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.