I grew up in a religious home, went to a religious college and am now trying to live my life not as a religious person but as a Christ Follower. I like many others struggle with faith and have doubts. I know God has a plan for me, sometimes I just wish he would show it me.
In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet~Albert Schweitzer
How strange is that I saw this quote today, and our pastor made a statement very similar in nature at church this morning. He said, life is lived moment by moment. He went on to ask what are we missing by living for the future and always chasing the next big thing. (more…)
“Two women looked through prison bars, one saw mud the other saw stars” ~ from the book Calm my Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow.
Since reading the quote above I have been unable to get it out of my mind. Those words really spoke to my heart and made me examine how I view my life. (more…)
I am trying to make 2012 the year of contentment. I am not chasing after anything in this material world. For the past several years I have been chasing after degrees, babies, promotions, and other earthly things that I think I want, but never really finding the satisfaction I am craving. Contentment doesn’t come from getting everything you think you want it comes from realizing how much you already have and how blessed you already are. (more…)
The phrase “when I get big like you….” comes out of Madilyn’s mouth about 100 times a day. It seems like everything I do she asks to do. If I tell her no she asks if she can do it when she is bigger. I take it as a compliment that she wants to be like me and do the things that I do. However, it is also a great weight to bare. I find myself wondering if I am being not only a good example but a great example to her in all that I do.
As the wrapping paper and bows fly, as children and adults are laughing with joy over the gifts received take time today to reflect on the birth of our Lord and Savior the greatest gift ever given. Merry Christmas to all.
LUKE 2:1-21
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
I don’t lie to my kids but I know plenty of people do. I don’t understand why parents feel the need to be less than honest with their children. As a parent I feel that telling my kids things that are not true will affect our relationship in the future. I want my kids to know that they can always count on me to be 100% honest with them in all things. We all have people we don’t trust, and when you think about why you don’t trust these people it is generally because they have been less than honest in the past. (more…)
I know that this is not a popular stance but in my house we do not encourage the belief in Santa. David and I decided many years ago that we would not encourage our children to believe in Santa. Instead we tell our children that Santa is an example of how we should give to others while expecting nothing in return.
We also teach our children the story of Saint Nicholas and how his life became the background for modern day Santa stories. We also do not encourage belief in the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, or Cupid. (more…)
While studying Philippians 4 verses 4-9 really stood out to me. I have read this passage time and time again over the years, and never made the connection that I made during this current study. Of course in the past I have only read the passage and not studied it or concentrated on what was truly being said. I think that most people fail to make connections while reading the Word because they are just reading and not studying.
For the first time it became obvious to me that these verses are a road map at how to handle stress in my life. Maybe others have seen this connection before, but for me it just clicked this time around. (more…)
Our happiness and joy should be in our source of salvation not in our possessions or circumstances (past or present). This is so hard to remember in the midst of distress and emotional times. It is very hard to remember that we are not citizens of this world and that the things that cause us distress are really small in the grand scheme of things. Philippians 3 serves as a reminder that our hope, joy, and life are all found in God. (more…)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.~ Philippians 4:8
The past 24 days in which I have posted my series entitled “24 Days of Thankfulness” has been a great time of reflection for me. During this time I have focused on the good in my life and have resisted thinking about the negative things in my life. I am going to try to continue to be thankful for something each and everyday. (more…)
