What do people mean when they say embrace who you are or I am embracing who I am? First, you have to know who you are and second we are every changing. Can one really embrace who they are? I decided to look up the definition of embrace on dictionary.com to help me answer that question. I found two definitions that seemed to shine some light on the answer.
The first definition that helps answer the question is as follows: "to take or receive gladly or eagerly, accept willingly." In other words, we are to take or receive gladly or eagerly who we are. As a child of God, I need to remember that I am made by His hands. "So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female." Genesis 1:27 That means everything from my hair color, to my personality was given to me by God. In order for me to embrace who I am I have to willingly accept that God wanted me to be this way, and He created me for His purpose. He made me short, with blue-green eyes, a love for competition, to care for others, a heart to teach and cook all for the good of His kingdom. "For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13
The second definition of embrace that is helpful in answering my question is: " to avail oneself". You are to value yourself. BINGO! In order to embrace who you are, you not only need to accept who you are but you need to value who you are. There isn't a better verse in the Bible to tell you how much God values you than John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." I know how much God loves me and you, but it doesn't make it easy for me to embrace who I am. Why? Because, I see my faults, my mistakes, and the things the world says isn't pretty and I believe it. This is what Satan wants me to see. I am working on seeing me as God sees me. To value who I am because God created me and I am His daughter. I try to embrace who I am one day, one hour, one minute at a time. The goal is to see yourself through God's eyes and not the worlds. We shouldn't worry about the worldly things. I'm getting better about not worrying especially about things that I can't control. God doesn't want us to worry. "Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself." Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 Enjoy where you are at in life at this time. Make time to do things that will bring glory to God. Slow down and spend quality time with your family. Embrace who you are daily and remember you are constantly changing which means embracing who you are today is more important than embracing who you were yesterday. Don't forget who created you and why He created you, it's always a good place to start. Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday. Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans." Psalm 37:5-7
*Bible verses used from HCSB
Monday, May 13, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
What or Who Defines you?
Matthew West has a new song titled, "Hello, My Name Is". This song has made me think about the things that define me or that I tend to let define me. (Please bare with me and keep reading) :)
I am: Carolyn and Mark's daughter
Holly and Joel's sister
a granddaughter, niece, and cousin
a little girl without a father
sad
afraid
a teenager without a father
an athlete
a band nerd
rejected
depressed
a college student
a bride without her father to walk her down the aisle
a wife, Nick's wife, Mr. Hardy's wife, the drummer's wife
happy
jealous
David and Val's daughter-in-law
a mother
Alex's mom
a college graduate
Bekah's mom
a teacher
afraid
dealing with a miscarriage
hurt
a disappointment
confused
a church secretary
no longer able to have children
frustrated
alone
remorseful
forgiven
servant
happy
child of God
Isn't it funny how quickly we identify ourselves as belonging to someone or something else. We enter every place we go with a list of " I ams" that we assume people see, but how often do you see the " I ams" of another person? When you meet someone for the first time, you only know them by how they introduce themselves. How about the people you see? We can't see all their "I ams". So, why is it we assume everyone can see all our I ams? We enter a place timid, not real sure how we are going to be received. When really we set the tone (accept/reject) ourselves. It's almost as if we have a sign on us that says I am and it lists everything we "think" others see or think about ourselves. At the bottom of our list (at least my list) is child of God-except he doesn't make the front. Nope, He makes the back, so people can only see that I am a child of God as I am walking away. There is something wrong with that-I am a child of God should be the first thing people see. Before other people can see it, you have to believe it, remember it, and walk securely in it. I admit, most days I walk in with my list of assumptions and not I am a child of God. I am striving to put I am a child of God first and to stop dwelling on my past and present circumstances. I want God's light to shine through my brokenness. I am starting to embrace who I really am-Kimberlea (Kim) Sue Whitmire Hardy-child of the one true King, saved by His amazing grace. How many lives would change if we walked in confidence and put I am a child of God first as our identity and not last? Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
"Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. " Romans 8:12-14
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." 1 John 3:1
The following link is the Matthew West video of Hello, My Name is. I hope you enjoy!
