The True Meaning of Christmas

Christmas. It's one of the busiest times of the year. With all the caroling, Christmas pageants, buying gifts and getting the Christmas cards out, it can be a bit hectic. It's challenging,

Christ's Bell

 

 

Christ’s Bell

 

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God’s child (John 1:12)

I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15)

I am united with the Lord (I Cor. 6:17)

 I am bought with a price (I Cor. 6:19-20)

I  am  a  saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

                                           I  am  a   personal  witness of Christ.   (Acts 1:8)

    I  am  a  member of  the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27)

     I am  free  forever from condemnation of  sin (Rom 8:1-2)

            I   am   a   citizen  of  Heaven. I  am  significant.(Phil. 3: 20) 

           I  am  free  from  any  charge  against   me. (Rom. 8: 31 - 34)

           I  am  a   minister  of  reconciliation  for  God  (II  Cor. 5:17 - 21)

           I  have  access  to  God  through the Holy Spirit (II  Cor. 1:21– 22)

          I  am   seated   with   Christ   in    the   heavenly  realms   Eph. 2: 6)

             I  cannot   be    separated   from   the   love   of    God .   (Rom. 8:35-39)

           I  am  established,   anointed,   and   sealed     by   God.  (II Cor. 1: 21-22)

             I  am   assured    that   all   things   work    together   for   good   (Rom. 8:28)

            I   have    been     chosen    and    appointed     to       bear    fruit. (John 15: 16)

                                                   I   can     approach      God      with      confidence    and      freedom. (Eph. 3:12)       

            I can   do    all    things    through     Christ     who     strengthens    me.  (Phil. 4:13)

              I  am   a   branch   of     the    true    vine.   A    channel   of    His     life.  (John 15:1-5)

                I am   God’s     temple   (I Cor. 3: 16). I    am    complete   in   Christ.   (Colossians 2: 10

                I  am   hidden    with   Christ    in    God  (Col. 3:3). I   have   been    justified  (Romans 5: 1)

                I  am  God’s co-worker (I Cor. 3:9;  II Cor. 6:1)  I  am   God’s   workmanship  (Ephesians 2:10)

                 I am  confident  that   the good  works  that  God  has  begun in  me  will   be  perfected. (Phil. 1:5)

                I have been redeemed and forgiven (Colossians f1:14) I have been adopted as God’s child. (Eph. 1:5)

I belong to God

Do you know

Who you are?

 

 

 



Thoughts on Christmas

I've been thinking about what Christmas was really like a little more than 2,000 years ago. Today I'm posting about it on Small Acts of Kindness.  Read it here.

Christmas Cheer

 

I love Christmas.  It’s full of festive gatherings, caroling, and all kinds of Christmas movies and plays.  Some churches have live nativities.  I enjoy all of them. 

This weekend I went to a concert at the Mauldin Cultural Center.  I read about it in that day’s paper about 2 hours before it began Because it was just around the corner from my home, I was able to go at the last minute.

It was put on by a local music teacher, Cindy Overfield, who gives private voice lessons in the area.  There were about 15-20 musicians who sang Christmas carols, both secular and Christian, accompanied by Doug Overfield on keyboard or recorded music.

It was a real treat to find a Christmas program, put on for free, to build up my Christmas spirit.  What have you found this year that’s boosted your enjoyment of the season?  Share it here. 

The Write Conversation : When Writing Isn’t Easy

The Write Conversation : When Writing Isn’t Easy: by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007 In his kindness, God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have su...

 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

 

 

Thanksgiving 2016

Thanksgiving is only one week away, believe it or not. I think it's a time to look back over the past year and celebrate what we’re grateful for. One thing I’m most grateful for is my family. We’ve gotten together at Grandma’s house for over 40 years now. The family’s changed over the years with the grandkids getting married and having kids.  Now, even some of the great grandkids are married too. 

Everyone brings something for a potluck of everyone’s favorite foods. Turkey (of course), stuffing, cranberry sauce, both canned and homemade (there an on-going debate in my family as to which is the “real” kind)

Other side dishes include mashed potatoes, an appetizer that always illustrates Aunt Mina’s creativity, rolls, cornbread, fruit salad, veggies, deviled eggs, and several pies.

