T'was the Night Before Christmas...

T’was the night before Christmas and all around the ranch
Nothing was stirring not even a branch.
The weather had cooled to give us a taste
Of what Christmas was like in a place we’d left in haste!
My chicks are all home and snuggled in the nest,
Vacation has started and it is at its best!
Presents are wrapped and under the tree,
But it’s great to remember the best gift is free!
Dinner was turkey-the deep fried kind,
corn casserole, cheesy beans and  taters with cheese.
As we continue celebrating one day at a time
Remember not every line has to rhyme.
I’m thankful for family and friends come to stay
To visit and celebrate this very special day.
Remember the babe who came in a manger
Lived here on earth, to most a stranger.
Gave up His life, died on a cross to save us from danger.
He is to us the one true Light!
Merry Christmas to all
And to all, a Good Night!

Isaiah 9:6-7

"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.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this."

G.I.F.T.

Tonight we had a candlelight service of music and the Word at our church. It brought together a conglomeration of different topics. 

The service was light by candlelight. It reminds me that each of us can be a light to the world around us. If the light is extinguished there is only darkness. 

I am so thankful for the one True Light of the World-Christ Jesus.

John 8:12

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Then we sang songs. It's a wonderful time of year where we sing wonderful carols that tell the story of  the birth of Christ and yet the true reason for His coming-to die on the cross.

Ring the Bells

Ring the bells, ring the bells,

Let the whole world know

Christ was born in Bethlehem

Many years ago:

 Born to die that man might live,

Came to earth new life to give,

Born of Mary, born so low,

Many years ago.

God the Father gave His Son,

Gave His own beloved One.

To this wicked, sinful earth,

To bring mankind His love, new birth:

Ring the bells, ring the bells,

Let the whole world know

Christ the Savior lives today

As He did so long ago!

And then our pastor spoke about how we are in the season of giving and getting gifts.

I am so thankful that as I live one day at a time I can be thankful for the ultimate and best GIFT ever given-Christ himself. But, you can think of the GIFT as Good news Is For The world. Everyone can accept this gift. As you spend time with your family and friends, focus on Christ and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Be thankful for time together and the gifts that are given to each other in love. Rejoice in the gift of salvation and share with all of those you celebrate.

Counting Down...3...2...1!

Yesterday was the shortest day of the year and the first day of winter. We have friends that live in Alaska and they had about 5 hours of daylight. We have a shorter day as well, but we definitely have more than five hours of sunlight. We normally are pretty warm but a cold front came in and we woke up to temperatures in the 40's. So, it does help it feel a little more like Christmas-although we won't have snow and our trees are palm trees, not evergreens!

Today is December 22nd-I know most of you heard and read the hype about how the Mayans predicted the end of the world was supposed to be yesterday. It didn't happen. Were you surprised? I wasn't. I don't believe that the world will end while we are here. I believe that Christ will return for the Christians and then there will be a seven year tribulation and a millennial reign of Christ and then he will create a new heaven and earth. But, we won't know exactly when Christ will return.

Matthew 24:42

"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming."

We are three days away from Christmas-a wonderful holiday that celebrates the birth of Christ, who came from Heaven to earth, to grow up as a perfect man, and then die on the cross to take our sins so that ultimately we could receive the best gift ever-Salvation and an eternal home in Heaven with Him.  It's not too late! You can still accept Him as your personal Savior. As we are living one day at a time-today is the day of salvation for you if you haven't accepted yet-it can be the best Christmas ever as you accept the ultimate present from the baby born in a manger who is now the King on the Throne. Don't let time countdown without you-be assured that Christ will come back and I don't want you to be left behind!

Following Sight Unseen

My husband teaches the college and career Sunday School class and we are blessed with a wonderful group of young adults! We had them over to our house tonight for a Christmas party. One of the girls in our class does a great job as the activity director and put the party together. She planned some fun games and activities that had us all involved and laughing. One of the games we played was blind drawing. We each had to place a paper plate on our hear and then draw a scene, one item at a time-as she called it out, until we were done and then take it down and look at the finished product. It was so funny to see how off kilter most of our drawings were. Our ornaments weren't on the tree and most of the stockings didn't make it on the fireplace mantel. We each knew what our finished drawing was supposed to be but it may not have looked like a piece of art worth framing. 

