Wow - it's been a while since my last post. I pray you all had a very Merry Christmas and that the new year will bring many blessings. In praying for what my "one word" for 2013 will be, I pray that God will direct me to choose the word I need to learn from. Greg got me a new Bible this Christmas. I asked for it, but I have had trouble in putting my old Bible away! I looked to see when I got it, and it was in 1998 - Mom and Dad gave it to me at Christmas. Wow, 14 years with the same Bible. I can't explain how much I love this Bible. I have so many notes, memories, highlights. I can say that I believe that I am missing some things because of my highlights. My eyes tend to go straight to the highlighted parts and skip over the other non-highlighted words. God has much to teach me and I am ready for the new journey with a new Bible and a new version! I think I may keep them both handy for a while and just use both, a slow transition. :-)
TRUST
This was my word for 2012 and I felt the need to type out just what God has taught me this year on this one word! The biggest lesson is that only God's love is unfailing. Is. 30:15 In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.
Coming into 2012 I was grieving for a dear friend, God taught me about life and death. Health and sickness. Joy and Hope. I think of Becky's contagious Joy often.
Cortney and her husband Greg happily married, Cortney just got a promotion and will graduate next December with her Masters.
Brennon my middle son graduated from Pharmacy school and was blessed with a wonderful job. Treg headed into his senior year, and is having a great year so far.
Greg is still loving his job. I am praying that God will bless us with a mission we can do together. Growing closer to God.
I got to work my first Kairos in July, I learned a lot and it has helped me in how I view others.
I was blessed to get to have the opportunity to teach a group of high school girls on the book So long Insecurity. A group of ladies got together and it was a journey that changed my life! I felt so inadequate, but I "trusted" in God and oh my did He ever bless it.
We went through a tough time in October - my Daddy had hip replacement surgery and at the same time my Uncle Duane, Greg's Uncle Jett, and our sweet Mamaw all went to be with Jesus. It was a time when I truly felt we were walking through the valley of the shadow of death, but God never left our side. Mamaw suffered so much in the end and it was heart wrenching to just sit by and wait. I did learn more about the process of death and how the body works. We grew closer as a family and God gave a strength and peace that only He can give.
I was honored to get to work a Walk to Emmaus and that experience was life changing. Our scripture focus was on Nehemiah 8:10 the joy of the LORD is your strength. God is so faithful and He knows what we need. The friends that He has placed in my life and the wonderful things I have learned this year have been such a blessing and changed my outlook on life.
I read the book in December by Stormie Omartian - Lead Me, Holy Spirit. It has absolutely changed my way of thinking. It is a great study book to do on your own. Here is a quote from the book:
Faith speaks to something you don't yet see as if it has already happened. What looks life defeat will become a major victory, even if you cannot imagine how that can happen. Faith means turning from everything else you have trusted in and putting your trust in God. God allows certain things in our lives to strengthen and mature us. He sees the good He can bring out of any difficult situation. He has a place of peace for us in the midst of any trial if we put our faith in Him and seek Him.
If God places a person on your heart, then respond, don't wait! I have seen first hand the blessing it is in listening to the nudges of God.
The studies that we did in 2012 I must say God just opened my eyes to so much truth! We prayed and did a project that I am sure many thought was "crazy" - but we got a glimpse of God is working in that persons heart. Woohoo -- I love you God and will continue to pray for the eyes to see and a heart that is open to Your Way.
I must share that the lady that I mentioned in my last post has passed away. A young life, a vapor, life is very uncertain. My prayers are with her 3 children and the family.
In this looking back over 2012 I must say that my faith is stronger and I can honestly say that if you seek God and "trust" in Him, the scripture Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; just do it.
I got some news this month that has challenged my "trust". But after much prayer, and God constantly bringing scriptures to my mind, I know that God is in control, that God is bigger, and that I must TRUST in Him. I find my mind wandering, worrying into the what ifs...but I must just lay it at Jesus feet and know that God loves me. I pray that I will be the vessel, and God give me the strength to let His light shine through me. love u
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Temporary
Trust...
