Tag Archives: Jesus

Grateful … to be me

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July - Happy blog 2

Ah… another year.  I woke up this morning with joy in my heart and peace in my spirit.  Of course I wanted to express it in my favorite way.  Writing!

I have so much to be thankful for.  I praise God that I know me – and love me!  (That was a process well worth the effort!) I’m thankful for patience with myself and others.  I’m thankful for a true loving giving partner in my husband. I’m thankful for my sons’ laughter and smiles. I’m thankful to do what I love – write, encourage and motivate others.  I’m thankful for loving supportive family and friends. And I’m thankful for a hope in and love for Jesus that brings peace that passes all understanding.

Thanks for sharing in this day with me.

 

 

 

It’s Like Another Christmas . . .

Easter, Family, God, Holidays, , , , , , ,

Easter basket March 2016

Easter baskets? Check. Plastic eggs? Check. Chocolates to go inside the plastic eggs? Check. Toys … toys …. oh, I had forgotten a special toy. I was attempting for create Easter baskets for my sons wanted to make sure I had all my bases covered. As I raced down the aisles looking for something nice, but not too over-the-top, I joked with another parent doing the same thing. “It’s like another Christmas,” I said. We shared a laugh.

Then I stopped. And thought. The most important thing to me about this upcoming Easter holiday is not that my kids have the perfect outfit for church, or have the perfect baskets, or get a desired treat. More than anything, I want them to know that there is a God who loves them so much, that He sent His Son to die for them. And then His Son, Jesus, rose!

I put away my hastily grabbed toys. Although I will still do something for them, my entire mindset has changed. It’s not the gifts that I give them that matter. It’s the gift they receive in their hearts. And His Name is Jesus.

Enjoy your Resurrection Day!

The Reason for the Season

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Early-Christmas-Shopping-1402-300x225 Dec 2015

 

I could feel it start to happen with the arrival of November. My neck stiffening, my mind racing, my pulse quickening. All from thinking about preparing for Christmas. Or more accurately, Christmas shopping. Did I have my budget ready? Did the kids give me their lists? Who do I need to buy presents for? When should the Christmas cards go out? And on and on and on… Stress! Pressure! And not at all what the Christmas season is meant to be about. While there is nothing wrong with those things in and of themselves, when pushed to the forefront, they remove the focus from the true reason for Christmas – Jesus Christ! This year, instead of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle, and sucked into the commercial hype of the season, I am determined to stay worshipful, grateful and focused on Christ. –

See more at: Gospel Today Reason For The Season

When Your Christmas Isn’t Merry …

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Christmas isn't Merry 2 December 2015

Family, friends, laughter and love are all byproducts of the Christmas holiday. The love of Christ and the warmth of His presence, mold the beauty and joy of the holiday. But for everyone, it’s not a happy time. Someone lost a loved one recently, and ache at the thought of the first Christmas without them. Another person has a tragic, painful memory associated with this time of year, and it colors their joy and happiness a paled shade of blue. You may be lonely, frightened, and unable to find rest. You might be worried about money, and unable to provide much of anything for your children.

I just want you to know that people do care.  Some of us do realize that Christmas is so much more than presents, sales, big dinners, and new toys.  It’s about truly sharing the love of Jesus. And in an effort to do just that, I’m reaching out to you now with that love to say I understand, and I care. I am praying right now for anyone struggling with any of the hurts I’ve mentioned.  While you may not feel joy or peace, that’s exactly what Jesus came to give you. Allow yourself to feel, but trust in Him to give you strength, courage and ultimately joy.  That’s something no situation can take away.  Praying for you.

Merry Christmas.

I Will Remember You . . .

Family, God, Priorities, Uncategorized, , , , , ,

remember

I Googled myself.  Have you ever done that?  I write a number of articles, have a few IMDB credits to my name, and just wanted to see what popped up.  It was interesting.  I found a few places where my writing has been posted that I wasn’t aware of.  I found intriguing comments that I’d missed on some of my writings.  And I was able to take a nostalgic stroll down memory lane.

As I read through an online summary of my professional and public life, I realized how much was missing.  While it highlighted some achievements, it didn’t express how important my family is to me.  It didn’t talk about the importance of my faith in God and love for Jesus.  It failed to communicate my desire to put people above things.  It didn’t capture the essence of me … and what I want others to remember me for.

And it helped put some things in perspective.  It feels great to be recognized for good work, or professional achievements.  I smiled at the number of articles that came up with my name attached.  I felt accomplished.  However, none of that matters if my heart for God, devotion to family and love for people isn’t seen.  When I strip it all away, that’s what really matters.  And that’s what I want to be remembered for.

How will people remember you?

Freedom In Me

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There’s a difference between being a good person who considers themselves a Christian, and truly living a life for Jesus Christ. I learned this difference in college. Prior to that time, I had asked Jesus into my heart, I was nice to others, and I tried to be a “good girl.” However, living a life dedicated to God, studying His Words and His ways, is what brought me to a true realization of Who He is in me, and who I am to be in Him.

With the recent celebration of Christ’s willingness to die for our sins, and subsequent rising from the grave, I am reflecting upon what that victory means to me. Too often we minimize it to only meaning victory over sickness, sin, and death. Jesus’ dying on the cross did give us victory over all of those things, praise God. However, there is so much more that His death did for us.

Finish reading at:
http://www.gospeltoday.com/blog/2015/04/21/jesus-resurrection-means-freedom-in-me/

Impact … that will never be erased

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Munroes

Today would have been Dr. Myles’ Munroe’s 61st birthday. He was a true man of God, a visionary, and the incredible depth of knowledge God gave him will continue to mold future generations. As I reflect on his life, I think about the words that came to me upon learning of his death…. impact.

It wasn’t just that he was a great spiritual leader. He was. It wasn’t just that he was a best-selling author, and world-renowned. Again, he was. But the profound depth of sadness that I felt, and now surge of thankfulness for what he left, was due to his impact.

Impact. The impact to show God’s love and compassion to a hurting world. Impact. The impact to help me stretch beyond the limits of what I thought was possible … to believe in me because of the limitless God within me. Impact. The impact to change the thinking and mindset of a generation … to help us see the Lord Jesus Christ is indeed an Almighty, Awesome God! Impact.

That is the word I choose now to describe Dr. Munroe, and his wife, Ruth, whose imprint was surely a part of his ministry.

And now his impact transcends even his death, in his children. Thank you, Dr. Munroe, for becoming all that God created you to be, and dying empty.

Thank you, for your impact.