More than Unbroken

 Please see the video below for this post. © Jill Cook, Unbroken & Undone Ministries. All rights reserved.

  In the stress of life, we can find ourselves guilty of wishing our years away. This year had made us all wish things were different. But we are still blessed.   Through a global pandemic, we have figured out ways to communicate and reach out to one another. This has made us pull our families a little closer and reminded us to treasure every moment we share.  Those of us that have been fortunate enough to go to work have learned to savor the craziness of every day because we recognize how blessed we are to support our families financially. Through tragic loss, we have pulled together as a community and church and realized that the church reaches beyond the walls of a building. For our family personally, the legacy of one man will live on as we continue to carry on with the work he began.  We have been fearful, grief-stricken, angry, exasperated, and in all of it, we find ourselves still looking forward. Still rising up. Still standing.    Not in our own st...

God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day. To save us all from satan’s power when we were gone astray. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy Comfort and joy Oh, tidings of comfort and joy Until I started paying closer attention to the lyrics of songs (probably around age 15), I didn’t care for this particular carol. It seemed so dismal with its minor chords and chant-like phrasing. But then I started really hearing it, not just listening. These powerful lyrics are appropriate, especially for the challenges we have faced this year. In the first verse, the singer encourages and prays for God to keep (rest) you in joy (merry) and for nothing to cause you distress (dismay). The next line is pretty simple to understand: REMEMBER CHRIST OUR SAVIOR WAS BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY. Wow. That’s reason enough for comfort and joy. Despite everything- trust me, I know-Christ came to die for us. We have been through a season of sickness, tr...

This year has taken a toll on many of us. Some of you may have lost jobs and now find yourself struggling to provide for your family with everyday necessities. Christmas will look much different for you. For some, you will be unable to visit your family or extended family and friends due to the pandemic. This Christmas will look different for you.  This post is about gifting. How to give when you have little and when you have plenty. First of all, remember that the true meaning of Christmas is about JESUS, and allow the gift of Him to wash over you and bring you peace. For me personally, I find great joy in giving to others what I can whether it be my time, a small token, or something that I know they really want but wouldn’t purchase for themselves. With this being said, if you are able to provide for you family and find yourself blessed with more than enough, this is a perfect time to bless others. Consider the following ideas: Adopt a missionary. Speak to your pastor about missi...

 As I have begun wrapping presents and meticulously placing them under the tree, I cannot help but think of those that have entered the season facing an empty place.  As a nation and world, we have endured a season of sickness.  Some of us have experienced tragedy outside of the pandemic that has changed us all.  We have grieved.  We have pressed forward despite the debilitating sadness and void that now exists. How can we keep putting one foot in front of the other? For me, the answer is simple.  I am a Christian.  My hope is not in this world but in Christ alone.  He is my hiding place, my safety net, my strength and my song.   This afternoon, wrapping presents, I followed my usual tradition of watching "Muppet Christmas Carol" during Christmas preparations.  I love traditions.  They give a sense of normalcy even when life is anything but normal.  This particular tradition is loosely based on A Christmas Carol  by C...