Random Acts List

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness IDEAS 2013

·         Do an outdoor chore for a neighbor—Imagine their surprise when they get home

·         Bring a Neighbors Trashcans up from the Curb (or do it before your dad asks you to)

·         Leave a Dollar in the Toy section of a local store

·         Babysit for FREE so a mom can go Christmas Shopping

·         Offer to wrap an elderly persons gifts  OR Shop for them

·         Buy a beverage for the person behind you at Starbucks or McDonalds

·         Take some Holiday treats to places you frequent (Library, Starbucks, School Office, etc.)

·         Take Holiday Treats to those places you don’t frequent (Firehouse, City Hall, Police station, etc.)

·         Leave an unexpected treat for your mail carrier or paperboy

·         Give the UPS person a treat when they deliver your Christmas gifts

·         Stop by a local playground and give out small toys-enclose a note encouraging them to do the same thing

·         Let the person behind you go through the checkout first (even if they have a LARGE order)

·         Return a cart to the corral that was left in a parking spot

·         Offer to carry packages for someone

·         Let someone get that parking spot in the crowded mall

·         Put some cash in EVERY Salvation Army Red Kettle you see one day

·         Tape coins to a vending Machine

·         Buy $5 Target Gift Cards and pass out to folks at the entrances

·         Leave a BIG tip for you server or a small TREAT

·         Write a note of appreciation to a teacher, coach or cafeteria worker (maybe the one that is the toughest…not the nicest)

·         Clean up the lunch table

·         Do the laundry (or any other chore) for your mom and when asked say “I DIDN”T DO IT”

·         Leave a roll of quarters at the Laundromat

·         Take hats and give them to people who appear to be cold (possibly homeless?)

·         Go to a nursing home and offer to write letters

·         Sing Christmas Carols at a local senior center

·         Donate a coat (Nu-Yale Cleaners)

·         Leave diapers and wipes on a local changing table

·         Smile at EVERYONE!  Yes, EVERYONE

·         Tape candy canes to ATM Machines, vending Machines, Parking Meters, etc

·         Take a set of holiday books and leave at a mall play area

·         Buy a hot cocoa or latte for Salvation Army bell ringers (brrrrr—it must get cold out there!)  

·         Pass out candy and spread cheer to folks mailing off their Christmas cards at the post office

·         Call animal shelter and find out what donations they need. Make a contribution & visit animals.

·         Leave small Christmas treats/gifts in shopping carts for folks to find

For more Inspiration check out   http://www.pillowthought.com/2011/11/random-acts-of-christmas-kindness.html

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

Lett the Random Acts begin

We challenged our high-school girls group (Princess Power Hour) to perform 25 random acts of Kindness over the holidays.  We provided a sign and a list of ideas and encouraged them to post their ideas to our Facebook page.  I got started early and have prepared 6 packages of hats and candy canes with the RACKED sign attached.  I plan on leaving these in our local park to help the homeless that frequent there.

 This is me giving the lady that checked us out at JC Penneys a candy Treat.  

I don't think she really understood what I was doing.  

 Last night (Tuesday before Thanksgiving) I gave a larger than expected tip (27%) to our server.  I hope they were surprised.  I left the cash wrapped up in the sign!  

 I have purchased a Starbucks card that I plan on giving a Salvation Army bell ringer (can't wait to do that!).  I've rung the bell before and love to interact with the people who make donations.  I am making sure I ALWAYS have dollar bills to give to the ringers and will take along some candy canes to give them after I am out of Starbuck Cards.  

Happy Racking!

Holiday SWEET Snack agape'

May these sweets help you celebrate Jesus, 

the very sweetest gift of all...

·        Candy-cane, shaped like a shepherd’s staff, to remind you that Jesus came to be your Good Shepherd (John 10:11)

·        Gold-wrapped Rolo, shaped like a crown, to remind you that Jesus is the King of Kings (Revelation 19:16)

·        Smarties, to remind you that Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6).

·        Dove, a symbol for peace, to remind you that Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

·        Starlight mint, to remind you that Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12)

·        Milky Way, to remind you that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)

·        Life Saver, to remind you that Jesus came to be your Savior (Luke 2:11)

·        Hershey Hug, to remind you that Jesus loves you (John 3:16)

·        Almond Joy, to remind you that Jesus is the source of joy (John 15:11)

                   Wishing you a Christmas filled with His sweetness!

Less track in front of the train than behind it...

My dad just turned 80 last Friday--Wasn't he a handsome fellow as a high school senior?  

But in celebrating his birthday I was challenged to once again this year think about how I spend my life. What is the legacy I am building.  Is what I spend my time, energy and money on really worthwhile?  What will be said of me when I am gone?

I've been blessed that both my parents are still living-but celebrating your dads 80th makes you THINK that there is less track in front of the train than behind it...and the days, they pass so quickly.

