We have a double-feature today on the blog: a Faith Barista Jam & a special Advent Giveaway!
At the end of today's post, click the blue button to submit your Unwrapping Jesus discoveries or simply comment.“When you hear God speak, do you trust, do you accept, or do you analyze and then reject?” ~ Ian Strachan, Today In A Manger
I was walking through a local art gallery last weekend when I ended my horseshoe tour at the front desk. Making paces around panels of paintings, I was hoping to get inspired.
Most of the paintings I viewed were what you’d expect — still life perspectives on apples, bananas and grapes, some portraits of unknown faces, and of course, you gotta have the country landscapes.
I was winding my way back to the entrance door when a tiny painting hung low near the floor caught my eye.
It was a silhouette of two people hanging back in conversation. What made this painting stand out apart from the rest was how much space there was in the composition. You couldn’t see their hands, eyes or facial expressions, but you didn’t need to.
The painting provided a space for a story.
My mind drank in the colors, lighting and characters painted in the scene. I entered into the moment that the artist portrayed, and I filled it with voice, mood, and emotion.
Staring into the painting made me wonder:
how have I filled the spaces in my story this Christmas?
Have I left any space for faith and belief?
Or have I filled the uncertainties with logic and fear?
A Week Before Christmas
As Christmas approaches, our greatest dilemma will not be about shopping, family drama, or how we will celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Our greatest dilemma at Christmas
hovers over the question of faith —
Will we take the leap of faith
that allows God to fill in the empty spaces in our stories?
What is the next step for you around the bend of the new year?
Are you answering the challenges you’re up against with reasonable answers — or God-dependent resolve?
How we fill in the missing spaces affects the composition of God’s will and our own ways.
How Will We Meet The Challenge?
Christmas can sometimes feel like a forced vacation from the questions and challenges we’re trying to solve. We like to fill in the blanks, make a plan and see a path to resolution.
God’s reply to Mary and to us through the angel Gabriel was radical encouragement —
“Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.” ~ Luke 1:37 MSG
Do we actually believe that God can do anything?
Mary could have responded with —
“Not now…”
“Not me…”
“Not this way…’
“But…”
Instead, Mary believed —
“Yes, I see it all now:
I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve.
Let it be with me just as you say.”
~ Luke 1:37 MSG
It dawned on me. What Mary saw wasn’t how things would work out.
Mary had no idea what was up ahead of her — giving birth with no friends or family around, returning to raise Jesus among rumors and innuendo, and seeing her son die unexpectedly at 33, hung as a criminal.
What Mary did see was that God would fill in the blanks. She was willing to be that space for His story.
Today, you and I also face this mind-boggling dilemma at Christmas too.
Will we stand distant and detached until we fill in all the blanks — or will we take a leap of faith and give God the space to write His story?
~~~~~
What is God telling you to do today?*
What leap of faith do you need to take, as Christmas approaches, to ensure that His will is accomplished?*
~~~~~
A Special Advent Giveaway
You may think Christmas is around the corner, but it’s never too late to take in the Christmas Story. Never.
(*) Today’s two closing questions are excerpted from a newly published Advent devotional that I’ve been meditating and tremendously enjoying: Today In A Manger: Revisiting HIS Story. It’s been a simple yet profound walk through the Christmas story in the four Gospels. This mini book holds powerful punch, people.
Author Ian Strachan has graciously offered to give away copies of Today In A Manger to two (2) Faith Barista readers!
Enter To Win
BY SUN 12/19/10 Midnight PST.
1. Share a comment to today’s post.
— or —
2. Link up in the Faith Barista Jam found below. Write a post about how you’re unwrapping Jesus (celebrating or discovering Jesus) in the Christmas season and submit the url at the end of today’s post.
(Extra entries if you both link up & comment!)
For more extra entries: Click on the “Share” button at the bottom of today’s post to Facebook or Tweet (use #AdventGiveaway). Leave additional comments letting me know. You’re entered again!
Two computer-generated winners have been randomly selected!
Congratulations to: #8 Monica Sharman & #22 Kristine McGuire.
Thank you to everyone who entered and took the time to share your comments & stories in the jam! Your words make this community a real place of encouragement.
~~~~~
*** NOW, IT’S YOUR TURN — FAITH BARISTA JAM! ***
Faith Barista Jam Thursdays — I serve up a topic of faith, you write the post. Keep faith fresh with a faith prompt and add your voice to this community.
