have a Merry Christmas.
It's almost Christmas Eve. I pray that you will be blessed by the love, peace, hope and joy that the birth of Jesus Christ has to bring. May He be with you now and throughout each new day protecting you, guiding you, inspiring you, comforting you, encouraging you, and loving you.
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
not get carried away...
not get carried away. The holiday season is joyous, but it can also be very hectic and stressful. Instead of spreading yourself too thin or trying to please everyone, for today remain calm, cool, collected and don't get carried away.
We sometimes feel a great need to handle anything and everything - and handle it well - especially when showing off our holiday cheer! But remember today that the holidays are about praise and worship of our Saviour and not who has the most awesome Christmas party, biggest tree or most expensive gift. Being together, talking, sharing memories, enjoying the company of the ones you love - that is the closeness that the season should bring. It doesn't matter if you have a grand gourmet meal or a couple fast food burgers - just fellowship and remember the Christ in Christmas.
So, for today I will not get carried away. I will cherish the pleasures of love, peace, and hope with my friends and family and my holiday will be a blessed and treasured time.
We sometimes feel a great need to handle anything and everything - and handle it well - especially when showing off our holiday cheer! But remember today that the holidays are about praise and worship of our Saviour and not who has the most awesome Christmas party, biggest tree or most expensive gift. Being together, talking, sharing memories, enjoying the company of the ones you love - that is the closeness that the season should bring. It doesn't matter if you have a grand gourmet meal or a couple fast food burgers - just fellowship and remember the Christ in Christmas.
So, for today I will not get carried away. I will cherish the pleasures of love, peace, and hope with my friends and family and my holiday will be a blessed and treasured time.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
pray for babies...
pray for babies. For unto us a child was born....
Today, let us focus on the innocent, defenseless, helpless, wonderful little creatures our lives are blessed with - babies. Pray for their health, their survival, their ability to grow and learn, their ability to give love, their blindness to hatred, and the amazing unique characteristics they bring to this world. They renew our hope, they bolster our love and compassion, and they constantly amaze and inspire us.
So, for today I will pray for babies and be thankful for the one baby that changed this world forever.
Today, let us focus on the innocent, defenseless, helpless, wonderful little creatures our lives are blessed with - babies. Pray for their health, their survival, their ability to grow and learn, their ability to give love, their blindness to hatred, and the amazing unique characteristics they bring to this world. They renew our hope, they bolster our love and compassion, and they constantly amaze and inspire us.
So, for today I will pray for babies and be thankful for the one baby that changed this world forever.
Monday, December 19, 2011
serve with the heart of Jesus...
serve with the heart of Jesus. How will you spend your holiday season? Lots of parties and shopping? Will you make time for serving as well?
This is the season of Christ. In addition to giving and receiving gifts, we need to make sure we're giving our heart. Spend some time this holiday serving others. There are so many people who won't have a big Christmas celebration. They won't have gifts under the tree - they might not have a tree. You can impact someone's life during this season of Peace and Joy by getting out there to serve. Volunteer to do something. Pick one thing - helping at a food bank, giving gifts for children in need, singing carols for the elderly in a senior home - just choose and then do it. Give the real gift of the season - LOVE. One person does make a difference - and you can be that one person.
So, for today I will serve with the heart of Jesus. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus, a man, who loved us so much He was born to save us. This Christmas season our love can carry on his message.
This is the season of Christ. In addition to giving and receiving gifts, we need to make sure we're giving our heart. Spend some time this holiday serving others. There are so many people who won't have a big Christmas celebration. They won't have gifts under the tree - they might not have a tree. You can impact someone's life during this season of Peace and Joy by getting out there to serve. Volunteer to do something. Pick one thing - helping at a food bank, giving gifts for children in need, singing carols for the elderly in a senior home - just choose and then do it. Give the real gift of the season - LOVE. One person does make a difference - and you can be that one person.