 

The festivities typically start around noon that day, with people arriving from all over California, where most of my family lives. My folks and I travel from South Carolina to be there. It’s a long way, but always worth it since we only get to see the whole family once a year.

After a large meal, everyone goes for a walk even though it’s getting dark. The cool air and the exercise help counter the effects of the tryptophan in the turkey. At least that’s what I think. When we get back, we’re ready to play games in a friendly competition.

Charades is one of our family traditions each year. We form two teams (guys
vs. girls) and each team comes up with movies, books, songs, and TV shows for someone on the other team to act out without saying anything or making any noises. Everyone has up to three minutes for their team to come up with the right answer. There’s always lots of laughter, teasing, and good-natured competitiveness.  In recent years, we’ve added additional games such as Fish Bowl and a Factoid Game.

Sometimes, we do silly things like trying to hang spoons on our noses and seeing who can hold it the longest. My brother and uncle are good at it. Dad’s gotten even a little more advanced, as you can see in this picture. 

So, how about you?  What does Thanksgiving mean to you?  How do you celebrate the holiday?  Share it here.

Thanksgiving's Coming Up!

Thanksgiving's less than 2 weeks away now. (Gulp!)  Many people I know are making plans to spend time with family and/or friends.  I'm posting on Small Acts of Kindness today, talking a little about how I'll be spending it.  Click here to read more. 

Exciting News: It's Release Day for ALONE

My friend, Edie Melson, made an exciting announcement on her blog today. 



The Write Conversation : It's Release Day for ALONE: Today my very first novel releases. To join the fun, Leave a comment here or on my FB post that you shared the info about my book on soci...

Housewarming

Today I'm posting about surprises from friends on Jennifer Hallmark's blog, Small Acts of Kindness.  Read the post here.

Back from Vacation

I've been on a three-week vacation and have wonderful memories to share.  Since it's the second Monday of the month, I'm posting on Jennifer Hallmark's blog Small Acts of Kindness today.  You can read the post here.

Fathers' Day is coming up

Today's the second Monday of the month so I'm posting on Jennifer Hallmark's blog, Small Acts of Kindness.  Hop on over there to see my thoughts on Fathers' Day. https://jenniferhallmark.com/2016/06/13/fathers-day/

Nature comes indoors

It happened again, only this time it was a Carolina Wren.  I'd bent over to stretch and as I looked behind me I saw a bird flapping its wings like crazy.  "What's with that bird?" I asked aloud.  I stood up and turned around and just shook my head.  "Again? Seriously?" The bird wasn't outside the window, he'd flown in the house through the bird feeder and was trying to get back out. 

Just like I wrote in a post nearly two years ago, I'd opened the window to let in some fresh air that morning. I remembered the incident with the finch but didn't think it would happen again.

The poor guy didn't know how to get out by himself, so I raised the window and the screen with my left hand and lifted my right index finger to just below the bird. He flew up into the curtain. "I'm not gonna hurt you." I said.  "I want to help you but you have to trust me. Relax. Sit on my finger."  He did! As I moved my hand down, he panicked and flew up into the curtain.  I put my finger up again and he sat on it.  I moved a little slower this time, got my hand under the window and set him free.

I smiled and thought of how I'm like that little bird.  It's not natural for him to sit on someone's finger. It's scary and he didn't know what would happen.  Likewise, I like to know what I'm getting into before I do it. I feel insecure when I don't know what I might encounter venturing into the unknown.  But God knows what lies ahead and He wants me to trust him. I can only get where I'm going if I trust him, rest in His presence, and let him show me where to go. 

How have you been challenged to do something outside your comfort zone?  How did you handle it and what came about?  Share your story here.

A Mom's Love

Yesterday was Mothers’ Day, which I always enjoy.  Every year it gives me a special reason to let my mom know how much she means to me.

 

We’ve always been close and even to this day I consider her to be one of my most trustworthy friends.  I can share anything with her, knowing she truly cares and will listen and encourage me when I need it most. So today, Mom, I thank you publicly for your love and continuous support in everything. 