Today’s topic: Your Unwrapping Jesus Discoveries
Share your post by clicking on the blue button below “Add Your Link”. You can also share directly by simply commenting below.
Next Thursday 12/23: Share your Unwrapping Jesus Discoveries —
Keep a lookout for:
*1. Ways to celebrate Christmas simply.
*2. Inspiring moments that fill you with God’s love, joy, peace, or hope.
*3. Encouragement to see Christmas in a new way.
*4. A Fresh Take on the Gift of Jesus.
Approach it any way you feel inspired! Only required ingredient: keep it real. Thanks for serving your personal brews!
Build the Keep Fresh Fresh Community: Link back to Faith Barista or grab this month’s special Christmas Faith Barista Jam Badge to place in your post. Click here.
It’s a jam session. As time allows, say hi & drop a comment when visiting the community faith blends!
~~~~~
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* Questions excerpted from Today In A Manger, “Day Five: Leap of Faith” from Ian’s book.
Photo courtesy of artist Decker Walker.
74 Comments
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jay Cookingham, Alltop Christianity. Alltop Christianity said: The Greatest Christmas Dilemma (A Special Advent Giveaway): We have a double-feature today on the blog: a Faith… http://bit.ly/hmzK6U […]
Bonnie, This is a very convicting post with excellent questions. I’m really glad I stopped by today. You’ve given me a lot to ponder. I have trouble making that leap, I’ll admit. I’m an analyzer, a questioner, and yes, a doubter. So this post, and your questions, speak straight to my heart. Thanks, Bonnie.
.-= Michelle DeRusha´s last blog ..All Kinds =-.
Loved this post! Would love to win a copy of this book…sounds wonderful! Thank you for the opportunity!
Thanks for this! Our family is at a somewhat uncertain point in our lives..and this was an encouragement to me this morning. oh, and I do love the painting too 🙂 a blessed Christmas to you and your family/
Wow. Loved this post. Spoke so much to what I’m going through. Thank you for sharing.
.-= Amy Nabors´s last blog ..The Laughter of Friends =-.
I “tweeted”! 🙂
@AFthfulJrney
.-= Amy @ A Faithful Journey´s last blog ..Word-Filled Wednesday Isaiah 11-1-2 =-.
I tweeted about this post and the giveaway.
.-= Amy Nabors´s last blog ..The Laughter of Friends =-.
It’s too easy to fill up on those empty spaces with activity. I want to “hang back” instead for those conversations with Jesus and Jesus-lovers. Thanks for providing this forum today for reflection on just those things. You’re a blessing, Bonnie!
.-= Lisa notes…´s last blog ..With a little help from my friends =-.
[…] Share and Enjoy: […]
Well, Bonnie, looks like God is adding you to the list of things and people He’s using to move me to do something I’m scared to do. *sigh*
I’ve been doing a lot of that human reasoning. There IS a lot of space out there, and I just need to jump…
Forgot to mention another of the things He’s using (besides this post) to give me courage to do that scary thing: a book by Jill Briscoe entitled, “Here am I, Lord…send somebody else!”
[…] post is part of the December “Unwrapping Jesus” faith jam hosted by Bonnie at the Faith Barista. Please click the link to read her post and the other submissions this week. I promise you will be […]
I intentionally didn’t read your post until I had finished mine. I love how they dovetail.
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Sorrow Is Part of Christmas- Too =-.
I shared on Facebook
.-= allison morrison´s last blog ..Unwrapping Christmas Joy =-.
Don’t tweet…at least not yet anyway!
.-= allison morrison´s last blog ..Unwrapping Christmas Joy =-.
I linked my post today about Unwrapping Christmas joy! I’ve been looking for ways that Christ has been making Himself known to me this season. When you open your eyes and take notice it’s amazing the things He’ll allow you to see and experience!
.-= allison morrison´s last blog ..Unwrapping Christmas Joy =-.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Cherie Froelich, Joy B. Joy B said: Have you visited the Unwrapping Jesus #faithjam? @TheBonnieGray is hosting a giveaway there today: http://ow.ly/3qcdD […]
You’ve really captured the intensity of the Christmas season that is easy to miss. While I appreciate the worshipful atmosphere created with candles and simple carols, there’s a sense in which the Christmas story is one of fear, uncertainty, and loneliness. Your post post brings that out in a powerful way that reminds us regardless of the sentiments we associate with Christmas, we really have another opportunity to count the cost and take the leap of faith.