So, for today I will serve with the heart of Jesus. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus, a man, who loved us so much He was born to save us. This Christmas season our love can carry on his message.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
say "thank you"...
say, "Thank You." During this season of giving and receiving, don't forget those two little words that mean so much.
Being polite is good. Being grateful is better! When you say "Thank You" have it come from a place of gratitude. Make sure "thank you" means something when you say it. It's easy for it just to be words - but especially now, make sure it's meaningful. And most importantly, tell Jesus "Thank you" for coming to this world to save you. We are celebrating His birth. A birth that changed the world forever. If that's not worth a heart-filled, overwhelming gratitude "Thank you," I don't know what is.
So, for today I will say, "thank you." I will have an attitude and heart of gratitude and express it to all around me. And for the one who does the most for me, the one who made my existence possible, the one who loved me so much He saved me - I will say, "THANK YOU" and mean it.
Being polite is good. Being grateful is better! When you say "Thank You" have it come from a place of gratitude. Make sure "thank you" means something when you say it. It's easy for it just to be words - but especially now, make sure it's meaningful. And most importantly, tell Jesus "Thank you" for coming to this world to save you. We are celebrating His birth. A birth that changed the world forever. If that's not worth a heart-filled, overwhelming gratitude "Thank you," I don't know what is.
So, for today I will say, "thank you." I will have an attitude and heart of gratitude and express it to all around me. And for the one who does the most for me, the one who made my existence possible, the one who loved me so much He saved me - I will say, "THANK YOU" and mean it.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
notice the beauty...
notice the beauty.
Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and packages. At this time of the year the elaborate decorations catch our eye and dazzle us. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE all the Christmas decorations, but it can make us focus on the wrong kind of beauty. Look today for the beauty within others instead of how they are "wrapped." See the twinkle in their eye, hear the compassion in their voice, notice the tender thoughtful gesture that would otherwise go unrecognized. Notice the humble beauty of the loving hearts that surround your life. Jesus was born into the meekest of circumstances. Many wouldn't have recognized Him as the most beautiful and special child in the world. They would have seen His surroundings, His outer circumstances and subsequently missed the beauty within. Don't judge the book by its cover today, experience the gifts within each chapter.
So, for today I will notice the beauty. I will look past the glitz and glamour of the season and focus on the true beauty God bestows on me. I will look into the hearts, souls and actions of those around me and appreciate how beautiful and special they are.
Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and packages. At this time of the year the elaborate decorations catch our eye and dazzle us. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE all the Christmas decorations, but it can make us focus on the wrong kind of beauty. Look today for the beauty within others instead of how they are "wrapped." See the twinkle in their eye, hear the compassion in their voice, notice the tender thoughtful gesture that would otherwise go unrecognized. Notice the humble beauty of the loving hearts that surround your life. Jesus was born into the meekest of circumstances. Many wouldn't have recognized Him as the most beautiful and special child in the world. They would have seen His surroundings, His outer circumstances and subsequently missed the beauty within. Don't judge the book by its cover today, experience the gifts within each chapter.
So, for today I will notice the beauty. I will look past the glitz and glamour of the season and focus on the true beauty God bestows on me. I will look into the hearts, souls and actions of those around me and appreciate how beautiful and special they are.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
live on purpose...
live on purpose. Jesus came to this earth with a specific purpose. He knew exactly what He needed to do, all that He needed to fulfill. How about us?
Have we figured out our purpose yet? What is that you are really called to do? What do you want your legacy to be? God may speak to you in many different ways, but rest assured He is speaking to you. So take the time to listen today and find your purpose. Christ lived His life on purpose, with purpose and for a specific purpose. We can find our way as well - Pray and then do your part.
So, for today I will live on purpose. God will guide me to my calling and He will give my life purpose.
Have we figured out our purpose yet? What is that you are really called to do? What do you want your legacy to be? God may speak to you in many different ways, but rest assured He is speaking to you. So take the time to listen today and find your purpose. Christ lived His life on purpose, with purpose and for a specific purpose. We can find our way as well - Pray and then do your part.