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0F9EB1NU
I am: Carolyn and Mark's daughter
Holly and Joel's sister
a granddaughter, niece, and cousin
a little girl without a father
sad
afraid
a teenager without a father
an athlete
a band nerd
rejected
depressed
a college student
a bride without her father to walk her down the aisle
a wife, Nick's wife, Mr. Hardy's wife, the drummer's wife
happy
jealous
David and Val's daughter-in-law
a mother
Alex's mom
a college graduate
Bekah's mom
a teacher
afraid
dealing with a miscarriage
hurt
a disappointment
confused
a church secretary
no longer able to have children
frustrated
alone
remorseful
forgiven
servant
happy
child of God
Isn't it funny how quickly we identify ourselves as belonging to someone or something else. We enter every place we go with a list of " I ams" that we assume people see, but how often do you see the " I ams" of another person? When you meet someone for the first time, you only know them by how they introduce themselves. How about the people you see? We can't see all their "I ams". So, why is it we assume everyone can see all our I ams? We enter a place timid, not real sure how we are going to be received. When really we set the tone (accept/reject) ourselves. It's almost as if we have a sign on us that says I am and it lists everything we "think" others see or think about ourselves. At the bottom of our list (at least my list) is child of God-except he doesn't make the front. Nope, He makes the back, so people can only see that I am a child of God as I am walking away. There is something wrong with that-I am a child of God should be the first thing people see. Before other people can see it, you have to believe it, remember it, and walk securely in it. I admit, most days I walk in with my list of assumptions and not I am a child of God. I am striving to put I am a child of God first and to stop dwelling on my past and present circumstances. I want God's light to shine through my brokenness. I am starting to embrace who I really am-Kimberlea (Kim) Sue Whitmire Hardy-child of the one true King, saved by His amazing grace. How many lives would change if we walked in confidence and put I am a child of God first as our identity and not last? Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
"Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. " Romans 8:12-14
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." 1 John 3:1
The following link is the Matthew West video of Hello, My Name is. I hope you enjoy!
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0F9EB1NU
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Facebook Withdrawls
O how I love Facebook....not. I have realized that Facebook can be a major stressor in my life. I started realizing how much I checked Facebook a couple of weeks ago. I found myself grabbing my phone to check the status of others frequently and to be honest it started to bother me. I started thinking, why am I constantly checking the Facebook? Sometimes five minutes would go by and I felt the urge to check Facebook again, like something of major importance was on there. I started feeling a tug on my heart telling me I was so caught up in social media that I was neglecting the most important thing in my life. That important thing I was neglecting was my relationship with Jesus Christ. I could have been using the time on was on Facebook to study God's word. In a way, Facebook was becoming an idol in my life. It was taking my focus away from God in a sense that I wasn't using my time wisely. I would rather sit on my couch and check Facebook over and over and over again than I would pick up my Bible or read a devotional on my Bible app. While Jonah was in the stomach of the whale he cried out to God in a prayer. Towards the end he said, "Those who cling to worthless idols forsake faithful love." Jonah 2:8 I take this at this point in time of my life as this, when you cling to Facebook constantly checking it, you are forsaking God's faithful love. God wants me to draw close to him, and I was neglecting that.
Was I using Facebook to uplift and encourage others? Yes, but the truth remains that I couldn't go one day without checking it at least two-three times an hour. CRAZY!!!! I should be consumed in God's word the way that I was allowing Facebook to consume my time. Not everyone is addicted to Facebook like I am and I'm not addicted to other things like others are. Each person has their own struggles and to be honest you have lean on God's word and allow Him to show you if something is keeping you from knowing him more. 1 Corinthians 10:14 says, " Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry." I have deactivated my Facebook account and I am fleeing from my idol. I have picked up my phone several times with intentions of looking at what is on Facebook and remember I no longer have an account. I do not know how long I will stay away from Facebook, but I do know that I will never look at Facebook the same. My prayer is that we all will see what in our lives is keeping us from truly spending time with God and flee from it. My friends are confused as to why I no longer use Facebook, and hopefully this will help answer that question. I am choosing to step away and see how my life is without it for a while. Take care...and be on guard against the "little" things that are time consuming. Until next time May God Bless and Keep you!
*Bible verses used are from HCSB*
Was I using Facebook to uplift and encourage others? Yes, but the truth remains that I couldn't go one day without checking it at least two-three times an hour. CRAZY!!!! I should be consumed in God's word the way that I was allowing Facebook to consume my time. Not everyone is addicted to Facebook like I am and I'm not addicted to other things like others are. Each person has their own struggles and to be honest you have lean on God's word and allow Him to show you if something is keeping you from knowing him more. 1 Corinthians 10:14 says, " Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry." I have deactivated my Facebook account and I am fleeing from my idol. I have picked up my phone several times with intentions of looking at what is on Facebook and remember I no longer have an account. I do not know how long I will stay away from Facebook, but I do know that I will never look at Facebook the same. My prayer is that we all will see what in our lives is keeping us from truly spending time with God and flee from it. My friends are confused as to why I no longer use Facebook, and hopefully this will help answer that question. I am choosing to step away and see how my life is without it for a while. Take care...and be on guard against the "little" things that are time consuming. Until next time May God Bless and Keep you!