John 14:1 - Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. (Jesus speaking)
Psalm 32:10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him. ( I drew a circle with my name in middle and the word trust, and on outside of circle I wrote God's unfailing love)
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. ( my heart trusts)
Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. ( I love how these last 2 vs. refer to the LORD is my strength)
Ok - I pray that this will make sense what I want to share - their are so many people in our daily lives that we come in contact with. It is being brought to my attention how many people that I just walk right by without even a second glance. A situation was brought to my heart that I needed to go and pray with a lady that has been on our church prayer list and is not getting better. I do not personally know this lady, but I obeyed and went. I had some sweet ladies that God placed by my side to go with me. We walked into her hospital room (dressed in blue vinyl gowns and blue latex gloves) and proceeded to explain how complete strangers had been called to come and pray with her. God had placed it on my heart so heavy to tell her that God loves her....and I obeyed, I did tell her, looked deep in her eyes and said it.... what I saw in her eyes.....hopelessness....I have been haunted by this - I am in deep prayer over this and I ask you to help pray that God will guide me to do and say the right things. I want to go back, I want to make sure like in the video that when her time comes, she will "smile and say I see God's face." Oh, the sheer urgency I feel to want her to have an eternal hope, please God give me your words to speak. It seems that so many people feel unworthy, that they have done to much bad to ever be able to be forgiven - what a lie satan has feed them. Jesus blood can cover any sin - The song Jesus friend of sinners - there is a line in this song that terrifies me, it refers to a - "a plank-eyed saint". Isn't that a scary image - to think that you are a Christian but you are so blinded that you cannot see the lost and lonely? The scary part in trying to figure out more about this lady, I did some research and came across several times in my job on the civil side I have seen her - I had no recollection of it. Oh how I pray for forgiveness, that God will help me to be more aware, to speak kindness, to notice people, for my life to be God's love pouring down into me and overflowing out my heart.
The song from King and Country about love, they quote 1 Corinthians, that we can do all these good things but without love it means Nothing!
Love - this is what I pray to have a "Love" for the lost and lonely. I believe this is where my "one word" is coming into action -- Trusting in God is the only way - His strength, His love, His words, because on my own I would surely fail. This life is temporary, but we are called to share the Good News - I am the most unlikely person that is equipped for this, but I am learning that it is God who does the equipping. I have to remind myself in the Bible that God does use some of the most unlikely characters! I am trying to remember that....His unfailing love surrounds me, that He is my strength and my shield, that He will direct my steps.
i love you, pl
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Jonah
We have been studying the Priscilla Shirer study of Jonah. What a work God is doing in my life! We finished up the Beth Moore, study on James and went right into this study of Jonah.
I haven't posted my thoughts in so long....all I can say is when something is weighing on me heavy, it usually means it's time to share.
First question, Jonah ran away when God told him to go to Nineveh. What's my Nineveh? what is a place that I feel is not worth saving, beyond hope?
Second question, Jonah was a prophet of God and he "tried" to run from God's presence. What in my life am I running from? Honesty with self is tough.
Third thought - amazing how it refers to Jonah went "down". Jonah went down to Joppa, found a ship and went down to it, once on board he went down to sleep.
The decisions you are making today will impact your tomorrows. Instead of running away and spiraling down fleeing, I need to look up, to God and His will.
Fourth thought - and I must add I loved this - A horrible storm was breaking the ship apart and Jonah was asleep...did he sleep through the storm because of exhaustion, disobedience that he justified, or hard-heartedness. He had to be awakened by a pagan sailor to pray to His God! Question she asks, how does a pagan man waking a believing man to pray correlate to the world and the church in modern times? ouch
Direct quote: It's time for us to wake up. The Spirit's seeking to rouse you and me, the body of Christ, so we can get busy. The world, with its pagan thoughts and ideals, shouldn't have to rouse us back to intimacy with the one true God. Rather, the soft stirring of the Spirit's conviction in us should be enough to cause us to "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Eph. 5:14)
Little story - I had the blessed opportunity to help with a girls conference and it was such an amazing day and God was so good to bless all of us - one of the young ladies that attended works at the grocery store here in town. Before the conference I was just another face. I went in the other day and she smiled and I was able to hug her and talk to her. It amazed me how many girls feel unworthy, unloved and are fighting negativity of some kind. I thank God that he allowed me to be a part -
Fifth thought - she calls the big fish - A fish called grace. Sometimes we have to sit in the belly of our consequence, but God isn't out to hurt us, He is out to redeem us! God is out to take our "messes" and make them become His "message!"
