Prominent Pioneer

In August Cole started a new middle school. This is not a feeder school for his elementary. I think this has been more scary for mom than son. He gets to establish himself among teachers and make new friends.

Today at school he with 19 other 6th grade boys and girls were called to the office. He had been nominated for Prominent Pioneer by his teachers for the semester. This award is for being a good leader, honest, and trustworthy. Each grade has approximately 300 students and Cole was one of the few picked. Justin told him that this makes us more proud than any award he could get for good grades. This speaks highly of his character. We love you, Cole and we are so proud of you!

Prince of Peace

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace. It means more than the absence of conflict. It is to enjoy health, satisfaction, success, safety, well-being, and prosperity. The only place that this exists is in his presence. You will never feel complete peace without him. It is impossible. May you rest in your Father’s arms in complete peace.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
Colossians 3:15

King of Kings

On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:16

When I think of a king or someone in great authority, I think of them as being demanding. Making you follow the rules and obey. Making you be submissive.
This is not the case with Christ and his kingship. He calls us and wants us, but will not force us to come to him. God has given him power over all the earth. Tonight we talked about that not just being power over people, but also nature, disease, and death. He wants to be THE ruler of our hearts. We are called to bring others to his kingdom by letting him shine through us to others.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33

Lamb of God

Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”

Genesis 22:8

John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

Not only did God know that the world would need a sacrifice for our sin, but he knew that I, Tammy Nash, would need it. The Lamb of God voluntarily was led to the cross to be a sacrifice so that I could have life. God provided for me. It takes this sacrifice for me to be able to have a full relationship with God. It is up to me to live a life that reflects the full life that I have been given because of the Lamb of God.

Physician

When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. "
Matthew 11:2-5
Tonight I just want to be in awe of the miracles that Jesus has performed, is performing, and will perform. He heals bodies, minds, hearts, and souls. What power! What grace! What love!

Bread of Life

Quotes from John 6:25-59

“but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. "

“I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

“…so the one that feeds on me will live because of me.”

This reminds me of a hunger in me that God has put there and that only Christ can satisfy. I so often feed on comfort and counsel of others, but can only be truly filled by the bread that our Father has sent. So many times I keep searching to feel complete and I am looking in the wrong places. God has sent Christ to be exactly what I need. I need to learn to become dependent on my daily bread and work on consuming this bread daily. He is ALL I need.

Child

"In a loud voice Elizabeth exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!" Luke 1:42

Tonight we talked about how BIG God really is and it was so hard to find the right words to describe. Then we talked about a child and how dependent and weak they can be. A child...this is how God picked to come to earth. How humble! How amazing! What a story...a baby born of a teenager in a stable.

"When they (shepherds) had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them." Luke 2:17, 18

Light of the World

"Scared, alone, empty, and lost." These were the answers the boys gave Justin tonight when we were all in seperate corners of a completely dark room and he asked, "How do you feel right now?"

Isn't that how we all feel when we are focused on the darkness that this world offers? God cannot exist in the darkness, but He calls us to be with him in the light. This is where we find rest, peace, and guidance.

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

"Better and safe" These were the answers that the boys gave when the light was turned back on.

Is there everyday junk that happens in our homes, relationships, and jobs? Yes, but somehow it is always put into perspective when there is "Light" in your life.

His Name

This year we have started a new Nash family tradition. Each night we will put a Christmas ornament on the tree that has a name of Jesus written on it. I want the boys to know our Jesus. He is amazing and beyond our wildest dreams. He IS the reason for this season. I want these ornaments to be something that we do every December. When the boys come home from college, I want them to expect for Mom and Dad to still be putting up the ornaments. When they get married, I want to share this with their wives. When they bring our grandchildren home, I want to share. I want our kids to know our love for God's most amazing gift to us...His Son.

Immanuel

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us."

Matthew 1:22-23



Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28:20



I love that this is how Matthew starts and ends. God is with us. This is such a comfort to me. I do not like to be alone and this is a reminder that I am not. He is always with me and He should be the one that I completely depend upon. Christ being Immanuel is God's step to be with us and be human. He completely understands who He is loving and what He is forgiving...me! Praise God for Immanuel. May our eyes be open to see Him with us.