Sometimes, as we live one day at a time, we aren't able to see the big picture. We may be living through one trial after another or thinking of our life as a scene at a time and things don't seem to be fitting together. Or we may not be able to see how what we are experiencing at the moment will affect us later on in life. God orchestrates everything in our lives if we allow Him. He knows and understands how it all works together. 

Romans 8:28

" And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

We will make mistakes and things may not end up exactly how we thought-but God can bring better results out of our drawings. We may have to allow Him to change the picture or move the items around in our drawing. He can take the pieces and make a beautiful piece of art. 

1 Corinthians 13:12

" For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

It may be difficult to let go of control and it may even be frightening to say that you don't know about the future, but it's great to be able to rest in the hands of a God that always knows and is in control and wants to give us more than we could ever have hoped.

Ephesians 3:20-21

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Is There a Santa Claus?

Which came first for Christmas? Christ or Santa? Well, here is my take on that whole 'discussion'. My family never believed in Santa Claus-my parents never had us confused by wondering if there was a fat jolly man who somehow squeezed himself down our stove pipe and tiptoed around our house to leave presents. They chose to have us focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is being celebrated because of Christ-hence the name of the holiday being celebrated CHRISTmas! Some may think it is extreme but my thought is that I was not going to let my children believe in an imaginary person and then have to explain it all to them that Santa isn't real but Christ is. My kids knew from the beginning that Santa was a make believe fun character who is found around the Christmas holiday, like an Easter bunny-who leaves...eggs?! Or the tooth fairy that can fly money in and leave it under your pillow!! 

As we are living our life one day at a time I believe that truth is the best option! Christ is truth.

John 14:6

Christ told us, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

John 8:32

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Tell your children the truth from the beginning. I believe that you can still have fun traditions and lots of fun activities but you don't have to have lie in order to experience them. Take your kids to sit on Father Christmas' lap but let them know he isn't any more special than any other character that dresses up for an amusement park. Santa can't really be everywhere and see all the boys and girls, but God can.

I am thankful that I can trust and believe in Christ and know that He is always there and even if I make a mistake, I can get forgiveness. Christ is always with me.

While Sugar Plums Dance in their Heads

I love the story "Twas the Night Before Christmas". There have been a lot of twists and versions of that poem. One of the lines in the original version is of the children and how they are snug in their beds with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads. Do you ever dream about food?  I'm not sure I have but I have to admit that I do love food-but that's another topic and another blog!

Today I was invited to a Christmas Tea where if I had been dreaming the truffles and scones and trifle would have been dancing in my head. They were each delicious and yummy and it was nice sitting and talking with girls.

Have you ever brewed a pot of coffee or made a pitcher of sweet tea and shared a pan of brownies or some scones with girlfriends? Do we ever take the time out of our busy schedule to actually sit and talk and listen. Most of the time we are living one day at a time in warp speed. Do you take the time to sit and really get to know someone? Or maybe you know someone but you don't know what is going on in their life right now...

I don't believe that we have much time left before Christ returns for us, His church. In the time that has been given to us we should be good stewards of what God has given us. We all have gifts or talents. I love to have people over and I love to talk and I enjoy cooking and decorating-I may have the gift of hospitality :)

I need to use it!!

1 Peter 4:10

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

Think about what you enjoy doing or what gifts or talents God has given you-use them to the best of your ability. Never under-estimate how God may use you in the life of another.

Joy...To the World

Happiness vs. Joy! There is a HUGE difference between these two words. Happiness is based on feelings and circumstances and it is not guaranteed to be there tomorrow. Joy is an emotion that comes from contentment in the Lord. It isn't reflected from the situations we are in. We can have Joy no matter what. We have the true Joy-Jesus Christ. This is the season that the rest of the world is a little more tolerable to hearing about our Joy. Songs are sung about it:

'Joy to the World'

"Joy to the World , the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders, of His love."

Psalms 5:11-12 

"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield."

Over this past week we have had events happen in our country that have resulted in chaos and death and sadness-the very opposite of joy and happiness.

But the world can have true joy! Jesus came to earth for a specific purpose. He is true joy! Those that accept Him as their Savior are given the gift of joy.

Romans 15:13

 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

The world is not perfect and your life will not be perfect-you won't be happy all of the time, but you can have true joy in all of the circumstances. Be joyful!

Philippians 4:4

"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice."