Its Christmas day, but I had to write about my amazing Christmas Eve. So here goes.
The day started out with an early (5:30am) wake up to worship. I have been so grateful for everything that the Father has done for me and so I spent some time with him just enjoying his presence. Then I went back to bed and got up and went downstairs to make tea and enjoy the garden before everyone woke up. I was about to go out when I noticed, lying on the back of the sofa the beautiful shawl that Linda made for me for and early Christmas present. It is a prayer shawl, that was made during an illness in her life, and as she made it, she prayed for me. She made one for several of us this year, and we all feel so blessed to have one. I like to use mine while I pray. So I grabbed it and put it around my shoulders and walked out to the garden.
There is an archway on the path leading to my garden, and as I passed under that archway, I felt such a sense of peace and love and God's presence that I began to weep. I was so overwhelmed by his love, and I felt so covered by him with my prayer shawl on that I could do nothing but say thank you over and over again. I was so filled with gratitude. I cannot adequately describe it, and I am afraid I will destroy it by trying, so I will suffice it to say that I was utterly awestruck. So I got the phone and called Linda so she could come over and have tea with God and me in the garden. It was beautiful.
We read 1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ isrevealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy because I am holy."
We discussed it a bit, then talked about our day, and what was on our hearts. Then we prayed and had the sweetest prayer time together. We don't spend enough time doing that.
But the most amazing thing about the day was that I didn't miss it this year. I mean, I did not miss him. The rest of the day was spent thinking on him and his goodness. My heart was so full of him, and his great gift to us, that when we sat at the Christmas Eve service, I couldn't contain my grateful tears.
He has come!! Let us adore him and live our lives worthy of the one who gave his life for us!!
Showing posts with label gratefulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gratefulness. Show all posts
Friday, December 25, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
December Fifteenth
Wow! only 10 days left till Christmas! I hope you are more ready than I am! I think since it has been so hot down here in South Fl. I just cant get in the Christmas mood! And I think it just crept up on me, and since I wasn't planning to do anything big for the kids for Christmas, I didn't get going until last week, and now I feel I am behind! But ready or not, it will be here in 10 short days. I have to say that I have really enjoyed doing this blog...it has caused a little bit of pressure to get it done, but it has forced me to be on my knees more, and really try to practice his presence. I have not always been so successful, but I have been more aware and more grateful than I ever have before. So thank you for reading and following, and for joining me in this journey. That said, here's today's thought.
Colossians 1:3-6 says: We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints- the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing just as it has been doing aomng you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.
Do you have people in your life that speak truth to you? Do they lovingly challenge you to be more like Jesus and help you focus more on him? Do they live like him, and cause you to want to do the same? Have you ever thanked God for them, and then in turn told them how thankful you are for them?
My challenge for you today is for you to write a note of appreciation to someone who speaks truth to you and helps you be more like Jesus. It can be in the form of a letter, a card or just a brief note. Don't just call them, send them a note. Why? because they will have a physical reminder so when the enemy attacks them and tries to demean them, they will have something physical they can be encouraged to fight for. They will appreciate it over and over, just as I am sure the Colossians did. I am sure they read and re-read Pauls letter to them. I am positive that they discussed it and it so encouraged them to "keep up the faith."
In this way, you can be a blessing to someone that has immeasurably blessed you. I wrote to my pastor. My son wrote to me. You can be sure I will keep that note forever! My daughter wrote to my best friend and co-author, Linda. Her daughter is my daughter's best friend, and Linda is so great to allow my daughter to come over anytime for any length of time. In fact, I think sometimes she would rather live there! I am so very thankful for a friend that loves my child and speaks Jesus into her life. I love her kids too. She is the best kind of friend: one who loves me, warts and all, and my loud, weird, crazy family. Why? I don't know, except God put us together and we just fit. I know she feels the same way. And I am so thankful. If you don't have a friend like that, ask God for one. He will answer. It took a long time, but he did mine. I prayed for a friend for several years before I met Linda. I had begun to loose hope, but he was faithful. Until I had her though, He met my needs for that type of relationship. And he will yours too.
In closing, remember to be thankful. We get so busy that it is easy to get grumpy and full of 'scroogy-ness'. I sometimes get grumpy because I try to do to much and it doesn't come together. Relax. Remember He is with you and gives you strength for the day's tasks. Thank him and thank someone else today. You might be the only person who thanks them today....and it might just make their day.
Don't forget to check out our book, "The 12 Days of Christmas" at www.12daysbook.com
It is almost time! December 26th is the first day, so you still have time to get your copy!
Colossians 1:3-6 says: We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints- the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing just as it has been doing aomng you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.
