these 10 years have been! |
Jason and Shayna
Sunday, May 29, 2011
How He Loves
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35
Jesus said that His followers would be known by their love.
Jesus said, "As I have loved you..."
"...You must love one another."
"...By this all men will know that you are my disciples."
In John 18 Peter denies Jesus 3 times, but in John 21 Jesus reinstates Peter. Why? Because He loved him...Just like Jesus loves you!
The illustration Jason Ganze used at Chase Oaks Church this week was Hershey's Kisses and Sour Pickles. He reminded us of 1 Corinthians 13 and encouraged us to be sweet to someone this week. I think we should try to be sweet to someone everyday!
With summer in the air, I am looking forward to putting this difficult spring behind us...How He Loves by David Crowder Band is the perfect anthem for this summer!
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna
Jesus said that His followers would be known by their love.
Jesus said, "As I have loved you..."
"...You must love one another."
"...By this all men will know that you are my disciples."
In John 18 Peter denies Jesus 3 times, but in John 21 Jesus reinstates Peter. Why? Because He loved him...Just like Jesus loves you!
The illustration Jason Ganze used at Chase Oaks Church this week was Hershey's Kisses and Sour Pickles. He reminded us of 1 Corinthians 13 and encouraged us to be sweet to someone this week. I think we should try to be sweet to someone everyday!
With summer in the air, I am looking forward to putting this difficult spring behind us...How He Loves by David Crowder Band is the perfect anthem for this summer!
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna
Saturday, April 23, 2011
This Changes Everything
This weekend we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ - the event that changed everything. While this is easy to say, it is much harder to believe. Even Jesus' closest friends and followers, immediately following His crucifixion, didn't believe. Their hopes were dashed, their expectations crushed. But then it happened...the miracle on Sunday morning...the resurrection! Thank you Chase Oaks Church for helping us embrace the miracle of the resurrection and the power that it brings for our lives!
"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!" Luke 24:5-6
"The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again." Luke 24:7
The cardboard testimonies during Friday's service were amazing to watch and gave me many goosebumps. They also got me thinking about what our cardboard testimony might be. I can't speak for Jason, but mine would say, "Struggled with infertility for 5 years - God's greatest gift was born November 12, 2008, placed in our arms November 14, 2008, and ours forever May 12, 2009." There are so many other ways that the Lord has blessed our lives, but Sara was definitely our most prayed for and longest awaited blessing.
As I sit here listening to the wind and rain from my computer, I am looking forward to the renewal that comes with tomorrow. We can't wait to share the story of Jesus with Sara in the morning using the Resurrection Eggs she will hunt for and the Resurrection Rolls we will make together for breakfast.
Easter Blessings to y'all!
"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!" Luke 24:5-6
"The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again." Luke 24:7
The cardboard testimonies during Friday's service were amazing to watch and gave me many goosebumps. They also got me thinking about what our cardboard testimony might be. I can't speak for Jason, but mine would say, "Struggled with infertility for 5 years - God's greatest gift was born November 12, 2008, placed in our arms November 14, 2008, and ours forever May 12, 2009." There are so many other ways that the Lord has blessed our lives, but Sara was definitely our most prayed for and longest awaited blessing.
As I sit here listening to the wind and rain from my computer, I am looking forward to the renewal that comes with tomorrow. We can't wait to share the story of Jesus with Sara in the morning using the Resurrection Eggs she will hunt for and the Resurrection Rolls we will make together for breakfast.
Easter Blessings to y'all!
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna
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