Sixth thought - in chapter one everyone BUT Jonah prayed, and then in chapter 2 is nothing but the prayer of Jonah! God listened to His prayer, saved him and in chapter 3 told him the exact message, with one exception....in chapter 3 God told Jonah, I will give you the message. God is a God of Second chances! We researched and looked into so many Bible characters that had messed up the first time and God is a true God of second chances. I needed to hear this. It is only after we have been squeezed by life that we can be poured out to bless others. Sweet. With our second chance we have to choose full obedience. No short cuts.
Last thoughts - we still have one more video but I just had to share this so far - Jonah went...obeyed, and the message that he had to proclaim (by himself I might add) to a city that took 3 days to walk through - the message God gave him was 5 words in the Hebrew language. 5 words that's it....and the whole city responds! God showed Jonah that it was not about Jonah and his ability, it was and it is about God! Everyday we must have not only the Holy Spirit "in" us, but we must pray for God's anointing on us. My prayer is that people can see, feel, and just know that I am different -
One point in the video that hit me hard was that we are to radiate the fruit of the Spirit - Love, Peace, Patience, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Goodness, Self-Control, Joy & Kindness. I cannot just work on these at church and Bible study, I must let these be seen in me every single day with every single person.
We must remember that sharing Jesus is supposed to be the way we live, not just something we do. If I am honest, I tend to shy away from sharing my faith. I can try my best to be kind, loving and gentle with others, but when it comes to asking if they are a christian, I struggle with feeling inadequate! I know its wrong and I think what God is working on me about this is life is short - we need to share the Good News with as many as possible!
My prayer is that I will not just continue to do Bible studies and stay in my "safe" little cocoon I have built for myself, but that I will start to share with the lost, the hurting, the hopeless. I want to do God's will, be obedient and shine for Jesus. :-)
I haven't posted my thoughts in so long....all I can say is when something is weighing on me heavy, it usually means it's time to share.
First question, Jonah ran away when God told him to go to Nineveh. What's my Nineveh? what is a place that I feel is not worth saving, beyond hope?
Second question, Jonah was a prophet of God and he "tried" to run from God's presence. What in my life am I running from? Honesty with self is tough.
Third thought - amazing how it refers to Jonah went "down". Jonah went down to Joppa, found a ship and went down to it, once on board he went down to sleep.
The decisions you are making today will impact your tomorrows. Instead of running away and spiraling down fleeing, I need to look up, to God and His will.
Fourth thought - and I must add I loved this - A horrible storm was breaking the ship apart and Jonah was asleep...did he sleep through the storm because of exhaustion, disobedience that he justified, or hard-heartedness. He had to be awakened by a pagan sailor to pray to His God! Question she asks, how does a pagan man waking a believing man to pray correlate to the world and the church in modern times? ouch
Direct quote: It's time for us to wake up. The Spirit's seeking to rouse you and me, the body of Christ, so we can get busy. The world, with its pagan thoughts and ideals, shouldn't have to rouse us back to intimacy with the one true God. Rather, the soft stirring of the Spirit's conviction in us should be enough to cause us to "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Eph. 5:14)
Little story - I had the blessed opportunity to help with a girls conference and it was such an amazing day and God was so good to bless all of us - one of the young ladies that attended works at the grocery store here in town. Before the conference I was just another face. I went in the other day and she smiled and I was able to hug her and talk to her. It amazed me how many girls feel unworthy, unloved and are fighting negativity of some kind. I thank God that he allowed me to be a part -
Fifth thought - she calls the big fish - A fish called grace. Sometimes we have to sit in the belly of our consequence, but God isn't out to hurt us, He is out to redeem us! God is out to take our "messes" and make them become His "message!"
Sixth thought - in chapter one everyone BUT Jonah prayed, and then in chapter 2 is nothing but the prayer of Jonah! God listened to His prayer, saved him and in chapter 3 told him the exact message, with one exception....in chapter 3 God told Jonah, I will give you the message. God is a God of Second chances! We researched and looked into so many Bible characters that had messed up the first time and God is a true God of second chances. I needed to hear this. It is only after we have been squeezed by life that we can be poured out to bless others. Sweet. With our second chance we have to choose full obedience. No short cuts.