So, for today I will live on purpose. God will guide me to my calling and He will give my life purpose.
Monday, December 12, 2011
rejoice...
rejoice. Christ the Savior is born. I will...
So, for today I will rejoice and be glad.
rejoice in His birth
celebrate His glory
delight in His blessings
triumph in His salvation
So, for today I will rejoice and be glad.
Friday, December 9, 2011
pray for peace...
pray for peace. This world needs peace.
There are battles being fought every day. Some are on a battlefield, some are in politics, some are in homes, some are in hearts. For all the battles, wherever they may be, pray for peace. Pray for the end of violence, pain, lies, confusion, distortion, and greed. Pray for physical peace, mental peace, and emotional peace. We need God's grace and touch. We need His healing waters to wash over us.
So, for today I will pray for peace. For peace on earth, goodwill toward men, Amen.
There are battles being fought every day. Some are on a battlefield, some are in politics, some are in homes, some are in hearts. For all the battles, wherever they may be, pray for peace. Pray for the end of violence, pain, lies, confusion, distortion, and greed. Pray for physical peace, mental peace, and emotional peace. We need God's grace and touch. We need His healing waters to wash over us.
So, for today I will pray for peace. For peace on earth, goodwill toward men, Amen.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
give of my gifts...
give of my gifts. Instead of a wrapped gift purchased in a store, think about the true gifts you can give the ones you love.
Sometimes, we use presents as a way of making up for what is lacking in our relationships. Grand gestures at Christmas are nice, but what will bring true joy is the gift of you! What do the people you love really need from you? A new gadget or more of your compassion? A great book or for you to listen to them? A fancy watch or more of your time? Think about the things that you really should give more to others and make that your Christmas present this year. Giving the best of you is the best present you can offer anyone you love. So unwrap your talents, skills, compassion, understanding, humor and tenderness this Christmas and give it away joyfully!
So, for today I will give of my gifts. What I can offer can't be found in stores. I have my own unique, one-of-a-kind gifts that need to be shared with the people I love. This Christmas I will unwrap me!
Sometimes, we use presents as a way of making up for what is lacking in our relationships. Grand gestures at Christmas are nice, but what will bring true joy is the gift of you! What do the people you love really need from you? A new gadget or more of your compassion? A great book or for you to listen to them? A fancy watch or more of your time? Think about the things that you really should give more to others and make that your Christmas present this year. Giving the best of you is the best present you can offer anyone you love. So unwrap your talents, skills, compassion, understanding, humor and tenderness this Christmas and give it away joyfully!
So, for today I will give of my gifts. What I can offer can't be found in stores. I have my own unique, one-of-a-kind gifts that need to be shared with the people I love. This Christmas I will unwrap me!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
grateful for normal days...
grateful for normal days. Being grateful is not waiting for tomorrow to be a bigger, better day - it's being grateful for "normal days" too.
About a year ago, a friend of mine passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. He was 45 years old, in good health, a loving father, good husband, and he loved God. He would often comment on how blessed he was to wake up each morning. He always said, "another day in paradise - thank you Jesus." He loved every day whether it was great, good, fair, boring, tough or just plain old regular. My friend was a wonderful example of contentment and gratitude. Our days are numbered.
So, for today I will be grateful for normal days. I can and will be content in the gift of routine. I can delight in the fact that today held no surprises and that my life went on for 24 more hours. Those hours provide me more time to love and be loved - and that is irreplaceable.
About a year ago, a friend of mine passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. He was 45 years old, in good health, a loving father, good husband, and he loved God. He would often comment on how blessed he was to wake up each morning. He always said, "another day in paradise - thank you Jesus." He loved every day whether it was great, good, fair, boring, tough or just plain old regular. My friend was a wonderful example of contentment and gratitude. Our days are numbered.
So, for today I will be grateful for normal days. I can and will be content in the gift of routine. I can delight in the fact that today held no surprises and that my life went on for 24 more hours. Those hours provide me more time to love and be loved - and that is irreplaceable.
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