[…] post is part of Bonnie Gray’s weekly Faith Barista Jam where we’re discussing our Unwrapping Jesus Discoveries so go check out all the posts […]
He’s the only one who can fill in the blanks–fill the void–properly. That’s just what He does. And yeah, I’m taking great big leap toward this new year, trusting God to do all He promised. It’s exciting, but the in between is a killer! Thanks Bonnie. Great post and encouragement.
.-= jasonS´s last blog ..Trusting the Gift-Giver =-.
“She was willing to be that space for His story.”
Wow. For me, I actually do believe that nothing is impossible with God, but this season of trial is going on so long, I’m struggling, not to believe that He CAN do something, but that He WILL do something. It feels like maybe this time, He just won’t. Am I willing to be space for His story or do I want Him to fix mine? Now there is a challenging question–might have to chew on this one for awhile. Thank you Bonnie!
I shared this on Facebook.
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Sorrow Is Part of Christmas- Too =-.
That book sounds like the perfect jolt to my typical holiday routine….yay!
I tweeted the post too!
.-= jasonS´s last blog ..Trusting the Gift-Giver =-.
I love art galleries. There is so much story in the art. In some, even so much chaos and anger reflected in the colors. Del Tacket from The Truth Project said in our last lesson to not get caught up in our own story. It’s part of a bigger plan. At least, that’s how I interpretted his statement.
Great blog!
.-= Nikole Hahn´s last blog ..An Amish Christmas- December in Lancaster County =-.
Loved this post Bonnie.
I’m pondering these things myself as the year draws to a close and the new year begins. as well as I seem to be entering into a change as I try to lean into God for my healing from the past year.
.-= Leanna´s last blog ..A few of my favorite Christmas songs =-.
Sounds like a really interesting giveaway 😀
.-= Kristine McGuire´s last blog ..A Christian “Dark Age” =-.
All too often I have filled the spaces of my heart with doubt and insecurity over God’s leading, especially in a recent wave of trials. May my heart never be dull to the profound cost of Christmas and the immeasurable gift of life that is ours. May I skip a step in my faith walk, knowing the battle was won when the Lord sent His Son. I can stand firmly planted in that promise and trust God to do his thing!
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..GIFTED Day 11 – Love Jesus Printable Gift Tags =-.
Hi Melissa,
I love your Christmas story… so much so, that I was inspired to do the same type of labels your mom did when you were growing up… Thanks!
.-= Joyce D.´s last blog ..A Gift from Hay-Sus =-.
Hi Bonnie,
You may have seen some activity on your blog from me because I was trying to figure out why my name and blog title wouldn’t register… I was using “quotation marks” after my name and it wouldn’t take… I was trying to get all fancy, shmancy. 😉
Anyhow, thank you for keeping me accountable this Christmas… I seriously was going into scrooge mode with consumerism!
Nice shot of faith to shake me out of the chaos, of my mind! Hahaha…
.-= Joyce D.´s last blog ..A Gift from Hay-Sus =-.
What is God telling you to do today?
He is telling me to keep dreaming and to trust Him in those dreams.
.-= Kevin Martineau´s last blog ..Dont focus on what could have been =-.
Just tweeted about the giveaway. 🙂
.-= Kevin Martineau´s last blog ..Today- is a perfect day for a perfect day! =-.
What a great reminder, Bonnie! Thank you for always inspiring us and providing a place for us to gather together for conversation. 🙂
.-= Melissa Brotherton´s last blog ..Scared of Christmas =-.
Tweeted! 🙂
.-= Melissa Brotherton´s last blog ..Scared of Christmas =-.
It’s the same question revisited. Is there any room? Lord, give us faith. May our heart be tuned to receive every ounce of all He wants to pour into us. Thanks for the challenge! Your words are encouraging 🙂 Laura
Wow, I’ve been “peering” nto next year with so many questions and a lot of fear. This year is not ending the way I expected or hoped, and yet God seems to be getting my attention in His own perfect way.
Thank you for this post. What perfect timing!!!:)
Shared on Facebook, too.:)
Beautiful post, beautiful heart. Thank you, friend!
