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I tailor make a lot of Bethany’s reading books because there are some very specific things I want her to know.
The first book I made was a catechism of sorts titled “Who is God?” It asks questions and then gives simple answers. ie- Who is God? God is my Creator! Who is God? God is my Heavenly Father. etc.
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Next, I wanted her to know that God will never break His promises. Thereby “God’s Promises to Me” book came into existence.
One of the promises of salvation was this passage from Hebrews. “If we tell God about our sins, He will keep His promise and forgive our sins and make our hearts clean and pure.” The next section was entitled, The Promise of His Presence.
Beth started getting all excited, jumping up and down and saying, “Yay! I love presents! What kind of presents God have for me?”
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I laughed and began trying to explain the difference between “presence” and “presents”.
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Our first scripture that talks about the promise of His presence is one of my fav’s.
[Tweet “In Your #presence is fullness of #joy- #shalom Psalm 16:11 #JOY2YourWorld”]
Still struggling to define “presence” to Bethany’s understanding, I made word picture cards.
But the more we talked about being with God- being in His presence (a very abstract concept to a concrete thinker 🙂 ) the more I began thinking of the presents His presence gives us!
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[Tweet “CHRISTmas isn’t about the #presents- it’s about God’s #presence come to fill our lives! #CHRISTmas”]
God getting dirty.
God living with us.
God bending down to earth.
God identifying with our sorrows.
So- this week before Christmas- I think we need to start unwrapping His Presence to get to our Present.
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Yes, it’s JOY to the WORLD- but I want you to know, it’s JOY to YOU, personally too! CHRISTMAS JOY brings us the JOY of His presence in a tangible, hands-on, identifiable way. We can never say to God, “You just don’t understand.” Because He does understand- He experienced it all and more. (Hebrews 12)
So go ahead, rip that paper off, tear into it with zest! Ask God to make you aware of His presence/presents today.
For me, Fullness of Joy is the most amazing present from being in His presence.
FULLNESS is being FULL of something. 🙂 I know that’s pretty obvious but build on that for a minute!
If you’re full- you’re stuffed- full to the rim- no room for anything else.
It means you’re OCCUPIED. JAM-PACKED! BURSTING THE SEAMS! COMPLETELY PACKED!
[Tweet “#CHRISTmas #presence crowds your soul with #joy!”]
When you’re FULL of JOY; you’re TEEMING with joy, HEAVY with joy, your essence is CROWDED with joy!
SURPRISING TREASURE: Joy is something that can never be taken from you!
You might lose it.
But the good news is you don’t have to wait for Christmas to find it again. You can have it anytime, anywhere, you just have to move- Back into His presence!If you’ve lost your joy- it’s time to RUN to His PRESENCE, start hanging out with Him. Tell Him your secret worries, your irritations, your fears, your thoughts. Feast on His WORDS and open His presence to receive your present of joy unspeakable and full of glory.
If you have time- listen to Chris Thomlin’s version of Joy to the World! He’s added a wonderful chorus to the original hymn that has me singing!
Cindy..once again..this hit the spot perfectly. I am going to listen to the song now. Thank you for sharing this….I want HIS Presence and that fullness of Joy that He is and that He offers.
Love you Amy! I miss you! I finally am shuffling around the house a bit, but still sleeping lots. hugs and thanks for the encouragement…. 🙂
Sometime back in Galesburg I recall one of my Christmas Sermon Series was titled Unwrapping the “Presence” of God. It was a fun wordplay! I remember when Bethany latched on the presents/presence dilemma. I also remember when you explained the differences to her. I know she got it because when I took her Christmas shopping this year to buy presents for others, I saw the presence of Jesus in her expressions. It made cry. I am so proud of her and the fantastic job her teacher-mommy is doing with her! I love my family!
What a joyful way to look at this Christmas season! Christmas IS all about His presence…what a gift. God with us. Praise the Lord!
Thanks Sarah! Joy to You and your hubby! Merry Christmas and enjoy His presence/presents! 🙂
lol, um, I’m not married 😉
ummm-blush- how did I ever “miss” that?! The movie clip of you river rafting…somehow I thought you and your husband did it? I feel so silly 🙂 LOL I’m going to have to go back and read your profile better girl! Well- watch out- because you are a “diamond” and I’m sure God is going to send some wonderful guy your way! hugs
haha, no I’m the one blushing! That was just my buddies, mom and brother that went kayaking.
And thanks, who knows? I’m open to whatever the Lord has for me!
Wow! Cindy and Jeff, you are absolutely awesome in how you are teaching Bethany. I so enjoy your blog! What a wonderful way to enjoy the Christmas Season and beyond! Being full of HIS Presence!
🙂 Thanks Steph! I’m not sure who’s teaching who the most 🙂 Christmas time sure brings back great memories of us in high school! Miss you. Merry Christmas to you and yours!!! hugs
Another neat idea to share you on my facebook wall – I just love that Bethany and her creative and devoted mom! Some day, I’d love to have a copy of that teaching book – it sounds like a winner!
Thanks Edy- I love making Bethany books. It solidifies in my spirit what I believe the Bible says because I have to distill it to the simpilist form, AND make sure it’s understandable. I remember how 20 years ago, I wanted to learn all the “deep” things in the Bible- now I see the “deep” things are hidden in the simplicity of His truth- revealed to babes… 🙂 Merry Christmas dear sister! (thanks for sharing on your wall)
Boy I feel “The Joy” flowing over me right now! Its just like fire shut up in my bones 🙂 I know Bethany loves to learn from you because you make it a joyous experience. Your such a great mom!
fire- shut up in my bones- love that song! 🙂 you are a joy bringer/giver 🙂