Last thoughts - we still have one more video but I just had to share this so far - Jonah went...obeyed, and the message that he had to proclaim (by himself I might add) to a city that took 3 days to walk through - the message God gave him was 5 words in the Hebrew language. 5 words that's it....and the whole city responds! God showed Jonah that it was not about Jonah and his ability, it was and it is about God! Everyday we must have not only the Holy Spirit "in" us, but we must pray for God's anointing on us. My prayer is that people can see, feel, and just know that I am different -
One point in the video that hit me hard was that we are to radiate the fruit of the Spirit - Love, Peace, Patience, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Goodness, Self-Control, Joy & Kindness. I cannot just work on these at church and Bible study, I must let these be seen in me every single day with every single person.
We must remember that sharing Jesus is supposed to be the way we live, not just something we do. If I am honest, I tend to shy away from sharing my faith. I can try my best to be kind, loving and gentle with others, but when it comes to asking if they are a christian, I struggle with feeling inadequate! I know its wrong and I think what God is working on me about this is life is short - we need to share the Good News with as many as possible!
My prayer is that I will not just continue to do Bible studies and stay in my "safe" little cocoon I have built for myself, but that I will start to share with the lost, the hurting, the hopeless. I want to do God's will, be obedient and shine for Jesus. :-)
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Close to My Heart Updates
NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO JOIN CLOSE TO MY HEART because when you sign up as a new Consultant between March 1–31, you'll receive a FREE Cricut® Art Philosophy collection*! The collection's retail price of $99 adds incredible value to your New Consultant Kit and will give you hours of creative fun with the included exclusive Cricut® cartridge, three coordinating My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets, and three sheets of matching Dimensional Elements shapes. Already own the collection? You can always give your free one as a gift or choose to receive $100 in select product credit** instead. Now is the time to embrace the philosophy of fun—Consultant and Cricut® fun!
The paper in this new Dotty for You is so cute!
CELEBRATE NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING MONTH IN MAY with the oh-so-cute Dotty for You paper packet. There are three ways to get this exclusive Dotty for You paper packet, valued at $19.95*:
• Place an order of $35 or more in products from the Spring/ Summer 2012 Idea Book between April 17 and May 31, and add the Dotty for You paper packet for just $5.
• Host a Gathering with a sales total of $400 or more (excluding tax, shipping/handling, and Operation Smile® donations) between April 17 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.
• Join Close To My Heart as a new Consultant between April 1 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.
Get your Dotty for You paper packet today!
*Taxes and shipping/handling may apply. Offer good during above-specified dates, while supplies last.
Close to My Heart is having some good deals - just thought I would share. Sorry for the late notice on the March special! I can say the cricut cartridge is great! If you are interested in getting it, this is a great deal.
Also just to let you know:
The Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book is the last idea book the following products will be featured:
• How-To Books
• Distressing Kit (full kit only)
• Exclusive Inks® Markers
• Cardstock Shade Packs
• 8 1/2" x 11" Cardstock Packs
Just giving all a heads up! If any of these are on your wish list, I would try to order them soon.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
A Sweet Journey
I have been busy going through a sweet friends scrapbook collection. While I know in my head that Becky is with Jesus and at total peace, my heart misses her and still aches. The amount of "goodies" that she had was "a bunch" to say the least! I was afraid of being thought of as a hoarder for anyone that saw my house during this time! The process was tougher than I thought. To go through someone elses things - it is hard. The things had her smell, and made me miss her even more. The thought when I saw something and wondered, "how did she do that?" realizing I will not get the answer from her. I cannot thank my boys enough, Greg and Treg helped me haul and held me as I cried, each time I left Becky's house. Greg cracked me up on one trip - he said, "when I get to heaven and see Becky I am gonna ask her just what in the world she thought she was gonna make with all this paper!" I shared this with Amber and it made her giggle.
Many tears, many prayers, and many good memories, a slow healing was taking place. I know God had me in the palm of His hand and was giving me strength. I made the decision to share the things I didn't need with others. I contacted all of Becky's customers, a newsletter at her church, and told some ladies that I knew loved to scrap, we set a date, and decided we would have a party of remembering Becky and just blessing others with her things.