*Bible verses used are from HCSB*
Friday, January 18, 2013
Fog
"The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." Psalm 119:130
A week ago I was driving in the country on my way to work and was in awe of God's creation. As I drove down a winding road I noticed the fog was just starting to rise. I have always thought that fog was magical/mystical. I blame it on my romantic heart, but maybe there is more to it. I found myself thanking God for the beautiful pastures with the cows and the trees. I love my drive to work. The beautiful blue sky fading into the rolling pastures and the towering pine trees saluting the sun makes my morning peaceful. This morning seemed different though, the fog was about a foot off the ground in every direction. It wasn't a real dense fog but enough for me to realize I needed to slow down and pay attention. I felt as if God was speaking to me. He wanted me to see that our lives are just like that winding road with fog. Our lives will take many turns to get us to our final destination but we will have obstacles like fog to travel through. All we need to do to arrive safely is slow down. I knew where my final destination was that day and I knew the road well enough to not be concerned with the fog, but being aware of my surroundings and the possibility of animals traipsing across the road I knew I needed to proceed with caution. If you are saved then you know the road you're on leads to heaven, but the twists and turns that we have to get through are not going away until we reach our final destination and we should proceed with caution. I slowed down a little more as I approached a more dense patch of fog because I was sure I wasn't going to be able to see very far in front of me. As I drove through that patch I was actually able to see my surroundings, and I thought wow this is what God wants us to do. He wants us to slow down, and take the time to pray and read His word but to see our surroundings. Once you do that you can see just far enough ahead of you to keep going with confidence. The obstacles in our lives are hard to get through or even to see past and that's when God wants us to slow down, lean on him and allow him to get us through what seems unnavigable. When we do, we will see that His word can make our lives simple. "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." Psalm 119:130
By me slowing down I was able to not only see far enough in front of me but I could see the fog rising in the woods just on the other side of the road. In the middle of the fog I was able to thank God for allowing me to see what was around me and what was ahead of me. I could see far enough to know what was coming my way. So, today I ask have you slowed down and thanked God for his blessings and for seeing you through your fog? I love that as the sun rises the fog burns off because it reminds me that as the son shines brighter in me my personal fog is burned off too. God doesn't see me like I see me, he sees His son shining bright in me and His daughter to whom he can't wait to welcome home.The fog is just part of our journey, will you cry out I can't see or slow down and allow God to open your eyes for you? "But everything exposed by the light becomes visible," Ephesians 5:13 Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.
Bible verses taken from NIV
A week ago I was driving in the country on my way to work and was in awe of God's creation. As I drove down a winding road I noticed the fog was just starting to rise. I have always thought that fog was magical/mystical. I blame it on my romantic heart, but maybe there is more to it. I found myself thanking God for the beautiful pastures with the cows and the trees. I love my drive to work. The beautiful blue sky fading into the rolling pastures and the towering pine trees saluting the sun makes my morning peaceful. This morning seemed different though, the fog was about a foot off the ground in every direction. It wasn't a real dense fog but enough for me to realize I needed to slow down and pay attention. I felt as if God was speaking to me. He wanted me to see that our lives are just like that winding road with fog. Our lives will take many turns to get us to our final destination but we will have obstacles like fog to travel through. All we need to do to arrive safely is slow down. I knew where my final destination was that day and I knew the road well enough to not be concerned with the fog, but being aware of my surroundings and the possibility of animals traipsing across the road I knew I needed to proceed with caution. If you are saved then you know the road you're on leads to heaven, but the twists and turns that we have to get through are not going away until we reach our final destination and we should proceed with caution. I slowed down a little more as I approached a more dense patch of fog because I was sure I wasn't going to be able to see very far in front of me. As I drove through that patch I was actually able to see my surroundings, and I thought wow this is what God wants us to do. He wants us to slow down, and take the time to pray and read His word but to see our surroundings. Once you do that you can see just far enough ahead of you to keep going with confidence. The obstacles in our lives are hard to get through or even to see past and that's when God wants us to slow down, lean on him and allow him to get us through what seems unnavigable. When we do, we will see that His word can make our lives simple. "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." Psalm 119:130
By me slowing down I was able to not only see far enough in front of me but I could see the fog rising in the woods just on the other side of the road. In the middle of the fog I was able to thank God for allowing me to see what was around me and what was ahead of me. I could see far enough to know what was coming my way. So, today I ask have you slowed down and thanked God for his blessings and for seeing you through your fog? I love that as the sun rises the fog burns off because it reminds me that as the son shines brighter in me my personal fog is burned off too. God doesn't see me like I see me, he sees His son shining bright in me and His daughter to whom he can't wait to welcome home.The fog is just part of our journey, will you cry out I can't see or slow down and allow God to open your eyes for you? "But everything exposed by the light becomes visible," Ephesians 5:13 Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.
