Introducing... a New Project

Greetings Everyone,

I pray that you are all preparing for the upcoming holiday season, and that God has given you all great blessings in the past year. I know God has blessed us immensely over the past year and that while it has been full of great change, He has directed each step we have taken.  

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A few weeks ago, I was reminded of an idea that has come to the forefront of my mind for the past three years around this time. This Idea has been to write a book about the importance of living each day in the Spirit of Christmas. Now that I have been focusing more on my writing I have found the time to begin this Project as my heart has desired to do so these past few years. Don’t worry though, I am still working on my other projects, Finding Philemon is coming along great as is my project with Cosmicglory.org,  but this one is weighing very heavily upon my heart and I honestly don’t think I can go another year without putting this project together.

The Elliot Family Christmas Tree 2014, Tucson AZ

 
As I have prayed over this concept the past few weeks I feel I am being lead to entitle the Project, “Reflecting Christmas.” It won’t be too long by any means but it is my goal over the next two months to post a Devotional Blog that focuses on this concept each week or so. In my next post I will present the introduction to this series which will highlight the direction I feel this project will take.  By the time Christmas gets here the entire first draft of this book will be posted to this Blog. I would like to encourage those that read these devotional blogs to leave feedback and offer any suggestions you may have.

I feel so strongly about this endeavor that once we get this project finalized, we will be giving the five people who offer the most Honest feedback and suggestions a free copy of the finalized version. Yes!! YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY!!! 

As this will be a pretty big Project, I am requesting that those that are willing… begin to pray throughout the duration of the next few months as I work on this new Project with Traci and a few others. It’s not going to be easy with two little toddlers running around the house and with everything else we are working on, but I feel this is something that is needed in the world today. I know I will be praying about this Project a lot and that with God’s blessing "Reflecting Christmas" will bring honor to Him, "who is able to do immeasurably great things," 49.3.20 NIV. Thanks so much for your support.  

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

"Kodak Moments"

 Have you ever had one of those moments that really put something into perspective for you?  

Those moments are hard to come by now days with all that is being forced upon us.  We tend to get so wrapped up it what is going on around us that we miss those moments.  Today was one of those moments for me.  God speaks to us in the most interesting ways, today it was through a few moments I had with my family, other days it's a sunset and still others it's when he forces you to stop and experience something.

 I spent the weekend pretty sick and tied down to my bed. Today I felt a little better and since I had the day off so I have been spending what time I can it with the family at home.  This morning I spent some quality time with my son, Caleb, playing peekaboo with a blanket, while I was still in the bedroom.  It was something special to see him actually connect with the game.  As we kept playing he began to laugh a great deal, pushing the blanket back at me, as though he wanted to keep playing, so we did.  It reminded me that even though this game is pretty simple and doesn’t take a lot of energy, that it can make a huge difference to him.  It was a treasured time for both of us.

 After lunch we turned Toddler Radio on for our kids on Pandora and it yet again reminded me about how the simple things we do exhibit love.  For those that don’t know Leyla, my daughter, loves to dance in Jubilation. We’ve prayed that over her since before she was born. So usually when we turn on the radio, she is all over it.  I am reminded of the movie “Courageous” but, I’ll save that for another time.  In any case, we danced to a few songs and then as I we sat down for a bit of a break I saw wife, Traci, do the same with a few other songs. While she does this quite often, I watched on with a smile on my face. It was one of those moments that five years ago we’d call a “Kodak Moment.” As I began to write this little post I realized that life is full of “Kodak Moments.” All we have to do is let them happen.  

“Kodak Moments” happen all the time.  They happen in our families, as they did today and they can happen in our faith as well. I have heard them referred to as many things but they all mean the same thing. It’s a moment in which God speaks to us.  In these moments, we are given instruction, encouragement, or even discipline. The reality is, just as it was for me today with my family, that we must take the opportunities to listen and watch for them.  I would like to challenge those that read this to take time to search for these “Kodak Moments” both in your faith and in your life as well. When you begin to do so, don’t be surprised at what you find.

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

Connecting Encounters

Greetings, 

  This week has been an eventful week to say the least.  With everything we have begun to pursue in the past 7 months, since we moved to Dana Point, there has been little time to spend reflecting on the giant leap of faith that we took when we left our ministry back in Tucson. The other day as I was walking the property at the resort I work at, for my day job, I began to listen to the waves crashing against the shore across the road.  

  It was a very peaceful moment for me, as I was experiencing this peace, I began to reflect upon all that we have been pursuing since we moved.  I was touched to think about all that God has shown us,  I was amazed at the connections I’ve been able to build with my writing webhost and I was in awe of the comfort we have found since moving here.  It’s hard to believe that we have only been here for these 7 months. 

  While I pondered these things, I also began to feel a sense of loneliness, so much so that I texted several of my loved ones. Upon sending these texts I realized that in a lot of ways I had begun to leave them behind in pursuit of this vision God had given us. I had not kept in contact with those from my past that I care about as much as I should,

  This revelation, in turn, helped me realize that I can’t forget where I came from.  Our past, in its entirety, is part of who we are. As I write this I had intended on using another scripture but my thoughts have led me to this passage, Romans 8:28-20 NET...

“And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

  All things work together in our past, present and future for the good, or bad, of who we become. Whatever you are chasing, whether it be a dream you believe came from God or your own selfishness has, and always will, a connection to the past and to your future. The challenge that will remain through it all is staying true to who you are meant to be. You see, even though I have not kept in contact with my loved ones, or others, the impact they have had on who I am today and who I will become will always be there. Here is something to think about...

“God is the embodiment of the past, present and future. Your life, whether you like it or not, is full of wondrous encounters that play a part in who you will become, even though you may lose touch with these encounters, the impact they had on you will always be there, working hand in hand with God to mold you into what you were meant to be.”

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.