This year I have been reminded of this over and over again.  An uncle who will turn 80 next week was diagnosed with cancer, his wife dies unexpectedly, friends of my daughter are killed in an automobile accident and so on.  Life is precious and fragile and we are only promised today.  With all these reminders I still find it a challenge to live each day to it's fullest potential.  I pray that I can embrace each moment as an opportunity to do what is most important.  To not waste it on petty irritations (it is my choice, isn't it?), to enjoy the view in front of me, to savor each and every moment and to CHOOSE to do work that will ultimately benefit the kingdom.   

A Woman of Beauty

Princess Power Hour, a ministry for High School girls, recently hosted an evening of Fashion and Beauty.

We learned how to be frugal fashionistas from Barby, who gave us tips for shopping in thrift stores as well as how to be sure an item is a good buy-even when you pay full price.  Megan, a distributor for 31 bags and Arbonne, gave us tips on the hottest trends in purses and backpacks as well as skin care advice.  Merica, a former model,  helped us understand the best clothing for our body types (apples or pears) and gave us makeup tips using some of her favorite (NOT expensive) makeup products.

The evening got me thinking about beauty and how God's version of beauty is different from what the world teaches us.  To be truly beautiful--adopt these beauty secrets:

The eyes should seek out the goodness of every individual you meet. They should focus on the good in individuals.  They should radiate warmth and sparkle with joy.

The ears should hear the true meaning in the spoken word be it your own or others.  Ears should be attuned to the hurt or frustration in others or conversely, love, joy and respect.  Your ears should engage in ACTIVE listening by maintaining eye contact and not being distracted by your phone, e-mail or others.

Your mouth should only speak infrequently and then only words that are kind, gentle, encouraging and loving.  It should smile often.

Shoulders should help carry another burdens, making their load lighter.  You should be a shoulder to cry on or a place to rest a weary head.

Your arms should freely offer hugs to one that needs to know they are loved, especially when they are being unlovable.  Arms should reach out to others, drawing them closer to yourself and to the one who created you.

Your hands should reach out in greeting, frequently offer pats on the back and work to pick up one who finds them self down.  Hands should freely share the ample bounty you have been blessed with, offering what you can to anyone in need.  Hands should be extending good will and peace offerings.

Your feet should go the extra mile, give someone a "leg up" and be willing walk in someone else's shoes.

Practice these things so you will become truly beautiful.

Gods name isn't GOD!

God has a name but you may be surprised to know that it isn’t GOD.  The word God describes what God is, like the word human being describes what you are—but not WHO you are. 

God’s NAME is given to us in Exodus 3:14 --"I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'  If you find that a bit confusing, like I do, the translation in the complete Jewish Bible which reads,

 God said to Moshe, "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh [I am/will be what I am/will be]," and added, "Here is what to say to the people of Isra'el: 'Ehyeh [I Am or I Will Be] has sent me to you.'—Exodus 3:14 (Complete Jewish Bible). 

I am describes WHO God is…It says God is all things and is capable of all things, God meets all my needs, God is there for me and he knows me.  Here are some verses demonstrating God’s  I AM-ness. 

 “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”

“I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.”--  Matthew 26:61

“I am with you always”—Matthew 28:  20

 "I am willing," he said.—Mark 1:41

“But I am among you as one who serves”—Luke 22:27

They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying, I am" —Luke 22:70

 “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.--John 6:35

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."—John 8:12

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born I  am,!"—John 8:58

"I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep—John 10:17

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—John 10:14

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;--John 11:25

“I am going there to prepare a place for you.”—John 14:2

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.—John 15:1

John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from I am who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,--Revelation 1:4

"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.—Revelation 1:17

Follow me

Follow Me

Perhaps you can’t relate to the Disciples reaction to give up everything and “Following” Jesus when he made that request of them.  Did the disciples pray about their decision, discuss it with their family and trusted friends, did they review the benefit package and discuss their compensation before accepting?   The bible only says Jesus made the request to “Follow me” and Matthew got up and followed him (Matthew 9:9) 

I often wonder what I would have done…Would I give up my family, my job, my lifestyle for the unknown???  Would you??? 

Just as important as the request was, I think it is equally important to understand WHO Jesus asked.  In those days, WHO a Rabbi (the teacher) had as a student was a direct reflection on the QUALITY of the Rabbi, himself.  Not EVERYONE was asked, you had to be pre-qualified.  here was generally a rigorous application process and only the cream of the crop was selected.

But Jesus asked Matthew:  The Tax collector—

Perhaps you only know Matthew as the author of one four gospels in the New Testament.  Matthew had been raised a LEVITE (a priest) but had turned his back on the position of his birth to become a reviled Tax collector for the Roman Government.  He was ostracized by his community and his family.  Matthew had all the right credentials as a young man, he know his Torah, had come from good family but he now associated with drunkards and prostitutes.  Matthew was not only a sinner, but he SINNED for a living!  Yet Jesus asked him to be a follower. 

Jesus invitation to Matthew makes it clear that to follow Him we don’t have to be a member of the religious elite, the morally upright or have it all together.   I am blessed to have been "asked" to follow Jesus even though I am unworthy.  Jesus wants you to get up and follow Him, leaving everything behind.  Have you RSVPd to His invitation?