Immanuel: God with Us

Source: Uploaded by user via Emily on Pinterest

I was looking for Jesus Culture music

when I came across a video of Kim Walker speaking about worship.

No, not just singing but worship. You may think,

"I know about worship. I don't need to watch a video talking about worship. I may not be good in all areas but that's at least one area where I'm good."

{And by you, I really mean me.}

If so, that's great.

But will you watch this anyway...?

Watch all the way to the end, please.

Please and thank you.

An Unoffended Heart

And then, after that, I found this.

I was really blessed by this song.

I hope you will be too.

I Love Your Presence

Overthrowing Judgement

I have a confession.
I struggle with judgement.

That's pretty ridiculous given that
I have been extended so much grace in my life.
I have no right to judge anyone.
Plain and simple.

I will admit to having extended judgement on Ted Haggard and his wife Gayle.
Weeks ago when I saw that they were going to be on Celebrity Wife Swap
I remember thinking, "Seriously??"
I didn't watch the episode but I did read this interview
in which Gayle discusses their decision to appear on the show.
One thing that she says really stood out to me:

"I would not have volunteered for this path but I’m grateful everyday for what God has done as a result. In Proverbs, it says that the godly will fall seven times and get up again. It’s the wicked that are overcome by one stumble."

Wow. What a great perspective.
I'm thankful that God has given her that perspective
and I'm thankful that He extends grace even in the midst of my hypocrisy.

He could have come.

Advent: the coming or arriving, 

especially of something very important

[source]

The focus of Advent this week is peace.

I like this definition of peace from Justin and Tricia Davis's blog:

Peace = quietness of heart and a confidence in God

Peace is not an action;
it does not require us to do anything but rest in Him.

He who is able.
He who does not need us to take care of everything; He is fully capable.
He is mighty to work in us.

As the song says,
He who could have come as
a mighty might storm
or a giant wave
or a blazing fire
or a devastating flood.
But He didn't.

If you're struggling with peace today or in this season, 

I'd love to pray for and/or with you. 

Let's talk.

Father of Joy Designs Giveaway!

Happy Thursday!

I hope that your week has gone well and that you've been able

to take some time to reflect on the real purpose of this season.

I have something fun for you today!

The precious Abby from Life at Its Finest

has graciously offered to give one of you a piece from her Etsy shop

Father of Joy Designs!

Her shop offers so many adorable, encouraging, fun prints!

She does offer customized colors

{which she did for me in the above print!}

as well as customized designs.

Abby is so great to work with,.

she even made the envelope that it came in pretty and personalized!

To enter, go to the Father of Joy Designs shop

and then come by here and leave a comment telling me which print you most like.

For a second entry, you can tweet about this giveaway.

{Please make sure that you include @kjwallace7 and a link to this post!}

Go now because the giveaway closes Saturday, December 17 at 7:00 pm Pacific.

Additionally, Abby is offering 10% off all orders when you use the code EXTRAORDINARYJOURNEY

AND if you order by December 20,

you can still receive your order in time for Christmas!

Doesn't the print look so good hanging in my bedroom?

It is directly in my line in vision when I wake up in the mornings.

What a good reminder for me as I start my day!

Not just a baby.

We have Christmas because God came down to earth in human flesh.

To be born as a baby.

To a virgin.

That's a miracle in itself.

But that wasn't it.

Oh no,

not it by a long shot.

That baby grew up.

And this is Him.

He performed more miracles.

He loved people,

especially those who weren't loved by others.

He imparted wisdom.

He was tempted in every way yet was without sin.

And then, because of His great love for us,

{for you, Beloved}

God 

who came down in human form as a baby and then grew up into a man

died.

He paid the penalty for my sins and for your sins and for the sin of the whole world.

What a huge weight that was on His shoulders.

And then, after He his body had been in a tomb for three days,

He overcame death.

The tomb is empty.

Jesus, your Savior,

overcame death.

If He can do that,

don't you think

don't you know

don't you trust

that He can overcome whatever obstacle you are facing right now?

And the next obstacle and the next and the next.

He is able.

He wasn't just a baby.

Let Your Heart Be Light

{Alternative post title:
I don't care if Flash Mobs are over}


How is your Tuesday going?

Are you feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities, commitments, events...?

"When Christmas begins to burden,

its a sign that I've taken on something of the world

and not of Christ."

Ann Voskamp

I don't know about you 
but that statement was really convicting to me.
How many times have I let myself become entangled in junk 
instead of enamored with the whole grounds for the season?
Way. too. many.


I can't change the past
but I can do things differently in the future 
right now.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Yes, your joy
{which is the focus of Advent this week}
has to come from Jesus but here are a couple things to make you smile.
1. A silly Christmas-afied picture of my shiny red shoes



{Don't you think regular Tuesdays need festive shoes...?}


And 2. A fun little video
My friend Cherri sent me this video this morning.

It really did warm my heart.

I don't care if flash mobs are over,

I'm adding it to my Christmas list.

I really want to witness one.

Don't be afraid, little warrior bride...

...Victory is on the other side.

You're not alone.

Jesus Calling, December 12


Emma {Not Alone}

Don't be afraid baby don't you cry

Daddy's here it will be all right

You're not alone you're not alone

Don't be afraid when you're cold at night

I will keep you warm I will hold you tight

You're not alone you're not alone

Look beyond the window there

To the sky above to the open air

Look beyond what you can see

Close your eyes and just believe

The lion roars and the lamb lay down

They live together in a whole new town

They're calling me and they're calling you

From the cold hard facts that we're on our own

To the age old truth that we're not alone

Don't be afraid when you scrape your knee

I've got a band aide waiting and a kiss for free

You're not alone you're not alone

Don't be afraid of your blind belief

Because the more you fly the more you'll see

You're not alone you're not alone

Look beyond the window there

To the sky above to the open air

Look beyond what you can see

Close your eyes and just believe

The lion roars and the lamb lay down

They live together in a whole new town

They're calling me and they're calling you

From the cold hard facts that we're on our own

To the age old truth that we're not

Don't be afraid little warrior bride

Your victory's on the other side

You're not alone you're not alone

© 2004 Jason Upton & Key of David Ministries. All rights reserved


Beyond the Window
Take it real deep inside
Breathe reality inside now
Take a breath of the pure oxygen of heaven now

And just believe... just believe...
Just believe... just believe...
Just believe... just believe...

In the moment where it looks like you lost all your power
In the moment where you are all alone
As you wait for me... as you wait for me...
Sometimes, there's just nothing left to do, so you wait for me

When everybody, that you thought was your friend leaves you
I will never leave you...
I will come to you in the midst of your heartache
I will come to you in the midst of your pain
I will come to you in the midst of your lonliness
I will come to you in the midst of your rejection

And breathe new life...
Breathe new life into you
Breathe new life into you

Stay and wait wait upon the lord
I will renew your strength
They will run and not get weary
They will walk and shall not faint

I never leave you...
So as you wait
And you wait on me...
As you wait on me

Give you wings like the eagles
New wings, new wings
New power that you never known
As you wait on me

Your not alone...
Breaking off rejection...
He's breaking off rejection...

Look beyond the window there
There's a sky above, there's an open air
Look beyond the window there
There's a sky above, there's open air
Just, look beyond the window there
There's a sky above, there's an open air
Just, look beyond the window there
There's a sky above, there's open air
Yeah, just look beyond the window there
There's a sky above, there's an open air

Don't be afraid...
Your not alone...
Your not alone...

I never leave you
I never leave you
I never leave you 

{Yes, October is waaaaay past but I want to fulfill the commitment that I made.}