.-= Holley Gerth´s last blog ..Live well- love well =-.
“We like to fill in the blanks, make a plan and see a path to resolution.” You’re absolutely right. I don’t like blank spaces, lack of explanation, inactivity. I’m thinking along the same lines these days, looking to my efforts to fill in the missing pieces, to move things along. So thankful God loves me enough to give me opportunities and space to relinquish, even ever-so-reluctantly, my idols of control and self-sufficiency.
.-= Nancy´s last blog ..Cabbage Patch Christmas =-.
My heart’s desire is indeed to leave the blanks for Him to fill.. if the story is my own, it’s not worth writing or living..
My link is up, telling of Christmas without Him and my first Christmas belonging to Him.
.-= HisFireFly´s last blog ..Jesus in every day of my life =-.
Posted a link on Facebook
.-= HisFireFly´s last blog ..Jesus in every day of my life =-.
Just tweeted about the contest too!
.-= HisFireFly´s last blog ..Jesus in every day of my life =-.
[…] post has been linked to the Faith Barista’s series, Unwrapping Jesus. Share and enjoy: This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. Post a […]
This is exactly what has been happening in my life this month! I’ve been quiet, praying, listening to God. The phrase “more of Him and less of me” has been floating through my head. How do I get more of Him? By allowing Him to tell the story. By spending time in prayer, being still. By not making plans and demanding to know the end of the story. Is it nerve-wracking? Oh, yeah! But not that much, because I know that God is with me, leading me into my own story. It’s my job to hang on and write down what He’s doing.
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Christmas break… =-.
What a convicting and freeing challenge. You’ve encouraged me to take that leap of faith and let Him right His story. Life can totally be a freak out when I forget He’s flavoring my latte.
My leaps of faith: 1) Truly receive His calm in all the celebration and let Him lead in the simplifying. I’m really enjoying it! This is our first hassle-free holiday year. 2) Worship Him while I wait for His complete healing in my body.
.-= Jeri @godsdreamsforme´s last blog ..My Healing Began with a Stranger =-.
whoops! I meant write instead of right. Both sound good to me!
.-= Jeri @godsdreamsforme´s last blog ..My Healing Began with a Stranger =-.
Linked up. It actually helped so much writing this out. Thank you for the opportunity to share.
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Unwrapping Jesus through Blue Christmas =-.
Bonnie — I am thinking that there must be space made in order to allow God to fill the space. I have to fight, and fight hard, to leave space, to give God the space to fill. I have to fight myself over it, but I also have to fight others, the world, sin. Everyone wants to fill the space, but only God can in a way that makes any sense.
This was a beautiful post, timely written.
Blessings.
I love the painting. And how it inspired you. I needed to read this today, a very hard day in a hard life. There is lots of space in my life. I pray it is Jesus filling them.
.-= Genevieve Thul @ Turquoise Gates´s last blog ..When I grieve alone =-.
I love that painting. I hadn’t thought of life in this way before–the empty spaces. It’s a good thought. 🙂 I’m pondering your question about having left space. That’s more me—filling up the spaces even though I know space is necessary.
.-= Sheryl´s last blog ..A Gift Unwrapped =-.
Sometimes your posts leave me with so much to think about my brain aches, in a good way.Your words hit right in my heart. I am so blessed to be a follower of your blog xxx
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Oh My I’ve Been Nominated =-.
We have an empty space…that must be filled with something. Will it be Jesus?
.-= David Rupert´s last blog ..Stealing baby Jesus =-.
“What Mary did see was that God would fill in the blanks. She was willing to be that space for His story.”
Bonnie, thank you for the prompt I need to walk forward into the space for His story.
Let it be unto me according to what He says for my life in this season.
So glad you write and keep on writing…
.-= Donna´s last blog ..Tidings of Comfort and Joy =-.
Bonnie – Thank you for this lovely post! I know that the control freak in me has a big issue sometimes with the unknown. There are so many things I’d love to do (and so many things I know I have to do) that I’m sometimes paralyzed by the sheer amount of choices I have. I know that I often need to go on by faith, pray about a decision and make a choice, knowing that God “works all things together for good.”
Thanks for this post, looking forward to reading more of your blog!