Do you have people in your life that speak truth to you? Do they lovingly challenge you to be more like Jesus and help you focus more on him? Do they live like him, and cause you to want to do the same? Have you ever thanked God for them, and then in turn told them how thankful you are for them?
My challenge for you today is for you to write a note of appreciation to someone who speaks truth to you and helps you be more like Jesus. It can be in the form of a letter, a card or just a brief note. Don't just call them, send them a note. Why? because they will have a physical reminder so when the enemy attacks them and tries to demean them, they will have something physical they can be encouraged to fight for. They will appreciate it over and over, just as I am sure the Colossians did. I am sure they read and re-read Pauls letter to them. I am positive that they discussed it and it so encouraged them to "keep up the faith."
In this way, you can be a blessing to someone that has immeasurably blessed you. I wrote to my pastor. My son wrote to me. You can be sure I will keep that note forever! My daughter wrote to my best friend and co-author, Linda. Her daughter is my daughter's best friend, and Linda is so great to allow my daughter to come over anytime for any length of time. In fact, I think sometimes she would rather live there! I am so very thankful for a friend that loves my child and speaks Jesus into her life. I love her kids too. She is the best kind of friend: one who loves me, warts and all, and my loud, weird, crazy family. Why? I don't know, except God put us together and we just fit. I know she feels the same way. And I am so thankful. If you don't have a friend like that, ask God for one. He will answer. It took a long time, but he did mine. I prayed for a friend for several years before I met Linda. I had begun to loose hope, but he was faithful. Until I had her though, He met my needs for that type of relationship. And he will yours too.
In closing, remember to be thankful. We get so busy that it is easy to get grumpy and full of 'scroogy-ness'. I sometimes get grumpy because I try to do to much and it doesn't come together. Relax. Remember He is with you and gives you strength for the day's tasks. Thank him and thank someone else today. You might be the only person who thanks them today....and it might just make their day.
Don't forget to check out our book, "The 12 Days of Christmas" at www.12daysbook.com
It is almost time! December 26th is the first day, so you still have time to get your copy!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
December Third
December Third....what a day it has been! We started off by going to WRMB radio station to do an interview for our book. It was a great interview, and we were ever so grateful for the blessing it was to be able to share our hearts. It will be weird to hear ourselves next week on the morning and afternoon drive time on 89.3 WRMB.
Today was a treat from God. Not every day is like that. Some days you want to end before they really get started. If fact, you sometimes wish you could rewind and start again, but you can't. The reality is that some days go on for months and you are forever changed by them. The difficult thing is finding joy and gratefulness in the midst of them. Sometimes its just the simple things; the monotonous things that keep a sense of normalcy- those things that would usually drive us crazy help us keep our sanity when times are tough.
So why not let those same things make us grateful now; content in our lives, our relationships and what we have been blessed with? I suffer from the 'too much' disease: Spending too much, eating too much, trying to do too much, expecting too much and wanting too much. But what I am trying to do this season, one day at a time is being grateful and content with what I have been given and the situations I find myself in instead of living with the too much's. I want to be content and know that what I have is more than enough.
Colossians 1:21 & 22 says: Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight without blemish and free from accusation- if this were the only thing I had to be thankful for, it would be enough. But to that he has added so much. I am more grateful now than I ever have been, and want to focus on being content in him.
Remember our book signing on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Walden books in the Wellington Green Mall from 1-3pm. Bring a friend and recieve a free gift with purchase! Until tomorrow....may you have joy in the journey!
Today was a treat from God. Not every day is like that. Some days you want to end before they really get started. If fact, you sometimes wish you could rewind and start again, but you can't. The reality is that some days go on for months and you are forever changed by them. The difficult thing is finding joy and gratefulness in the midst of them. Sometimes its just the simple things; the monotonous things that keep a sense of normalcy- those things that would usually drive us crazy help us keep our sanity when times are tough.
So why not let those same things make us grateful now; content in our lives, our relationships and what we have been blessed with? I suffer from the 'too much' disease: Spending too much, eating too much, trying to do too much, expecting too much and wanting too much. But what I am trying to do this season, one day at a time is being grateful and content with what I have been given and the situations I find myself in instead of living with the too much's. I want to be content and know that what I have is more than enough.
Colossians 1:21 & 22 says: Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight without blemish and free from accusation- if this were the only thing I had to be thankful for, it would be enough. But to that he has added so much. I am more grateful now than I ever have been, and want to focus on being content in him.
Remember our book signing on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Walden books in the Wellington Green Mall from 1-3pm. Bring a friend and recieve a free gift with purchase! Until tomorrow....may you have joy in the journey!
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