Bible verses taken from NIV
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
God Knows
"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:7-13
Have you ever thought, why does this have to happen to me? I'm sure you have and I bet you have even dealt with disappointment. I have been dealt a great bit of disappointment in my life and the latest was just a couple of weeks ago. Before I dive into that disappointment let me set it up with an event that happened 10 months ago. February was suppose to be a neat month for me, because I was going to attend our church's revival. It would be my first revival but I was also going to help in the kitchen, since I was now on the kitchen committee. My husband and I were looking forward to it, but that didn't happen.
My step dad was sick with cancer and the week before the revival was to start he was put in the hospital then sent home with hospice. My husband and I, with our kids went down to visit my step dad for what we were told could possibly be the last time. Our visit was good, but sad. The man lying in the hospital bed didn't even resemble the man I knew to be my step dad. We left Sunday morning to get the kids back and ready for school, but more importantly because our church's revival started that night. I couldn't wait to get back and go but was almost certain my step dad was going to die soon. I didn't want to leave my mom and cried myself to sleep on our two hour drive home. We made it home just in time to straighten the house up and head up to the church. In the middle of the sermon that night my phone buzzed in my pocket. It was my cousin so I ignored it and listened to the pastor who was giving the sermon on the mount from memory. My phone buzzed again and this time something told me to answer the phone. I walked quickly out of the sanctuary and answered the phone. My cousin, crying said, "Kim, your mom told me to call. DA just passed away." I hung up the phone and stepped outside, my husband was by my side in just a few minutes. After the service was over we made plans for our kids to stay with family and we left the next morning. The week was long, but I spent a lot of quality time with my mom. When we returned home the following Friday I was excited to be home, but sad to leave my mom. I stopped by to thank our pastor for driving the two hours to attend the funeral. I told him I was disappointed we missed the revival. His reply has stuck with me and I think it always will. He said, "Kim, no need to worry about that. God knew you weren't going to be at this revival. You were where you were suppose to be."
Those exact words came to my mind two weeks ago when my mom handed me a fist full of disappointment. She was suppose to attend our church's Christmas program. I was very excited because the music that the adult choir was singing touched my heart. My whole family had some part in the program and I couldn't wait for her to hear it. I prayed that the music would touch her heart like it touched mine. My heart broke the afternoon of the program when I was told that she couldn't make it. My prayer for her to be touched by the music wouldn't be answered. The Christmas program was beautiful, just like I knew it would be. It was a moving night and the house was full. I went home and prayed for my heart to forgive and heal...quickly because I would see her the next day. I went to work the next morning and as I was praying for my heart to not be cold towards her, my pastor's words came back to me. God answered my prayer and reminded me that He knew she wouldn't be there. I remembered then that God was in control and although disappointment hurts God knows long before I do what is going to happen. That afternoon when she arrived to go to my son's Christmas program at school I was excited to see her. My heart had truly forgiven her, and I was able to enjoy her company. As the year comes to an end and you stumble across those days of disappointment the year has brought you, remember God knows what is going to happen. He knew before you did and the truth is I wouldn't want it any other way. You can't escape His presence and although we can't see what our future holds, He knows...He's been there. "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.
*Bible verses from NIV Bible
Have you ever thought, why does this have to happen to me? I'm sure you have and I bet you have even dealt with disappointment. I have been dealt a great bit of disappointment in my life and the latest was just a couple of weeks ago. Before I dive into that disappointment let me set it up with an event that happened 10 months ago. February was suppose to be a neat month for me, because I was going to attend our church's revival. It would be my first revival but I was also going to help in the kitchen, since I was now on the kitchen committee. My husband and I were looking forward to it, but that didn't happen.