 

I think most of us have someone (whether it’s our mom or someone else) we appreciate who’s been there for us in good and bad times.  How do you show them how much they mean to you?  I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s keep the conversation going.

 

 

 

 

 

It's the second Monday of the month again so I'm posting on the Small Acts of Kindness blog today.  https://jenniferhallmark.com/2016/04/11/breakfast-in-bed/

Yahweh Elohim: The Only True God

Yahweh Elohim Israel—The Lord God of Israel. The only true God

In today’s society, at least in the United States, there is a plethora of gods people worship. Most do not worship physical idols, but in terms of what we value most, what we see as important and spend most of our time on, many things qualify.

We often joke about “Keeping up with the Joneses” and living like “the one who dies with the most toys wins.” Yet, even though we act like it’s a joke, our lives often bear it out. One of God’s names is Elohim. It means He is the God of Israel, as opposed to other false gods.

The truth is that God has no rivals. Anything else is a false God. He is the only one we are to live for. (Ex. 20:3, Deut. 5:7) Not power, not wealth or social status.

Personally, I have to fight against thinking about others’ opinions of me and how I measure up. How about you? What do you find competes with God in your life? Let’s talk about it.

Jehovah-Rohi The Lord Is Our Shepherd

In last week’s post we looked at the name Jehovah Jireh, which means The Lord Provides.  Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord is Our Shepherd is similar, but, in my opinion, encompasses even more.  A shepherd provides for his sheep but he also leads them and protects them.

 

He does it because they can’t lead themselves without getting into trouble. Phillip Keller, in his book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, tells us that sheep need attention and meticulous care. They have a mob mentality and move about in herds. They can only see what’s right in front of them—more sheep!  

 

 

 

They can’t see their surroundings. Only the shepherd can. There may be predators, or natural hazards, like a cliff for example, that the sheep must stay away from in order to avoid injury or even death. Only the shepherd can see the bigger picture and guide them safely where they need to go.

A good shepherd guides, leads, and protects his flock but he also gives them everything they need.  Each day he leads them to clean water and pastures to satisfy their thirst and need for food. Only the shepherd knows where this is.  Because he leads, protects, and takes care of their needs, he sheep trust him.  They even recognize his voice and will not follow another shepherd they don’t know.

We are the same with God, Jehovah-Rohi.  God sees the big picture in our lives. He leads us, protects us if we head his direction, and takes care of our needs. Just as the sheep trust their shepherd, we can trust the Good Shepherd. There are obstacles and hazards we have to negotiate in our lives, but we don’t have to do it alone. God has promised to walk with us every step of our journey in life if we’ll follow him.   

How have you seen God lead you,either recently  or in the past?  What difference has it made?  Share it here so we can encourage each other.

 

 

 

 

 

Jehovah Jireh--The God Who Provides

Today I feel compelled to share a name of God that I’ve experienced in the last week.  Jehovah Jireh. It means The God Who Provides.

Several of my neighbors and I had planned to go out for lunch one day but I needed to take my dog out first. I saw my neighbor, Mary Carol,

The Lord is There

One of the God’s names is Yahweh Shammah—The

Lord is There. He is there, always and everywhere at once. 

How can God be here and there?

Names of God

Beginning today, we’ll have a series on the names of God—what they mean, what they tell us about who God is, and how we can relate to Him. Perhaps we’ll be surprised

Small Acts of Kindness

Today's the second Monday of the month so I'm posting on Jennifer Hallmark's blog Small Acts of Kindness. Read about the snowstorm we had a few weeks ago here in South Carolina and how a neighbor helped me out.

Hi Everyone

Today I'm posting on Small Acts of Kindness. I'll be posting there the second Monday of every month. I hope you'll pop over and check it out. Leave me a comment and we'll talk.  http://jenniferhallmark.com/blog/

Happy New Year Everybody! 

Since it's the first day of the year, I thought we'd start off with something fun and a little wacky.  Following in the footsteps of my friend Edie Melson