On Thursday night we set up (thank you Ann H., Gaylene, and Shannon for your help) and then on Friday night we opened it up. Bittersweet. Most of the night went well, it is hard to see different peoples reactions to a situation like this. - I had a friend about halfway through that brought me a copy of a picture that Becky had in a book - she told me it was very fitting, and she felt God wanted me to have it. Now you have to realize that this was in a notebook with hundreds of other pictures, and Tammi found just this picture. The picture was of a poem typed out. I will copy it exactly and I hope that you see, as I did, that it was if Becky was speaking this straight to all of our hearts.
WEEP NOT FOR ME
Weep not for me my loved ones, dear ones that I adore, for I have taken earthly leave, to a far off distant shore. I've taken nothing with me, though onward I proceed, where all my wants of love are met, there's naught that I could need.
My path on earth was rugged, my walk of life unsure; but you were there with cheerful hearts to help me to endure. Your strength and love surrounded me, to help me through my life, your steady hands held tightly, as I walked through bitter strife.
Rejoice in my sweet passing, and let your hearts find ease, for I have found a wondrous land, of beauty and of peace. Remember that I love you, for that is meant to be; ah this sweet and lasting love that fills eternity.
So now my days are ended, at a seeming hurried pace, and yes I've fought that goodly fight; I've ran that timely race. Dry those tears of sorrow, fill not your hearts with pain; for I have found my lasting peace, on a far off distant plain.
I'll always be there with you, locked within your hearts, to give you peace and comfort; though we are worlds apart. I now have my happiness, and sweet serenity; so comfort one another, but do not weep for me.
Is this not the most beautiful thing? I loved how at the beginning it said, "I've taken nothing with me" Yes all of the stamp sets, and paper and little gadgets are a wonderful blessing and I just want all to use them and bless others with them, but in all things to remember that they are just that - things. Just a good healthy reminder of our time on earth is just a vapor. Make a sweet impression to others.
On Friday night I had a few blessings, to see a young married girl that money is tight and she was so excited to be able to have some goodies, the smile on her face was priceless! I had several calls on Saturday from ladies that had gotten some goodies and calling to tell me what they had made, or asking questions about a certain gadget, that's great! All is being used, not stored in boxes or crammed in a closet. All of Becky's cards that were left I gave to her church to send out to members. A sweet reminder. The items that we had left, Kasity will take and use in their new journey with Christ, and will bless the town of Cisco of teaching classes of art. God is so good, and I pray that the joy Becky found in card making will spread and be shared with others.
Next thing I cherished in the poem, is the sweet reminder that Becky has arrived! We will all meet again, she just got there ahead of us.
Thank you to all who helped, thank you to all who are continuing to share, and most of all thank you God for loving us so much.
pl
Many tears, many prayers, and many good memories, a slow healing was taking place. I know God had me in the palm of His hand and was giving me strength. I made the decision to share the things I didn't need with others. I contacted all of Becky's customers, a newsletter at her church, and told some ladies that I knew loved to scrap, we set a date, and decided we would have a party of remembering Becky and just blessing others with her things.
On Thursday night we set up (thank you Ann H., Gaylene, and Shannon for your help) and then on Friday night we opened it up. Bittersweet. Most of the night went well, it is hard to see different peoples reactions to a situation like this. - I had a friend about halfway through that brought me a copy of a picture that Becky had in a book - she told me it was very fitting, and she felt God wanted me to have it. Now you have to realize that this was in a notebook with hundreds of other pictures, and Tammi found just this picture. The picture was of a poem typed out. I will copy it exactly and I hope that you see, as I did, that it was if Becky was speaking this straight to all of our hearts.
WEEP NOT FOR ME
Weep not for me my loved ones, dear ones that I adore, for I have taken earthly leave, to a far off distant shore. I've taken nothing with me, though onward I proceed, where all my wants of love are met, there's naught that I could need.
My path on earth was rugged, my walk of life unsure; but you were there with cheerful hearts to help me to endure. Your strength and love surrounded me, to help me through my life, your steady hands held tightly, as I walked through bitter strife.
Rejoice in my sweet passing, and let your hearts find ease, for I have found a wondrous land, of beauty and of peace. Remember that I love you, for that is meant to be; ah this sweet and lasting love that fills eternity.
So now my days are ended, at a seeming hurried pace, and yes I've fought that goodly fight; I've ran that timely race. Dry those tears of sorrow, fill not your hearts with pain; for I have found my lasting peace, on a far off distant plain.