I appreciated your sharing your time of pain. You spoke so deeply to my heart. When you used my life verse at the end, there was no doubt your writing was an answer to my prayer! Bless you for listening and following the leading of the Holy Spirit~
I’m constantly amazed by Mary’s willingness to be used by God. My pastor brought up the point once that we don’t know if Gabriel had appeared to other girls first but they said no. I love the last line of the post: “Will we stand distant and detached until we fill in all the blanks — or will we take a leap of faith and give God the space to write His story?”
amber (afren07[at]gmail[dot]com)
Thank you ever so much for your posts. Christmas is all about Jesus and your posts
bring it home for us. Christmas is in our hearts – not at the malls.
Hugs, Sunny
Wow, the Lord led me here in His perfect timing this morning. Thanks for the post. Just one ordinary woman, grateful for your obedience to the Lord. Great questions to ponder. Great mindset to have this time of year. Enjoy a wonderful Christmas, God bless!
Thank you, great lesson for meditation.
Bonnie, I came here from (in)courage today. Both posts were a blessing to me. Thank you for your openness! The Lord bless you today.
A friend I went to college with sent me this You Tube link. It’s quite extraordinary. If you need a little cheering up, click on the link and watch it. I was not prepared for what I saw but was overwhelmed with joy when I watched it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=SXh7JR9oKVE&vq=medium#t=49
thank you for this beautiful post! it’s so easy to fall into patterns of unbelief and doubt and self-protection when you can’t see where you’re walking or don’t know where you’re going. this encouraged me to step back and examine my own walk and let God step back in to lead me 🙂
Hi Bonne, thanks so much for the inspiration. I asked God this morning how I can live more faith-filled. Your post is just what I needed today!
This is excellent. Thank you for these wonderful thoughts about leaving room. I love the painting and how its space inspired you. Now you’ve inspired me! Thank you.
Thanks i am really trying to get this, God gets giving me impossible circumstances which there is no solution except God, i read in a devo that sometimes God will wait until there is no feasable option so that people will saw nobody did it but God. Thanks for the reminder that God is not just practical(logic) but miracleous. that’s the whole point.
Thank you for these wonderful questions to reflect on as Christmas approaches. I love finding posts that articulate what I know is true but haven’t found the words to express. I am new to your blog and am thankful to have found my way here today.
.-= Julia´s last blog ..Words to Ponder this Season =-.
Bonnie – this is my first time on your blog and it could not be more poignant. I have been having a difficult Advent season due to health issues and fears. I am praising God for your message from the Lord!
What is God telling you to do today? I must TRUST Him for the outcome of my situations in my life. I pray for more trust and faith in Him.
What leap of faith do you need to take, as Christmas approaches, to ensure that His will is accomplished? I must BOLDLY proclaim His Word over my life. I must not shy away from speaking and writing of His healing, His grace and the best give ever – eternal life in Jesus Christ! Thank you for giving me divine inspiration to pursue writing about Jesus to proclaim His Good News!
Great Post. Thank you for the reminder that beyond all the stress of the holiday season, lies the hope that is CHRISTmas, I almost forgot.
Dear Bonnie,
This was an amazing jam. I was taken on the most amazing journey reading everyone’s posts – joy, pain, loss, celebration, family, new traditions, beauty and so much more amazing adventures. The honesty, vulnerability, transparency totally blew me away. I am so amazed and filled. Blessed, blessed, blessed!
.-= Jeri @godsdreamsforme´s last blog ..My Healing Began with a Stranger =-.
[…] was browsing paintings in a local art gallery when I struck up a conversation with the shop manager. She asked me what I […]
[…] 6. The Greatest Christmas Dilemma […]
[…] Three Benefits of God-sized Dreams by Megan Miller10. How to Wait for Christmas by Ann Voskamp11. The Greatest Christmas Dilemma (A Special Advent Giveaway) by Bonnie Gray12. the chair by Duane Scott13. “Rejoice” – Blog Carnival by PeterP14. […]
[…] Share this:EmailPrintFacebookLinkedInTwitterGooglePinterestMoreRedditDiggTumblrStumbleUponPocketLike this:Like Loading… Filed Under: Life Notes Tagged: Christian philosophy, Christian soteriology, Christmas, Divine grace, Frank Capra, George Baily, Jesus Christ, Life Stuff, Religion, Religion/Belief, Sola fide, Theology About kristinemacKristine McGuire is an inspirational author and speaker, sharing her testimony and encouraging others in their walk with Christ. Comments […]