My step dad was sick with cancer and the week before the revival was to start he was put in the hospital then sent home with hospice. My husband and I, with our kids went down to visit my step dad for what we were told could possibly be the last time. Our visit was good, but sad. The man lying in the hospital bed didn't even resemble the man I knew to be my step dad. We left Sunday morning to get the kids back and ready for school, but more importantly because our church's revival started that night. I couldn't wait to get back and go but was almost certain my step dad was going to die soon. I didn't want to leave my mom and cried myself to sleep on our two hour drive home. We made it home just in time to straighten the house up and head up to the church. In the middle of the sermon that night my phone buzzed in my pocket. It was my cousin so I ignored it and listened to the pastor who was giving the sermon on the mount from memory. My phone buzzed again and this time something told me to answer the phone. I walked quickly out of the sanctuary and answered the phone. My cousin, crying said, "Kim, your mom told me to call. DA just passed away." I hung up the phone and stepped outside, my husband was by my side in just a few minutes. After the service was over we made plans for our kids to stay with family and we left the next morning. The week was long, but I spent a lot of quality time with my mom. When we returned home the following Friday I was excited to be home, but sad to leave my mom. I stopped by to thank our pastor for driving the two hours to attend the funeral. I told him I was disappointed we missed the revival. His reply has stuck with me and I think it always will. He said, "Kim, no need to worry about that. God knew you weren't going to be at this revival. You were where you were suppose to be."
Those exact words came to my mind two weeks ago when my mom handed me a fist full of disappointment. She was suppose to attend our church's Christmas program. I was very excited because the music that the adult choir was singing touched my heart. My whole family had some part in the program and I couldn't wait for her to hear it. I prayed that the music would touch her heart like it touched mine. My heart broke the afternoon of the program when I was told that she couldn't make it. My prayer for her to be touched by the music wouldn't be answered. The Christmas program was beautiful, just like I knew it would be. It was a moving night and the house was full. I went home and prayed for my heart to forgive and heal...quickly because I would see her the next day. I went to work the next morning and as I was praying for my heart to not be cold towards her, my pastor's words came back to me. God answered my prayer and reminded me that He knew she wouldn't be there. I remembered then that God was in control and although disappointment hurts God knows long before I do what is going to happen. That afternoon when she arrived to go to my son's Christmas program at school I was excited to see her. My heart had truly forgiven her, and I was able to enjoy her company. As the year comes to an end and you stumble across those days of disappointment the year has brought you, remember God knows what is going to happen. He knew before you did and the truth is I wouldn't want it any other way. You can't escape His presence and although we can't see what our future holds, He knows...He's been there. "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.
*Bible verses from NIV Bible
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
A Mother's Love
The birth of any child is a blessing and a miracle from God to say the least. The moment you realize you are pregnant your life changes and you find yourself wondering what this new life will be like. You can't grasp the drastic change a child brings to your life. I know that I have been blessed beyond my wildest imagination with my two children. This time of year we all focus on the babe in the manger but as a mom I can't help but wonder how Mary felt. From the day Gabriel came from Heaven to tell her you will have a son and you will call him Jesus to the day he was crucified. "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus." Luke 1:31 When the pregnancy test says you are pregnant you are hopeful but when you go to see the doctor and they confirm you are pregnant you rejoice. From that moment on you do everything in your power to protect, love and nurture your baby. You are filled with joy and hope for a future that is still unknown. Mary must have felt the same way, except her baby is the reason we rejoice and have joy and hope. Her son brought joy and hope into this world when he was born on that night in Bethlehem. As all mother's do, she took care of him and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger. "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger." Luke 2:12 Do you think at that moment she realized that her baby would be our savior, that this sweet infant would be the ONE who comes and brings everlasting life to those who believe? Did she know that she would again be wrapping him in strips of cloth 33 years later when his job on this earth was done? "Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean cloth." Luke 27:59 My heart breaks for Mary as she knows her son is born to die. The birth of a child is a day a mother will never forget, but parents are suppose to die before their children. This is not the case for Mary and in that way we can in one way or another relate to her, the mother of the chosen one. It's easy to forget that Jesus was a baby, and the bonding that took place between him and Mary as he grew into a toddler, a boy, a teenager, and a man. Jesus was human, meaning he like all of us, had to learn to talk, walk and was dependant upon Mary to take care of him. As a mother of two, I would take a bullet, jump in front of a car or( in those days) hang on a cross for my children. I can't fathom how Mary felt watching her baby boy suffer a terrible death on the cross so He could save the world. The heart ache must have been unbearable but knowing that she would see her son in Heaven one day must have soothed her aching heart. The bond between mother and child is strong but the bond between a mother and God incarnate....wow! This year as you spend time with your children remember the babe born in a manger who gives us all joy and hope and a reason to live. Those emotions we felt when our babies were born were magnified that night...REJOICE! Our savior was born and died but still lives...Merry Christmas!! Until next time may God bless you and keep you.