I'll always be there with you, locked within your hearts, to give you peace and comfort; though we are worlds apart. I now have my happiness, and sweet serenity; so comfort one another, but do not weep for me.
Is this not the most beautiful thing? I loved how at the beginning it said, "I've taken nothing with me" Yes all of the stamp sets, and paper and little gadgets are a wonderful blessing and I just want all to use them and bless others with them, but in all things to remember that they are just that - things. Just a good healthy reminder of our time on earth is just a vapor. Make a sweet impression to others.
On Friday night I had a few blessings, to see a young married girl that money is tight and she was so excited to be able to have some goodies, the smile on her face was priceless! I had several calls on Saturday from ladies that had gotten some goodies and calling to tell me what they had made, or asking questions about a certain gadget, that's great! All is being used, not stored in boxes or crammed in a closet. All of Becky's cards that were left I gave to her church to send out to members. A sweet reminder. The items that we had left, Kasity will take and use in their new journey with Christ, and will bless the town of Cisco of teaching classes of art. God is so good, and I pray that the joy Becky found in card making will spread and be shared with others.
Next thing I cherished in the poem, is the sweet reminder that Becky has arrived! We will all meet again, she just got there ahead of us.
Thank you to all who helped, thank you to all who are continuing to share, and most of all thank you God for loving us so much.
pl
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Rock the Block
Watch the video - so cool!
I will be ordering in December - if you want to get in on this special please give me a call...
We are going to be doing a class in January - Scripture Box Class
Order a paper pack and a Memory Game box and an embellishment and you will be qualified $25.
This special has tons of great gift ideas!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Christmas thoughts.....
sorry couldn't get the video to play straight from my blog - click on the link and it will take you to You Tube - worth watching!
We have a family tradition to watch Christmas movies throughout December. Last night we watched The Grinch - I have always liked this song - but this year one thing that I couldn't stop thinking about was Cindy Lou's heart. With all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, the Lists.....the Parties.....the cooking.....the deciding when and where to go each day, school plays and parties, the fear of forgetting someone or not having a gift to give them when they give you one! working in all the families, what to get, how much to spend, rush here & there, stress, Money, losing control!!!!! the list goes on and on. In the movie little Cindy Lou was very troubled by all the "materialism" and "commercialism" is what I got out of it this year. In a Bible study I had done it was talking about being content....vs. ........materialism. In the movie it was like everyone was so "busy" buying their gifts, and trying to out do the neighbors lights, hurrying around to get the best deal - that they lost sight of each other, the true meaning of Christmas and of those in need.
I know you must think I am crazy - it's just a Dr. Seuss movie, but last night I couldn't stop thinking and asking myself....if I woke up Christmas morning and every single gift, every thing in my house was GONE..... would I "SEE" my family and be thankful that they were not harmed or gone? Would I be able to hold their hand and look up to God and know that as long as I have God, and my family that all is well? Or would I be screaming, crying, counting up in my head how much money we spent, and it was all gone? It might be radical, but it makes me think how would I react? How is my heart?
In the Bible study I was talking about it said, "Materialism is fueled by greed and a hunger for security. Status is grounded in the things that I own. The quest for just "a little more" drives the direction of my days."
The God-view of it is - "Contentment is the God-view Christ wants to weave through my life. He longs to give me an eternal perspective about the things around me - to see them as blessings and tools for His glory.
So it's not wrong to receive, just see them as a blessing and use them to give God glory in all things! I just have to pray not to be consumed by what I want and what I don't have!
To be content.....in all things.
Like the song above says, find the LOVE in Christmas!
I love Christmas - I love the decorations. I love making Christmas candy with my mom and aunts. I love traditions that we have come to cherish over the years. I love the excitement of Christmas morning watching the kids go through their stockings and open their gifts. I love our families being all together. I love to give (and yes I love to receive!).
Yes I know Jesus is the reason for the season, but Jesus should be celebrated every single day of our lives!
I pray that God will help keep me grounded to open my eyes to SEE those who need a hug, a kind word, a helping hand. If I come across a "Grinch" that I will not run away, but give them a smile and a kind word. :-)
1 Timothy 6:6-11
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Merry Christmas....
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