Category Archives: General

Keep Christmas All Year

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Keep Christmas All Year...here are some ideas...

Keep Christmas All Year

“Remember his covenant forever–the commitment he made to a thousand generations.” 1 Chronicles 16:15 (NLT) 

I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. -Charles Dickens

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I don’t know about you, but I tend to get in a minor funk once Christmas is over.  The Christmas season is my favorite time of year.  I love the build-up, the anticipation, and the ongoing celebration.  I love the atmosphere: the music, the decorations and (for the most part) the overall kindness and generosity of people.  The season never seems long enough, and I never want it to be over.  Sometimes I have a tendency to try to prolong the season.  I continue to listen to Christmas music, save Christmas movies on my DVR to keep watching, and leave my decorations up for as long as my husband will tolerate (read a funny story about that here).  No, we are not the people who leave Christmas lights up year round (no judgment if you do!).  And yes…I have a Christmas Countdown app on my phone that my kids and I look at throughout the year!  I guess I just have a childlike wish to keep Christmas all year.

Keep Christmas all year...Christmas Countdown app

Christmas Countdown app

I love learning about different cultures in general and especially about their celebrations. Continue reading →

Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal!

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Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal

Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal!

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10 (NIV)

Wishing you and your families great joy this Christmas!  Merry Christmas and may God bless you as His Son, Jesus fills your lives!

The Story of Christmas

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The Story of Christmas: An amazing rendition you have to see

The Story of Christmas

This is the Story of Christmas, as told by Pastor Willie George and the Creative Team at Church on the Move in Tulsa, OK.

This is one of the most amazing retellings of the story of Christmas that I have ever heard. It has been an annual tradition at our church for the past several years.  It gives me chills and brings me to tears every time.  I’m so thankful to my amazing pastor and to the wonderful creative team.  They can speak straight to the hearts of people through their gifts.  Praise God for them and for their talents.  When people operate in their gifts the Lord is glorified.

Take Some Practical Steps this Christmas:

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I’m Thankful For…

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I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart because I'm thankful for...

I’m Thankful For… 

“I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1 (ESV)

I had anticipated sharing some of the things that I’m thankful for this year in last week’s post, but it didn’t seem to fit in very well with 6 Ways to Stay Thankful Year Round.  So this week, I thought I’d share some of those things with you.  This has been a pretty big year for me with lots of changes and scary new opportunities.  I’ve experienced a whole lot of new ways to be brave this year.  Maybe you have too?

Here are just a handful of the things I’m thankful for this year:

I’m thankful for the usual 🙂 …my husband, my children, my family, my church, my job, my strong friends, my volunteer work and for God’s faithfulness (He ALWAYS comes through).

I’m thankful for being able to cultivate some relationships this year and to make some new friends.

I’m thankful for God always bringing me through some hard and seemingly impossible situations this year (financial, career, and relational).

I’m thankful for new abilities, new courage, new opportunities, and teachable moments (both for me to be taught and for me to teach others).

I’m thankful for the strength and Continue reading →

How to Lead Someone to Christ

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Learn how to lead someone to Christ here...

How to Lead Someone to Christ

Knowing how to lead someone to Christ may seem like a no-brainer to some.  However, for me this was an issue that made me extremely nervous.  I was always afraid I wouldn’t do it right.  Even though I had seen and heard people be led to the Lord countless times in church, I still questioned myself on how to do it.  To be honest, I hadn’t had much experience personally on how to lead someone to Christ.  I had only led my kids through the prayer and a couple of their little friends (it’s a lot less threatening with kids for some reason!).

One time though, I had the opportunity to lead a very special friend through the process.  Talk about being a hot mess!  I was terrified.  This was the most important decision that they would ever make in their life, and I didn’t want to screw them up.  We said a prayer out loud together (I had them repeat after me).  To be completely honest, I really don’t even know what I said because I was such a nervous wreck.  In my efforts to make sure we did it correctly, I pulled out my iPhone, opened my Bible app, and read Romans 10:9.  Then, I googled how to lead someone to Christ just to double check!  I know…I’m a goofball sometimes! 🙂  I felt a lot better because it really was as easy as it seemed.  For some reason though, it just didn’t seem like it should be that easy.

In an effort to help you, should you ever find yourself in this situation, I would like to share with you how to lead someone to Christ.  Continue reading →

In Loving Memory: Cinders

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In Loving Memory: Cinders

 

In Loving Memory: Cinders

Instead of Funny Friday, today I have dedicated this post in loving memory of my forever friend, Cinders.  Today would have been her 14th birthday.  She was such a blessing in my life (and my family’s) for all these years.  Painfully, we lost her this week.  We have an aching hole as our hearts heal.  This verse has given me some comfort this week…

“The lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

Please keep my family in your prayers as we continue to mourn her loss.  And please…go snuggle your pet with lots of extra love this week.

You’ll Meet Me in the Light  -Author Unknown

I know that you can’t see me,
but trust me I’m right here.
Although I’m up in heaven,
my love for you stays near.

So often I see you crying,
many times you call my name.
I want so much to lick your face
and ease some of your pain.

I wish that I could make you see
that Heaven indeed is real.
If you could see me run and play
how much better you would feel.

But our loving God has promised me
that when the time is right,
you’ll step out of the darkness and
meet me in the light.

Success Lessons Learned from a Stubborn Puppy

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Success Lessons Learned from a Stubborn Puppy

Success Lessons Learned from a Stubborn Puppy

This past week I’ve been puppy-sitting for my sister while her family is on vacation.  Her little dog is such a cutie, but boy, is she an ornery little sucker!  She’s extremely curious and a bit defiant.  I found that often when I tried to warn her about “impending danger” she just completely ignored me and lunged right into it anyway!  So needless to say, I was constantly bailing her out of messes…such as getting stuck in a tomato cage in my garden after being warned not to enter it, getting a bee sting on her mouth after she decided to chase after a bee and eat it (again after being warned not too), and getting several good “scoldings” from Cinders, my dog, when she would nip at Cinders’ ears (just to name a few of her predicaments).

I decided that we must seem a lot like that puppy to God.  Continue reading →