*Bible verses used from NIV
*Bible verses used from NIV
Saturday, December 1, 2012
The gift that keeps on giving
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
My family and I have started decorating for Christmas but it's taking longer than what I would like. We have something going on almost every night of the week and sometimes more than one thing for the night. I know it's all part of being a mom of two little kids and being married to a band director, but I like to slow down and enjoy the decorating not just throw it up so we can say we did it. As I sat on the living room floor going through our decorations I began thinking of how silly we can be this time of year. The whole reason we celebrate Christmas is to recognize the birth of our savior but, we get so caught up in the shopping and the decorations it tends to take away from the birth of Jesus Christ. I got up from my spot on the floor and posted the following on facebook: "Sometimes I don't like this time of year because people are so consumed with what they want. It is better to give than to receive but honestly we can't out give what's already been given to us through the birth of Jesus, his life on earth, and his death when he conquered the grave. Share the good news this Christmas....you might introduce someone to a gift that lasts for an eternity." I, like everyone else, tend to get caught up in the giving of gifts and the decorations. This year I have a burden to give more than I have in years past. I have already given but will continue to give. I can give with money but more importantly I can give my time. I want to start a family tradition and that is to give as much as we can all the time not just during Christmas. The truth is God gave us his son so we could have everlasting life with him in heaven and there is no greater gift than that. I can't out give my God and savior but I can give money and time to those who need it and I can share the story of my savior Jesus Christ. Although I can't give the gift that keeps on giving I can introduce people to the one gift that will not only change your life today but for eternity. I plan on focusing more on the babe in the manger than all the hustle and bustle. As you go about your days planning please set time aside to visit with your friends and family and let them know how much they mean to you. Don't wait for the holidays to pass so you're not so busy, the truth is we are busy all the time. Give however you can give to those in need, either by donating money or time and watch the Christmas spirit come alive. Rejoice that you have the gift that keeps on giving and introduce others to that gift. Praise be to God in the highest! Until next time may God bless you and keep you.
*Bible verse taken from NIV Bible
My family and I have started decorating for Christmas but it's taking longer than what I would like. We have something going on almost every night of the week and sometimes more than one thing for the night. I know it's all part of being a mom of two little kids and being married to a band director, but I like to slow down and enjoy the decorating not just throw it up so we can say we did it. As I sat on the living room floor going through our decorations I began thinking of how silly we can be this time of year. The whole reason we celebrate Christmas is to recognize the birth of our savior but, we get so caught up in the shopping and the decorations it tends to take away from the birth of Jesus Christ. I got up from my spot on the floor and posted the following on facebook: "Sometimes I don't like this time of year because people are so consumed with what they want. It is better to give than to receive but honestly we can't out give what's already been given to us through the birth of Jesus, his life on earth, and his death when he conquered the grave. Share the good news this Christmas....you might introduce someone to a gift that lasts for an eternity." I, like everyone else, tend to get caught up in the giving of gifts and the decorations. This year I have a burden to give more than I have in years past. I have already given but will continue to give. I can give with money but more importantly I can give my time. I want to start a family tradition and that is to give as much as we can all the time not just during Christmas. The truth is God gave us his son so we could have everlasting life with him in heaven and there is no greater gift than that. I can't out give my God and savior but I can give money and time to those who need it and I can share the story of my savior Jesus Christ. Although I can't give the gift that keeps on giving I can introduce people to the one gift that will not only change your life today but for eternity. I plan on focusing more on the babe in the manger than all the hustle and bustle. As you go about your days planning please set time aside to visit with your friends and family and let them know how much they mean to you. Don't wait for the holidays to pass so you're not so busy, the truth is we are busy all the time. Give however you can give to those in need, either by donating money or time and watch the Christmas spirit come alive. Rejoice that you have the gift that keeps on giving and introduce others to that gift. Praise be to God in the highest! Until next time may God bless you and keep you.
*Bible verse taken from NIV Bible
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